The ceasefire announced this week between Washington and Tehran is facing its first serious stress test. From the Strait of Hormuz to southern Lebanon, sharp public statements from the US, Iran and Israel suggest the gaps over what the truce actually covers are widening, not narrowing.
While Trump warned Iran over shipping access in one of the world’s most sensitive oil corridors, Tehran signalled it would push for compensation and greater control over Hormuz in talks ahead. At the same time, Israel kept up its line that there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon”, even as Islamabad prepares to host negotiations under growing diplomatic glare.
Live updates: Middle East tensions on April 10
Flynn flags China angle, warns of wider conflict risks
Flynn also pointed to reports suggesting China may be supporting Iran’s missile programme, citing assessments by the Institute for the Study of War.
He said if such claims are confirmed, it could amount to a serious escalation and warned that the US must either “win decisively” or find a clear exit strategy.
Former US NSA questions Pakistan’s credibility as mediator
Former US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn has raised concerns over Pakistan’s ability to act as a neutral mediator in US-Iran talks.
Reacting to claims that Chinese-supplied missiles may have reached Iran via Pakistan, Flynn said, “If true… what does this say about Pakistan being the honest broker?”
He added that such developments would raise serious questions about Islamabad’s role in facilitating negotiations.
India, Japan push for coordinated global response
According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, both countries stressed the importance of working with the international community to stabilise the situation.
Motegi welcomed the recent US-Iran ceasefire announcement and said efforts should focus on ensuring steady de-escalation and uninterrupted shipping through Hormuz.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to working with partners like Japan to maintain stability in the region.
Jaishankar speaks to Japan FM, focus on Hormuz shipping and Indian casualties
India has stepped up diplomatic engagement as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi to discuss developments in West Asia.
The conversation focused on international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional situation.
Jaishankar also acknowledged condolences from Japan over Indian lives lost in the conflict, while both sides emphasised the need for de-escalation and safe navigation through the critical oil route.
The two leaders agreed to continue close coordination and push for multilateral cooperation to strengthen energy resilience and resource supply chains.
Middle East conflict may hit Asia-Pacific growth, warns ADB
The economic ripple effects of the Middle East conflict are now becoming clearer, with the Asian Development Bank warning of slower growth and rising inflation across the Asia-Pacific region.
In its latest outlook, the ADB said growth in developing Asia and the Pacific could moderate to 5.1 per cent in 2026 and 2027 under an early stabilisation scenario, down from 5.4 per cent in 2025.
However, if disruptions continue through the third quarter of 2026, growth could slow further to 4.7 per cent in 2026 and 4.8 per cent in 2027.
Trump lashes out at conservative voices over Iran policy
US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on several right-wing commentators, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones, over their criticism of US actions in Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called them “NUT JOBS” and “TROUBLEMAKERS”, accusing them of seeking “cheap publicity” and even suggesting they support Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The public fallout highlights divisions within Trump’s political base over the ongoing conflict, even as the administration continues to defend its military operations as a “total and complete victory”.
Iran denies sending officials to Islamabad; talks still uncertain
Iran has rejected reports that senior officials have travelled to Pakistan for negotiations with the United States.
Citing Tasnim News Agency, Iranian state media said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf remain in Tehran and continue their duties.
“The news… that an Iranian negotiating team has arrived in Islamabad… is completely false,” a source said.
Iranian outlets also said Tehran has “no plans” to attend talks until Israeli attacks in Lebanon stop and the US fulfils its ceasefire commitments.
Islamabad locks down ahead of expected US-Iran talks
Pakistan’s capital Islamabad went into a near lockdown on April 9 as authorities prepared for possible US-Iran negotiations.
A two-day public holiday was declared, with strict security measures enforced across the city. Police set up checkpoints, especially in the Red Zone, and movement was restricted, with schools and shops largely shut.
Local residents supported the move, calling it necessary for security. One resident, Bilal Habib, said the talks, if held, could remove “a big threat of war” and described the government’s decision as a “good step” to ensure safety.
Another resident, Khwaja Yaseen, said Pakistan could emerge as “a source of peace in the world” and prayed for a positive outcome from the talks.
Trump insists Iran outcome is a ‘victory’
Trump also hit back at criticism from The Wall Street Journal, which had said he declared victory too early in Iran.
“Actually, it is a Victory, and there’s nothing ‘premature’ about it!” he said, adding, “Because of me, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON and, very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran.”
Trump insists Iran outcome is a ‘victory’
Trump also hit back at criticism from The Wall Street Journal, which had said he declared victory too early in Iran.
“Actually, it is a Victory, and there’s nothing ‘premature’ about it!” he said, adding, “Because of me, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON and, very quickly, you’ll see Oil start flowing, with or without the help of Iran.”
Trump warns Iran over Hormuz shipping
US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire understanding by restricting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a social media post. “That is not the agreement we have!”
He also warned Tehran over reports that it may be charging transit fees on tankers using the route. “There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait. They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!”
Former Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi dies after attack injuries
Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and a former foreign minister, has died after succumbing to injuries sustained in an earlier strike, according to Iranian state media quoted by ANI.
Kharrazi was reportedly injured in an attack on his residence in Tehran and died on Thursday night. His wife had earlier been killed in the same attack.
A senior figure in Iran’s political establishment, Kharrazi had served as foreign minister from 1997 to 2005 and later headed the advisory body on foreign policy and international affairs that reports directly to Iran’s top leadership.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader declares victory, seeks compensation
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, struck a defiant tone, saying Iran would not let the US and Israel go “unpunished for their aggression”.
Addressing the nation, he declared that Iran had emerged as the “definitive victor” in the conflict so far. He said Tehran would demand compensation for destruction, blood money for those killed, reparations for disabled veterans, and would push to advance “the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage” during the negotiations.
He also urged people to remain mobilised in public spaces, saying the temporary ceasefire had not ended the conflict entirely and that public pressure could influence the negotiations.
Israeli PM’s office questions Pakistan’s neutrality
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office also issued a sharp response, saying Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s “call for Israel’s annihilation is outrageous”.
“This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace,” the statement said.
The remarks further complicate Pakistan’s mediation pitch just before peace talks are set to begin in Islamabad.
Israel lashes out at Pakistan minister over remarks on Israel
Israel reacted strongly to comments by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who called Israel “evil and a curse for humanity” and accused it of committing “genocide” in Lebanon while talks were underway.
In a post on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel viewed the comments “very gravely”, calling them “blatant antisemitic blood libels”.
He said referring to the Jewish state as “cancerous” was effectively a call for its annihilation and added that Israel would defend itself against those seeking its destruction.
Pakistan’s role as mediator comes under renewed scrutiny
Pakistan’s handling of the ceasefire came under attack after earlier confusion over whether Lebanon was covered by the deal.
The issue has now grown sharper ahead of talks in Islamabad, with both Trump and Netanyahu rejecting the claim that the ceasefire includes Lebanon.
That confusion has raised questions over Islamabad’s ability to clearly define or defend the terms of the agreement it is helping host.
Lebanon says ceasefire remains the only solution
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a ceasefire with Israel remained the only viable way out of the crisis.
According to Al Jazeera, Aoun said efforts towards a ceasefire and direct negotiations had already begun and received a “positive response”.
That leaves the region in a contradictory moment: fighting on the ground, but some early signs of parallel political engagement.
Israel launches fresh strikes, opens door to Lebanon talks
The Israel Defence Forces said it had begun a fresh wave of strikes on Hezbollah launch sites in Lebanon.
At the same time, Netanyahu’s office said Israel would begin direct talks with Lebanon after repeated requests from Beirut. The statement said the negotiations would focus on Hezbollah’s disarmament and peaceful relations.
The Israeli side also said it “appreciates the call” by Lebanon’s Prime Minister to demilitarise Beirut, suggesting that even as military action continues, a separate diplomatic track may be opening.
Israel says there is ‘no ceasefire in Lebanon’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected any suggestion that the truce applies to Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
“I wish to inform you: There is no ceasefire in Lebanon. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we restore your security,” he said.
He also said he had instructed the Cabinet to open direct negotiations with the Lebanese government aimed at two goals: the disarmament of Hezbollah and a “historic peace agreement” between Israel and Lebanon.
Ceasefire dispute sharpens over Lebanon
Iran continued to insist that Lebanon forms part of the ceasefire arrangement, while Israel and the United States maintained the opposite position.
According to the Iranian side, the truce should cover Israeli attacks on Lebanon as well. But Israel has rejected that interpretation, and hours after the ceasefire came into effect, it launched what was described as its largest single-day attack on Lebanon, killing more than 300 people and injuring over 1,100, according to IANS report.
That disagreement now sits at the centre of the diplomatic standoff before talks begin in Islamabad.
Iran warns US not to let Netanyahu ‘kill diplomacy’
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned Washington against allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to derail diplomacy as the ceasefire took hold.
In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, “Netanyahu's criminal trial resumes on Sun(day). A region-wide ceasefire, incl(uding) in Lebanon, would hasten his jailing.” He added that if the United States lets Netanyahu “kill diplomacy”, that would be its choice, though Iran was prepared for it.
Araghchi also held separate calls with his counterparts from Russia, France, Spain and Germany. In his conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, he said Iran would ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the two-week ceasefire if the United States adhered to its commitments.
World Bank flags wider economic fallout from Middle East conflict
World Bank president Ajay Banga warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could hurt growth, push up inflation and add to pressure on already fragile economies.
Speaking at the Atlantic Council, Banga said emerging markets were especially exposed because many were already dealing with fiscal and debt stress. He said global growth, earlier projected at around 2.8 to 3 per cent, could fall by as much as one percentage point in a more severe scenario.
He also warned of inflationary pressures and highlighted the wider impact of disruption in energy, fertiliser and chemical supply chains. According to him, the World Bank is preparing liquidity support for affected countries, with possible short-term access of $20 billion to $25 billion, rising further over six months.