Day 41 | US-Iran truce hangs in balance
The 2026 Iran War began on February 28, when the United States and ‘Israel’ launched a large-scale attack on Iran, unleashing nearly 900 airstrikes within 12 hours on the Islamic Republic’s missile systems, air defenses, nuclear facilities, military bases, and leadership targets.
On April 8, the United States, Iran, and ‘Israel’ agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, with Iran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and all sides pausing military operations while negotiations continue toward a broader agreement.
The assault followed years of shadow conflict, including direct missile exchanges in 2024 and a limited 12-day war in 2025 that damaged Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials were killed in the opening strikes.
Iran responded within hours, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at ‘Israel’, US bases, and targets across the Gulf.
The fragile truce is currently hanging in the balance, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as ‘Israel’ launched a major bombardment of Lebanon.
Washington and Tehran both claimed victory after agreeing to the ceasefire and negotiations.
The deal's fractures emerged quickly as ‘Israel’ carried out its heaviest strikes on its neighbour -- including in densely packed central Beirut -- since the Iran-backed group Hezbollah joined the war in early March.
‘Israel’ said its battle against Hezbollah was not part of the US-Iran truce agreed late Tuesday, an argument echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, days before he is due to lead talks with Tehran in Pakistan.
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appeared to threaten the ceasefire, posting on X that the "workable basis on which to negotiate" had already been violated, making further talks "unreasonable".
Adding to the fragility of the truce -- agreed hours before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump -- a senior US official said Iran's 10-point plan was not the same set of conditions the White House had agreed to in order to pause the war.
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Read more: Day 42 | US-Iran truce on edge as talks set for Friday
Mohamed bin Zayed shares message of unity amid regional tensions
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan posted a brief message on the social media platform X, expressing a sentiment of protection toward his country.
He wrote: “I shield you in the name of God, my homeland,” a statement widely seen as a message of reassurance at a time of heightened regional tensions.
حصنتك باسم الله يا وطن…
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 9, 2026
Sirens sound across Galilee and Haifa as loud explosion reported
Air raid sirens were heard across wide areas of the Galilee, Haifa, and Haifa Bay, followed by reports of a powerful explosion.
Iranians rally in support of Supreme Leader in Tehran
Hundreds of Iranians took to the streets of Sadeghiyeh Square in Tehran, waving flags and showing public support for Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Participants carried banners and chanted slogans endorsing the leadership, reflecting continued domestic backing amid ongoing regional tensions.
Explosion sounds reported in Dubai amid ceasefire
Unverified reports have emerged of sounds resembling explosions in Dubai amid ongoing ceasefire across the region.
Authorities have not confirmed the incident, and no official details on the cause, damage, or casualties have been released. Further information is expected as the situation develops.
Kuwait intercepts drone attacks targeting vital facilities
Kuwait’s air defense systems are responding to hostile drone attacks that have breached the country’s airspace, according to an official statement.
In Statement No. 58, Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said the drones targeted a number of vital facilities. He confirmed that air defenses are actively engaging the threats as the situation develops.
No immediate details were provided regarding casualties or damage. Kuwaiti authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to protect national security.
Netanyahu denies ceasefire in Lebanon as Iran says talks depend on halt to violations
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday there is no ceasefire in Lebanon, rejecting speculation that the US‑Iran ceasefire deal would extend to Lebanese territory and affirming that ‘Israel’ will continue military operations in the north.
His remarks came amid regional tensions over the scope of the truce.
Iranian officials have warned they would not attend upcoming negotiations if ceasefire violations in Lebanon continue, after 'Israeli' forces dropped more than 160 bombs on Lebanese towns in a heavy assault on Wednesday, drawing accusations of breaching the agreement and deepening the conflict’s diplomatic rift.
Iran’s Supreme Leader says waiting on "southern neighbors to respond appropriately"
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei praised the country’s armed forces for turning enemy attacks into “a great victory,” despite the damage inflicted.
He highlighted the public’s role, saying the Iranian people have emerged victorious in the field and that Iran’s strength is now evident, while global arrogance is in decline. Khamenei also announced plans to elevate the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a “new phase.”
Addressing ongoing negotiations, he emphasized that talks with adversaries do not diminish the need for public presence in the streets. He warned neighboring countries to recognize what he called “miracles” in Iran and cautioned against trusting false promises from enemies.
Khamenei added that Iran awaits an appropriate response from its southern neighbors to demonstrate regional solidarity and cooperation.
"I tell Iran's southern neighbors that you are witnessing a miracle, so see correctly, understand correctly, stand in the right place, and be suspicious of the false promises of the devils. We are still waiting for an appropriate reaction from you to show our brotherhood and goodwill. This will not happen unless you turn away from the arrogant powers who miss no opportunity to humiliate and exploit you," Khamenei said.
Supreme Leader says Iran does not seek war but will defend its rights
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei marked 40 days since the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, with a message calling for continued public engagement.
In his statement, Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized that Iran does not seek war but will not compromise on its rights. He highlighted the role of the people in maintaining presence in public spaces over the past 40 days, describing it as a vital demonstration of solidarity.
The Supreme Leader also condemned global powers, saying they revealed their true nature by targeting Iranian children.
Sirens blare once again as Hezbollah fires more rockets at 'Israel'
Sirens sounded in 'Nahariya' and surrounding areas in northern occupied Palestine after a new rocket salvo was fired from Lebanon.
Hebrew sources also reported that Hezbollah has launched 60 rockets toward ‘Israel’ since the morning, intensifying the ongoing regional tensions.
Additionally, channel 13 cited an 'Israeli' official saying the military expects to reduce its operations in Lebanon in the coming days due to US pressure.
Iran says ceasefire could speed Netanyahu trial, warns US of fallout
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that a region-wide ceasefire, including in Lebanon, could accelerate the legal proceedings against 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a message posted on social media, Araghchi criticized the potential US inaction, suggesting that allowing Netanyahu to “kill diplomacy” would harm the US economy. He added that while Iran views such a scenario as unwise, it is prepared to respond if it occurs.
The comments come ahead of Netanyahu’s criminal trial, set to resume on Sunday, amid ongoing tensions across the region. Araghchi’s statement frames a ceasefire as a key factor in stabilizing regional diplomacy and limiting further escalation.
10 rockets fired from Lebanon at northern ‘Israel’
Ten rockets were reportedly launched from Lebanon toward 'Nahariya' and surrounding areas in northern occupied Palestine, according to Hebrew sources.
Rocket hits Nahariya in northern ‘Israel’
Hebrew media reported that a rocket directly struck Nahariya in northern 'Israel', amid ongoing escalation.
Initial reports indicate a direct impact inside the city, though no confirmed details on casualties or damage have been released so far. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation as sirens and emergency responses remain active in the area.
Sirens sound north of 'Israel'
Two waves of rockets were launched toward northern ‘Israel’, targeting the areas of Nahariya, Shlomi, and the Western Galilee, according to local reports.
Air raid sirens sounded across the targeted areas, while residents reported hearing multiple explosions, suggesting interceptions or impacts.
Netanyahu to begin direct talks with Lebanon
‘Israel’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has instructed officials to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible.”
Netanyahu said the proposed talks would focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace between ‘Israel’ and Lebanon.
He added that ‘Israel’ “appreciates” remarks made by the Lebanese prime minister calling for Beirut to be free of weapons.
Flights suspended at Beirut airport amid ‘Israel’ threats
Lebanon’s civil aviation authorities announced the immediate and full suspension of all incoming and outgoing flights at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport until further notice, following direct threats from ‘Israel’ targeting the main road leading to the airport.
Air traffic comes to a halt
The strict decision follows security reports warning of the deteriorating situation along the international road to the airport, making access for passengers and flight crews extremely dangerous.
Measures include:
- Flight cancellations: All takeoff and landing operations have been halted for both local and international airlines.
- Terminal clearance: Authorities urged passengers inside the airport to await further instructions amid widespread confusion.
In a related development, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its ban on flights to parts of the Middle East until April 24.
Escalation raises security concerns
The move comes amid a wave of military escalation, with critical infrastructure increasingly at risk.
The airport road is considered a vital lifeline, and any threat to it effectively isolates Lebanon from international air travel, worsening an already fragile humanitarian situation.
Travel warnings issued
Airport authorities called on all travelers to contact airlines regarding their bookings and strongly advised against heading to the airport at this time for safety reasons.
Security agencies are continuing to assess conditions on the ground to determine when operations can safely resume.
The closure marks another blow to Lebanon’s struggling economy and transport sector, as fears grow over further deterioration in the security situation.
Netanyahu corruption trial to resume Sunday following truce
- ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-running corruption trial will resume on Sunday after being suspended during the war with Iran.
- The judicial proceedings are restarting because 'Israel' lifted its nationwide state of emergency following the recently announced ceasefire.
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial is set to resume on Sunday, according to a courts' spokesperson.
The judicial proceedings were temporarily suspended during a nationwide state of emergency imposed due to the recent war with Iran, which has now been lifted following a ceasefire agreement.
State of emergency lifted
The state of emergency, which had forced the closure of schools and workplaces across ‘Israel’, was officially lifted on Wednesday evening.
Authorities noted that no incoming Iranian missiles had been reported since 3 a.m. following the implementation of the ceasefire.
A statement from the ‘Israeli’ courts confirmed, "With the lifting of the state of emergency and the return of the judicial system to work, hearings will resume as usual," noting that sessions will take place between Sundays and Wednesdays.
Pardon requests and political fallout
Netanyahu, who is the first sitting ‘Israeli’ prime minister to be criminally charged, vehemently denies all allegations of “bribery, fraud, and breach of trust”.
The charges were brought forward in 2019 after years of investigations, with the trial officially commencing in 2020. The proceedings have faced repeated delays due to his official commitments and currently have no projected end date.
United States President Donald Trump has recently echoed Netanyahu's calls for ‘Israeli’ President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon, arguing that regular court appearances hinder his ability to govern effectively.
In response, Herzog's office stated that the justice ministry's pardons department will gather legal opinions to submit to the president's legal adviser, although granting a pardon mid-trial is highly unusual.
The ongoing legal battles, compounded by the political fallout from the Hamas attacks on ‘Israel’ in October 2023, have severely damaged Netanyahu's public standing.
Gulf countries report no new aerial attacks from Iran today
Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman reported no hostile aerial attacks today, signaling the first sustained pause in Iranian strikes since the war began on February 28.
The UAE Defence Ministry confirmed the country had been “free of any air threats” on April 9. Saudi, Qatari, and Omani militaries issued no reports of missile or drone activity, in contrast to previous days.
Bahrain’s military provided an updated count of missiles and drones launched by Iran during the conflict but did not report any incidents today.
Hezbollah engages 'Israeli' force at close range in southern Lebanon
Hezbollah announced it engaged an 'Israeli' force at close range after the troops attempted to advance toward the market area of Bent Jbeil.
The group described the confrontation as “zero-distance” combat, indicating intense, direct firefights. No further details on casualties were immediately reported.
Iran says any regional peace must include Lebanon
Iran’s deputy foreign minister told Fars News Agency that any lasting peace in the region must include Lebanon. He said Tehran was prepared to respond to ‘Israeli’ violations of the ceasefire yesterday, but Pakistan intervened to prevent escalation.
“The coming hours are extremely critical,” he said, adding that the United States must stop ‘Israeli’ attacks on Lebanon in line with the truce.
