Day 42 | US-Iran truce on edge
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, as he is set to lead talks with Tehran in Islamabad, 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 43 | US-Iran truce on edge as talks to begin in Pakistan on Saturday
Yemen rally celebrates Iran ‘victory’ in war
Senior Iranian delegation arrives in Islamabad ahead of US talks
A high-level Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has arrived in Islamabad, according to Iranian media reports.
The visit comes ahead of planned direct negotiations with the United States, as part of efforts to reinforce a ceasefire and ease rising regional tensions.
The talks were arranged at the initiative of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been leading diplomatic efforts to bring the sides together.
Sharif said earlier that Iranian officials would participate in the discussions scheduled for Saturday in Islamabad, despite the lack of formal confirmation from Tehran at the time.
The meetings are expected to focus on stabilizing the ceasefire and preventing further escalation across the region.
Rocket lands in Kiryat Shmona without sirens activated
A rocket fell in the northern 'Israeli' city of Kiryat Shmona on Friday without air raid sirens being activated, according to initial reports.
The incident occurred shortly before reports of the impact emerged, raising questions over early warning systems in the area.
No immediate information was available on casualties or damage.
Later, sirens were heard in Kiryat Shmona, Tel Hai, and Upper Galilee in northern ‘Israel’.
'Never to humiliation!': Iranians chant slogans during Friday prayers
"Never to humiliation!" chant Iranian worshippers ahead of Friday prayers at the Imam Khomeini shrine in Tehran, amid a fragile truce in the war with the United States and 'Israel'.
Hezbollah supporters protest against talks with ‘Israel’
Trump to Iran: “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate”
US President Donald Trump issued a sharply worded message to Iran, saying the country’s leadership remains in a position to negotiate amid escalating tensions.
In remarks posted publicly, Trump said: “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate,” referring to Iranian officials and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
He added that Iran “does not seem to realize they have no cards,” arguing that its leverage is limited to what he described as short-term pressure through international waterways.
Trump also claimed Iran’s use of maritime routes amounted to “extortion of the world,” while insisting that negotiations remain the only viable path forward.
The comments come as Washington continues diplomatic and military pressure on Tehran alongside ongoing regional instability and ceasefire efforts involving multiple international actors.
Azerbaijan firmly denies missile launch claims toward Gulf states
The government of Azerbaijan has rejected circulating social media claims alleging that missiles were launched from its territory toward Gulf countries, describing the reports as completely false and baseless.
In a statement, Azerbaijani authorities said such narratives spreading across social media platforms amid regional tensions are aimed at misleading public opinion and creating false perceptions.
“These claims are either deliberately provocative or stem from irresponsible and unfounded reporting,” the statement said, adding that modern monitoring systems in the region can clearly identify the origin and trajectory of aerial objects.
The statement emphasized that countries in the region, including Gulf states, possess advanced radar and surveillance systems capable of accurately tracking missile or aerial launch paths.
Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to international law, respect for state sovereignty, and regional stability, urging the public to rely only on verified and official sources.
Authorities also called on media outlets and social media users to exercise responsibility and professionalism when sharing information, warning against the spread of unverified reports during periods of heightened regional tensions.
Starmer warns Iran ceasefire is “fragile”
Trump says US will know outcome of Iran talks within 24 hours
Donald Trump said the United States will determine within the next 24 hours whether talks with Tehran have a chance of success, in remarks published by the New York Post.
Trump stressed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a non-negotiable condition in any ceasefire agreement.
He also issued a warning over military readiness, saying US naval vessels are being equipped with “the best ammunition and weapons” in preparation for potential strikes if negotiations fail.
“We are rearming our ships with even better weapons than before when we destroyed them,” he said, adding that US forces remain prepared for a forceful response.
Trump expressed skepticism about Iran’s intentions, accusing negotiators of inconsistency between private and public statements on nuclear policy.
“They say one thing to the American delegation and another to the press,” he said, noting contradictions over uranium enrichment and nuclear commitments.
His comments come amid heightened tensions and fragile diplomatic efforts involving Iran and regional powers.
37 killed across Lebanon in 'Israeli' strikes since morning
A series of 'Israeli' strikes across multiple areas in Lebanon has left at least 37 people dead since the morning, according to local reports.
In Jbaa, six people were killed. In Nabatieh, 17 deaths were reported, marking the highest toll among the affected areas.
One person was killed in Ansar in the Bekaa region, while five were killed in Ain Baal, including three children.
Additional casualties were reported elsewhere. One person was killed in Al-Sharqiya, two in Al-Samaiyeh in Deir Qanoun Ras Al-Ain, and two in Sahmar in Western Bekaa. Two more people were killed in Al-Mari in Hasbaya, along with one death in Jebchit.
The figures indicate a rising toll across southern and eastern Lebanon as 'Israel' continues to hit multiple locations.
Lebanese authorities have not yet issued a unified official casualty count, and the situation remains fluid amid ongoing developments on the ground.
Sirens blare in 'Israel' as rockets, drone launched from Lebanon
Air raid sirens continued to sound across 'Israel’s' Upper and Western Galilee on Friday amid a fresh escalation along the northern border.
The alerts followed reports of a rocket salvo and a drone launch from Lebanon toward northern 'Israel.'
Several Kuwaiti soldiers injured in Iranian attacks in past 24 hours
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said its armed forces intercepted and dealt with seven hostile drones within Kuwaiti airspace over the past 24 hours.
In a statement issued by official spokesperson Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, the ministry said the drones were handled in line with established procedures.
The ministry added that what it described as Iranian aggression targeted several vital facilities affiliated with the National Guard, resulting in injuries among personnel. Those injured are receiving treatment and are in stable condition, according to the statement.
It also reported significant material damage from the strikes.
Separately, the Land Force Engineering’s Inspection and Disposal Group handled 14 reports during the same period, following standard procedures.
The ministry stressed that members of the armed forces continue to carry out their duties with high morale and discipline, reaffirming their readiness to protect the country’s security and stability.
'Israel' under fire: Rockets fired at Safed after strikes on Nabatieh
Netanyahu orders removal of Spanish representatives amid diplomatic row
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Spain’s representatives would be removed from a coordination center in Kiryat Gat, escalating a growing diplomatic dispute.
In a statement, Netanyahu said “Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us,” accusing Spain of defaming 'Israeli' soldiers and “standing against Israel.”
He added that he had instructed officials to expel Spain’s representatives from the coordination center, citing what he described as repeated hostility toward ‘Israel’.
“Those who attack the State of Israel instead of terrorist regimes will not be our partners regarding the future of the region,” Netanyahu said, warning that countries engaging in what he called a “diplomatic war” would face consequences.
Comments from Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called on the European Union to suspend its cooperation agreement with ‘Israel’, citing concerns over ongoing military operations.
Sánchez warned against the emergence of a “new Gaza” in Lebanon, urging a unified European stance and stronger action in response to what he described as violations of international law.
He said that Europe risks losing global credibility if it fails to uphold consistent legal and moral standards.
Iran command warns of “painful” response if attacks on Lebanon continue
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said its forces remain on maximum alert, stressing readiness to respond to any escalation amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement, the command said it was acting “in compliance with the message of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution,” reaffirming that troops are fully prepared, with “hands on the trigger.”
The headquarters warned that leaders in the United States and ‘Israel’ have no right to threaten the Iranian people or what it described as the “Islamic resistance front,” which it claimed remains undefeated.
The statement also addressed US President Donald Trump and 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying it would be better for them to “review their defeat” rather than issue threats against Iran, its armed forces, and allied groups in the region.
The command also warned that if attacks by the “enemy” on Hezbollah and the Lebanese people continue, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Iran would deliver a “painful response.”
VIDEO - ‘Israeli’ airstrikes target Nabatieh in southern Lebanon
Vance leaves for Iran peace talks, hopes for 'positive' outcome
US Vice President JD Vance said Friday he hoped for a "positive" outcome as he departed Washington for US-Iran peace talks being held in Pakistan.
"We're going to try to have a positive negotiation," he told reporters before take-off from Joint Base Andrews. "If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive."
Hezbollah calls on Lebanon govt to stop giving 'free concessions' to 'Israel'
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Friday called on the Lebanese government to stop giving "free concessions" to 'Israel', with the two governments due to begin negotiations in Washington next week.
"We will not accept a return to the previous situation, and we call on officials to stop offering free concessions," Qassem said in a written message broadcast on the party's Al-Manar TV, in which he also denounced the "bloody criminality on Wednesday," when 'Israeli' strikes killed more than 300 people in Lebanon.
Five rockets fired from Lebanon toward Upper Galilee: 'Israeli' army radio
'Israeli' army radio reported that five rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the Upper Galilee region in northern 'Israel'.
