Day 59 | Hormuz crisis spirals as ‘Israel’ intensifies Hezbollah clashes

The White House says senior US officials are discussing an Iranian proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme potentially coming later, while President Trump maintains firm red lines on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said rockets and drones possessed by Hezbollah remained a key threat that demanded further military action by 'Israel's' military in Lebanon.

"There are still two central threats from Hezbollah: the 122mm rockets and the drones. This demands a combination of operational and technological activity," he said in a statement issued by his office.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is “serious” about reaching a deal with the United States, but stressed that any agreement must firmly prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Speaking to Fox News, Rubio pointed to Iran’s worsening economic conditions, including inflation, difficulties paying wages, and ongoing sanctions, saying the situation has further deteriorated since previous tensions.

He added that any deal must ensure Iran cannot “sprint towards a nuclear weapon” at any point.

'Israeli' Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Monday that Hezbollah's defiance would bring catastrophic consequences for Lebanon, after the group's leader rejected proposed direct talks between 'Israel' and Lebanon.

"Naim Qassem is playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon... If the Lebanese government continues to take cover under the wing of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation -- fire will break out and engulf the cedars of Lebanon," Katz told UN envoy to Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, according to a statement issued by his office.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that "the drivers" of nuclear weapons proliferation were accelerating as he opened a crunch meeting of signatories to the landmark non-proliferation treaty.

"For too long, the Treaty has been eroding. Commitments remain unfulfilled. Trust and credibility are wearing thin. The drivers of proliferation are accelerating. We need to breathe life into the Treaty once more," Guterres told the meeting.

• Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people over alleged Iran-linked activities, including glorifying attacks and communicating with foreign entities during the recent conflict.

Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals convicted of communicating with foreign entities and glorifying Iranian attacks during the recent conflict, authorities said, as part of a broader security crackdown.

Bahrain’s interior ministry said the 69 individuals lost their citizenship after “expressing sympathy for and glorifying Iran’s sinful hostile acts,” adding that the decision also included family members of those involved, according to a statement posted on X.

Bahraini citizenship revoked from 69 peoplehttps://t.co/nhNTnajoh0

— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) April 27, 2026

The decision follows the arrest of dozens of people accused of posting content on social media that incited instability and threatened public order in the Kingdom.

Officials said the measures were taken in response to activities deemed harmful to national security, particularly during the 39-day US-'Israel' war on Iran, which saw missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region.

Authorities have tightened monitoring of online activity and warned against sharing or promoting material that could undermine stability.

The move is part of wider efforts by Bahrain to counter external threats and address security risks, including alleged links to foreign-backed groups and networks.

Iran's foreign minister on Monday said the Islamic republic was "stable, solid" during a meeting in Russia with President Vladimir Putin, according to Russian state TV.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said due to the war with the United States and 'Israel', "the world has now realised Iran's true power" and "it has become clear that the Islamic republic of Iran is a stable, solid and powerful system", he said in the meeting in Saint Petersburg.

He added that Russia had stood by Iran and the two countries would continue their "strategic partnership".

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran's top diplomat that Moscow would do everything it could to help secure peace in the Middle East, during a meeting in Saint Petersburg on Monday.

"For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible," Russian state media quoted Putin as telling Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Putin also stated that he had received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader during a meeting with Araghchi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Iranian people are “fighting bravely and heroically for their sovereignty,” revealing he received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader last week.

During his meeting with the Iranian FM, he expressed hope that Iran will overcome the current difficult period and that peace will prevail, adding that Russia will do everything in its power to promote stability in the Middle East and act in the best interests of Iran and the wider region.

• A Hezbollah commander stated to Al Jazeera that the group will activate "martyrdom" squads to destabilize 'Israeli' forces.
• The commander claimed that large groups of these "martyrdom" fighters are already stationed across occupied Lebanese villages.
• The commander says that units are strictly tasked with engaging in close-quarters combat with 'Israeli' soldiers and officers.
• He mentioned that the severe tactical shift is a direct response to renewed 'Israeli' strikes in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah threatens to revive historic forms of warfare in response to renewed 'Israeli' military operations. Speaking to Al Jazeera, a senior Hezbollah military commander outlined a severe shift in the group's combat strategy aimed at destabilizing 'Israeli' troop presence in the region.

Reviving 1980s Combat Tactics

In a warning, Hezbollah military commander announced that the group is prepared to revert to the asymmetric warfare methods that defined its early years.

"We will use the tactics of the 1980s and activate groups of martyrdom seekers to prevent the enemy's stabilization," the commander said. The reference to "martyrdom seekers" historically points to the use of suicide bombers and highly lethal, close-quarters infiltration units designed to inflict maximum casualties without the expectation of survival.

Pre-planned Deployments in Occupied Villages

The commander further claimed that this tactical shift is not merely a threat, but an active operation already in motion.

According to the official, "large groups of martyrdom seekers are deployed in the occupied area according to pre-prepared plans." The explicit objective of these specialized units is to "engage in close combat with enemy officers and soldiers in the occupied Lebanese villages," indicating a push for direct, localized urban warfare to threat 'Israeli' forces attempting to hold ground.

Collapsing Ceasefire

Hezbollah's declaration of intensified guerrilla warfare comes in direct response to a breakdown in the fragile regional calm.

The threats follow a recent wave of attacks launched by the 'Israeli' occupation army across southern Lebanon. These renewed military operations were carried out in execution of direct orders from 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intensify strikes in the area, effectively shattering the existing ceasefire agreements and plunging the border region back into active conflict.

Iran's armed forces would be the authority responsible for the Strait of Hormuz under the country's proposed law for managing the waterway, a top official said on Monday.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran's parliament, told state television that the armed forces were already in control of the strait and were seeking to prohibit the passage of "hostile vessels".

Azizi also said the proposed law states that financial gains from the strait should be paid in the local rial currency.

The 'Israeli' military announced that it has commenced a new wave of targeted attacks against Hezbollah infrastructure. According to the army's statement, the ongoing strikes are focused on the group sites located in the Beqaa Valley, as well as various areas across southern Lebanon.

بدأ جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي بمهاجمة بنى تحتية تابعة لتنظيم حزب الله في البقاع وفي عدة مناطق جنوب لبنان.

— Lieutenant Colonel Ella Waweya | إيلا واوية (@CaptainElla1) April 27, 2026

• Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun says a ceasefire must come first before any U.S.-mediated talks.
• He rejects “treason” claims, urging critics to await the talks’ outcome.
• He questions whether those who pulled Lebanon into war had national consensus.
• He says his goal is ending the war with ‘Israel’ via a formal armistice.

Amid intense domestic polarization and ongoing regional conflict, the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered a forceful defense of his administration's diplomatic efforts to secure peace.

In a series of pointed statements, he pushed back against criticism from Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, outlining his vision for ending the hostilities with 'Israel'.

Ceasefire as a Prerequisite

Addressing the ongoing diplomatic ceasefire efforts, the President emphasized that his government has established clear preconditions for formal peace talks.

"We informed Washington from the first moment that a ceasefire is a necessary first step for any subsequent negotiations," he stated, signaling that Lebanon will not engage in broader geopolitical bargaining while under fire.

Pushing Back on 'Treason' and 'Surrender'

The President dedicated much of his address to dismantling accusations from Hezbollah leader who have framed the government's willingness to negotiate as a capitulation.

"What we are doing is not treason," the President declared. Turning the accusation against Qassim utilizing Lebanese territory for external proxy conflicts, he added, "Treason is committed by those who take their country to war to achieve foreign interests."

He further dismissed claims that the state was entering talks from a position of weakness. "Some claim that we went to negotiate in surrender, and we tell them: wait for the negotiations to begin and judge the result."

The Question of National Consensus

Highlighting the deep political fractures within Lebanon, Aoun called out the double standards regarding the state's authority to make decisions on war and peace.

Addressing Hezbollah that claim his government lacks the mandate to negotiate, he asked a pointed rhetorical question:

"Some say we decided to negotiate without national consensus, but did those who went to war go with a national consensus?"

An Armistice with 'Israel'

Laying out the ultimate objective of his diplomatic push, the President referenced history to justify a formal end to the current hostilities.

"My goal is to end the state of war with 'Israel', similar to the armistice agreement," he revealed. Pushing back against Hezbollah statements that view any pact as a defeat, he challenged his critics: "Was that agreement a humiliation?"

A mural unveiled this week in Iran has triggered intense speculation about the well-being of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

The artwork, displayed at a public event in Mashhad Ardehal (near Kashan), depicts him alongside prominent figures killed in recent US-‘Israeli’ airstrikes during the ongoing regional conflict.

Videos of the unveiling have gone viral on social media, amplifying rumors amid his prolonged absence from public view.

The mural, described as a tribute to "martyrs of the epic struggle," features portraits of deceased Iranian leaders including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—Mojtaba's father—who was killed in airstrikes on February 28, 2026.

 Is this Iran admitting that its new Supreme Leader is dead?

A mural honoring prominent Iranians killed by U.S-Israeli attacks was unveiled in Mashhad, Iran.

It includes a picture of Mojtaba Khamenei!!pic.twitter.com/cDKLtKxSgq https://t.co/1nj3L7Mc0V

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 26, 2026

Other figures shown include Qassem Soleimani, former President Ebrahim Raisi, and Ruhollah Khomeini.

Mojtaba's inclusion in this group of slain icons has raised eyebrows, as he is the country's current leader following his father's death.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, assumed the role of Supreme Leader shortly after the strikes that decimated much of Iran's top leadership.

Iranian state media reported his appointment and released written statements attributed to him in early March, including a defiant address vowing continued resistance and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

However, no verified video or audio of him has surfaced since late February, fueling persistent questions about his condition.

Officials and state media have offered no explanation for the mural or addressed the speculation directly.

A Russian envoy noted in late March that Mojtaba remained in Iran but was avoiding public appearances "for understandable reasons."

Iranian authorities have similarly insisted he is safe and recovering from any injuries sustained in the conflict, without providing visual evidence.

The absence has coincided with escalating reports of severe injuries, including facial disfigurement or incapacitation from the February strikes.

Online discussions and international reports have intensified since the mural's debut, with some observers questioning whether its inclusion of Mojtaba signals an unacknowledged leadership vacuum or a simple artistic error.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun firmly rejected accusations of betrayal from Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem regarding his administration's current political stance.

He countered his critics by declaring that true treason is committed by those who drag the nation into armed conflict to serve the agendas of external powers, highlighting the intense domestic struggle to keep Lebanon out of a broader regional war.

• Germany’s FM urges “credible deterrence” over nuclear threats.
• He warns Iran’s Strait of Hormuz blockade exposes fragile global supply chains.
• He says disrupted energy and fertilizer flows threaten global food security.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul delivered an assessment of global security on Monday, emphasizing the need for robust nuclear deterrence while sounding the alarm over the economic impacts of the ongoing US-Iran standoff in the Middle East.

Speaking ahead of high-level meetings at the United Nations in New York regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Wadephul outlined Berlin's dual approach to navigating an increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape.

A 'Credible Deterrent' Amid Rising Threats

Addressing the broader security of Europe, Wadephul made it clear that while Germany remains committed to disarmament, current realities require a strong defensive posture.

"As long as nuclear threats against us and our partners continue, we will need a credible deterrent," Wadephul stated.

He added that the upcoming UN conference would seek new methods to safeguard the treaty's historical achievements and maintain a focus on long-term nuclear disarmament.

The emphasis on deterrence reflects a significant shift in European defense policy. Just last month, France and Germany announced plans to deepen their cooperation on nuclear deterrence.

This strategic realignment is driven by the rising security threats posed by Russia, as well as the cascading regional and global instability linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Hormuz Blockade and Global Supply Chains

Beyond nuclear posturing, Wadephul addressed the immediate and severe economic fallout resulting from the maritime crisis in the Middle East.

With Iran heavily restricting access to the Strait of Hormuz, Wadephul warned of dire consequences for the international community.

The Foreign Minister stated that Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates the extreme fragility of global supply chains.

As commercial vessels face restricted passage or rerouting, the delays and shortages are rippling outward into critical sectors.

Specifically highlighting the immediate danger to vulnerable populations, Wadephul warned that the ongoing disruption of vital energy and fertilizer supplies directly threatens global food security.

His comments underscore the growing international pressure to resolve the maritime standoff before the economic impacts trigger wider humanitarian crises.

‘Israeli’ army footage of what it claims is the destruction of Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire has been in place since mid-April.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Brent crude futures have jumped by $3, reaching $108 per barrel on the global market. According to Reuters, the significant surge in oil prices comes in direct response to reports that the critical indirect peace talks between the United States and Iran are stumbling, raising immediate fears of prolonged disruptions to Middle Eastern shipping routes and global energy supplies.

Ships anchor off the United Arab Emirates' east coast as disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz force vessels to wait in the Gulf of Oman.

Oil prices rise while stock markets are mixed, with the United States and Iran no closer to ending their eight-week-old war after President Donald Trump cancels his envoys' trip for peace talks at the weekend.