Day 62 | Trump rejects Iran’s offer, says naval blockade will remain until nuclear deal

For further updates - visit the link below.

Read more: Day 63 | Trump reviews military options to pressure Iran into deal

Air defense batteries were triggered across Tehran late Thursday night, with heavy fire reported in the western, central, and southeastern districts of the capital.

Initial reports from the Tasnim News Agency indicate that the systems were activated to counter "micro-drones" and small reconnaissance UAVs detected in the airspace.

Significant uncertainty remains as explosions continue to be heard by residents. There are currently no confirmed reports on the origin of the drones or whether any targets were successfully hit, as the Iranian military has yet to issue a comprehensive formal statement.

US President Donald Trump says that he is currently engaged in "negotiations to conclude a deal with Iran," while simultaneously slamming Congressional Democrats for their persistent efforts to pass a resolution demanding an end to hostilities.

• US President Trump claims Iran is "desperate" for a deal.
• Trump redefined the conflict as a "special military operation", not a war and was long overdue.
• Despite the hostilities, Trump says he does not mind the Iranian national team competing in the 2026 World Cup.

US President Donald Trump delivered a series of high-stakes declarations on Thursday, signaling both a firm military stance and an openness to high-level diplomacy with Tehran.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, the President claimed that the Iranian leadership is now "desperate" to reach a new agreement as the weight of US pressure begins to paralyze the regime’s strategic options.

"Iran is desperate to reach a deal," Trump asserted, reiterating his administration's primary objective: "We cannot allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon."

"Long overdue operation"

In a significant rhetorical shift, Trump pushed back against critics who have labeled the current escalation a "war." Instead, he characterized the ongoing strikes and naval blockade as a focused "military operation."

"I don't call what is happening against Iran a war, but rather a military operation," US President said. He added that the decision to strike was a strategic necessity that had been delayed by previous administrations, stating, "The military operation against Iran should have been launched a long time ago."

No objections to the World Cup

In a move that surprised some diplomatic observers, the President took a softer tone regarding Iran’s participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US is co-hosting.

Despite the "Roaring Lion" military campaign and his own administration’s travel restrictions, Trump signaled that the Iranian national team is welcome to compete.

"I don't mind the Iranian team participating in the World Cup, and I'm not worried about that," Trump noted. His comments align with FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s earlier confirmation that "Team Melli" will play their scheduled group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle this June.

‘Israel’ is moving toward a formal announcement that negotiations with Iran have failed, marking a definitive end to recent diplomatic efforts.

‘Israeli’ Channel 12 reported on Thursday, the United States has signaled it may allow ‘Israel’ to target Iranian energy infrastructure should the diplomatic track reach a total dead end.

• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot met with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to discuss regional stability.
• France demanded the "unconditional and immediate" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and pledged military support for Saudi defense if needed.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, held high-level talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud in Riyadh on Thursday.

The meeting focused on consolidating fragile ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon and charting a path toward a permanent regional peace settlement.

In a formal statement released by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MFA) on April 30, 2026, Barrot reiterated France’s "very strong condemnation" of Iranian attacks on its neighbors.

He reaffirmed Paris's unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stating that France remains ready to contribute to the Kingdom's defense "should circumstances again require it."

Battle for maritime security

A central theme of the discussions was the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. France called for the "unconditional, unrestricted, and immediate" reopening of the strategic waterway, which has seen significant disruptions during the recent escalation of hostilities.

Minister Barrot highlighted France’s willingness to guarantee freedom of navigation through a joint Franco-British initiative.

This maritime security commitment aims to ensure that international trade routes remain open despite the regional volatility.

Unified front on Iran’s nuclear ambitions

Both ministers emphasized that a diplomatic solution remains essential to ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Beyond the nuclear file, the two leaders expressed the need to address:

Ballistic and drone programs: Curbing the proliferation of long-range strike capabilities.
Destabilization activities: Countering regional proxy influence.
Lebanese Sovereignty: Supporting the Lebanese State against internal and external forces that challenge its sovereignty.

Regional Coordination

The statement concluded by stressing the importance of the Lebanese ceasefire, noting that it "must be fully observed by all parties." Barrot and Bin Farhan pledged to maintain "close coordination" to support ongoing diplomatic efforts and stabilize the Middle East.

The Riyadh meeting is seen as a key step in aligning European and Gulf perspectives as the international community seeks to turn temporary ceasefires into a comprehensive regional security framework.

‘Israeli’ Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that ‘Israel’ may soon resume military operations within Iran to ensure the regime cannot threaten the country for "years to come."

Speaking as a massive 6,500-ton US munitions shipment arrived in ‘Tel Aviv’, Katz emphasized that while a fragile ceasefire exists, the military remains prepared to take preemptive action to permanently dismantle Tehran’s strategic capabilities.

• 'Israeli' MOD confirmed the arrival of two cargo ships and multiple aircraft carrying 6,500 tons of military supplies in a 24 hours.
• Since the start of "Operation Roaring Lion", 'Israel' has received over 115,000 tons of munitions and equipment via a massive US-led air and sea bridge.

'Israeli' Ministry of Defense (IMOD) announced on Thursday a massive logistics achievement, receiving approximately 6,500 tons of munitions and military hardware within a single 24-hour period.

The operation, involving two large cargo ships and a fleet of transport aircraft, marks one of the most significant single-day resupply efforts since the outbreak of the "Operation Roaring Lion" conflict earlier this year.

The 'IMOD' Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD) led the mission, which saw the cargo ships dock at the Ports of Ashdod and Haifa.

The shipments included thousands of air and ground munitions, military trucks, and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), along with other advanced combat equipment.

Global logistics pipeline

The arrival of the ships was the result of a coordinated effort between the 'IMOD' Mission to the US, the IOF's Planning Directorate, and international shipping divisions. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, Director General of the 'IMOD', personally oversaw the offloading process at the Port of Ashdod.

"The air and sea bridge remains our central tool for building readiness as the security situation continues to develop," Baram stated. He noted that the equipment was immediately loaded onto hundreds of trucks for distribution to IOF bases across the country.

Tonnage surpasses 115,000 tons

The recent delivery is part of a much larger, sustained military corridor. According to 'IMOD' data, since the start of the 2026 conflict:

Total Tonnage: Over 115,600 tons of military equipment.
Airlifts: 403 successful transport flights.
Sealifts: 10 major cargo ship deliveries.

This massive influx of weaponry comes as 'Israeli' leaders move to achieve "munitions independence" while simultaneously relying on US support to replenish stockpiles used in the high-intensity air campaign against Iran.

The resupply effort is critical to 'Israeli' ongoing military strategy in what has become a regional war. Since launching "Operation Roaring Lion" on February 28 alongside the US "Operation Epic Fury," 'Israel' has conducted thousands of airstrikes on Iranian and Hezbollah targets.

While a fragile ceasefire is currently in place, 'IMOD' officials emphasized that the "Roaring Lion" campaign requires a constant flow of precision-guided munitions to maintain readiness for a potential return to full-scale hostilities.

The Ministry noted that expanding production lines and securing these massive international shipments are the highest priorities to ensure the military can operate "without constraints."

• Pentagon is set to brief Trump today on a range of new military options aimed at ending the deadlock with Iran.
• Secretary Hegseth and the Joint Chiefs will be joining the briefing after congressional hearing

US military commanders are scheduled to provide US President Donald Trump with a comprehensive briefing today on potential military actions against Iran.

According to Reuters citing US officials. The meeting, which follows a tense hearing on Capitol Hill, signals a potential shift from the current "frozen conflict" toward a more aggressive phase of the administration’s "Maximum Pressure" campaign.

The briefing will be led by the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, along with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine.

From Congress to the Situation Room

In a notable scheduling move, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and General Caine will join the President immediately following Hegseth’s testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.

Read more: US Defense Secretary defends $1.5 trillion budget, Congress hearing

Sources indicate that the afternoon briefing is designed to answer those concerns by presenting Trump with a menu of "escalatory but precise" military maneuvers.

Key options under consideration

According to reports from Reuters, the military leadership has prepared several distinct plans to break the current diplomatic stalemate:

Infrastructure Strikes: A "short and powerful" wave of air and missile strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and energy assets to increase the economic cost of non-compliance.
Strait of Hormuz Intervention: A plan focused on taking control of specific parts of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure it remains open to commercial shipping, an operation that could involve US ground forces.
Special Operations: High-risk missions by special forces aimed at securing or neutralizing Iran’s remaining stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.

Forcing the Hand of Diplomacy

The primary objective of these options is not necessarily to launch an all-out war, but to "force Iran to negotiate" on American terms.

The Trump administration has maintained that while the current naval blockade is effective, it may not be enough to secure the total dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program.

"The President is looking for ways to make Tehran more flexible at the table," one official noted to Reuters. "If the blockade doesn't move them, the next phase will."

Reactivating the ‘Hard Way’

The meeting comes amid reports that President Trump is considering the "reactivation" of military options that were temporarily shelved during the April ceasefire.

While the ceasefire was recently extended, the lack of progress in the "Islamabad Peace Talks" has reportedly thinned the President’s patience.

Read more: Trump says negotiations to end war with Iran are happening “telephonically”

As the administration prepares to deploy the Army’s "Dark Eagle" hypersonic missile system to the region, today's briefing will likely determine whether the US continues its current path of containment or pivots toward a new, more direct military confrontation.

President Donald Trump posted a blistering critique of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Truth Social Wednesday, telling the European leader to stop "interfering" with US efforts to neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat.

In his post, Trump accused Merz of being "totally ineffective" in ending the war in Ukraine and urged him to focus instead on Germany’s "broken" domestic issues, specifically citing immigration and energy.

Trump's remarks escalate a public feud with Berlin following Merz’s recent criticism of the Trump administration's war strategy, with Trump insisting his actions are making the world -and Germany- a safer place.

• Pezeshkian cited previous attacks during active talks as the reason for Iran’s deep mistrust and urged Washington to show real sincerity.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Wednesday that an immediate halt to US "provocative actions and rhetoric" is the non-negotiable prerequisite for rebuilding trust between the two nations.

In a series of statements, Pezeshkian revealed that Tehran’s deep-seated skepticism stems from being "attacked by US and Zionist forces twice while active negotiations were underway", an act he claims proves Washington's lack of diplomatic sincerity.

While the Iranian President insisted that resolving disputes through dialogue remains a priority for Iran, he urged the Trump administration to demonstrate "true seriousness" and avoid repeating past failures if it wishes to achieve a permanent end to the war.

The White House released a firm policy statement via X on Wednesday, declaring that under President Trump’s leadership, Iran will "NEVER obtain a nuclear weapon.

Under President Trump's leadership, Iran will NEVER obtain a nuclear weapon. pic.twitter.com/uzhDFnTiRA

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 30, 2026

In telephone conversation on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to join other nations in condemning US maritime actions, labeling them as "piracy" and a direct threat to global shipping.

Pezeshkian asserted that Washington’s presence in regional waters is the primary cause of instability and called for an end to the "unlawful" obstruction of Iranian oil exports.

In response, Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is an "international public good."

She informed the Iranian president that Japan is actively working to secure safe passage for its commercial vessels, which transport over 90% of the nation’s crude oil, and urged Tehran to ensure that the strategic waterway remains fully open to all international traffic.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowed on Thursday that his country's control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz would ensure a future without US presence in the area.

"Today, by managing the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will provide itself and its neighbours with the precious blessing of a future free from American presence and interference," said Ghalibaf in a post on X to mark the national "Persian Gulf" day.

The ‘Israeli’ military said Thursday that twelve soldiers were injured in a Hezbollah drone attack on an artillery position near Shomera, north ‘Israel’.

Two of the soldiers are moderately hurt, and the rest are in good condition, according to the statement.

The target Hezbollah struck was a cargo carrier M548, after which several artillery shells in the area exploded.

Footage released by the ‘Israeli’ military of what it says is the targeting of five Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written message on Thursday that the United States had been defeated in its war on Iran.

"Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression by the world's bullies in the region, and the United States' disgraceful defeat in its plans, a new chapter is unfolding for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz," said Khamenei in the message read on state television.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday delivered an address outlining Tehran’s vision for a reshaped regional order, declaring that the United States remains the primary cause of instability in the Middle East.

Speaking on the future of Gulf security, Khamenei said the Iranian people would not accept what he described as “enemy aggression,” while framing recent developments as the beginning of “a new chapter” in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

"Today, two months after the largest military deployment and aggression by the world's bullies in the region, and the United States' disgraceful defeat in its plans, a new chapter is unfolding for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz," said Khamenei in the message read on state television.

Gulf security vision

Khamenei emphasized that Tehran shares “one destiny” with its neighboring Gulf states, presenting Iran as a central actor in securing the region’s waterways and safeguarding maritime stability.

He said Tehran would “secure the Gulf region and end the enemy’s violations in the waterway,” signaling a more assertive Iranian role in managing security across one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors.

The Iranian leader also argued that the presence of foreign forces, particularly the United States, in countries bordering regional waters remains “the main source of insecurity.”

Warning to foreign powers

Khamenei said that “foreigners who spread evil have no place but in the depths of the waters”.

He further dismissed US military installations in the region as “illusory bases,” claiming they were incapable of protecting themselves, let alone guaranteeing the security of allied governments.

Strait of Hormuz focus

Khamenei said a “new administration” of the Strait of Hormuz would deliver calm, economic progress, and broader benefits for Gulf nations.

The remarks place renewed emphasis on the waterway’s geopolitical significance, as the strait remains a vital global energy route through which a major share of the world’s oil exports passes.

Toward a new order

Concluding his speech, Khamenei said Iran’s strategic resistance had achieved victory and would serve as the foundation for “a new regional and global order.”

He added that the future of the region would be shaped without American involvement and instead focus on the security and prosperity of its own peoples.

The world is facing a "major energy and economic challenge" as oil prices have soared in the wake of the war in the Middle East, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said Thursday.

"The world is facing the biggest energy crisis in history," Birol said at a high-level meeting on the energy transition at IEA headquarters in Paris, adding that oil prices were "putting a lot of pressure in many countries".