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2026 Iran War: 2026-04-24

Friday, April 24, 2026 18 updates Last updated 16:06 UTC
16:06 UTC

Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi visits Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow this week

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will travel to Pakistan, Oman and Russia this week to discuss the latest developments in the war and ceasefire talks, Iranian state media reported. The diplomatic tour signals Tehran is seeking regional support as negotiations with Washington continue.
@Middle_East_Spectator
16:06 UTC

Iran oil exports in April exceed total March volume, trackers report

Iran has exported more oil in the first three weeks of April than in the entire month of March, according to tanker tracking data from TankerTrackers. The increase suggests Tehran has found workaround routes to maintain crude sales despite US sanctions and naval patrols.
@Middle_East_Spectator
16:06 UTC Breaking

Hezbollah shoots down Israeli drone, carries out FPV attack on soldiers in Lebanon

Hezbollah has shot down an Israeli Hermes-450 drone over Tyre using surface-to-air fire, and later attacked an Israeli soldier gathering in Qantara with an FPV drone, inflicting confirmed casualties. The operations mark the latest ceasefire violations as tensions remain high along the Lebanon-Israel border.
@Middle_East_Spectator
16:05 UTC Breaking

IRGC Navy lays additional mines in Strait of Hormuz, US officials say

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces have laid additional mines in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, according to a US official and a source with direct knowledge of the situation. The development comes as ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain fragile, with Gulf states on alert.
@warmonitors
10:25 UTC Breaking

BREAKING: Iranian state TV publishes target list of 8 Gulf energy facilities for strike if ceasefire breaks

Iranian state media IRINN broadcast a map marking eight energy facilities across four Gulf countries as targets if the ceasefire collapses. Saudi Arabia: Abqaiq oil refinery (worlds largest crude stabilization plant, processes 7% of global supply), Safaniya offshore oil, Khurais oil production. UAE: Das Island oil and LNG, Zirku Island offshore oil. Qatar: Ras Laffan LNG production, RasGas LNG production. Kuwait: Burgan oil production. Greek portal pronews.gr warned that a simultaneous strike on even half these facilities would cause an energy shock unprecedented in modern times.
10:06 UTC

Trump Caught Falling Asleep During Televised Meeting

US President Donald Trump, who turns 80 soon, was filmed dozing off mid-meeting during a televised address. The incident drew commentary as the president continues to juggle multiple foreign policy priorities including Iran peace talks and NATO alliance management.
10:06 UTC

Iranian Leadership Issues Joint Unity Statement Against Trump Claims

Top Iranian officials including President Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Araqchi, Parliament Speaker Qalibaf and Chief Justice Ejei issued a joint statement declaring national unity following Trump claims about disunity within Iran political leadership. The statement said all officials stand united as Iranian and revolutionary.
10:06 UTC

Iran Exempts Russia from Hormuz Strait Transit Fees

Iran ambassador to Moscow announced that friendly nations including Russia will be exempt from newly introduced Strait of Hormuz transit charges. Tehran announced the tolls following US-Israel attacks, framing them as compensation for wartime costs.
10:06 UTC

Spain PM Sanchez Rejects NATO Suspension Threat, Calls It Political Interference

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he is completely calm after Pentagon emails considered suspending Spain from NATO for refusing to allow use of Spanish bases or airspace for operations against Iran. The emails also mentioned reconsidering UK policy on Falkland Islands as punishment for London.
10:06 UTC Breaking

Lebanon Deploys Army to Disarm Hezbollah Under Ceasefire Deal

Lebanon has announced readiness to deploy its army to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups, conditional on Israeli forces withdrawing from Lebanese territory. The move fulfills a key ceasefire requirement and marks a significant step toward state monopoly on weapons in the country.
05:59 UTC

Oil hits $105.80, Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended 3 weeks, Pope condemns Iran killings

Brent crude rose to $105.80 per barrel on Asian markets despite the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extension. Markets worry that Israel-Lebanon fighting could disrupt the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, as Tehran warned those clashes violate the truce terms. Trump announced Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire for three more weeks at a White House meeting. Pope Leo XIV, returning from Africa, called on Tehran and Washington to return to negotiations and condemned reports that Iranian authorities killed thousands during antigovernment protests. American journalist Shelley Kitlson, kidnapped in Baghdad on March 31 by Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah, was freed and thanked those who worked for her release.
05:58 UTC Breaking

Pentagon considers punishing NATO allies Spain and UK for lack of Iran war support

The Pentagon is considering punitive measures against NATO allies including Spain and the United Kingdom for their lack of support in the Iran war, Kurir.rs reports. Measures under discussion include suspension from the Alliance and a change in the US position on the Falkland Islands. Trump told BBC that allies clearly were not needed but they should have participated in the action against Iran, calling it a test of their commitment. He also threatened BBC and Britain in the same interview.
05:58 UTC Breaking

BREAKING: Third US aircraft carrier arrives near Iran as military plans new Hormuz strikes

A third American aircraft carrier has arrived in waters near Iran, significantly escalating US naval presence in the region. CNN reports that US military officials are developing new plans to attack Iranian defensive capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz if the current ceasefire collapses. The preparations come as Trump extended the ceasefire but warned Iran must present a unified proposal. Multiple sources familiar with the planning confirmed the strike preparations to CNN.
05:04 UTC Breaking

IDF Launches Airstrikes Across Southern Lebanon After Hezbollah Rockets

The IDF has begun airstrikes across southern Lebanon after a volley of rockets was fired from Lebanese territory into Israeli territory. The IDF Air Force intercepted the launches near the Shtula area. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for the attack, marking its sixth claim of responsibility in a single day.
05:04 UTC Breaking

U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship TOUSKA in Gulf of Oman

The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after the crew refused to stop for inspection. The vessel, nearly 900 feet long and previously under U.S. Treasury sanctions, was forced to stop after the U.S. Navy blew a hole in its engine room. U.S. Marines took custody of the ship and its crew.
03:03 UTC

Trump Announces Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extended by Three Weeks

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks. He also stated that he looks forward to hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the near future. The extension comes as regional tensions remain high amid ongoing conflict with Iran.
03:03 UTC

IRGC Navy Lays Additional Mines in Strait of Hormuz

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy has laid additional mines in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of the issue. The development comes as tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran over the nuclear program and regional activities.
03:03 UTC

U.S. Navy Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship TOUSKA in Gulf of Oman

The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after the crew refused to stop for inspection. The vessel, described as nearly 900 feet long and comparable in weight to an aircraft carrier, had previously been under U.S. Treasury sanctions for illegal activity. The U.S. Navy blew a hole in the engine room to stop the vessel. U.S. Marines subsequently took custody of the ship and its crew.