Iran International English

From threats in the Strait of Hormuz to warnings from Persian Gulf states and strikes on regional energy sites, tensions in the Iran war are deepening fast. Follow our liveblog for rolling updates, footage and verified details. 🔽 iranintl.com/en/liveblog/20…

Exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi outlined a vision for a post-regime Iran that ends support for militias and proxies, halts sensitive uranium enrichment, fully cooperates with IAEA, and fosters regional peace including expanded Abraham Accords ("Cyrus Accords"), urging Arab countries to back an organized transition for stability and prosperity. Pahlavi on Thursday wrote an op-ed for Asharq Al-Awsat titled "To Our Arab Neighbors: The End of the Regime Will Open a New Era of Peace," presenting his detailed vision for a post-regime Iran without proxies or nuclear threats, reassuring Arab states.

Video received from Tehran by @Vahid shows multiple explosions near Parchin, with resident describing shaking roof and windows, continuous strikes lasting about 5 minutes, followed by air defense activation.

Two men appeared in a London court on Thursday accused of carrying out “hostile” surveillance of the UK’s Jewish community on behalf of Iran, The Associated Press reported. Iranian-British national Nematollah Shahsavani, 40, and 22-year-old Iranian citizen Alireza Farasati are alleged to have assisted the Iranian intelligence service between July and August last year, targeting the Israeli embassy, a Jewish community centre, a college, and Britain’s oldest synagogue. Neither entered a plea and both remain in custody until their next hearing at London’s Central Criminal Court on April 17.

European Union leaders on Thursday proposed temporary measures, including electricity tax cuts, lower grid fees, and state support, to mitigate soaring energy prices triggered by the war in Iran, Reuters reported. Europe’s dependence on energy imports has left it vulnerable to rising costs after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed and Iran began targeting energy infrastructure in the Middle East, the report said. Around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows normally pass through the narrow strait.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Thursday the country is “appalled” by the execution of a Swedish citizen by the Iranian government, offering condolences to the family and urging Tehran to respect human rights and fulfil its obligations under international law.

Israeli PM Netanyahu said airstrikes can create conditions for change in Iran but ultimate revolution depends on the Iranian people rising up, requiring a ground element.

Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan on Thursday condemned recent Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. The joint statement warned that Tehran’s drone, missile, and mine‑laying operations threaten freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and called for immediate measures to ensure safe passage and stability in global energy markets.

The United States Department of Justice said on Thursday it had seized four internet domains linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), in a court‑approved effort to disrupt “cyber‑enabled psychological operations” and transnational repression activities. The move comes amid allegations that Tehran uses online platforms to post stolen data, claim hacking attacks, and incite violence against journalists, dissidents, and Israeli individuals, DOJ said in a statement. The Justice Department said the seized websites had been used to further psychological operations targeting perceived adversaries of the Iranian regime, including by publishing sensitive information obtained through hacks and encouraging attacks against critics. The operation highlights growing US concerns over Tehran’s use of cyber tools not only for espionage and disruption but also to influence and intimidate foreign audiences and civil society actors, in line with what officials describe as a broader pattern of malign Iranian cyber activity.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said on Thursday they had dismantled a “terrorist network” they allege was funded and directed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah with backing from Iran, state media reported, accusing the cell of money laundering, financing terrorism and threatening national security.

United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on Thursday published information showing at least 25 tankers carrying Iranian oil west of the Strait of Hormuz, “generating an estimated $1 billion + in illicit revenue since the war began,” the report said.

The United States approved $16.5 billion in emergency arms sales to Arab partners, with Marco Rubio waiving the usual congressional review, citing urgent security needs. UAE will receive THAAD-linked radar ($4.5B), FS-LIDS counter-drone systems ($2.1B), AMRAAM missiles ($1.22B), and F-16 munitions including GBU-39s and JDAMs ($644M), while Kuwait will acquire air and missile defense radars valued at $8B.

The European Council issued a statement on Thursday, condemning Iran’s “indiscriminate” military strikes against countries in the region and expressed solidarity with the states affected by the attacks, underscoring the bloc’s commitment to regional security and international law.

The Israel Air Force said on Thursday it carried out dozens of attack sorties over western and central Iran in the past day, striking more than 130 sites belonging to what it described as the “Iranian terror regime,” including ballistic missile launchers, unmanned aircraft, and air defense systems. The Air Force said the operations aim to reduce potential attacks on Israeli territory and expand air superiority over Iranian airspace.

Rockets struck positions of an Iranian opposition group near Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, security sources said to Reuters, with no immediate details on casualties or damage.

Iran’s mission to UN in Vienna on Thursday criticized IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi for comments on the location of Iran’s nuclear materials and facilities, calling them “deeply troubling." In a post on X, the mission warned that any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive safeguards information could violate obligations under the International Atomic Energy Agency framework. Grossi said on Wednesday that the agency does not know the status of the new Iranian enrichment facility located in an underground nuclear complex in Isfahan. “It is underground, but we haven't visited it yet,” he said, speaking during a trip to Washington for a conference and meetings with officials from the administration of Donald Trump.

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff said General Ebrahim Jabbari “has no responsibility in the IRGC,” contradicting an earlier report by IRGC-affiliated Fars News that described him as an adviser to the force’s chief commander. In a statement, the military rejected comments attributed to Jabbari especially in a recent interview with Al Jazeera, saying, “The statements made by Ebrahim Jabbari lack credibility due to insufficient access to information and are denied." "He currently holds no position in the IRGC and has been retired for some time.” "The United States cannot gain control over the Strait of Hormuz," Jabbari told Al Jazeera, adding that "the warehouses are full of missiles, drones, and military equipment." Jabbari has been appearing on Iran's state TV over the past few weeks, threatening the United States and Israel as well as Iran's Arab neighbors. iranintl.com/en/202603197487

A photo obtained by Iran International shows a Basij paramilitary member sheltering under a bridge amid fears of Israeli drone attacks.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday described remarks by Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister at an Arab-Islamic meeting as “unfair, one-sided and contrary to a responsible approach” to regional developments. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan warned Thursday that Riyadh's restraint in the face of escalating Iranian attacks “is not unlimited,” adding that military action remains on the table. He said the “little trust” rebuilt with Iran after the 2023 restoration of diplomatic ties “has been completely shattered,” warning that further attacks could leave “almost nothing” to salvage in the relationship. Esmail Baghaei said in response that countries hosting US military infrastructure could bear responsibility for the ongoing attacks on Iran, warning that states that assist or facilitate such operations would be regarded as “accomplices” in actions against Iran. iranintl.com/en/202603190151

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found strong backing for US President Donald Trump’s military campaign on Iran among Republicans, with 77% approving of the strikes, compared with 28% of independents and 6% of Democrats. At the same time, 37% of Americans overall support the war while 59% oppose it, the survey showed. The poll also found 65% believe Trump will order a large-scale ground war in Iran, but just 7% support that move, and 55% oppose deploying any ground troops.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there are “many signs” of the Iranian regime’s potential collapse, but stopped short of guaranteeing it. Netanyahu said Israel is working to create conditions that could lead to such an outcome while acknowledging the regime may still survive. “There are many indications of the collapse of the Iranian regime. Many,” Netanyahu said at a Thursday press conference. “I wish I could reveal all of them, but I can see they exist.” “Can I promise right now that the regime will collapse? I cannot,” he added. “I can say that we are trying to create conditions for that to happen, but it may survive and it may not.” “If it survives, it will be much weaker; there is no comparison,” he said, adding the regime would lose “the death industries it has built over decades” and many of its other capabilities. He also warned that Iran would face harsher consequences if it attempted to rebuild. iranintl.com/en/202603197062