Iran Deadline

• President Trump signals he will not extend Iran's ceasefire deadline if a comprehensive deal is not reached by Wednesday, warning of renewed military action including 'dropping bombs' if negotiations fail. • Trump declares the Strait of Hormuz now open due to a U.S. Navy blockade and pointedly rejects NATO's offer of assistance, highlighting America's unilateral stance in Middle East tensions. • The escalating pressure on Iran represents a significant shift in Trump administration foreign policy and challenges traditional alliance structures in addressing regional security threats.

• A fragile US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire on April 22, 2026, with diplomatic talks stalled and tensions escalating over competing demands and military posturing. • Iran's spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the US position as unrealistic, while Tehran condemned Washington's naval blockade as provocative and a potential trigger for ceasefire violations. • Pakistan continues mediating indirect talks between the two nations, though no date has been set for the next round of negotiations as fears of renewed escalation mount.

Iran says Americans will be hit with higher fuel prices due to the blockade. Plus, summers are growing longer globallyGood morning.The US has begun blocking ships from using Iranian ports in the Gulf, transforming the US-Israeli war against Iran into a test of economic endurance.How could Centcom enforce the blockade? It is unclear, but as a missile strike on a tanker attempting to break the blockade could cause an environmental disaster, it is possible that US forces could try to board and seize any vessel not obeying their instructions.Follow the latest updates on our live blog.Did Swalwell also face expulsion? Yes, there were bipartisan calls for it. Swalwell acknowledged the threat of removal from office, saying: “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.” Continue reading...

Iran warns Americans they face higher pump prices due to prohibition scheduled to start on Monday eveningMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe US blockade of ships using Iranian ports in the Gulf was due to take effect on Monday evening, turning the six-week-old conflict between the US-Israeli coalition and Iran into a test of economic endurance.US Central Command (Centcom) made no formal announcement of the start of the blockade but had said it would take effect at 5.30pm Iranian time (3pm UK time) on Monday, and would apply to any ships entering or departing Iranian ports or coastal areas, while ships using non-Iranian ports would not be impeded. Continue reading...

President Masoud Pezeshkian says 14m people ‘declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives’ for defence of IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesIranians officials called on young people to form human chains around the country’s power plants and people in Tehran stocked up on basic provisions, as the clock ticked down on Donald Trump’s deadline to open the strait of Hormuz or face massive strikes on civilian infrastructure.Iranian media showed people gathering outside electricity stations, waving Iranian flags and holding up banners, including at the country’s largest power plant, near Tehran, and in Tabriz in the north-west. In Dezful in the south-west, people gathered on a bridge said to be 1,700 years old. Continue reading...

The US president has threatened to bomb power plants and bridges unless Iran reopens the strait of Hormuz. Plus, the US origins of Mexico’s toxic waste problemGood morning.Israel has told Iranians their lives will be at risk if they use the country’s railways on Tuesday, after Donald Trump’s threats to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants unless a deal is reached by Tuesday evening.How are negotiations to end the war going? They appeared to be faltering. Iran, which has submitted its own 10-point peace plan, said it wanted a permanent end to the war, not a ceasefire.What is the latest on oil prices? Oil traded at more than $110 a barrel on Tuesday.This is a developing story. Follow our liveblog for updates. Continue reading...

Threat comes after US president said he would bomb power plants and bridges if Iran did not reopen strait of HormuzMiddle East crisis – live updatesIsrael warned Iranians this morning that their lives would be at risk if they use the country’s railways on Tuesday before the end of a negotiating deadline imposed by Donald Trump with a threat to destroy Iran’s bridges and power plants.Israel’s military, writing in Farsi, said in a social media post that “from this moment” – 8.50am Iran time – and “until 21:00 Iran time” Iranians should refrain from “traveling by train throughout Iran” for the sake of their own security. Continue reading...

Trump claims Iranians welcome US strikes and lower court judges challenge Trump’s ‘war on rule of law’ – key US politics stories from Monday 6 April at a glanceDonald Trump was asked at a press conference Monday if his war on Iran was winding down or ramping up. His response: “I can’t tell you.”The US president’s comments came as diplomatic negotiations aimed at halting the war in the Middle East appeared to be faltering. Continue reading...

• Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have initiated mediation between the US and Iran to end the ongoing war, relaying messages since its start. • An Islamabad-brokered ceasefire plan was presented to both sides on Monday, proposing a 15-20 day settlement with immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a US Tuesday deadline threatening escalated strikes. • Earlier on March 25, a 15-point US proposal via Pakistan demanded dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, missile limits, and a 30-day ceasefire, countered by Iran's five conditions including compensation and maritime control rights.

• US stock indexes showed mixed performance on Monday morning with S&P 500 up 0.1%, Dow down 0.1% or 46 points, and Nasdaq up 0.3% amid ceasefire mediation efforts. • President Trump threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges by Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, stating 'you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!' on social media. • Gasoline prices hit $4.12 per gallon nationally, up from below $3 before late February US-Israel attacks, pressuring the economy despite strong March jobs data.

Iran launches missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait after US president says regime will face ‘all hell’Search for missing US crew member of downed fighter jet enters second dayIran has rejected Donald Trump’s demand that the regime cut a deal in 48 hours or face “all hell”.On Saturday, the US president posted on social media: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” referring to an ultimatum issued on 26 March.The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed that Israel attacked Iran’s petrochemical plants after reports from Iranian media saying at least five people were killed in an attack on the Mahshahr petrochemical zone.US search and rescue efforts for the missing second crew member of the downed F-15E fighter jet continued into a second day as Iran came under heavy bombing. A pilot had been rescued on Friday after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war.American and Israeli fighter jets targeted multiple strategic and civilian sites inside Iran’s capital on Friday afternoon, including Shahid Beheshti University, one of the country’s leading academic institutions, Iranian state media reported.The death toll in Lebanon has reached 1,422 since the conflict with Israel began on 2 March, according to data from the Lebanese health ministry and reported by the Associated Press. In just the past 24 hours, Israeli strikes have killed 54 people and wounded 156.The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense said on Saturday that its air defense forces successfully intercepted eight ballistic missiles and 19 drones over the last 24 hours. However, on Sunday a fire has erupted in the Shuwaikh oil sector complex that houses the oil ministry and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation headquarters, after a drone attack, and Kuwaiti state media reported that two power and water desalination plants sustained “significant material damage” after being attacked by Iranian drones.A Lebanese security source at the main crossing between Syria and Lebanon, said they were evacuating the crossing after Israel threatened to attack it. The Israeli military said on Saturday it would strike an area near the Masnaa crossing urging residents to evacuate immediately as it continued its attacks across Lebanon.Residents of southern Lebanon’s Kfar Hatta were told on social media by Israel to immediately leave the area, and warned that the Israeli military would soon act “with force” in the area. Continue reading...

• President Trump announced he is delaying threatened strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, citing productive talks on ending the war and extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. • Iranian leaders continue to deny any direct talks are taking place with U.S. officials, maintaining their public position on the dispute. • The delay signals potential diplomatic progress while tensions remain high over regional shipping routes critical to global oil supplies.

• President Trump announced a 10-day pause in strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure through April 6, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, citing ongoing negotiations mediated by Pakistan under a 15-point framework. • Trump disclosed that Iran sent ten oil tankers as a goodwill gesture, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Iran's clerical leadership as "religious fanatics" posing a global nuclear threat. • Israel confirmed the killing of Iran's navy head responsible for Strait of Hormuz disruptions, while Iran launched emergency recruitment and lowered its draft age to 12, according to CBN News reporting.

• President Trump extended the strike deadline on Iran's energy sector while warning that failure to accept current negotiation terms would result in "far greater military consequences," according to White House statements. • The White House confirmed ongoing negotiations with Iranian leadership despite military operations continuing at historic levels, with Iranian leadership described by Trump as "desperate to negotiate."

• Israel launched strikes on central Tehran and warned of expanding its campaign against Iran, which continues firing missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states, as U.S. strikes persist. • President Trump extended the deadline to April 6 for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stating talks are 'going very well' after Iran requested a grace period despite public denials. • Israel moved thousands of troops into Lebanon to control the area south of the Litani River, 20 miles north of the border.

• President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, pausing potential air strikes on power plants after closing the vital trade route. • Oil prices climbed higher due to Middle East conflict concerns, while Asian and European markets closed lower; US stocks ended Thursday down with Nasdaq in correction territory at 21,408.08. • ECB President Christine Lagarde warned equity markets are 'too optimistic' amid the 'real shock' in Iran, as Dow fell 1% to 45,960.11 and S&P 500 dropped 1.7% to 6,477.16.

• President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by five days on Monday, saying the U.S. will delay striking Iranian power plants to allow envoys to hold talks with Tehran leadership. • Trump stated his government was holding "productive talks" with Iran, but Iran denied any negotiations were occurring and fighting showed no signs of slowing. • An Iranian warhead with approximately 100 kilograms of explosives struck central Tel Aviv on Tuesday, causing significant damage, while Iranian missile attacks also hit Kurdish positions in Iraq, killing 6 Peshmerga fighters and wounding 30 others.

President delays threat against energy infrastructure after Iran’s threats of retaliation, while Tehran denies any talksMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has extended by five days his deadline to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely through the strait of Hormuz, claiming that the US and Iran have held “very good and productive conversations” on an end to the three-week-old war.There was no immediate official reaction from Tehran to Trump’s announcement, which was made in a post on Truth Social and appeared to avert a potentially massive escalation of the conflict, at least for now. Continue reading...

• President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face U.S. "obliteration" of key energy infrastructure, escalating the ongoing conflict into its fourth consecutive week. • U.S. stock index futures fell sharply Sunday evening: S&P 500 futures declined 0.3% to 6,542.25 points, Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.4% to 24,008.0 points, and Dow Jones futures dropped 0.16% to 45,821.0 points, reflecting market anxiety over potential military escalation. • Major indexes have posted cumulative losses of 4-7% over the past 30 days as concerns mount over the long-term economic impact of prolonged conflict, compounded by stronger-than-expected inflation data reducing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.