No instructions for ceasefire in Lebanon, Israeli Broadcasting Authority says The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that the army command confirmed it had not received any instructions from the political leadership to prepare for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Israel Hayom newspaper indicated that despite statements from the US about a possible truce deal, a ceasefire in Lebanon will not happen soon.
Australia, Malaysia share 'deep concern' over situation in the Middle East Australia and Malaysia said in a joint statement on Thursday that the two countries are committed to working together to strengthen their energy supply chain resilience. The statement added that the two express "deep concern" over the conflict in the Middle East and the consequences it has for their region, including the impact on energy supply and prices.
War on Iran 'can be over very soon', Trump says US President Donald Trump now says his joint war with Israel on Iran may be ending soon, as the US weighs extending the ceasefire window beyond two weeks to make room for further negotiations. Pakistan's army chief of staff and its interior minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, following the collapse on Saturday morning of direct US-Iran talks that they had mediated in Islamabad. "I think it can be over very soon," Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in an interview taped at the White House on Tuesday, as she asked him about the American public's concerns about petrol prices.
Pentagon holds talks with US automakers to boost weapons production Senior US defence officials have held discussion about producing weapons and other military supplies with top executives of American manufacturers, the Wall Street Journal reported The talks come as the Trump administration sets sights on automakers and other American manufacturers to play a larger role in weapons production.
Hezbollah claims 39 attacks on Israeli targets over past 24 hours Hezbollah said it launched 39 strikes against Israeli target over the past 24 hours. This includes attacks on Israeli settlements as well as troops along the boundary between Lebanon and Israel.
US says destroyer turned back Iranian cargo vessel under Hormuz blockade US Central Command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance forced an Iranian-flagged cargo ship to turn back under the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel had left Bandar Abbas and attempted to exit the strait before being redirected along the Iranian coastline, the statement said. CENTCOM added that this marks the 10th ship turned around since the blockade began three days ago, with no vessels managing to pass through.
Israeli security cabinet weighs Lebanon ceasefire Israel’s security cabinet has discussed a possible ceasefire with Lebanon, according to senior officials cited by Reuters, as pressure mounts from Washington to reach an agreement. Israeli and Lebanese envoys held rare talks in Washington on Tuesday, the first such discussions in decades. While the meeting was underway, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces were continuing strikes and were close to “overcoming” the southern town of Bint Jbeil.
US Senate rejects bid to halt war on Iran without congressional approval US senators voted 52 to 47 against a Democratic-led resolution seeking to halt the US-Israeli war on Iran unless authorised by Congress. Republican Senator Rand Paul was the only member of his party to back the measure, while Senator Jim Justice did not vote. The vote marks the fourth failed attempt by Democrats to pass similar resolutions since the war began, with Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman the only Democrat to oppose it.
Israeli military chief says plans approved for continued strikes in Iran, Lebanon Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the army has approved plans to continue operations in both Iran and Lebanon. He said Israel, alongside the US, has struck Iran “hard”, weakening its defensive capabilities. “Now we must not allow them any achievements on the nuclear issue, in Hormuz and in other matters,” he added, warning of further strikes if needed.
Saudi Arabia on cusp of severing ties with LIV Golf: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 20:03 Decision to walk away from $5bn investment comes as PIF governor says war on Iran accelerates pressure to 'reposition' investments Supporters gather ahead of the start on the first day of the LIV Golf South Africa tournament at The Club in Johannesburg's Steyn City, on 19 March 2026 (Phill Magakoe/AFP) Off Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is on the cusp of cutting its backing for LIV Golf, as it tightens its belt amid the US-Israeli war on Iran and delayed megaprojects at home. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund could announce it was stepping away from LIV Golf as early as Thursday, taking a hit on its $5bn investment in the entity. The report said PIF had been weighing an exit before the US-Israeli war on Iran began, but any decision would likely send a chill through the sports world and other entities seeking cash from Gulf sovereign wealth funds.
Iran sought Lebanon’s inclusion in ceasefire, Hezbollah official says A senior source within Hezbollah told Al Jazeera that Iran and other parties involved in talks in Islamabad had pushed to include Lebanon in the current ceasefire agreement. The source added that Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz could give it leverage to pressure the United States and Israel into agreeing to a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Lebanon says over 2,100 killed since Israeli attacks resumed At least 2,167 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel resumed attacks across the country on 2 March, according to the health ministry. It added that 7,061 others have been wounded.
War on Iran 'can be over very soon' Trump says, as backchannel diplomacy resumes Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 17:01 The US president says neither the Saudi Arabians nor the Chinese pushed back against his Strait of Hormuz blockade US President Donald Trump speaks to Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo during an interview at the White House in Washington, DC, on 14 April 2026 (Screengrab) Off US President Donald Trump now says his joint war with Israel on Iran may be ending soon, as the US weighs extending the ceasefire window beyond two weeks to make room for further negotiations. Pakistan's army chief of staff and its interior minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, following the collapse on Saturday morning of direct US-Iran talks that they had mediated in Islamabad. "I think it can be over very soon," Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in an interview taped at the White House on Tuesday, as she asked him about the American public's concerns about petrol prices.
UN experts condemn Israeli strikes on Lebanon as ‘illegal aggression’ UN experts have denounced Israel’s actions in Lebanon as an “illegal aggression” and an “indiscriminate bombing campaign”, according to the UN Human Rights Council. More than 250 people were killed on 8 April in what was described as the heaviest round of Israeli strikes since fighting with Hezbollah resumed on 2 March. “This is not self-defence.
Iran used Chinese spy satellite to attack US bases in Gulf: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 17:29 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force paid roughly $36. 6m for the satellite in a renminbi-denominated agreement Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 12 March 2026 (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool/AFP) Off Iran used a Chinese spy satellite to target US bases in the Middle East for missile and drone strikes, according to a report by The Financial Times published on Wednesday. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force acquired the sophisticated TEE-01B spy satellite from China in late 2024, agreeing to pay roughly $36.
Eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military in Gaza Eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over the past 24 hours, in what the health ministry described as violations of the ceasefire. At least 29 others were wounded in the attacks. Since the ceasefire was agreed in October, 765 Palestinians have been killed and 2,140 injured in Israeli strikes across Gaza.
Israeli strikes kill three paramedics in Lebanon Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli attacks in the town of Mayfadoun killed three paramedics and wounded six others, while another is missing. According to the ministry, the first team was struck on Wednesday while heading to assist wounded people. The attack killed one medic and left another unaccounted for.
Hezbollah says ceasefire possible ‘soon’ as talks continue Hezbollah spokesperson and MP Ibrahim Mousawi said efforts led by Iran and regional actors could lead to a ceasefire in Lebanon “soon”, Reuters reported. Two senior Lebanese officials also told the agency that discussions are underway, though no timeline or details have been confirmed. They said the duration of any ceasefire would likely depend on how long the US-Iran ceasefire holds.
Belgium seizes arms shipment sent from Britain to Israel Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 04/15/2026 - 12:57 Brussels has banned aircraft carrying military equipment for Israel from stopping in the country or using its airspace Walloon Minister President Adrien Dolimont after delivering a speech on the State of Wallonia during a plenary session of the Walloon parliament, in Namur, on 16 April 2025 (AFP) Off Two shipments from Britain of military components bound for Israel have been seized in Belgium , which has banned aircaft carrying military equipment for Israel from stopping in the country or using its airspace. Last month, the British news website Declassified, Belgian NGO Vredesactie, Irish news website The Ditch, and the Palestinian Youth Movement alerted authorities in Brussells of a shipment travelling from Britain to Israel through Liege airport. The consignments left Britain on 23 March and were siezed at Liege airport in Belgium on 24 March.
Germany not taking part in Iran war but feeling its effects, says minister Although Germany is not involved in the war on Iran, the country is feeling its economic impact directly, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings in Washington, Klingbeil said that his government already knew that the war was "harming us in Germany in terms of economic growth". Klingbeil criticised the war on Iran and advocated diplomacy with Tehran to stop the nuclear race instead of military action, according to Reuters.
