Here are the latest developments in the U.S.-Israel-Iran war at 8 AM ET on Thursday, as the conflict enters its 27th day.
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Lebanon continued, while Iranian missiles targeted central and northern Israel in retaliation.
Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian told Al Jazeera that at least 1,937 people have now been killed during the war. 240 of the victims were women, and 212 were children, and at least 24,800 people have been injured, including some 4,000 women and 1,621 children, Jafarian said.
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran was eager to reach a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, contradicting Iran's foreign minister, who said Tehran was reviewing a U.S. proposal but had no plans to negotiate an end to the conflict.
In an Iranian state TV interview, Abbas Araghchi said they have not engaged in talks to end the war, "and we do not plan on any negotiations." This came after reports that Iran rejected a 15-point U.S. ceasefire proposal and made its own demands to end the fighting.
Trump Calls Iran Negotiators ‘Strange’, Slams NATO
In a post on Truth Social early Thursday, Trump described Iranian negotiators as "very different" and "strange," claiming they are "begging" for a deal despite publicly saying they are only "looking at our proposal." Trump warned that Iran “better get serious soon,” or there may be "no turning back," cautioning that the outcome "won't be pretty."
The president also slammed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for having done “ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE LUNATIC NATION, NOW MILITARILY DECIMATED, OF IRAN.”
GCC Chief Calls For ‘Diplomatic Solution’
At a meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, said: “Iran is purposefully targeting and launching direct attacks on the GCC countries.”
He added that Iran's actions, including the attacks and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have "overcome all red lines".
The message of the GCC countries, he explained, is for a "diplomatic solution" for the cessation of attacks. The meeting was covered and reported by Al Jazeera.
Israel Claims IRGC Navy Commander Killed
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said an Israeli air strike had killed the IRGC's navy commander, Alireza Tangsiri. According to Israeli state media, Katz claimed that Tangsiri was "directly responsible" for "mining and blocking" the Strait of Hormuz.
There was no immediate reaction from Iran.
Jordan Intercepts 3 Iranian Missiles Over 24 Hours
Jordan's military said that Iran fired three missiles at the country in the past 24 hours, all of which have been shot down by the air force.
Malaysia PM Says Iran Allowing Hormuz Passage
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken to the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Turkey , and other regional countries and said Malaysian vessels were now being allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Anwar , in a televised address, thanked Iran’s president for allowing the passage of Malaysian ships, according to a Reuters report.
Zelenskyy Says US Reached Out
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the U.S. has also been in contact with Ukraine about protecting its bases in the Middle East.
In a post on X, he said that Ukrainian teams are on the ground in some Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to help counter Iranian drone strikes - weapons his country is well versed in, as Russia has used them during its war.
US Tells Iran To Accept Defeat Or Trump May ‘Unleash Hell’
The White House warned Iran to accept what it called a military defeat, or President Trump will be prepared to “unleash hell.”
“If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment… President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before… he is prepared to unleash hell,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a media briefing on Wednesday.
Two Killed In Abu Dhabi By Missile Debris
Two people have been killed, and three injured in Abu Dhabi after a missile interception, Al Jazeera reported, citing its media office.
Oman Air Extends Flight Cancellations
Oman’s national carrier said flights to Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait will remain cancelled until April 15 due to the ongoing airspace closures.
Services to Iraq's Baghdad and Denmark's Copenhagen also remain suspended until then, it said, but flights to Jordan's Amman and Saudi Arabia's Dammam will resume on April 1.
Hezbollah Claims Two Israeli Tanks Hit In Southern Lebanon
According to an Al Jazeera report, Hezbollah has said its forces have targeted and hit two Israeli battle tanks with missiles near the town of Qantara in southern Lebanon's Marjayoun district. In total, the group says it has targeted seven tanks in the area today.
Israel Reports Incoming Missiles From Iran
Israel's army says it has detected a wave of missiles from Iran heading towards the country. This comes shortly after Israeli media reported that air raid sirens were sounded across central and southern Israel, including in the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, amid a warning of incoming missiles from Iran.
In a post on Telegram, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: ‘Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.”
Drone Intercepted In Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry announced the interception and destruction of a drone in the Eastern Province.
Japan Begins Release Of State Oil Reserves
A Japanese official told the AFP news agency that the country started releasing another part of its strategic oil reserves as it looks to temper the impact from the surge in prices caused by the Iran war.
"The release [of the national stockpile] started at 10:59 am [01:59 GMT] to oil refiners," said Kaname Morimoto, an official of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Japan is the fifth-biggest importer of oil, with more than 90% of it from the Middle East.
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