US–Israel war on Iran, day 39: Trump warns of ‘complete demolition’ of infrastructure as Israel launches new strikes
Iranian army spokesman said the 'rude, arrogant rhetoric' was not impacting its actions
US President Donald Trump has threatened to demolish Iran's power plants and bridges "over a period of four hours," warning the "entire country" could be taken out overnight if Tehran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his (0400 GMT) deadline. Iran dismissed the warnings as "rude, arrogant rhetoric," saying the threats were having no impact on its actions. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced a "wave" of airstrikes on Iran, while activating its air defences against incoming Iranian missiles. Explosions were reported in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj, according to Iranian media outlets. Follow our live blog below for the latest developments.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), visited Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City to check on the condition of individuals receiving care following recent regional events and to review their treatment plans.
The visit was coordinated with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre – Abu Dhabi (ECDC).
Saudi Arabia said that seven ballistic missiles from Iran targeted the kingdom’s Eastern Province, with “debris from the missiles” crashing into the ground near energy facilities.
The brief statement from Maj. Gen. Turki Al Malki, a spokesman for the Saudi military, did not elaborate on the extent of the damage on the ground, though he said an “assessment is underway.”
Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, state media reported Monday, despite a stark threat by US President Donald Trump to destroy its vital infrastructure.
"Iran has conveyed to Pakistan its response to the American proposal to end the war," the news agency IRNA said, without revealing its source or what the US offer contained.
"In this response - set out in ten points - Iran... has rejected a ceasefire and insists on the need for a definitive end to the conflict," the Iranian state news agency added.
IRNA also said Tehran's demands included "an end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction, and the lifting of sanctions".
Under the reported plan, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping while charging about $2 million per vessel, a fee it would share with Oman, which borders the waterway, according to the New York Times.
Iran would use its share of the revenue to rebuild infrastructure damaged by US-Israeli strikes, instead of seeking direct compensation, the newspaper said.
The UN Security Council is set to vote on Tuesday for a resolution addressing Iran's threats to the Strait of Hormuz, diplomatic sources told AFP.
The latest draft demands Iran end its attacks on commercial vessels and halt "any attempt to impede transit passage or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
But objections from several veto-holding permanent members have seen the text watered down and the latest draft does not expressly authorize force.
Tehran has virtually closed the key waterway since US-Israeli strikes targeting Iran on February 28, sending global oil and gas prices soaring.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US operations in the Middle East, says American forces have struck more than 13,000 Iranian targets.
CENTCOM added that over 155 Iranian vessels have been damaged or destroyed, with nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines, F-35 stealth jets, and B-52 bombers all taking part in Operation Epic Fury.
Japan said a Japanese national who had been detained in Iran since January has been released on bail.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters in Tokyo that his release was confirmed Monday and that Japan is demanding a full release from Iranian authorities.
He said the Japanese ambassador to Iran met the person released and that he was in good health without providing further details.
The person is believed to be a journalist at Japan’s NHK public television.
Another Japanese national, who was detained in Iran last June, was released and returned to Japan in March.
US President Donald Trump delivered brief remarks captured in a video addressing a time-sensitive extension amid a "critical period" in the US-Israel war against Iran.
The video was posted late on Monday by the White House itself, and simply reads: “Tomorrow, 8:00 PM Eastern Time.”
Oil prices rose Tuesday while equities were mixed as investors assessed Donald Trump's latest deadline for Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz or be "decimated".
As the Middle East war entered its sixth week, the US president warned Tehran that its civilian infrastructure would be destroyed if it did not let ships through the waterway, through which a fifth of global crude and gas passes.
The remarks came as he and the Islamic republic said a proposal touted by international mediators for a 45-day ceasefire was not yet ready.
The Middle East war has claimed its second Philippine victim, Manila said Tuesday, when a missile struck the home of a Filipina living in Israel.
The woman was killed in the port city of Haifa on Sunday "alongside her Israeli husband and elderly parents-in-law", the foreign affairs department said, without naming the victims.
Israeli rescue services said Monday that the bodies of four people had been recovered from the rubble of a residential building in the city, after it was struck by an Iranian missile the previous day.
Israeli news outlets identified the Filipina victim's given name as Lucille-Jean, saying that she and her family had been pulled from the rubble of their collapsed residence following an hours-long rescue effort.
Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, a 32-year-old caregiver, became the war's first Philippine fatality on March 1 as she attempted to escort her elderly ward to an Israeli bomb shelter.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has informed the family and is providing all necessary assistance, including arrangements for the earliest possible repatriation of her remains despite the current travel situation in the region.The foreign affairs department
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Israel's military announced a "wave" of air strikes on Iran after US President Donald Trump's said that a truce proposal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran from international mediators was "not yet enough".
Air defence systems in the UAE are currently responding to a missile and drone threats, with authorities urging residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for updates.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the sounds heard across parts of the country are from ongoing interception operations targeting missiles and UAVs. Residents are urged to stay indoors and follow official updates.
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The Qatari Ministry of Defence announced that the State of Qatar was targeted on Monday by an attack involving a number of drones launched from Iran.
The Qatar Armed Forces successfully intercepted and neutralized all incoming drones, the Ministry's statement said, carried by Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Kuwait's Ministry of Defence announced that the armed forces detected 14 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 46 hostile drones within the country's airspace over the past 24 hours, all of which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures.
The announcement was made by the Ministry's official spokesperson, Colonel Staff Saud AlAtwan, during the daily media briefing on the latest developments and operational events amid ongoing Iranian attacks on Kuwait.
A drone "coming from Iran" killed a couple in Iraqi Kurdistan after crashing into their home, local authorities reported early on Tuesday.
The autonomous region's Counter-Terrorism Service said in a statement that the incident took place on Monday "when a bomb-laden drone coming from Iran crashed into a civilian home in...the Dara Shakran subdistrict within Erbil Province".
Seven ballistic missiles launched toward the Eastern Province were intercepted and destroyed; debris fell near energy facilities and damage assessment is underway: Saudi Defence Ministry spokesperson.
Trump has said he's now dealing with a "more reasonable, less extreme" leadership in Iran.
When a US reporter asked Trump if he's concerned that his threat to bomb Iran's powerplants and bridges would amount to war crimes, the US president replied: “No. I’m not... I hope, I don’t have to do it.”
Trump warned Iranian officials that Tuesday, April 7, 8pm Eastern Time would be "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one," if no deal is achieved. The hard deadline Trump gave on Sunday (April 5), was directed at Tehran's leadership to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump insisted to the US media that "free traffic of oil" through the Strait of Hormuz must be part of any deal with Iran.
The United Nations has renewed its call for all parties to the conflict in the Middle East to comply with international law regarding the conduct of hostilities, emphasising that civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged all parties on Monday to adhere to their obligations concerning the conduct of military operations.
Dujarric stated that Secretary-General António Guterres reminds all actors that civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, must be protected from attack. He noted that even if specific infrastructure could be considered a military objective, international humanitarian law prohibits attacks if they result in excessive incidental civilian harm.
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