Iran vs US-Israel War LIVE News Updates: Iran hits tanker off coast of Qatar, Kuwait airport; Israel kills 5 in Beirut attack

Iran-US-Israel War LIVE News Updates: As the war involving the United States, Iran and Israel intensifies, signals from Washington suggest a potential shift in war objectives even as tensions on the ground continue to escalate across multiple fronts. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran doesn’t have to agree to a deal for the US attacks to end and that the US military will pull out of the Middle East in two-three weeks. However, he asserted that the US might destroy key Iranian infrastructure before exiting the region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the other hand, has said Washington is in contact with Tehran and suggested that a resolution to the conflict is close.

Tehran’s threat: Tehran has, meanwhile, issued a sharp warning, saying any strike on its territory or infrastructure would trigger multiple retaliatory attacks. The situation has been further inflamed by a statement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which said it would begin targeting US-linked companies operating in the region from April 1.

The list includes major global firms such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla and Boeing, with the group threatening action against their regional operations.

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said that his nation is prepared to continue the war for six more months.

Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have come up with a five-point initiative for “restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East Region”.

US’ shift in objectives: Trump has indicated he may be open to ending the conflict even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, after advisers assessed that a full-scale effort to reopen the crucial shipping corridor could extend the war well beyond the initially anticipated four-to-six-week timeframe. Trump has simultaneously escalated his rhetoric, warning that Washington could target Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure, including major export hubs, if the strait is not reopened. He also urged allies facing fuel shortages to secure their own supplies, signalling a possible pullback from direct US intervention in safeguarding shipping lanes.

Israel on the war: On the battlefield, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign has moved “beyond the halfway point” in achieving its objectives, citing damage inflicted on Iran’s military, industrial and nuclear capabilities, though he did not specify a timeline for the conflict’s end. Strikes have continued, including reported explosions in Iran’s central city of Isfahan, home to a key nuclear facility.

The human and regional toll continues to mount. More than 3,000 people have reportedly been killed across the Middle East, including over 1,900 in Iran, at least 1,200 in Lebanon and 19 in Israel. Thirteen US service members have also been killed, with two additional non-combat deaths reported.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signalled Tehran’s willingness to keep fighting no matter what Trump may threaten.

Trump’s April 6 deadline for the Strait of Hormuz to open still stands, otherwise he threatened to hit power plants.

“You cannot speak to the people of Iran in the language of threats and deadlines,” Araghchi said.

Asked if the United States would launch a ground war in Iran, Araghchi dismissed the idea.

Iran hit a tanker off the coast of Qatar and Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday as Tehran remained unrelenting in its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbours, while acknowledging for the first time that Washington had been in direct contact about a possible ceasefire.

Israel sounded warnings of incoming fire from both Yemen and Iran, while launching its own attacks in Lebanon that killed at least five people.

Iran is bracing for a prolonged conflict that could stretch for "at least six months", its foreign minister said on Tuesday, pushing back against US President Donald Trump's assertion that the war may end within weeks.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would continue to defend itself without being bound by any external timelines. "We do not set deadlines for our self-defence. We will protect our country and our people for as long as necessary and by all required means," he said.

He added that Iran is not concerned with the timelines set by its adversaries, but urged them to bring the conflict to a definitive and lasting end to avoid further escalation. Any resolution, he noted, must ensure stability across the wider region.

🔸Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi's interview with Al Jazeera: 4/5🔹Host: What is your opinion regarding the threat of attacking the islands or a ground invasion?🔹Dr. Araghchi: I answered this question once before and said we are waiting. I do not think they have the courage… pic.twitter.com/KYspfJLtPm— Iran in Japan/ 駐日イラン大使館 (@IraninJapan) April 1, 2026

🔸Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi's interview with Al Jazeera: 4/5🔹Host: What is your opinion regarding the threat of attacking the islands or a ground invasion?🔹Dr. Araghchi: I answered this question once before and said we are waiting. I do not think they have the courage… pic.twitter.com/KYspfJLtPm

Araghchi also rejected claims of direct negotiations with Washington, contradicting Trump's remarks about ongoing "serious discussions" with what he described as a more moderate leadership in Iran. "Negotiations imply direct engagement to reach an agreement, and that is not taking place between Iran and the United States," he said.

Israel says it carried out more attacks against Iran. Al Jazeera reported explosions in cities, including Tehran, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Isfahan, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Bandar Abbas.

During a Cabinet meeting last week, US President Donald Trump invited Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President JD Vance to brief officials on the ongoing war in Iran. Rubio, who is widely seen as a hardliner on foreign policy, strongly backed the military campaign, describing it as "a favour" not just for the United States but for the broader global community, reported news agency AP.

Vance, by contrast, struck a more measured tone. Long associated with a cautious approach to overseas military involvement, he said Washington now has "options" that were unavailable a year ago. He stressed the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, before shifting his remarks to extend Easter greetings to American troops.

CEO & secretary general of PHDCCI Ranjeet Mehta says India has managed the diplomacy in West Asia "very well" amid the war. He said: "If the situation continues for a long time, it will definitely have far-reaching consequences for our energy security..." "Commercial LPG gas has been cut down... In many cities, many restaurants have been shut down. They do not have dining and all facilities, and they're only supplying online orders. When a restaurant shuts down for some time, then of course, people also lose jobs," he added.

#watch | Delhi: On India’s diplomatic handling of Strait of Hormuz crisis, Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, says, "...I think India has managed it very well with dialogue and diplomacy. Our energy sources are passing through the Strait of Hormuz. But if the… pic.twitter.com/bnDzc0Y3OE— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2026

#watch | Delhi: On India’s diplomatic handling of Strait of Hormuz crisis, Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, says, "...I think India has managed it very well with dialogue and diplomacy. Our energy sources are passing through the Strait of Hormuz. But if the… pic.twitter.com/bnDzc0Y3OE

Asian markets rallied strongly on Wednesday, tracking a sharp overnight surge on Wall Street amid growing expectations that the ongoing Iran conflict could wind down soon.

In early trade, South Korea’s Kospi jumped 6.4% to 5,374.82, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 4% to 53,128.33. Sentiment in Japan also received a boost from fresh central bank data showing improved confidence among large manufacturers despite concerns linked to the conflict.

Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 1.9% to 25,262.92, and China’s Shanghai Composite gained 1.4% to 3,944.35. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.7%, while Taiwan’s Taiex added 4.3%.

Investor confidence was lifted after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that American military operations against Iran could conclude within two to three weeks. He also signaled that Washington may step back from developments in the Strait of Hormuz once its campaign ends.

The United States has rejected claims that its forces carried out strikes on civilian locations in Iran's Lamerd on February 28, saying the reports are inaccurate.

In a statement, US Central Command said it had reviewed allegations carried by several media outlets accusing American forces of hitting a sports hall and nearby residential area during the opening day of Operation Epic Fury. The command said it found no evidence to support those claims.

According to the statement, US forces did not conduct any strikes in Lamerd or within a 30-mile radius of the city at any point during the operation's first day.

CENTCOM also addressed video footage circulated alongside the reports, which purportedly showed evidence of US involvement. It said the weapon seen in the footage was not a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), noting that a PrSM measures around 13 feet in length. The munition in the video appeared significantly larger—roughly twice that size—aligning more closely with the profile of an Iranian Hoveyzeh cruise missile.

Despite Trump's assertion on a deal with Iran, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington is in contact with Tehran and suggested that a resolution to the conflict may be approaching. Rubio confirmed to Fox News that discussions are underway and indicated that a direct meeting between the two sides remains a possibility. He stressed that the US remains open to engagement but warned against what he described as "fake negotiations" aimed at delaying progress.

While declining to set a specific timeline, Rubio said there are signs the conflict could be nearing its conclusion, adding that "the finish line" is now visible.

He also took aim at NATO, suggesting Washington may need to reassess whether the alliance continues to serve US interests as effectively as it has in the past.

US President Donald Trump said Washington could halt its military campaign against Iran within a matter of weeks, signalling that a negotiated deal with Tehran is not essential for ending the conflict. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump indicated a possible timeline for withdrawal, saying the United States would be "leaving very soon," potentially within two to three weeks, reported BBC.

When asked whether diplomacy was a prerequisite to stopping hostilities, Trump dismissed the idea. He said Iran was not required to strike any agreement with him for the war to come to an end. He asserted that the US's primary objective of ending Iran's nuclear capabilities had been achieved. This, however, does not align with Israel's objectives of eliminating the Iranian regime.

Earlier, Trump took aim at European allies, posting on Truth Social that countries such as the United Kingdom, facing jet fuel shortages due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, should "build up some delayed courage" and go there to "just take it."

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Pakistan and China have outline a five-point peace initiative. The statement signed by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar outlined the following points for the initiative:

I. Immediate Cessation of Hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.

II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.

III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.

IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.

V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the U.N., and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and international law.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned it would begin targeting US-linked companies operating across the region from April 1, in response to recent strikes on Tehran, according to state media reports.

A total of 18 firms have been named in the warning, including major global players such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla and Boeing, Reuters reported.

In its statement, the IRGC said these companies would face retaliatory action, adding that their regional operations could be hit for every “terror act” carried out inside Iran. The group specified that the threats would take effect from 8 PM Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1.

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