Donald Trump told Iran to “open the f***in’ Strait” or face “living in hell” in an extraordinary swear-laden rant on Sunday, with his deadline to make a deal by Monday afternoon closing in rapidly.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” the president wrote on Easter, threatening to hit Iranian power plants if his demands are not met by 2 p.m. GMT Monday.
“There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Following his threatening message, the Iranian parliament’s speaker told Trump that “the only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game”.
“Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands,” Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X. “Make no mistake: You won’t gain anything through war crimes.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command said strikes on Iran continue as Trump and the Pentagon confirmed the separate rescues of both F-15E crew members following the downing of their jet in Iran last week.
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Key Points
- Trump delivers sweary warning to Iran ahead of deadline to open Strait of Hormuz
- Iranian parliament's speaker tells Trump to 'end this dangerous game'
- Iran says five killed and eight injured in US rescue operation
- Trump confirms both F-15 crew members rescued from Iran and hails 'most daring' operations
- Iranian children as young as 12 given rifles and sent on patrols, according to reports
Watch: Netanyahu congratulates Trump on rescue of stranded airman from Iran
01:49 , Katie HawkinsonTrump administration shares Easter messages
01:18 , Katie HawkinsonUnder President Donald Trump’s administration, several government agencies shared Easter messages on Sunday.
Read more below:
Trump administration agencies post Easter messages celebrating Christ’s resurrection
Memes, AI slop and financial advice: How Iran is beating Trump at his own online propaganda game
00:46 , Jesse WilliamsMore than 92 million people in Iran have been cut off from the internet for over 30 days under a severe nationwide blackout, but one man with access is using a dizzying combination of memes, trading tips and sarcasm to play Donald Trump at his own propaganda game.
The hardline speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has regularly been posting taunting memes in English on X in an attempt to counter Trump’s frequent Truth Social posts on the war.
Keep reading:
Memes, AI slop and financial advice: Iran is beating Trump at his own propaganda game
Trump set to speak from White House briefing room tomorrow
00:33 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump is set to hold a news conference in the White House briefing room on Monday at 1 p.m. Eastern time.
The president initially announced that his news conference would be held in the Oval Office.
Recap: If Iran doesn't make a deal, Trump says he's 'blowing up everything'
00:17 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump warned Iran must make a deal with the U.S. by his Tuesday deadline — otherwise he will resort to “blowing up” the nation.
"If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, we're blowing up the whole country,” he told ABC News during an interview Sunday. “We're blowing up, as I said, it's going to be bridge day and it's going to be power plant day in the country of Iran.”
He also told Axios: “There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there.”
Brent crude rises to $111
00:04 , Katie HawkinsonAccording to The New York Times, the price of Brent crude, the global standard, hit nearly $111 on Sunday.
This comes after President Donald Trump threatened that Iran would be “living in Hell” if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t opened.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,” he wrote on Truth Social. “There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
Trump invokes religious rhetoric in praise of Iran rescue, drawing criticism
00:00 , Tara CobhamPresident Donald Trump and other US officials cast the rescue of a US airman in Iran as an “Easter miracle” on Sunday, framing the operation in religious terms that portrayed the war as a just cause and divinely blessed.
In the past, administrations typically issued postcard-style Easter greetings, and critics said officials' messages this time had blurred the line between faith and policy by invoking religion to justify the war and shape the military’s conduct.
"The rescue was an Easter Miracle," Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press," and some cabinet members followed with messages of their own.
In a separate message that invoked religion in another way, Trump threatened on social media to strike power plants and bridges, urged Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz, "you crazy bastards” or face “living in Hell,” and signed off with the phrase “Praise be to Allah.”
In a social media message, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent drew on the symbolism of Easter, the day Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
"The Easter miracle is considered the greatest victory in history," Bessent said on X. "And so, it (is) fitting on this holiest of Christian days that a brave American warrior was rescued from behind enemy lines in one of the greatest search and rescue missions in military history."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote “God is good” on his private account on X on Sunday, reposting a social media post by Trump about the success of the rescue mission in Iran.
Axios, citing an interview with the Republican Trump and an unnamed US defence official, reported that was the phrase uttered by the rescued officer over the radio after he ejected from his aircraft.
MSF condemns Israeli strike on Lebanon that 'killed 4'
23:40 , Tara CobhamDoctors Without Borders has condemned an Israeli strike on Lebanon.
The international aid group, known by its French acronym MSF, said the strike in Beirut's Jnah neighborhood on Sunday hit "a densely populated residential area – only meters from Rafik Hariri Public Hospital."
Lebanon's Health Ministry said the strike, which came without a warning, killed four people and wounded 39.
"We are seeing elderly people and adolescents arriving with critical injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen, including shrapnel wounds," Luna Hammad, MSF medical coordinator working in the hospital, said in a statement. "When strikes hit crowded residential areas without warning, the consequences are severe, both in human casualties and in hospitals' capacity to respond."
MSF said that "strikes this close to a hospital spread fear and can stop people from seeking lifesaving care."
The Israeli military has not named the intended target of the strike, which comes five weeks into the renewed Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.
Trump 'constantly shifts between contradictory positions', Iranian minister says
23:20 , Tara CobhamIranian culture minister Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told reporters: "It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyse."
He said that the US president "constantly shifts between contradictory positions".
Diplomatic efforts continue
23:03 , Tara CobhamDiplomatic efforts continue, seeking to calm the situation.
Oman's Foreign Ministry said that deputy foreign ministers and experts from Iran and Oman met to discuss "a number of visions and proposals" to ensure "smooth transit" through the strait.
Oman has often served as a mediator between the US and Iran in the past.
Egypt said that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had spoken by phone with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as with Turkish and Pakistani counterparts who are helping to mediate.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it had conveyed to Mr Araghchi that Islamabad supports "all efforts aimed at de-escalation".
Last week, Islamabad said that it would soon host talks between the US and Iran.
US senator accuses Trump of looking to 'commit mass war crimes next week'
22:40 , Tara CobhamA US senator has accused Donald Trump of looking to “commit mass war crimes next week”.
Chris Murphy said in a post on X: “Trump is calling reporters today to tell them he is going to commit mass war crimes next week. GOP leaders need to stop him.
“Never mind that blowing up bridges and power plants and killing innocent Iranians won't reopen the Strait.
Trump is calling reporters today to tell them he is going to commit mass war crimes next week. GOP leaders need to stop him.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 5, 2026
Never mind that blowing up bridges and power plants and killing innocent Iranians won't reopen the Strait.
It's also a clear war crime. 1/ A 🧵on why: https://t.co/glJFf6jfEC
Trump reveals his exact deadline before he unleashes ‘hell’ on Iran after profanity-laced threats
22:20 , Tara CobhamPresident Donald Trump has revealed the exact deadline for Iran to make a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz before he claimed the U.S. would unleash “hell” in a profanity-laden threat posted on Truth Social.
Trump posted the extraordinary threat on Easter Sunday, less than 12 hours after he announced the successful rescue mission of the missing U.S. fighter pilot.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, which critics swiftly condemned him for the expletive outburst.
Rhian Lubin reports:
Trump reveals his exact deadline before he unleashes ‘hell’ on Iran
'I don't want to talk about that': Trump asked about targeting civilian infrastructure
22:13 , Tara CobhamDonald Trump said “I don't want to talk about that” when asked about targeting civilian infrastructure.
The US president told ABC’s Rachel Scott: “Well, I don't want to talk about that. But the civilians want me to do it. Okay, the civilians, you know, when they're most unhappy, when they don't hear bombs going off because they're living in hell.”
Here's the full quote when I asked the president about targeting civilian infrastructure
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) April 5, 2026
"Well, I don't want to talk about that. But the civilians want me to do it. Okay, the civilians, you know, when they're most unhappy, when they don't hear bombs going off because they're…
How many people have been killed in the US-Israel war on Iran since the conflict began?
21:40 , Tara CobhamSince the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on February 28, thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East.
Those strikes triggered Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. bases and the Gulf states, while opening a new front in Lebanon.
Here are the latest death tolls reported:
How many people have been killed in the US-Israel war on Iran?
Full story: Iran warns Trump’s ‘reckless moves are dragging US into living hell’ with his ‘dangerous game’
21:20 , Tara CobhamIran hit back at Donald Trump’s extraordinary expletive-laden outburst on Sunday, with its parliament speaker urging the US president to “end this dangerous game”.
Mr Trump drastically ramped up his threats to strike Iran’s vital energy infrastructure, warning Tehran to “open the F***in’” Strait of Hormuz ahead of Monday’s deadline or face “Hell”.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on social media platform X: “Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands. Make no mistake: You won’t gain anything through war crimes.”
Read the full story here:
Iran warns Trump’s ‘reckless moves are dragging US into living hell’
Britain continues to shoot down Iranian drones, UK MoD says
21:00 , Tara CobhamBritain's RAF Regiment gunners have continued to shoot down Iranian drones as they defend British airbases, according to the MoD.
UK Typhoons and F-35 jets, supported by Voyager and Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, have meanwhile continued defensive missions over the eastern Mediterranean, Jordan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Top Democrat on House Foreign Affairs Committee accuses Trump of using 'profane and incoherent' language
20:40 , Tara CobhamThe top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has accused Donald Trump of using “profane and incoherent” language that makes ending the Middle East conflict even harder to achieve.
Following the US president’s latest Truth Social rant, Rep. Gregory Meeks said: “I commend the extraordinary professionalism and courage of our intelligence officers and service members who recovered our American airman safely. Their skill and discipline reflect the very best of the United States military and intelligence community.
“But tactical success is not a strategy. The American people deserve an honest answer on why American troops remain in harm’s way. The President must now pivot to serious diplomacy to de-escalate tensions, protect our personnel, and bring this war to a responsible end.
“That is why the President’s public statement this morning is so alarming. In a post threatening to destroy Iran’s power plants, bridges and other civilian infrastructure, the President used language that was profane and incoherent. That is not strength—it raises the risk of miscalculation, undermines U.S. credibility, and makes diplomacy more difficult.
“I am praying this Easter for the safety of our service members who continue to do their jobs with courage and distinction. The President must now match their professionalism with discipline, clarity, and a credible plan to end this conflict—not rhetoric that makes that outcome harder to achieve.”
Senate Majority Leader thanks 'brave' service members involved in F-15E rescue
20:20 , Tara CobhamSenate Majority Leader John Thune has thanked “all of the brave servicemembers” involved in rescuing two F-15E crew members in Iran.
In a post on X, he said: “I want to express my deep gratitude for all of the brave servicemembers involved in rescuing two F-15E crew members in Iran. These operations are incredibly difficult, and the safe return of both crew members is a powerful testament to their training and the expertise of all the U.S. military units involved in this search and recovery. Grateful today and every day for our heroic men and women in uniform.”
I want to express my deep gratitude for all of the brave servicemembers involved in rescuing two F-15E crew members in Iran. These operations are incredibly difficult, and the safe return of both crew members is a powerful testament to their training and the expertise of all the…
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) April 5, 2026
Iran says they have hit Israeli ship in UAE port
20:00 , Tara CobhamIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) say they have hit an Israeli ship in the Channel of the UAE’s Jebel Ali port, according to a statement.
ADNOC Gas says domestic demand still being met after Habshan attack
19:40 , Tara CobhamADNOC Gas said on Sunday that domestic demand in the UAE was being met through its other facilities after its Habshan complex in Abu Dhabi was hit by debris from an intercepted attack on Friday.
The attack, which killed one Egyptian citizen, "caused damage to certain facilities" at the Habshan complex, ADNOC Gas said.
Trump says US sent ‘a lot’ of guns to arm Iranian protesters but believes ‘the Kurds took’ them: report
19:20 , Tara CobhamUS forces sought to arm Iranian protesters earlier this year after the country was rocked by demonstrations over dire economic conditions but saw those arms largely fall into the hands of Iran’s Kurds, President Donald Trump said on Sunday.
The president began his Easter Sunday with a series of revelations and proclamations about the Iran war, including a bizarre, cursing threat to begin targeting Iranian power plants on Tuesday if a deal was not reached to open the Strait of Hormuz.
“Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in Hell,” he warned.
Washington DC correspondent John Bowden reports:
Trump says US sent ‘a lot’ of guns to Iranian protesters but ‘the Kurds took’ them
What Trump has told media as he issues threats to Iran
19:01 , Tara CobhamUS president Donald Trump has been issuing threats to Iran via different media outlets on Easter Sunday – here is what he has said so far:
- Trump said his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday evening, according to an interview he gave to the Wall Street Journal published on Sunday. "If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plants and they won’t have any bridges standing,” the US president told the Journal.
- Trump said a deal with Iran is possible by Monday, and that Tehran was negotiating, Fox News reported on Sunday following an interview with the president.
- Trump told Axios that the US is “in deep negotiations” with Iran over striking a deal, adding: ”There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there.”
China ready to cooperate with Russia to ease Middle East tension, foreign minister says
19:00 , Tara CobhamChina is willing to continue to cooperate with Russia at the UN Security Council and make efforts to cool down the Middle East situation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a phone call on Sunday.
Wang said the fundamental way to resolve navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz is to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, adding that China has always advocated political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation.
The foreign ministers' call came ahead of a UN Security Council vote next week on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
As permanent UNSC members, China and Russia should "adopt an objective and balanced approach and seek to win greater understanding and support from the international community," Wang told Lavrov, according to a statement from his ministry.
A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said the ministers discussed ways to achieve a rapid ceasefire and "launch a political-diplomatic dialogue."
"Satisfaction was expressed at the coincidence in Russia's and China's approaches on most issues on the global agenda, including the situation around Iran, related to the unprovoked aggression of the U.S. and Israel against that country," it said.
China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Gulf region and Middle East, urging an end to the fighting that has run for more than a month and largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping artery for oil and gas.
MTG leads outraged reaction to Trump’s foul-mouthed Easter threats to Iran: ‘He has gone insane’
18:40 , Tara CobhamFormer GOP congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene led the furious backlash to President Donald Trump’s foul-mouthed Easter Sunday threat to Iran, writing on social media: “He has gone insane.”
The 79-year-old president raged on his Truth Social platform just after 8 a.m. Sunday morning, writing: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!”
He finished the message, posted early on Easter Sunday: “Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Isabel Keane reports:
MTG leads outrage to Trump’s foul-mouthed Easter threat to Iran: ‘He has gone insane’
Russia says US should abandon 'language of ultimatums' on Iran
18:20 , Tara CobhamRussia expressed hope on Sunday that efforts to de-escalate the Iran conflict would bear fruit and said the US would contribute by “abandoning the language of ultimatums and returning the situation to a negotiating track”.
The Russian Foreign Ministry statement was issued after a conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
It said both sides "called for efforts to avoid actions, including in the UN Security Council, that could undermine the remaining chances for advancing political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis."
Russia, it said, backed efforts to de-escalate tensions “in the interests of long-term and sustainable normalisation of the situation in the Middle East, which would be facilitated by the United States abandoning the language of ultimatums and returning the situation to a negotiating track”.
Iran vows to reciprocate US infrastructure attacks, according to reports
18:20 , Tara CobhamTehran has vowed to reciprocate attacks on its infrastructure and target similar infrastructure linked to the US, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson has said, according to WANA news agency.
US senator calls Trump 'deeply unwell man on dangerous power trip threatening possible war crimes'
18:11 , Tara CobhamA US senator has described Donald Trump as a “deeply unwell man on a dangerous power trip, threatening possible war crimes”.
In a post on X following the US president’s latest Truth Social rant, Senator Patty Murray added: “This is not how the President of the United States should be speaking about sending our servicemembers into harm’s way.”
This is a deeply unwell man on a dangerous power trip, threatening possible war crimes.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) April 5, 2026
This is not how the President of the United States should be speaking about sending our servicemembers into harm’s way.
Republicans should join Democrats to end this war immediately. https://t.co/3u2LboacLy
US central command confirms strikes on Iran continue after rescue of F-15E crew members
18:08 , Tara CobhamUS central command has confirmed that strikes on Iran continue following the rescue of both F-15E crew members after their jet was shot down.
In a statement, it said: “On April 4, U.S. forces successfully completed the rescues of two American service members from Iran after their F-15E fighter jet was shot down April 2 during a combat mission.
“The service members were safely recovered during separate search and rescue missions.
“U.S. strikes into Iran continue as U.S. Central Command forces dismantle the Iranian regime’s ability to project power beyond its borders.”
Trump admits he feared Iranian trap during F-15 crew rescue, according to reports
18:00 , Tara CobhamDonald Trump has admitted he feared an Iranian trap after the downing of a US F-15E fighter jet and subsequent crew rescue operation, Axios has reported.
Trump says 'Tuesday 8pm ET' in cryptic social media message
17:52 , Tara CobhamDonald Trump has stated “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” in a cryptic post on Truth Social.
The US president has been telling media that his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday evening.
Deadline for Iran to open Strait of Hormuz is Tuesday evening, Trump tells WSJ
17:40 , Tara CobhamUS president Donald Trump said his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday evening, according to an interview he gave to the Wall Street Journal published on Sunday.
"If they don’t do something by Tuesday evening, they won’t have any power plants and they won’t have any bridges standing,” Trump told the Journal. In a social media post earlier on Sunday, Trump had said Iran would face infrastructure attacks if it did not open the strait by Tuesday.
Ex-national security official warns Trump's latest rant will fail in attempts to 'escalate to get a deal'
17:39 , Tara CobhamA former national security official has said that Donald Trump’s latest rant on Truth Social will fail in its attempts to “escalate to try to get a deal”.
Brett McGurk told CNN: “This is an escalate to try to get a deal, that’s not going to get a deal.
“With diplomacy with Iran, a lot of it is secret back channel, because they publicly posture, we publicly posture, it makes it very hard to achieve what he’s trying to achieve there.”
Incredible news on our rescued airman—and serious questions about where this goes from here. Earlier today with @jaketapper on @CNNSOTU. pic.twitter.com/3KZR81EJVo
— Brett McGurk (@brett_mcgurk) April 5, 2026
Building hit in missile strike launched by Iran on Israel, according to reports
17:26 , Tara CobhamA missile strike has been launched by Iran on Israel, according to reports.
At least one residential building has been majorly damaged in the attack on the Northern Israeli city of Haifa, OSINTdefender said on X.
Reports of major damage to at least one residential building in the Northern Israeli city of Haifa, following the apparent direct impact of a medium-range ballistic missile launched by Iran. pic.twitter.com/vQIRwweuXW
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 5, 2026
Iranian parliament's speaker tells Trump: 'Our whole region will burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands'
17:22 , Tara CobhamThe Iranian parliament’s speaker has told Donald Trump “our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands”.
In a post on X, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said: “Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu’s commands. Make no mistake: You won’t gain anything through war crimes.”
He added: “The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.”
2/ The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 5, 2026
Trump insists Middle East conflict should be over in 'days, not weeks'
17:13 , Tara CobhamDonald Trump has insisted that the Middle East conflict should be over in “days, not weeks”.
When asked by ABC’s Rachel Scott if his two-to-three-week timeline still holds, the US president said: “It should be days, not weeks. It should be wrapped up in days because no sane group of people could stand the punishment that's going to rain down on them if it's not.”
Trump warns Iran he'll 'blow up whole country' if no deal is made
17:09 , Tara CobhamDonald Trump has warned that if Iran do not make a deal then he is “blowing up the whole country”.
The US president told ABC’s Rachel Scott: “If happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, we're blowing up the whole country.” He added that “very little” is off limits.
When asked whether he would be open to changing his deadline for Tehran, Trump said: “I don't want to talk about it, they have plenty of time to make a deal. If they don't want to make a deal, their whole country is gone.”
Spoke with President Trump. He told me the conflict should be over in days, not weeks but if no deal is made he’s blowing up the whole country with “very little” off the table.
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) April 5, 2026
"If happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, we're blowing up the whole country,” he said.
I asked if…
Russia's foreign minister tells Iranian counterpart he hopes for de-escalation in Middle East
17:01 , Tara CobhamRussia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed his hope for efforts to avoid escalation in the Middle East in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Russian government has said.
Trump says deal with Iran possible by Monday, according to reports
16:40 , Tara CobhamUS president Donald Trump said a deal with Iran is possible by Monday, and that Tehran was negotiating, Fox News reported on Sunday following an interview with the president.
Multiple splashes from projectiles reported near container ship in UAE, UKMTO says
16:24 , Tara CobhamThe captain of a container ship has reported seeing multiple splashes from unknown projectiles in close proximity to the ship at UAE's Khor Fakkan port, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday.
Watch: Netanyahu congratulates Trump on rescue of stranded airman from Iran
16:13 , Tara Cobham'This is not making America great again, this is evil.' MTG lays into Trump after expletive-ridden post
15:39 , James ReynoldsMarjorie Taylor Greene writes on social media to criticise Trump’s earlier post and policy as ‘evil’.
The former congresswoman and Trump ally says: “Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump’s madness. I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit.”
She adds: “Trump threatening to bomb power plants and bridges hurts the Iranian people, the very people Trump claimed he was freeing ... Christians in the administration should be pursuing peace. Urging the President to make peace. Not escalating war that is hurting people.”
“This [is] NOT what we promised the American people when they overwhelmingly voted in 2024, I know, I was there more than most.This is not making America great again, this is evil.”
Pope Leo marks first Easter as pontiff with call for hope amid global conflicts
15:28 , James ReynoldsPope Leo celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a call Sunday to exercise hope against “the violence of war that kills and destroys,’’ saying “we need this song of hope today” as conflicts spread around the world.
Read the full story:
Pope Leo marks first Easter as pontiff with call for hope amid global conflicts
RAF gunners shooting down Iranian drones overnight
15:09 , James ReynoldsBritain’s defence ministry reports on a flurry of activity involving UK assets in the region.
RAF Regiment gunners, operating in a high threat area, successfully downed multiple Iranian drones overnight, it says in an update on social media.
UK Typhoons and F-35 jets, supported by Voyager and Royal Navy Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, also engaged in “defensive missions” over the Eastern Mediterranean, Jordan, Bahrain and UAE.
Trump press conference expected tomorrow from 1pm
15:02 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump says on Truth Social he will hold a press conference on Monday at the Oval Office from 1pm (6pm BST).
Arrests, beatings and an atmosphere of fear: Iranians on life under wartime ‘martial law’
15:01 , James ReynoldsAs the US-Israeli war in the Middle East enters its second month, reports from multiple cities in Iran indicate the atmosphere inside the country is approaching a de facto state of martial law.
According to accounts received by Independent Persian, in many neighbourhoods in Tehran, forces belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its subsidiary Basij militia have effectively turned residential areas into security zones by stationing heavy vehicles, numerous motorcycles and military equipment outside apartment complexes.
Read our full report on how life has changed since the war broke out:
Tight security, beatings and arrests: Iranians on life under war time ‘martial law’
'If they don't make a deal, I'm considering blowing everything up,' says Trump
14:59 , James ReynoldsFox News’ Trey Yingst reports that on their call, Donald Trump told him: “If they [the Iranians] don't make a deal, and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil.”
“You’re going to see bridges and power plants dropping all over their country,” he added.
The president reportedly said he thinks there is a good chance he could get a deal as soon as tomorrow.
“I think there’s a good time tomorrow. They’re negotiating now,” he said.
US tried to send guns to Iran protesters earlier this year: Trump
14:53 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump tells Fox News that the US tried to supply Iranian protesters with arms in January via the Kurds - but he thinks the Kurds kept them.
"We sent guns to the protesters, a lot of them," President Trump told reporter Trey Yingst in a call earlier on Sunday. "I think the Kurds took the guns."
US agents swoop on 'family of late Iranian commander' - but Iran says they have no ties
14:26 , James ReynoldsUS federal agents claim to have detained the niece and grand-niece of late Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident status.
"Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement," the State Department said in a statement, adding that Rubio revoked their residency status, also known as a green card.
The State Department did not say where the arrests occurred. The statement said the pair were arrested on Friday and that Afshar had been "enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles" that was documented on her recently deleted Instagram account.
Iranian state media cited an official at the country's foreign ministry on Sunday as saying that the Iranian national recently arrested in the US had no family ties to Soleimani.
In full: Trump's sweary outburst on social media
14:15 , James ReynoldsWith his deadline for Iran to make a deal to end the war set to expire tomorrow, Trump wrote on Truth Social at 1.03pm UK time:
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****n’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Connection at a cost: The high-risk world of Iran’s underground VPN market after internet blackout
14:00 , James ReynoldsAs the widespread internet shutdown in Iran continues, the market for selling VPNs (virtual private networks) and connection ‘configs’ has surged.
It is a chaotic and high-risk space where, on one hand, new methods are constantly being used to access the internet, and on the other, fraud and the exploitation of users has also increased.
Independent Persian looks at how VPNs have again come to the fore since hostilities erupted:
Connection at a cost: The high-risk world of Iran’s underground VPN market
Iraq thanks Iran for allowing Iraqi tankers to pass through Strait of Hormuz
13:59 , James ReynoldsIraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein thanked Iran for allowing Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated Baghdad's policy of rejecting war, the foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Hussein made the remarks during a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al‑Sadeq, according to the statement.
Trump delivers sweary warning to Iran ahead of deadline to open Strait of Hormuz
13:13 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump told Iran to “just open the f***in’ Strait, you crazy b******s” in a strong-worded rant on Truth Social.
The US president has threatened to hit Iranian power plants unless they reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz by 10am ET (2pm GMT) on Monday.
Writing on social media this afternoon he says: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!
“Open the F***in’ Strait, you crazy b******s, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Iranian children as young as 12 given rifles and sent on patrols: report
11:33 , James ReynoldsAmnesty International reports that children as young as 12 are being handed assault rifles and sent out on patrols amid a drive to recruit more people for the ‘defence of the homeland’.
The Independent reported previously that children were being targeted as part of a campaign by the IRGC.
Now, analysis by Amnesty has found evidence of children wielding assault rifles and standing alongside IRGC and other forces at checkpoints, taking part in patrols and joining militarised rallies. Legal experts say this could constitute a war crime.
An eyewitness from Rasht said: ““I have seen children wielding weapons. They wear masks to cover their faces, but it is obvious they are kids. They have not even grown in height… some appear to be 13 years old at most… I saw [several] children standing in front of mosques [where Basij bases are located], ahead of the actual forces. I keep thinking their brains aren’t developed like adults and they might actually fire randomly. I am both scared of them and feel sad for them.”
Iran says five killed, eight injured in US rescue operation
10:40 , James ReynoldsFive people were killed and eight injured in the US mission to rescue a stranded airman, according to the governor of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing the governor, reported this morning that five Iran-aligned people were killed last night during the operation at the ‘Black Mountain’ area of Kohgiluyeh.
Eight people were said to have been injured and taken to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Dehdasht for treatment.
Trump confirms both F-15 crew members rescued from Iran, hails 'most daring' operations
05:40 , Stuti MishraDonald Trump confirmed that both crew members of an F-15 jet downed over Iran had been rescued, saying the back-to-back operations were the first time in military memory that two US pilots had been retrieved separately from inside enemy territory.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the second airman, a colonel, had been recovered from "the treacherous mountains of Iran" after being hunted by Iranian forces. He said the officer sustained injuries but would recover. Trump added that the first rescue, carried out the previous day, had been deliberately withheld from public confirmation to avoid compromising the second mission.
"This is the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory," Trump wrote. He said both operations had been completed without a single American killed or wounded, calling it proof of "overwhelming air dominance and superiority over the Iranian skies."
