Washington and Tehran spar over the terms of the ceasefire, while hundreds of vessels remain stuck in the strategic waterway Published 8 Apr, 2026 21:50 | Updated 9 Apr, 2026 05:05 © Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization via IRIB Hezbollah has targeted a strategic Israeli border settlement after the IDF carried out the deadliest series of bombings that killed at least 254 people and injured over 1,165 in a single day in Lebanon. “This response will continue until the Israeli-American aggression against our country and our people ceases,” the Lebanese armed group said after firing rockets at the Manara settlement early Thursday. Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week suspension of warfare, after President Trump said Iran’s ten-point proposal delivered via Pakistan offers a “workable basis” for negotiations. However, the ceasefire seems flimsy after Tehran accused Washington and Israel of violating three of Tehran’s ten conditions to end the war. The US and Israel insist that Lebanon was never part of the deal. The shipping traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz also remains limited and under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – which published a map of “designated routes.” Key developments: Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has accused the US of violating three key clauses of Tehran’s 10‑point proposal, including non‑compliance with the Lebanon ceasefire, the intrusion of a drone into Iranian airspace, and “denial of Iran’s right to enrichment.” Vice President J.D. Vance said he has seen three different 10-point demands from Iran, which have contributed to “misunderstanding,” claiming that the first draft was “probably written by ChatGPT” and went straight “in the garbage.” Trump lashed out at NATO member states that closed their airspace to US warplanes and limited the use of their bases for strikes on Iran. Washington is considering pulling out troops to “punish” those states, according to the WSJ. Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates. You can also read our previous updates here. Show latestShow oldest 09 April 2026 04:53 GMT Oil industry executives are pressing the White House to oppose Iran’s plan to charge tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Politico. Industry representatives allegedly met with State Department officials on Wednesday, arguing that tolls would add $2.5 million per shipment and could set a precedent for other strategic chokepoints. “The president is extremely sensitive to the legacy and judgment on the success of this war so pushing the president right now is seen as a risky proposition,” an unnamed oil industry representative present at the meeting said. “But the White House is hearing from the industry despite the gingerliness of the conversations.” The White House has not directly commented on the report, but said that “the idea that President Trump would ever accept an Iranian wishlist as a deal is completely absurd.” Only a couple of oil tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz via IRGC-approved northern routes on the first day of the ceasefire, in addition to around a dozen bulk carriers, according to maritime trackers MarineTraffic, Windward AI, and Hormuz Strait Monitor Maritime analytics firm Kepler expects “safe transit capacity to recover only to maximum 10–15 passages a day, given the size of the strait and current security conditions,” as cited by Al Jazeera. 🚨Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization:'Due to the war situation in the PersianGulf and possible anti‑ship #mines in the main traffic zone of the Strait of Hormuz, vessels must to coordinate with the IRGC Navy and use the designated routes.' pic.twitter.com/b2AuW6CcwD — IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) April 8, 2026 All US military personnel and assets “will remain in place in, and around, Iran” until Tehran fully complies with the “real agreement,” President Trump posted on Truth Social. “If for any reason it is not … then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before,” Trump wrote, adding that the Strait of Hormuz must be “open and safe.” “In the meantime our great Military is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest. AMERICA IS BACK!” the US president added. US Senator Cory Booker said he and other Democrats will “once again force a vote on a War Powers Resolution to finally end this dangerous war in the Middle East.” “Trump’s unauthorised military actions and reckless war-mongering must stop,” Booker wrote on social media. “The American people do not want and have not authorized it, but nonetheless keep paying the price.” Trump’s unauthorized military actions and reckless war-mongering must stop. Alongside other Democratic Senators I will once again force a vote on a War Powers Resolution to finally end this dangerous war in the Middle East. The American people do not want and have not authorized… — Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) April 9, 2026 President Trump has once again lashed out against the “fake news” media covering the 10-point list of Iranian demands, suggesting the points he previously called a “workable basis” for negotiations were different. “The Failing New York Times and Fake News CNN each reported a totally FAKE TEN-POINT PLAN on the Iran negotiations which was meant to discredit the people involved in the peace process. All ten points were a made-up HOAX — EVIL LOSERS!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. READ MORE: What is in the US-Iran peace deal? What we know so far
Lebanese Red Cross president Antoine Zoghbi called the aftermath of Israel’s latest attack “a nightmare,” saying strikes came without warning and hit multiple regions simultaneously.
“They struck many regions at the same time. And they struck hard to cause harm, to inflict pain. Pain, pain, pain. It’s a war with no rules. It’s a war with no limits,” Zoghbi told Al Jazeera.
The Lebanese Red Cross, the sole supplier of blood banks to hospitals, issued an open call for blood donations after Israel’s strikes killed at least 254 people and injured more than 1,165 in a single day on Wednesday.
Teams conduct search and rescue operation following the simultaneous Israeli attacks in Beirut, Lebanon on April 8, 2026 © Houssam Shbaro / Anadolu via Getty Images
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has called the massive wave of Israeli strikes across Lebanon appalling, urging a “prompt and independent investigation” into all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and that those responsible be brought to justice.
“The scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today is nothing short of horrific,” said the High Commissioner. “Such carnage, within hours of agreeing to a ceasefire with Iran, defies belief. It places enormous pressure on a fragile peace, which is so desperately needed by civilians.”
I condemn the massive wave of strikes by #Israel across #Lebanon today, with reports of hundreds killed and injured, including civilians. This puts enormous pressure on a fragile ceasefire in the region, which is so desperately needed.➡️ https://t.co/bYn3TjfTRwpic.twitter.com/NvOS0WKO0P
— Volker Türk (@volker_turk) April 8, 2026
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has admitted that President Trump is “clearly disappointed” with the bloc members’ lack of support for the war with Iran.
“Let me be absolutely clear. He is clearly disappointed, and with many NATO allies. And I can see his point,” Rutte told CNN following their closed-door meeting. “But at the same time, I was also able to point to the fact that the large majority of European nations have been helpful, with basing, with logistics, with overflights, with making sure that they live up to the commitments.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, telling both that their decision to accept a ceasefire was “the best possible one.”
“I expressed my hope that the ceasefire will be fully respected by each of the belligerents, across all areas of confrontation, including in Lebanon. This is a necessary condition for the ceasefire to be credible and lasting,” Macron wrote in a post on X.
Macron added that any final agreement must “address the concerns raised by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as its regional policy and its actions obstructing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
I spoke today with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, as well as with U.S. President Donald Trump. I told both of them that their decision to accept a ceasefire was the best possible one. I expressed my hope…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 8, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains “one of the central conditions” of Iran’s 10-point proposal, following Israeli strikes that killed hundreds in Lebanon despite the US-backed truce. Pezeshkian said Tehran’s acceptance of the ceasefire had shown both “its sense of responsibility” and “its serious will to resolve disputes through diplomacy.”
More
-
08 April 2026
21:50 GMT
The Trump administration is considering a plan to punish NATO members deemed unhelpful during the Iran war by relocating US troops out of their countries, according to administration officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
The proposal would move American forces from nations that restricted airspace or base access – such as Spain, Germany, and Italy – and reposition them in more supportive countries like Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Greece. Officials said the plan could also involve closing a US base in Spain or Germany.
The proposals fall short of Trump’s threats to quit NATO entirely. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to comment on the reports, but said Trump plans a “frank and candid conversation” with NATO’s chief.
- 21:53 GMT
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte traveled to Washington on Wednesday to meet with Trump, seeking to deepen ties amid tensions within the bloc over the Iran war and the president’s past threats to leave NATO and annex Greenland.
- 22:01 GMT
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it is “outraged by the devastating death and destruction in densely populated areas across Lebanon” following the latest Israeli strikes on the country.
In a statement that did not explicitly blame any party, the head of the ICRC’s delegation in Lebanon said “people across Lebanon were holding their breath for a ceasefire agreement, but a wave of deadly strikes plunged the country into panic and chaos.”
We are outraged by the devastating death and destruction in densely populated areas across Lebanon today following intensified military operations. @ICRC_lb is working closely with local authorities and the @RedCrossLebanon to support the medical response as overwhelmed medical… pic.twitter.com/JyTLsaEf82
— ICRC (@ICRC) April 8, 2026
- 22:06 GMT
Vice President J.D. Vance said Iran’s frustration over three ceasefire issues “actually means that there’s a lot of agreements.” Speaking to reporters before leaving Hungary, Vance acknowledged that “ceasefires are always messy” with “a little bit of choppiness.”
“I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn’t. We never made that promise, we never indicated that was gonna be the case,” Vance said.
He also questioned the English skills of Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, saying “there are things that he said that just didn’t make sense in the context of the negotiations that we’ve had.”
⚡️🇺🇸🇮🇱 JUST IN: The Zionist U.S VP JD Vance:"I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn't. We never made that promise, we never indicated that was gonna be the case." pic.twitter.com/nficQFy41S
— Aditya Juans Mandagie (@AdityaMandagie) April 8, 2026
- 22:14 GMT
It would be “dumb” for Tehran to walk away from the temporary ceasefire and negotiations with Washington, Vice President J.D. Vance added.
“If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart, in a conflict when they are getting hammered, over Lebanon – which has nothing to do with them and which the United Stated never once said was part of the ceasefire – that’s ultimately their choice. We think that would be dumb, but that’s their choice,” he said.
🚨 JD VANCE DROPS TRUTH ON IRAN: "If Iran wants to let this negotiation FALL APART, when they were getting HAMMERED, over LEBANON — which was never part of the ceasefire — that's ultimately their choice. We think that would be DUMB."🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/92BndMx8L3
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 8, 2026
- 22:27 GMT
Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam declared Thursday a national day of mourning, with government offices closed and flags flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the latest Israeli attacks that left at least 182 civilians dead and 890 injured on Wednesday alone. Health officials said Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,739 people and wounded 5,873 others in Lebanon since March 2.
Apocalyptic scenes in Lebanon’s capital right now.Israel has launched 100 airstrikes on Lebanon in 10 minutes.Striking South Lebanon, Beirut and the Bekaa Valley simultaneously.This isn’t a ceasefire. It’s mass bombardment of civilian areas. pic.twitter.com/ygTf2Pscrn
— sarah (@sahouraxo) April 8, 2026
- 22:40 GMT
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the disregard for life and international law shown by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu “intolerable” following the deadliest day since the IDF launched attacks on Lebanon.
“It’s time to speak clearly: Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire. The international community must condemn this new violation of international law. The European Union must suspend its Association Agreement with Israel. And there must be no impunity for these criminal acts,” Sanchez wrote in a post on X.
- 22:51 GMT
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot said he was in Beirut to show support for the Lebanese people when Israel launched “one of the most massive strikes” since the hostilities began, hitting just a few hundred meters from the embassy where he was with his delegation.
“This must stop. The ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran must include Lebanon,” Prevot wrote on X. He said the strike caused “hundreds of civilian victims” and came with “no previous warning.”
🇱🇧 (EN/FR/NL) I came to Beirut today to show our full support to the Lebanese authorities and to express our deep solidarity with the families affected by the violent conflict opposing Israel to Hezbollah. Just before I was commending President Aoun for offering to open official…
— Maxime PREVOT (@prevotmaxime) April 8, 2026
- 23:09 GMT
FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency’s Counterintelligence & Espionage Division in cooperation with its Justice Department partners has arrested a “former employee” of the United States Special Operations Command “who supported our top-level military warfighters“ for “allegedly transmitting classified information to a member of the media.”
“Let this serve as a message to any would-be leakers: we’re working these cases, and we’re making arrests. The FBI will not tolerate those who seek to betray our country and put Americans in harm’s way,” Patel wrote in a post on X, without naming the individual, specifying the classified details leaked, or tying it to the war with Iran or any other specific incident.
US President Donald Trump previously threatened to jail the journalist who first reported the details of a rescue mission for the two crew members of the US F-15E Strike Eagle which was shot down over Iran last week, unless they reveal the source of their information.
- 23:33 GMT
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte held a closed-door meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss the war with Iran and the US president’s anger over the bloc’s refusal to provide assistance.
“This was a meeting between friends. Because we like each other. I really admire his leadership,” Rutte told CNN after the meeting.
Rutte on Trump: “This was a meeting between friends. Because we like each other. I really admire his leadership.” pic.twitter.com/HfAyMYRQ0j
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 8, 2026
Asked directly if he believed NATO countries were “tested and failed,” Rutte replied: “Some of them yes, but a large majority of European countries, and that’s what we discussed today, have done what they promised before in a case like this.”
The US-led bloc’s chief also refused to comment on Trump’s threat to destroy the entire Iranian civilization, saying “what I want you to know is that I support the president.”
TAPPER: When Trump threatened to kill the entire Iranian civilization, did that bother you as a diplomat?MARK RUTTE: I'm not commenting. What I want you to know is I support the president pic.twitter.com/Kx35OUiY3Y
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 8, 2026
More
