The United States launched powerful airstrikes on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, deploying 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs to destroy hardened underground facilities. US Central Command stated the targets included anti-ship cruise missile systems threatening international maritime routes. The strikes come amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, following disruptions to shipping in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit chokepoint, has witnessed increasing instability, raising fears over energy security and potential wider conflict in the Middle East. 

Israel’s military warned it will continue targeting threats, including Mojtaba Khamenei, amid escalating conflict with Iran. IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said Israel would “pursue, find and neutralise” anyone endangering the state, though Khamenei’s location remains unknown. The statement follows Israeli strikes that killed Gholamreza Soleimani in Tehran. Israel also vowed continued operations against Iran’s Basij forces and signalled preparations for a prolonged campaign, including during Passover. Meanwhile, Iran launched fresh missile barrages, triggering air raid sirens across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, underscoring intensifying hostilities and the widening scale of the conflict. (PC: X)

Preliminary findings indicate Israeli tank fire hit a UN base in southern Lebanon, wounding Ghanaian peacekeepers serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The inquiry found three direct strikes using Israeli-manufactured 120-mm shells at the al-Qawzah position, raising concerns over peacekeeper safety. UNIFIL said the investigation is ongoing but stressed that attacks on peacekeepers violate international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The incident highlights growing risks as Israel-Hezbollah tensions escalate, with UN forces increasingly caught in crossfire. The mission, due to end in 2026, faces mounting challenges amid expanding military operations and regional instability. (PC: The Hindu)

Ali Larijani, a central figure in Iran’s security and nuclear policy, was killed in an air strike near Tehran alongside his son Morteza Larijani, deputy Alireza Bayat and bodyguards, Iranian authorities confirmed. The strike, reportedly targeting his daughter’s home in Pardis, marks one of the most direct blows to Iran’s senior leadership amid escalating conflict. Israel acknowledged eliminating key figures, including Gholamreza Soleimani, and signalled continued targeting of top officials. Larijani, a former parliament speaker and nuclear negotiator, played a major role in shaping Iran’s strategic policy. His death deepens leadership uncertainty as tensions intensify across the region. (PC: India Today)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video alongside Mike Huckabee, dismissing viral rumours claiming he had been killed during the Iran conflict. The clip shows him walking and joking, confirming, “Yes, I’m alive,” amid speculation fueled by his absence and misleading “six fingers” footage. Donald Trump was referenced humorously, with Huckabee saying he was sent to check on Netanyahu. The Israeli leader also mentioned ongoing strikes targeting Iranian figures. Earlier, Netanyahu mocked the rumours in a café video, addressing the finger claims directly. The conspiracy theories spread widely online during escalating regional tensions following Iran’s retaliation against US-Israel actions.

The United States Central Command said US forces dropped 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The bunker-buster weapons targeted fortified or underground launch and storage sites posing risks to international shipping. The strikes mark a shift toward directly targeting maritime threats as commercial shipping remains near standstill amid the US-Israeli war with Iran. The move may aim to degrade Iran’s ability to target ships and enable reopening of the energy corridor. President Donald Trump urged nations to help secure the strait, but several allies declined, drawing his criticism. Global oil flows are choked and prices have risen worldwide significantly now.

Israel’s military said it struck more than 10 Basij force posts in Tehran in recent hours. The attacks are part of its ongoing operations in Iran. Officials said the strikes aim to weaken Iran’s internal security control. At the same time, Hezbollah fired rockets towards northern Israel from Lebanon. Israel said most were intercepted and no immediate casualties were reported. In response, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah launch sites in Lebanon. The army said it is “deepening operations” to protect its northern areas. The conflict continues to expand across multiple fronts in the region. (PC: X)

India used talks and careful planning to help its ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The route remains tense due to the ongoing Iran conflict. Three Indian-flagged vessels crossed safely after discussions between India and Iran. Some ships also used “dark mode” to avoid detection while passing through. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for “dialogue and diplomacy” during talks with Iran’s leadership. Iran’s envoy said, “India is our friend.” Two ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, reached India carrying LPG. Officials said there is no fixed deal. “Every ship movement is an individual happening,” S Jaishankar said. (PC: HT)

Senior Israeli officials have warned the US that Iranian protesters could be “slaughtered” if they take to the streets. The warning was shared in a US State Department cable, reports said. The officials said Iran’s security forces, especially the Revolutionary Guard, “has the upper hand”. They also said the regime is “not cracking” despite ongoing strikes. At the same time, Israel has continued to support public protests in Iran. It has urged the US to be ready to help if unrest grows. US President Donald Trump also noted the risks. “They have people in the streets with machine guns,” he said. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump said it was a “good thing” that counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigned. He called Kent “very weak on security” after his exit. Kent stepped down over the US military campaign in Iran. Kent said he could not support the war. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote. He also said Iran posed no “imminent threat” to the US. Trump rejected such views. “We don’t want those people,” he said. The resignation comes as the Iran conflict enters its third week and debate grows within the administration. (PC: India Today)