Iran’s air defence systems were activated across parts of Tehran on Thursday evening after multiple blasts were heard over the capital, according to Iranian media.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency said operators were heard engaging “hostile targets”, while local outlets reported explosions linked to possible aerial threats. No official details were immediately released on the nature of the objects or whether any damage was caused.
The incident marked the first known activation of Tehran’s air defences since the ceasefire came into effect.
The development comes amid renewed regional tensions after US President Donald J. Trump said he had extended the ceasefire period, claiming Iran’s leadership needed time to present a peace proposal.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel was prepared to resume military operations against Iran and that targets had already been identified.
India urges citizens not to travel to Iran, asks those there to leave
Amid continuing tensions in the region, India has issued a fresh advisory urging its citizens not to travel to Iran and asking those already there to leave through designated land border routes amid continuing tensions in the region.
The Embassy of India in Tehran released the advisory on Thursday, April 23, following reports that some flight services between India and Iran may resume.
“In view of reports of commencement of some flights between India and Iran, and in continuation of earlier advisories, Indian citizens are strongly advised not to travel to Iran, whether by air or land,” the embassy said.
It added that airspace restrictions and operational uncertainties linked to regional tensions continue to disrupt international flight operations to and from Iran.
The embassy also reiterated that all Indian nationals currently in Iran should leave the country through designated land border routes while remaining in close coordination with embassy officials.
Indian citizens requiring assistance have been asked to contact emergency helplines: +989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102 and +989932179359. Support is also available via email at cons.tehran@mea.gov.in.
Iran says institutions united after Israeli attacks
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country’s state institutions were continuing to act with “unity, purpose and discipline”, describing it as evidence of the failure of Israel’s killings during the war.
In a post on X, Araghchi said “the battlefield and diplomacy are fully coordinated fronts in the same war”.
Hee added that Iranians were “all united, more than ever before”.
Trump says under no pressure to end Iran war
US President Donald J Trump said he was under no pressure to end the war in Iran, insisting he would decide on any agreement when the time was right.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was “possibly the least pressured person ever” to end the conflict.
“I have all the time in the World, but Iran doesn’t — The clock is ticking!” he wrote.
Trump added that any deal would be made only when it was “appropriate and good for the United States of America, our Allies and, in fact, the rest of the World”.
US says 33 vessels redirected under Iran blockade
United States Central Command said US forces had “now redirected 33 vessels since the start of the blockade against Iran”, signalling an expansion of maritime enforcement operations.
The command said the vessels were ordered to turn around or return to port as part of the ongoing blockade targeting Iranian maritime trade.
Qatar Airways to resume flights to Dubai, Sharjah and Damascus
Qatar Airways has announced it will resume daily flights from Doha to Dubai and Sharjah starting April 23.
The airline said daily service to Damascus will resume from May 1, restoring links to key Middle Eastern destinations.
Hezbollah warns against direct talks with Israel
Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said ÿ⁷
negotiations with Israel would be a “major mistake”, highlighting divisions within Lebanon.
Fadlallah also reiterated the group’s conditional commitment to the ceasefire.
“We want to continue the ceasefire if Israel fully abides by it,” he said, according to Reuters.
India says 10 ships exited Strait of Hormuz safely
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 10 Indian ships had exited the Strait of Hormuz safely in recent weeks, while 14 Indian vessels remained in the Persiglrpman Gulf.
He also addressed the case of Commander Tiwari, saying he was sentenced by Qatar’s Court of Cassation along with an Omani owner and another Qatari officer in a judgment delivered in February 2026.
Jaiswal said Tiwari was granted relief in a separate case in March but remained detained in the matter decided by the court in February.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 10 Indian ships had exited thye Strait of Hormuz safely in recent weeks, while 14 Indian vessels remained in the Persian Gulf.He also addressed the case of Commander Tiwari, saying he was sentenced by Qatar’s Court of C0assation along with an Omani owner and another Qatari officer in a judgment delivered in February 2026.Jaiswal said Tiwari was granted relief in a separate case in March but remained detained in the matter decided by the court in February.
Lebanon rejects deal without full Israeli withdrawal
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the country would not accept any agreement that does not include a full Israeli withdrawal.
Ahead of talks in Washington, Salam said buffer zones or restrictions preventing displaced citizens from returning home were unacceptable.
He added that Hezbollah’s disarmament would be “a process, not overnight”, and called for international support to strengthen Lebanon’s armed forces.
Salam also said any negotiations must involve leverage on Israel and that Lebanon would decide its own future in consultation with Arab partners.
Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei wounded in airstrike: Report
The New York Times reported on Thursday that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei.
Citing unnamed Iranian officials, the report said Mojtaba Khamenei had, for now, delegated decision-making to generals in the Revolutionary Guards.
The newspaper said he had not appeared in public since succeeding his father and had issued only written statements, fuelling speculation over his condition.
Lebanon foreign minister backs talks to end conflict
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Yousseff Raggi said there was “no shame in negotiating with Israel” if the aim was to end the war, recover territory and secure lasting peace.
In a post on X, Raggi said Lebanon could no longer endure wars fought on its soil on behalf of others.
He also criticised Hezbollah, saying it could no longer “sell the illusion of victory”.
Israel says two armed individuals killed in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Thursday that it killed two armed individuals in the Aainata area of southern Lebanon after identifying them approaching soldiers and posing what it described as an “immediate threat”.
The military said the two individuals moved towards Israeli troops operating in the area before forces opened fire.
It was not immediately clear whether the incident was linked to strikes reported earlier in nearby areas by Lebanon’s health ministry.
Israel says Hezbollah command centre found under shop in Lebanon
The Israeli military said it had uncovered an underground Hezbollah facility in southern Lebanon beneath a civilian site.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the command centre was located about 25 metres below a clothing store in the town of Khiam.
Troops operating in the tunnel reportedly found weapons and several rooms that were allegedly used by Hezbollah to manage combat operations.
Israel says ready to resume war, vows to return Iran to ‘Stone Age’
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country is prepared to resume its war against Iran but is awaiting approval from the United States before launching major strikes.
Speaking after a security assessment, Katz said Israeli forces were fully prepared for both offensive and defensive operations.
“Israel is prepared to renew the war against Iran. The IDF is ready in defence and offence, and the targets are marked,” he said.
He added that Israel was seeking US approval to expand operations, including what he described as completing the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty and returning Iran to the “Dark Age” and the “Stone Age” by destroying key energy, electricity and economic infrastructure.
US seizes tanker linked to Iranian smuggling in Indian Ocean
The United States (US) has taken control of another oil tanker linked to Iranian smuggling in the Indian Ocean, according to officials.
Iran claims military strength in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi said on X that the country’s armed forces were demonstrating strength in the Strait of Hormuz.
He referred to what he described as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “mosquito fleet” of speedboats and underwater drones, and also mentioned action involving three ships in the strategic waterway.
Ejehi said the force was positioned near Faror Island and ready to confront what he called American aggressor warships. He described the military display as “a source of pride” and warned against the continued US naval presence.
Trump orders US Navy to ‘shoot, kill’ small boats laying mines in Hormuz
Trump said he had ordered the United States Navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could threaten the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
Trump also said on Thursday that the US military would intensify efforts to remove explosives from the strategic waterway.
“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
He added that US mine-clearing vessels were operating in the area and ordered the activity to continue “at a tripled-up level”.
Trump claims US controls Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald J Trump added to tensions after claiming the United States had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz.
In a social media post, Trump said no ship could enter or leave the strategic waterway without approval from the US Navy and claimed it was “sealed up tight” until Iran agrees to a deal.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas supplies. Any disruption in the area can affect international markets and maritime trade.
