Iran has suspended talks with the United States (US) on Friday, April 10, as Israeli strikes on Lebanon intensify, placing the fragile two-week ceasefire under growing pressure and raising concerns of wider regional instability.
According to The Jerusalem Post, discussions have been put on hold until a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is secured.
The truce, brokered by Pakistan, entered its third day but remains contested. Tehran insists the arrangement extends to Lebanon, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon”.
Israeli strikes were reported across southern Lebanon on Friday, further straining the already fragile truce and deepening uncertainty over its continuation.
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France, Italy seek Hormuz passage through Iran talks
France and Italy are negotiating directly with Iran to secure permission for their ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, according to CNN.
The move comes amid continued disruption to maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, which carries a significant share of global energy supplies, as European nations seek to safeguard shipping routes and stabilise markets.
Israel warns of renewed Iran action if ceasefire breaks
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the army is prepared to resume fighting Iran “in a very powerful way” if the ceasefire collapses, according to reports.
In a video message posted on X, he added that operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon remain the military’s “primary combat zone”, underscoring Israel’s continued focus on the northern front.
Qatar assures stable energy supply to India
Qatar will remain a “reliable energy supplier” to India, Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said during talks with Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Doha, as both sides emphasised the need for stability in global markets amid ongoing West Asia tensions.
Puri, who visited Qatar from April 9 to 10, conveyed a message of solidarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country’s leadership following the outbreak of conflict in the region, according to an official statement.
India raises concern over civilian casualties in Lebanon
India has termed the situation in Lebanon “very disturbing”, citing reports of a large number of civilian casualties following Israeli attacks.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi remains committed to Lebanon’s stability, noting its contribution to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
He emphasised the importance of adhering to international law and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity amid the escalating conflict.
Israel reports scale of air campaign in Iran
The Israeli military has released new data outlining the scale of its aerial campaign in Iran, according to media reports on Friday.
It said the Israeli Air Force carried out more than 1,000 strike missions inside Iran, deploying over 18,000 bombs against targets across the country.
Iran strikes damage US bases in Gulf: Report
US military bases across the Gulf have sustained significant damage following Iranian retaliatory strikes, reducing their operational capacity and raising concerns over their strategic effectiveness, according to Middle East Eye (MEE).
Reports indicate that several installations are now only partially functional, although the extent of the damage has not been independently verified. Analysts cited by the publication said the developments have exposed vulnerabilities in the US military presence in the region.
Access to affected bases remains restricted, with limited images or official details released, fuelling speculation over the scale of the impact. Some experts suggest that facilities once seen as key deterrents are increasingly viewed as potential targets.
The report also noted concerns over major installations, including the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, with questions raised about their long-term viability under current conditions.
Israel says Hezbollah using ambulances for military purposes
In a post on X, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Hezbollah is making “extensive military use” of ambulances.
He added that Israel would act in accordance with international law against any such activity, including the alleged use of medical facilities and vehicles. The Israeli military has not provided evidence to support the claim.
India, Japan pledge closer coordination amid Hormuz disruption
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation to help stabilise the situation in West Asia and ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.
In a statement, Japan’s foreign ministry said both sides “confirmed their commitment to closely collaborate toward calming the situation and ensuring stable energy supplies,” amid concerns over international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Jaishankar, in a post on X following the call, said the two ministers discussed regional developments, including maritime security. He also expressed appreciation for Motegi’s condolences over the loss of Indian lives in the ongoing conflict.
Sirens sound as rockets hit northern Israel
Sirens were activated across the northern Galilee after rockets were fired from southern Lebanon, according to reports.
The Israeli military said around 60 rockets were launched after midnight, with some longer-range projectiles reportedly targeting cities including Ashdod and Haifa.
The escalation has heightened concern in Israel, with growing pressure to curb Hezbollah’s capabilities amid fears it can strike deeper into Israeli territory.
Iran internet blackout enters 42nd day
Internet access in Iran has entered its 42nd day of disruption, with connectivity remaining severely restricted, according to monitoring group NetBlocks on X.
The organisation said public access remains largely limited to the country’s National Information Network, while select users are reportedly allowed limited external access, raising concerns over information control during the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine downs Iranian-designed drones abroad
Ukrainian forces have shot down Iranian-designed Shahed drones in multiple Middle Eastern countries during the ongoing conflict, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He described the operations as part of a broader effort to assist partner nations in countering weapons similar to those used by Russia in Ukraine, according to Associated Press, adding that Ukrainian units deployed domestically developed, battle-tested interceptor drones in active operations abroad.
Israeli air strike kills one in southern Lebanon
An Israeli air strike on the town of Hanawya in southern Lebanon killed one person and injured another, according to National News Agency.
The agency said Israeli forces also demolished residential neighbourhoods in Aita al-Shaab, while artillery shelling targeted multiple areas in the Tyre district.
Dubai caps foreign flights over Iran tensions
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until May 31 due to the ongoing Iran crisis, raising concerns over revenue losses among Indian carriers that had scheduled multiple services to the emirate.
Iran banks to resume full operations
All bank branches across Iran will resume full operations from Saturday, the country’s Bank Coordination Council said, according to Al Jazeera.
The move will apply nationwide, including bank headquarters and major units in Tehran, marking a return to normal banking activity after recent disruptions.
Photo: Hunger grows as displaced families line up for food in Beirut
Japan to release oil reserves amid supply concerns
Japan plans to release an additional 20 days’ worth of oil from May, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Friday, as regional tensions continue to disrupt global supply.
The country, which depends on the Middle East for around 95 per cent of its oil, had already begun releasing reserves on March 16 in coordination with other nations under a plan covering 50 days’ supply. The latest move adds further volumes to stabilise domestic availability.
As of April 6, Japan held reserves sufficient for about 230 days, including 143 days in public stockpiles, according to The Guardian.
Crude prices climb on Hormuz disruption worries
Oil prices rose in early Asian trading as concerns persisted over restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz despite the US–Iran ceasefire. As of 1 GMT on Friday, Brent crude futures were up 0.87 percent at USD 96.75 per barrel, while US crude gained more than 1 percent.
IRGC denies Gulf attacks
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in a statement carried by Islamic Republic News Agency, denied launching attacks on Gulf states after Kuwait accused Tehran and its allies of continuing strikes despite the ceasefire.
The IRGC said that if such reports were accurate, they would be the work of “the Zionist enemy or America”.
Over 60 countries join hands to condemn Lebanon strikes
Ambassadors from dozens of nations, led by Indonesia’s UN envoy Umar Hadi, issued a joint statement condemning “in the strongest terms the persistent attacks against UNIFIL”, and denounced strikes that killed three Indonesian peacekeepers.
The statement also reported injuries to peacekeepers from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal and Poland in recent attacks in southern Lebanon.
Countries expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation, citing significant civilian casualties, widespread destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of more than one million people.
Iran denies sending negotiators to Pakistan
Iran has rejected reports that it has sent negotiators to Pakistan for talks with the United States, dismissing media claims, including a report by The Wall Street Journal. State broadcaster Press TV, citing Tasnim News Agency, said any potential dialogue will remain on hold until Israeli attacks in Lebanon cease and Washington fulfils its commitments under the truce.
A senior official quoted by Tasnim described reports of an Iranian delegation reaching Islamabad as “completely false”. Meanwhile, Fars News Agency also rejected the claims, stating that Iran has no plans to engage in talks with the US until a ceasefire is established in Lebanon.
Pakistan offers visa-on-arrival for Islamabad talks delegates
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said all delegates, including journalists from participating nations travelling to Islamabad for talks on the Iran–US ceasefire, will be issued visas on arrival.
In a post on X, Dar said Pakistan welcomes participants of the “Islamabad Talks 2026” and has asked airlines to allow boarding without prior visas.
He added that immigration authorities will issue visas upon arrival to facilitate participation in the talks.
