Tensions in the standoff between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz intensified on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump stated he had ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats operating in the strait. Iran responded by pushing back against Trump’s claims of a leadership rift within the Islamic Republic.
Iranian Leadership Denies Division
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf issued nearly identical statements on social media, asserting: “In Iran there are no ‘hard-liners’ or ‘moderates’. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries.” Since the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the first strike of the war on February 28, it has remained unclear who in Iran holds ultimate authority over its civilian figures and powerful generals.
Ceasefire Extension and Regional Impacts
Trump also announced on Thursday evening that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks, following talks at the White House. The standoff between the U.S. and Iran has effectively choked off nearly all exports through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s traded oil passes in peacetime, with no resolution in sight.
Indonesian Peacekeeper Dies in Lebanon
The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Corporal Rico Pramudia, 31, died at a Beirut hospital after being critically wounded in a projectile explosion at his base in Adchit al-Qusayr on March 29. The attack also killed another Indonesian peacekeeper. Two additional Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon shortly after.
Drones Strike Kuwait
Kuwait announced that explosive drones launched from Iraq struck two sites on its northern land border on Friday morning. The Kuwaiti army stated on X that the drones caused material damage but no casualties were reported.
Pakistan Faces Security Restrictions
A weeklong security lockdown in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi has frustrated residents, who urged authorities to ease restrictions. Roads into Islamabad’s heavily guarded Red Zone have appeared deserted, with concrete barricades, barbed wire, and security personnel dominating normally busy corridors. Sher Khan, a lift operator, said: “We were happy that Pakistan is hosting these talks to end the war between America and Iran. But now almost a week has passed, and it takes me one to two hours instead of 30 minutes to reach home.” No official word has been given on when the talks will take place. Authorities have deployed thousands of police and paramilitary troops since last weekend. Pakistan is still trying to secure Iran’s participation, with no confirmation on when Tehran will send its delegation, and the U.S. delegation visit is on hold.
Beirut Residents Call for Peace in South Lebanon
Some residents in Beirut believe south Lebanon should be included in a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Joe Ghafari stated: “It is not related to Hezbollah and Israel, but to Iran and the US. If they reach an agreement, the whole of the Middle East will be calm, but if not, there will be escalation in Lebanon and the rest of the world.” Diala Ammar said it is “unfair” for the south to stay at war while the rest of the country “lives normally.” Israeli forces occupying a strip of territory in southern Lebanon have continued strikes, while Hezbollah has attacked Israeli forces there.
Pakistan Repays UAE Deposits
Pakistan completed repayment of $3.45 billion in deposits to the United Arab Emirates, returning a final $1 billion tranche, the central bank said on Friday. Pakistan had to arrange $3 billion in fresh financing from Saudi Arabia to support its foreign reserves. The UAE placed the deposits in 2018 to bolster foreign exchange reserves. The repayment comes weeks after the UAE asked Pakistan to return the funds without publicly explaining the reason. Media reports in Pakistan suggested the request was linked to geopolitical differences, though the government downplayed such claims.
Iranian Foreign Minister Talks with Pakistani Officials
Iran’s top diplomat called Pakistani officials regarding a ceasefire in the war with the United States and Israel. A statement on Friday said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir. Araghchi’s statement mentioned discussions on “regional developments and issues related to the ceasefire.” Hours later, Dar’s statement acknowledged the call, saying both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by Islamabad regarding U.S.-Iran engagement. Pakistan has been trying to bring American and Iranian officials back to the negotiating table in Islamabad, where talks were hoped for earlier this week but did not materialize.
EU Warns of Weaker US-Iran Deal
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that peace negotiations between the United States and Iran risk forging a “weaker” agreement than one struck a decade ago. “If the talks are only about the nuclear issue and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPoA was,” Kallas said on Friday in Cyprus, referring to the 2015 deal that Trump withdrew from in 2018. She added that if negotiators do not address Iran’s “missile programs, their support to proxies, and also hybrid and cyber activities in Europe,” there is a possibility “we will end up with a more dangerous Iran.”
Medical Aid Convoy Departs Turkey for Iran
A medical aid convoy left Turkey headed for Iran, an official told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency on Friday. Six trucks departed Van in eastern Turkey to pass through the Gurbulak border crossing. Van Health Director Muhammed Tosun said: “The materials include medicines and medical supplies. We previously sent three trucks. With today’s trucks, a total of nine trucks of aid materials will have been delivered to our Iranian colleagues to serve their citizens.”
