Iran Says 24 Pharma, Medical Units Damaged in US-Israeli Assaults

Monday, 06 April 2026 9:20 AM

A view of Iran’s Pasteur Institute in the aftermath of a US-Israeli air strike

Iran’s Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) says 24 pharmaceutical and medical‑equipment facilities across multiple provinces have been damaged in US-Israeli aggression, though officials report no disruption to the national supply of essential medicines.

Mohammad Hashemi, spokesperson for the IFDA, stated that field inspections and collected reports indicate a total of 24 industrial units in the pharmaceutical and medical‑equipment sector — including parts of the distribution chain — have sustained damage in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Hamedan, Qom, Qazvin, Ahvaz, and Bandar Abbas.

He said that despite the damage, access to essential, specialized, and critical medicines and medical devices has not been affected, adding that the nation’s health‑product sector has “successfully passed this difficult test of resilience.”

Continuous, real‑time monitoring of the supply chain is reportedly underway across the country, he noted. 

Hashemi also stated that 14 employees from the pharmaceutical and medical‑equipment sector were martyred in the recent US-Israeli attacks.

According to him, the head of the IFDA and other senior officials have conducted on‑site inspections of infant‑formula production lines in factories in several cities. 

Their assessments confirm that production of regular, metabolic, and special‑diet infant formula is proceeding at optimal capacity, with no shortages observed in the market.

The US and Israel launched an unprovoked war of aggression against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and hundreds of civilians.

In response, the Iranian armed forces have carried out retaliatory operations, targeting US bases in the region and Israeli positions in the occupied territories with waves of missile strikes and drone attacks.

US-Israeli Attack Targets Iran's Sharif University of Technology, Causing Damage

Monday, 06 April 2026 6:37 AM

Iran's flag waving amid rubble caused by US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran.

The US-Israeli war coalition has conducted an attack on Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, in recurring strikes against Iran's academic and civilian infrastructure.

According to reports, the building of the university’s mosque was damaged in the early Monday airstrike.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Tehran’s district 9, Mohsen Dodangeh, said the university’s gas post was also hit in the attack, which led to an explosion.

He added that the gas supply has been cut off temporarily.

He noted that the explosion caused fear among people living in the area and a number of homes were evacuated to prevent any incident.

Head of Sharif University of Technology, Masoud Tajrishi, also told IRNA that the brutal US-Israel attack targeted one of the buildings of the scientific and cultural center, causing damage to nearby buildings as well.

“Sharif University is a scientific institution that works on the development of culture and science. It was damaged following the brutality of the enemies of this land,” he added.

He emphasized that the reconstruction of the university’s damaged parts would start soon to prepare the ground for the country to emerge as a “big scientific power in the world.”

Tajrishi noted that the strike left no casualties, saying investigations have started to examine the aspects of the incident.

He condemned such “cowardly” acts, which demonstrate the enemy’s desperation to achieve their ominous goals.

Iran’s science, health ministers denounce US-Israeli attacks on universities

Iran’s ministers of science and health condemn recent military assaults by the United States and the Israeli regime on the Islamic Republic’s universities.

The United States and Israel launched their criminal aggression against Iran on February 28 by assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders.

The enemies have deliberately targeted Iran’s civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, killing hundreds of Iranian people.

Sharif University of Technology is not the first university to be targeted by the invading coalition in the past month.

Tehran’s Shahid Beheshti University and University of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Pharmacy at Shiraz University, Isfahan University of Technology, parts of the Science and Technology Campus and the Veterinary Specialized Hospital Campus at Urmia University have been hit throughout the unlawful aggression.

Ramifications of Attacks on Infrastructure Won’t be Limited to Iran, Deputy FM Warns

Monday, 06 April 2026 10:16 AM

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi

A senior Iranian diplomat warns that the consequences of US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran’s infrastructure will not be confined to the Islamic Republic alone, advising him to stop such rhetoric.

In a post on his X account on Monday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said US threats to attack non-military infrastructure in Iran would be tantamount to a “war crime,” vowing a “decisive and immediate” response to any act of aggression.

He added that the use of force against Iran’s territorial integrity is a clear violation of Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter (absolute prohibition on the threat or use of force) and constitutes an act of aggression under UN General Assembly Resolution 3314.

He emphasized that threats to attack power plants and bridges, which are non-military infrastructure, constitute a war crime as per Article 8(2)(b) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and Article 52 of Additional Protocol I of the 1977 Geneva Convention.

The US President, as his country’s highest official, has openly threatened to commit war crimes -- an act that entails his individual criminal responsibility before the International Criminal Court and any competent national court, the Iranian diplomat said.

Based on Article 51 of the UN Charter, Gharibabadi noted, Iran will deliver a decisive, immediate and regret-inducing response to any act of aggression or imminent threat.

He advised the US president to stop making such threats, whose consequences will not be limited to Iran, before his name is recorded in history as a “major war criminal.”

Gharibabadi’s post comes after Trump renewed his threat on Sunday to unleash “hell” on Iran if it continues to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, saying the US will destroy the country’s power plants and bridges.

The US president wrote that Tuesday is the day of attacks on power plants and bridges across Iran, which he said all would be “wrapped up in one.”

He later postponed the deadline until Wednesday.

Iran has intensified its restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against the country.

Iranian authorities have indicated that the world's vital energy lifeline, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil passed before the war, remains open to everyone except to ships tied to the US, Israel and their allies.

The restrictions have led to a significant rise in global energy and commodity prices, with experts suggesting that the impact could escalate to historic levels if the confrontation continues.

In a post on his X account on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Trump’s “reckless” moves would have broad adverse consequences for the United States and the entire West Asia region.

“Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s commands,” Qalibaf said.

Iran's Military Vows Crushing Response to US-Israeli Attacks on Civilian Facilities 

Monday, 06 April 2026 10:47 AM

Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of Iran, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has vowed that any repetition of acts of aggression against Iranian civilian facilities will draw a much harsher and far more extensive retaliatory operation by the country's Armed Forces.

In a message issued on Monday, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, "We have declared from the very beginning (of the current aggression against Iran) that any attacks on civilian installations will be met with a stronger response against enemy interests in the region."

He emphasized that the subsequent phases of Iranian forces' offensive and retaliatory strikes will be carried out much more crushingly and extensively in case attacks on civilian targets are repeated, and the enemy's losses and damages from persistence of such an approach will be multiplied.

The United States and Israel initiated a large-scale and unprovoked aggression against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders despite indirect Tehran-Washington negotiations on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

In response, Iranian Armed Forces have carried out waves of retaliatory missile and drone operations against US interests across West Asia and Israeli positions in the occupied territories.

IRGC Intelligence Chief Martyred in Israeli Strike on Tehran

Monday, 06 April 2026 8:48 AM

Head of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization Brigadier General Seyed Majid Khademi

The head of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization has been martyred in an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian capital of Tehran, amid the unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against the country. 

In a statement released on Monday, the IRGC Public Relations Department announced that Brigadier General Seyed Majid Khademi was assassinated in a criminal and terrorist attack by the US and Israeli enemies in the early hours of the day.

The statement went on to pay homage to Khademi for his achievements, stating that the late IRGC intelligence chief sincerely and courageously defended the principles of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, as well as Iran's Islamic establishment and territories for nearly half a century, and played an outstanding role in various intelligence and security domains.

The IRGC highlighted that Khademi's strenuous efforts, particularly in the path of confronting foreign enemies at strategic levels, have for years paved the way for Iran's intelligence apparatus to thwart the foes' fiendish and satanic plots to penetrate into Iran, and undermine the national calm and security.

Later in the day, the Israeli regime claimed responsibility for the assassination, with minister of military affairs Israel Katz saying he was updated on the strike during an assessment with military chief of staff Eyal Zamir.

Defense Minister Israel Katz says he was updated on the strike during an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

The United States and Israel initiated a bloody war against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders and civilians.

The aggression has comprised a series of intensive strikes on both military installations and civilian facilities throughout Iran, leading to considerable loss of life and widespread damage to infrastructure.

In response, Iranian Armed Forces have carried out waves of retaliatory missile and drone operations against US interests across West Asia and Israeli positions in the occupied territories.

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace During Easter Celebrations

Pope Leo XIV addresses the faithful after delivering the Urbi et Orbi blessing - Latin for "to the city of Rome and to the world"

Catholic faithful around the world gathered on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to share a message of hope.

In his first Easter blessing at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful appeal for peace, urging world leaders to choose dialogue over force.

“May those with the power to start wars choose peace—not a peace imposed by force, but a peace built through dialogue; not to dominate others, but to meet them,” he said.

Addressing over 50,000 worshippers, the pontiff also cautioned against a “globalization of indifference,” echoing the concerns of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have profoundly affected Christian minorities. In Jerusalem, the streets around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—the site traditionally believed to mark the Resurrection—were eerily quiet, with tight security limiting access to a select few.

Gay Senegalese Man Seeks Asylum as Authorities Step Up Crackdown

Persecuted for being gay and disowned by his family, Assane (not his real name) left Senegal seven months ago for France.

As Senegal was tightening anti-homosexuality laws, the pressure and stigma from his own family also became unbearable. Now he's seeking asylum in France.

"It’s been at most six or seven months since I left my country because of my sexual orientation, which my father had found out about," said Assane.

Senegal has enacted legislation doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The new law additionally penalises anyone who accuses another of same-sex offences "without proof". After debating for several hours, lawmakers approved the bill by a vote of 135 in favour, zero opposed and three abstentions on March 11.

Under the law, the maximum sentence will be handed down if the act was committed with a minor. Punishment will additionally include fines from two million to 10 million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600), compared to 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs previously.

According to media reports, dozens of men have been arrested under the anti-LGBTQ laws since February, when police detained 12 men, including two local celebrities, the start of a spate of detentions.

Oil Prices Choppy After Expletive-laden Trump Threat to Iran

Osmond Chia

Business reporter

Oil prices saw choppy trading on Monday morning in Asia after US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy critical infrastructure in Iran unless it allows ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

In an expletive-laden social media post on Sunday, Trump said the US would attack power plants and bridges unless the crucial waterway is open by Tuesday.

Brent crude rose above $110 (£83.38) a barrel before those gains eased after a report of US-Iran talks over a potential ceasefire.

Oil and gas shipments from the Middle East have been severely disrupted as Tehran threatens to attack vessels that try to use the strait in retaliation for US and Israeli airstrikes since 28 February.

News website Axios reported that the US, Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the conflict, citing US, Israeli and regional sources.

BBC News has not verified the report. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Before lunchtime in Asia, Brent crude was 0.7% higher at $109.80, while US-traded oil was broadly flat at $111.62.

Disruption to shipping in the narrow waterway, through which a fifth of the world's energy shipments usually passes, has pushed up the price of energy around the world and raised concerns about higher inflation globally.

Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel last week after Trump intensified threats against Iran, warning that US airstrikes over the next few weeks would send the country "back to the Stone Ages".

Iranian attacks on oil facilities in the Gulf continued over the weekend.

Tehran claimed responsibility on Sunday for a wave of strikes on petrochemical plants in Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

On Monday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that its attacks against US economic interests would be intensified if civilian infrastructure in its country continues to be targeted.

On Sunday, Opec+ - which includes major oil‑producing members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia - agreed a small increase to crude output in May.

But the 206,000 barrels a day production hike will largely exist on paper only as several of the group's key members are unable to increase output due to the conflict.

Trump has postponed several deadlines for Iran to remove its threats against ships using the strait but repeated his demands in the strongly-worded Truth Social post.

The paragraph below contains very strong language.

Trump wrote on Sunday: "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP".

A few hours later, in a post on the same platform he said: "Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!"

Trump told Fox News there was a "good chance" an agreement would be reached on Monday, but said he was considering "blowing everything up and taking over the oil" if a deal was not reached soon.

Senior Iranian military officer Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi dismissed an earlier Trump deadline, calling it "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid", adding that "the gates of hell will open" for the US leader.

Senegal Limits Foreign Trips for Officials as the Fallout from Iran War Deepens

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko addresses journalists following his release from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, on March 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui, File)

8:04 AM EDT, April 4, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The Senegalese government has banned all but essential foreign trips for government ministers as part of cost-saving measures triggered by the energy crisis linked to the Iran war.

Senegal, like many African countries, imports most of the petroleum products it consumes, leaving its economy vulnerable to supply disruptions such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sent the price of crude soaring.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said Friday that his office was taking steps to limit public expenditure, pointing out that the country’s initial budget forecasts were based on an oil price of $62 per barrel, which is now almost double as a result of the Iran war.

“I have taken a number of drastic measures to restrict everything related to government spending, including the cancellation of all nonessential missions abroad,” the government-owned Le Soleil newspaper quoted Sonko as saying.

He added that he canceled several trips, including to Niger, Spain and France.

“No minister in my government will leave the country except for an essential mission,” Sonko said.

For millions in Africa, soaring fuel prices have worsened the hardships they already face in some of the world’s poorest households. That means not being able to commute to work or afford a meal for many in the region.

‘Wow!’ The Eye Surgery Marathon that Restored Sight for Some South Africans

By MICHELLE GUMEDE

4:02 AM EDT, April 4, 2026

TSAKANE, South Africa (AP) — Gladys Khoza had missed being able to see her family. Not because they couldn’t visit, but because the 84-year-old had vision problems.

Now that has changed. Khoza is one of 133 people whose sight was restored during a “marathon” of free cataract surgeries conducted by doctors in South Africa at two hospitals over two weekends last month.

“Wow!” a delighted Khoza whispered as a nurse peeled back a bandage a day after her operation, and the world came back into view.

“Can you see me?” the nurse asked. “Very well,” Khoza replied, a big grin on her face.

Patients in South Africa’s public health service can be on waiting lists for years for the simple 15-20-minute cataract operation. Officials said some of those who were selected from hospital waiting lists for the surgeries had been waiting since 2019 to see properly again.

Cataracts are a common, often age-related condition in which the eye’s lens becomes clouded, and they are the leading cause of curable blindness. The surgeries insert a new artificial lens.

For Khoza, who said she couldn’t see anything out of one eye because of a cataract and had long had issues with the other, the simple surgery equates to a major boost for her quality of life.

“I just wanted to be able to see,” she said. Now, after nearly a year of waiting, some of her favorite things — seeing loved ones, reading her Bible and watching late-night soap operas — are all possible again.

Dr. Tebogo Fakude, one of the doctors who volunteered to perform the operations at two regional hospitals near Johannesburg, said his mother was blind and that having sight restored is “beautiful.”

“It’s beautiful because it alleviates depression,” Fakude said adding that the sense of being a burden was also eased.

Globally, more than 2 billion people suffer from some kind of vision impairment, according to the World Health Organization. For half of them, the problem could have been prevented, or they are still waiting for treatment.

Nearly 100 million people are affected by cataracts, and half of them still need access to surgery, according to the WHO. In Africa, that figure rises to 75% of people without surgery, according to a study published in March by the Lancet medical journal.

Surgery backlogs are a significant problem in South Africa, where government-run hospitals serve more than three-quarters of the population of 62 million people. Limited resources mean emergency procedures and more serious operations are prioritized over elective surgery.

The Health Department-led surgical marathons were first staged on Mandela Day in 2023 to commemorate the legacy of the country’s first Black president, Nelson Mandela. They have developed into a public-private partnership that takes place several times a year to increase access to care.

The ministry has vowed to use surgical marathons as a means of eliminating backlogs. Previous ones have addressed prostate, cleft palate and stomach issues.

Cataracts became the latest focus. Around 300,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in South Africa, Fakude said.

Health groups say South Africa faces a backlog of over 240,000 people waiting for cataract operations. Over 35,000 people in the most populous province of Gauteng — where the surgery marathon was performed — have cataract-related blindness.

WHO says eye cataract operations are “one of the most cost-effective medical procedures,” and a powerful tool to restore someone’s independence, dignity and opportunities.

During the three-day surgery marathon at Pholosong Regional Hospital, a new patient was brought into the operating theater about every 30 minutes. Soothing gospel music played on speakers to keep up doctors’ morale.

Looking through a microscope, the eye specialists made tiny incisions for each operation, removed the cloudy lens and replaced it with an artificial one. At one point, two surgeons worked concurrently on separate patients to quicken the pace. They completed 60 surgeries on the last weekend of the marathon.

Molefe Mokoena, 72, said he was looking forward to regaining his independence after suffering from a cataract for four years.

“I want to see my great-grandchildren,” he said. “I want to drive my car, and I’m happy about this.”

DR Congo to Receive ‘Third-country’ Deportees from the US Under Deal

DRC gov’t says deportees will begin to arrive this month, under a ‘temporary’ arrangement paid for by the US.

By Edna Mohamed, Reuters and The Associated Press

5 Apr 2026

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) says it is expected to receive “third-country” nationals who have been deported from the United States under a new deal with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The DRC will begin receiving deportees this month, the Congolese Ministry of Communications said in a statement on Sunday, without providing further details on the number of arrivals expected.

It described the arrangement as a “temporary” one that reflects Congo’s “commitment to human dignity and international solidarity”.

As part of the arrangement, the US will pay for the deportations, and the Congolese government will face no costs, the statement said.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to broker a peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda and to secure US access to Congolese critical minerals.

Experts criticise third-country agreements

The United States has sent third-country deportees to African countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Eswatini, drawing criticism from legal experts and rights groups over the legal basis for the transfers and the treatment of deportees sent to countries ⁠where they are not nationals.

Last week, legal groups in Uganda announced that a dozen deportees were set to arrive in the country after a deal with Trump.

In a statement, the vice president of the Uganda Law Society, Asiimwe Anthony, said that the group had gone to court to challenge the deportation.

“Our perspective of the matter is broader than a single act of deportation. We view it as but one gust from the ill winds of transnational repression that are blowing across our world,” Anthony said.

“This development and the attendant illegalities that accompany it are reminiscent of a dark past that the global family of humanity supposedly put behind itself in the pursuit of the ideal that every human being is born equal.”

According to the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, third-country deportations have been “systematically pursued” since February 2025.

“Individuals subject to third-country deportation typically have no choice in where they are sent, a practice that raises serious due process and human rights concerns, particularly when the receiving country may not be safe,” the committee states.

According to a report released by the Democratic staff of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration has spent at least $40m to deport about 300 migrants to countries other than their own.

DRC to Receive Third-country Deportees Under New Deal with US

Channel Africa

April 5, 2026

The government said it will receive deportees starting in April

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will receive third-country nationals deported from the United States (US) under a new deal with the US President Donald Trump administration, the government in Kinshasa said in a statement on Sunday.

The government said it will receive deportees starting in April but did not say how many it had agreed to take.

The arrangement will be paid for by the US, with no cost to the DRC  government, the statement said.

Facilities have been prepared near the capital Kinshasa to accommodate the deportees, it said.

The US has sent third-country deportees to several African countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and eSwatini, drawing criticism from legal experts and rights groups.

The agreement coincides with an effort by the Trump administration to implement a peace deal between DRC and Rwanda and an agreement ensuring US access to DRC critical minerals.

—Reuters

DRC Agrees to US Deportation Deal, Shifts Logistics and Cost Burden to Washington

Solomon Ekanem

05 April 2026 06:17 PM

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced plans to begin hosting third-country nationals transferred under United States migration arrangements, marking the latest African country to engage with Washington’s expanding deportation strategy.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will temporarily host third-country nationals transferred under US migration agreements.

The initiative is described as temporary, with no permanent resettlement options and full respect for DRC's sovereignty.

The US will manage all financial and logistical aspects, and each case will be reviewed individually under Congolese law.

This move follows similar arrangements in other African countries, such as Uganda, reflecting the US's broader deportation strategy.

In a communiqué issued in Kinshasa on April 5 by the Ministry of communications and media, the government said the temporary reception mechanism will take effect this month - April, with selected sites within the capital designated to accommodate the individuals.

"This initiative is established in full respect of the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in managing access to and residence of foreign nationals on its territory, and is part of its international and regional commitments to the protection of migrants' rights." the statement noted.

Authorities emphasized that the arrangement is strictly temporary and will not evolve into a permanent resettlement pathway.

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo framed the move as part of its international commitments to migrant protection and humanitarian solidarity, while maintaining that it retains full sovereignty over admission, monitoring, and potential removal decisions.

This comes amid recent reports from Business Insider Africa, which cited two government sources in Kinshasa telling Reuters that negotiations are ongoing but no agreement has been reached, with key issues - including migrant numbers, nationalities, and possible compensation - still unresolved.

A growing US-Africa deportation framework

The development comes amid a broader push by the administration of Donald Trump to expand deportation options by partnering with third countries willing to temporarily receive migrants who are not immediately repatriated to their countries of origin.

These arrangements are increasingly being tested across Africa, where governments are balancing diplomatic ties with domestic sensitivities around migration.

The DRC stressed that the United States will handle all logistical and financial aspects of the program, ensuring that no burden falls on its public treasury.

Each case, it added, will be subject to individual review under Congolese law, with no automatic transfer or permanent residency provisions.

The move follows a similar step by Uganda, which recently received eight individuals under a bilateral arrangement with Washington, signaling a potential model for future agreements on the continent.

Analysts say the strategy reflects Washington’s efforts to overcome bottlenecks in deportation processes, particularly where origin countries delay or refuse to accept returns. However, it also raises questions about transparency, legal safeguards, and the long-term implications for host nations already dealing with complex humanitarian pressures.

For the DRC, officials insist the framework remains tightly controlled, temporary, and aligned with national security priorities, even as scrutiny grows over the expanding reach of US migration policies abroad.

DR Congo to Receive Third-country Deportees from the US Under New Deal

9:05 AM EDT, April 5, 2026

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo will receive some migrants as part of a new deal under the Trump administration’s third-country program, its government said Sunday, the latest such African nation to receive migrants being deported from the U.S.

The deportees will start arriving in Congo this month, the Congolese Ministry of Communications said in a statement, without further details on the date or the number of deportees expected.

It described the arrangement as a “temporary” one that reflects Congo’s “commitment to human dignity and international solidarity.” It would come with zero costs to the government with the U.S. covering the needed logistics, it said.

The U.S. has struck such third-country deportation deals with at least seven other African nations, many of them among countries hit the most by the Trump administration’s policies that have restricted trade, aid and migration.

The Trump administration has spent at least $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to countries other than their own, according to a report released recently by the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Lawyers and activists have raised questions over the nature of the deals with countries in Africa and elsewhere. Several of the African nations that have signed such deals have notoriously repressive governments and poor human rights records — including Eswatini, South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea.

A key bone of contention in many such agreements is that they involve many migrants with protection orders from a U.S. immigration judge not to be returned to their home countries over major safety concerns.

Congo’s government said no automatic transfer of the deportees is planned, adding: “Each situation will be subject to individual review in accordance with the laws of the Republic and national security requirements.”

Mass Protests in Iraq Against US-Israeli Aggression on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

4 Apr 2026 21:11

Thousands rally across Iraq, answering Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to protest US-Israeli aggression on Iran amid growing regional anger.

Large-scale protests took place across Iraq on Saturday, as citizens gathered in response to calls by Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr, rejecting the ongoing US-Israeli aggression on Iran.

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that Iraqis from various provinces traveled to join the demonstrations, standing for hours in a show of solidarity and opposition to the escalation.

Muqtada al-Sadr addressed the protesters in a message, saying: “Thank you for your honorable stance that pleases friends and angers enemies.”

Large crowds gather in Baghdad, other provinces

The Iraqi capital, Baghdad, witnessed massive rallies, particularly in Tahrir Square, where large crowds gathered alongside demonstrations in several other provinces. Protesters denounced the US-Israeli aggression and voiced strong opposition to the continued attacks.

The demonstrations come amid ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran since February 28, alongside repeated attacks on Iraqi territory targeting residential areas.

These strikes have resulted in dozens of martyrs and hundreds of injuries, further fueling public anger and prompting widespread mobilization across Iraq.

Iraqi Resistance calls for action against US-Israeli regional allies

The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee praised earlier in the day the Iraqi people’s positions in support of the Axis of Resistance, while calling for punitive measures against countries that enable US-Israeli aggressions in the region.

In a statement, the Committee said that “the alignment of the rulers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with the criminality of the Zionist-American enemy against the Islamic Republic and their betrayal of the honorable free people of Iraq represent the height of baseness and vileness.”

It stressed that this “requires a firm deterrent response from the Iraqi government,” adding that such measures should begin with “punishing Jordan in particular, as it serves as a launch point for enemy aircraft targeting the fighters of the Popular Mobilization Forces and Iraqi security forces,” calling for “the complete closure of the land border crossing and the suspension of Iraqi oil grants.”

The Committee also stated that the Iraqi Resistance has avoided harming Kuwait’s economic interests and infrastructure while targeting US forces in the country. It further called for avoiding harm to Qatar’s interests, excluding US bases, “in appreciation of Doha’s responsible positions toward the Palestinian cause and the Axis of Resistance.”

Iran, Hezbollah Pummel 'Israel' in Op. True Promise 4, Wave 93

By Al Mayadeen English

3 Apr 2026 20:00

The IRGC, side by side with the Islamic Resistance, launched Operation True Promise 4, striking military centers in Western al-Jalil, Haifa, Kafr Kanna, and Krayot.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it has targeted Israeli military gathering and support centers in Western al-Jalil, Haifa, Kafr Kanna, and the Krayot area, in the 93rd wave of Operation True Promise 4.

The IRGC stated that this latest wave of missile strikes was carried out jointly with the Islamic Resistance and involved a combination of long-range, guided missiles with both solid and liquid fuel, as well as one-way attack drones.

The operation, continuous and ongoing according to the IRGC, is dedicated to the memory of the late Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.

According to the IRGC, further information and assessments of the results will be shared with the public in due course.

Footage shared from wave 93 of Operation #TruePromise4 shows a handwritten message on a missile prepared for launch.

The message translates to: "I, Shahed 136, am flying to Tel Aviv to negotiate on behalf of the noble people of Iran."

Wave 92: IRGC strikes US amphibious boats, Israeli F-16 squadron

Earlier on Friday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that its Aerospace Force and Navy carried out a series of coordinated strikes under Wave 92 of Operation True Promise 4, targeting US and Israeli military installations across the region using advanced ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones.

The IRGC stated that several US amphibious Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels stationed at al-Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait were struck and destroyed by ballistic missiles. LCUs are heavy-lift ships primarily used by the US Navy to transport troops, vehicles, and equipment from sea to shore.

A drone strike also destroyed an AR327 Commander high-performance, S-band tactical 3D air surveillance radar at the Jabal al-Dukhan site in Bahrain. The radar system, designed for long-range detection and air defense, can be rapidly redeployed by land or air and is capable of operating in extreme environments ranging from the Arctic to the Gulf.

Additionally, the IRGC reported missile strikes on Ramat David Airbase, southeast of Haifa, which houses Israeli F-16 fighter squadrons. Hypergolic-powered Khorramshahr-4 missiles, equipped with cluster warheads, were launched at over 50 locations in Tel Aviv and other areas within the occupied territories, as part of a sustained “fire-for-fire” tactic. Cluster bomblet impacts were recorded in multiple areas of Haifa.

The IRGC also announced that its air defense systems destroyed a second US F-35 fighter jet in central Iranian airspace, operated by the US Air Force’s Lakenheath squadron in the United Kingdom, following the downing of another aircraft within 12 hours.

IRGC Reports 'Historic Battle' in Downing US, Israeli Aerial Assets

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: IRGC

IRGC says Iranian air defenses successfully downed US and Israeli drones, cruise missiles, and a fighter jet, warning that hostile aircraft face increasing risks in Iran’s airspace.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said its air defense forces carried out a “historic operation” in the country’s skies, downing multiple US and Israeli aerial assets.

In a statement, the IRGC said Iran’s air defenses “wrote a historic epic in an enduring battle,” describing the day as a “black day for the US Air Force and the Zionist entity” over Iranian airspace.

According to the statement, IRGC Aerospace Force units successfully intercepted and destroyed:

Two cruise missiles over Khomein and Zanjan

Two MQ-9 attack drones over Isfahan

One Hermes drone over Bushehr

The interceptions were carried out using what the IRGC described as an advanced air defense system operating under Iran’s integrated national air defense network.

Advanced fighter jet downed

The IRGC also announced earlier that its aerospace air defense units successfully shot down an advanced fighter jet belonging to the "aggressive enemy" in central Iran.

According to Iranian media, a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran, with American forces launching a search-and-rescue operation in central parts of the country. An unnamed US official confirmed the incident to Reuters.

Iran later confirmed it had downed a US A-10 aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement concluded by emphasizing that continued surveillance and defensive operations by Iranian forces would make the country’s airspace increasingly dangerous for hostile aircraft.

"With sustained, innovative, and precise monitoring by Iran’s air defense forces, the skies over Iran will become more insecure than ever for enemy fighters", the statement said. 

US fighter jet shootdown exposes limits of air superiority: CNN

The shootdown of a US F-15E Strike Eagle over Iran marks a significant shift in the trajectory of the war on Iran, analyst Matthew Chance says, noting that it exposes the growing vulnerability of American forces and the limits of Washington’s claims of air superiority.

CNN’s analysis describes the incident as the first confirmed case of a US warplane being brought down over Iranian territory since the start of the war, a development widely seen as a turning point in the war.

The episode unfolded alongside a broader pattern of operational setbacks. Around the same time, a US A-10 Thunderbolt II went down near the Strait of Hormuz, with US officials providing limited details on the circumstances, while Iranian authorities said the aircraft had been tracked and targeted by its integrated air defense systems.

Trump's response

In an earlier post the same day, Trump said the United States could take a more aggressive approach to the region’s energy resources.

The US President wrote that "we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A 'GUSHER' FOR THE WORLD???"

The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that typically carries about one-fifth of global oil trade, has been heavily disrupted amid the US-Israeli aggression on Iran.

Despite US-Israeli aggression and repeated claims from Trump that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely weakened, Iranian authorities maintain control over domestic infrastructure and continue to conduct operations in defense of the country and its people.

This comes as the US and "Israel" are escalating aggression on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, medical facilities, power facilities, and transport links.

US Admits: Iran Army Shoots Down Second American Combat Jet, A-10

By Al Mayadeen English

3 Apr 2026 23:01

A US A-10 aircraft crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian forces engaged a separate US rescue mission following the downing of an F-15E over Iran.

A US A-10 aircraft, deployed as part of the US-Israeli aggression, was engaged and intercepted by the country’s integrated air defense systems over southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Army announced.

The US admitted the incident, with US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity telling the New York Times that a second US Air Force combat aircraft "went down" in the Gulf region on Friday. They claimed that the aircraft's sole pilot was rescued.

The aircraft, an A-10 Warthog attack plane, as revealed by the NYT, crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, though US officials provided few details regarding how or where the incident occurred.

In a statement, the Iranian army said its integrated air defense network had tracked and “targeted” an “enemy American-Zionist A-10 aircraft” in southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz, adding that further details would be announced later.

The crash came around the same time that an F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, as Tehran continues to confront US-Israeli aggression on the country.

Failed rescue operation

In that shootdown, one crew member was allegedly rescued, while search-and-rescue teams continue efforts to locate a second airman. Iranian media reported that US forces launched a recovery mission involving helicopters and a transport aircraft, but the operation was met with fire from Iranian air defenses and was ultimately forced to withdraw.

According to those reports, multiple aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130, were deployed hours after the jet was downed. Iranian sources said one of the helicopters came under fire near the border, forcing it to retreat.

Two US helicopters struck

Meanwhile, US officials told NBC News that at least two American helicopters involved in the rescue mission were struck by Iranian fire, claiming that all personnel on board were safe.

Later, CBS News reported that the helicopter carrying the recovered pilot was hit by small arms fire, wounding crew members on board. 

Iranian authorities have also called on civilians to assist in locating and capturing the remaining pilot, offering incentives for information, as efforts continue to secure the area.

Iran denies airspace

The near-simultaneous loss of two aircraft points to the intensifying scope of US military operations in and around Iran, as the country’s integrated air defense systems continue to deny US forces freedom of operation within its airspace.

The incidents also come amid a growing list of US aerial losses since the start of the war, including a US E-3 Sentry intelligence aircraft struck and multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones shot down, as well as support aircraft incidents such as a KC-135 crash in Iraq and reported damage to high-value surveillance platforms. Earlier in the war, "friendly-fire" incidents involving US fighter jets further exposed operational risks under contested conditions.

US officials did not disclose further details about the A-10 crash, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding ongoing operations in the region.

Speaking to NBC News, US President Donald Trump said the shootdown of the aircraft would not affect negotiations with Iran, describing the developments as part of an ongoing war. “No, not at all… it’s war,” he said, declining to provide further details on the rescue efforts.

Iranians Rally in Support of Leadership, as US, 'Israel' Strike Nearby

By Al Mayadeen English

Large demonstrations continue across Iran as protesters rally in Tehran against US and Israeli attacks, showing strong support for the country’s leadership.

Large-scale demonstrations continued across Iran on Friday evening in support of the country’s leadership, despite ongoing attacks by US and Israeli forces.

Protesters in Tehran chanted slogans against the United States and the Israeli occupation, even as explosions from nearby strikes echoed across the northern parts of the capital.

Participants refused calls to leave public squares following the attacks, shouting, “We fight and get martyred, but we never compromise” and “Death to America and Israel.”

Iranians also celebrated in the streets after the announcement that the country’s air defenses had successfully downed two American fighter jets.

Since the start of the aggression on February 28, Iranians have taken to the streets in repeated demonstrations in support of the Islamic Revolution and leadership and in condemnation of US-Israeli attacks, reflecting strong domestic backing for the government and a unified stance on confronting foreign aggression.

Iran downs two jets, strikes two helicopters in 24 hours

Iran has downed two US fighter jets, an F-15E over central Iran and an A-10 near the Strait of Hormuz, on Friday.

A US rescue operation involving helicopters and a transport aircraft was launched to rescue the crew of the F-15E but came under Iranian fire, with at least two helicopters hit, forcing the mission to abort.

Multiple aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130, were deployed hours after the jet was downed. Iranian sources said one of the helicopters came under fire near the border, forcing it to retreat.

Meanwhile, US officials told NBC News that at least two American helicopters involved in the rescue mission were struck by Iranian fire, claiming that all personnel on board were safe.

Later, CBS News reported that the helicopter carrying the recovered pilot was hit by small arms fire, wounding crew members on board. 

The incidents underscore growing vulnerabilities for US forces and highlight that Iranian air defenses remain capable of contesting American operations.

April 3: Hezbollah Snipes Israeli Troops, Targets Settlements, Bases

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Al Mayadeen English

3 Apr 2026 11:39

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon carried out dozens of defensive operations on Friday, striking Israeli occupation troops, settlements, and military infrastructure.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah carried out a fresh wave of defensive operations on Friday, targeting Israeli occupation forces, military sites, and northern settlements with rockets, artillery, and one-way attack drones.

The operations follow an intensive day of resistance activity on Thursday, during which Hezbollah announced 58 operations, 30 inside Palestinian territories and 28 inside Lebanese territories, striking 21 cities and settlements and 3 military bases, with strikes reaching up to 32 km into occupied territory. Enemy losses included 18 hits on fortifications, 5 infantry units, and 2 tanks destroyed or damaged.

Rocket, drone strikes on settlements, bases, sites

On Friday, April 3, 2026, the Resistance's rockets continued to pummel invading forces and northern settlements, while drone strikes extended the assault on deeper military infrastructure. Kiryat Shmona was struck four successive times in the morning hours, as the Resistance also targeted Brigade 769's headquarters at the Kiryat Shmona barracks and hit a communications node in Mi'ilya with a swarm of attack drones.

At 5:30 am, a swarm of attack drones targeted a communications node in the settlement of Mi'ilya.

At 6:15 am, in line with the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to several settlements in northern occupied Palestine, a rocket barrage struck the Kiryat Shmona settlement.

At 8:00 am, a rocket barrage struck the al-Metulla settlement, in line with the Resistance's earlier evacuation order.

At 8:30 am, Kiryat Shmona was struck for the second time with a rocket barrage.

At 9:00 am, a third rocket barrage struck Kiryat Shmona.

At 9:10 am, a fourth rocket barrage struck Kiryat Shmona.

At 9:05 am, a rocket barrage targeted the headquarters of Brigade 769 at the Kiryat Shmona barracks.

Between 9:00 and 9:15 am, rocket barrages targeted the settlements of Hula Valley, as well as Metulla and Ma'ayan Baruch.

At 10:00 am, a grouping of Israeli occupation troops was targeted via a rocket-artillery in the Misgav Am military site.

At the same time, a salvo of rockets was fired at a grouping of Israeli occupation troops in Hunin Barracks.

At 11:45 am, a salvo of rockets was fired at Kiryat Shmona for the fifth time.

At 1:20 pm, rocket barrages targeted the settlements of Kiryat Shmona for the sixth time, Metula for the third time, and Kfar Yuval.

At 2:20 pm, a rocket barrage targeted Israeli army infrastructure in the occupied city of Safed.

At 4:20 pm, a rocket barrage targeted Israeli army infrastructure in the occupied city of Safed for the second time.

At 4:20 pm, a rocket barrage targeted Israeli army infrastructure in the settlement of Rosh Pina.

At 4:50 pm, a rocket barrage targeted the settlement of Nahariya.

At 5:00 pm, a rocket barrage targeted Israeli army infrastructure in the occupied city of Safed for the third time.

At 6:00 pm, a rocket barrage targeted the settlement of Nahariya for the second time.

At 6:00 pm, a gathering of Israeli forces at the al-Malkiya site was targeted with artillery shells.

At 6:00 pm, a rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the settlement of Avivim.

At 7:00 pm, a swarm of one-way drones targeted the settlement of Kiryat Shmona for the seventh time.

At 9:10 pm, a rocket barrage targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in the settlement of Avivim for the second time.

At 11:30 pm, Resistance fighters carried out a raid on an IOF member positioned near the Tahrir Triangle, engaging in direct clashes using light and medium weapons and inflicting confirmed casualties, while enemy reinforcements were simultaneously targeted with rockets and artillery shells, prompting the intervention of a helicopter to evacuate the wounded.

At 11:30 pm, a gathering of IOF troops and military vehicles in the Khillat al-Tarouq area south of Maroun al-Ras was targeted with a rocket barrage.

Troops, vehicles under fire

At 1:30 am, fighters of the Islamic Resistance detonated an explosive device targeting an Israeli force in the Deir Hanna area of the border town of al-Bayyada, resulting in confirmed casualties. A helicopter intervened to evacuate the wounded, after which Resistance fighters shelled the area with artillery.

At 2:15 am, a rocket barrage targeted a grouping of IOF soldiers in the settlement of al-Malikiya.

At 2:15 am, a rocket barrage targeted a grouping of IOF soldiers in the settlement of Dishon.

At 2:35 am, a rocket barrage targeted a grouping of IOF soldiers at the Ajl Plateau position north of the Kfar Yuval settlement.

Between 2:00 am and 6:30 am, repeated rocket barrages and artillery shelling targeted groupings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles at the al-Malikiya site, the al-Sidr and Ghadmatha areas in the town of Aitnata, and the town square of al-Qantara.

At 6:00 am, a rocket barrage targeted another grouping of IOF soldiers in the settlement of al-Malikiya.

At 9:00 am, a rocket barrage targeted a grouping of IOF soldiers in the settlement of Margaliot.

At 10:00 am, Hezbollah’s fighters launched a rocket strike on a grouping of Israeli soldiers at the Hounin barracks.

At 12:30 pm, a rocket barrage targeted a grouping of Israeli military vehicles in the al-Sidr area in the town of Ainata.

At 4:00 pm, two Israeli soldiers were targeted in the town of Rcheif in a sniper operation, achieving a direct hit.

At 5:00 pm, a rocket barrage targeted a grouping of Israeli military vehicles in the border town of Maroun al-Ras.

Resistance launches rocket and drone attacks on enemy positions

At 6:00 PM, as part of prior warnings issued to settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance targeted the settlement of Nahariya for the second time with a rocket barrage.

At 8:30 pm, a gathering of IOF troops and vehicles in the al-Sadr area in the town of Ainata was targeted with a rocket barrage.

At 9:10 pm, the settlement of Avivim was targeted again for the second time with a rocket barrage.

At 9:10 pm, the settlement of Yiron was targeted with rockets as part of the ongoing warning campaign.

At 9:15 pm, the newly established Israeli artillery positions near the al-Sadah site, opposite the town of Maroun al-Ras, were targeted with a rocket barrage.

Escalation continues with strikes on Haifa and northern settlements

At 7:00 pm, the settlement of Kiryat Shmona was targeted for the seventh time using a swarm of attack drones, in line with the Resistance’s earlier warnings.

At 11:00 pm, in response to continued Israeli attacks on civilians, displacement, and the destruction of homes, the Islamic Resistance targeted infrastructure belonging to the IOF in the occupied city of Haifa with precision rockets.

At 11:50 pm, the settlement of Nahariya was targeted for the third time with a rocket barrage.

At 11:50 pm, the settlement of Shlomi was also targeted with rockets.

Hezbollah publishes footage

Additionally, the Islamic Resistance's Military Media published videos showing its operations targeting "Israel". 

In one video, Hezbollah showcased a strike targeting the Israeli Ministry of War Headquarters and the Dolphin Barracks of the Military Intelligence Directorate in the heart of Tel Aviv, using an advanced missile.

US Intel: Iran Quickly Restores Missile Sites Despite Bombings

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: New York Times

US intelligence reveals Iran is rapidly repairing missile bunkers and retaining launch capabilities despite weeks of US and Israeli bombardment.

US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran is rapidly restoring missile bunkers and launch sites bombarded by the US and "Israel," raising questions about Washington’s claims of weakening Tehran’s military capabilities.

According to the New York Times, reports indicate that Iranian crews have been digging out underground missile bunkers and silos hit by airstrikes and returning them to operation within hours, allowing continued missile launches despite sustained bombardment.

Despite five weeks of US-led aggression, Iran has retained a significant portion of its missile arsenal and mobile launchers, intelligence officials said.

The Pentagon has claimed major progress, stating that more than 11,000 targets have been struck across Iran since the start of the war. However, intelligence assessments suggest that Iran still possesses enough launch capability to strike regional targets, including “Israel.”

US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, have pointed to a decline in Iranian missile and drone attacks as evidence of success. “Yes, they will still shoot some missiles, but we will shoot them down,” Hegseth said, adding that recent days have seen the lowest number of launches since the war began.

The White House has also claimed that Iranian missile and drone attacks have dropped by 90%, while alleging that Iran’s navy has been destroyed and much of its production capacity damaged.

Underground networks preserve Iran’s capabilities

Despite these claims, US intelligence indicates that Iran has adapted its strategy by shielding launchers in tunnels, bunkers, and caves, limiting their exposure to airstrikes.

Iran is believed to be preserving its missile capacity to sustain pressure if the war continues or to maintain deterrence after it ends.

US intelligence assessments indicate that half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact, and thousands of one-way attack drones are still in the country’s arsenal, despite five weeks of daily US and Israeli bombings, sources familiar with the intel told CNN.

“They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one source said.

Continued missile and drone strikes despite reduced arsenal

Even with a reduced arsenal, Iran continues to carry out strikes. US and Western officials estimate that Iran has been launching:

Intelligence gaps complicate assessment

Assessing Iran’s actual capabilities remains difficult. US officials acknowledge uncertainty due to the use of decoy launchers, the limited accuracy of pre-war launcher estimates, and the difficulty of verifying the destruction of buried or concealed launch systems.

Even when underground sites appear destroyed, intelligence suggests Iran has been able to restore and reuse them quickly, complicating US efforts to eliminate its missile capabilities.

Previous reporting indicated that Iran may still retain up to half of its missile launchers, a figure broadly consistent with current intelligence ranges, though officials say precise numbers remain unclear.

Reports also suggest Iran has used heavy equipment, including bulldozers, to reopen buried launch sites and resume operations.

US Lurching Into Another 'Forever War' in Iran: Maryland Gov. Warns

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: News Websites

Maryland Governor Wes Moore warns the US is entering another “forever war” in Iran, citing unclear objectives, rising losses, and growing concerns over escalation.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned that the United States is “lurching again into another forever war” on Iran, criticizing the absence of a clear strategy from US President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing aggression on Tehran.

In an interview with CBS News, Moore likened the war on Iran to the US war in Afghanistan, where he previously served with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

“I feel like we are lurching into another one of these forever wars that we're asking the American people to pay for… but the president… has still yet to articulate what exactly it is that we're doing,” he said.

Moore said that while Trump has touted alleged military "achievements" of Operation Epic Fury, the US bombing of Iran, he has failed to define what success would look like or acknowledge the “long road ahead.”

The governor stressed that the administration has not clearly explained the objectives of the war or how it plans to achieve them, raising concerns about prolonged US military involvement.

Downing of US jet highlights risks of escalation

The remarks come as Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said its air defense forces carried out a “historic operation” in the country’s skies, downing multiple US and Israeli aerial assets.

The IRGC also announced earlier that its aerospace air defense units successfully shot down an advanced fighter jet belonging to the "aggressive enemy" in central Iran.

The incident follows statements from US Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, who said the military is making “undeniable progress” in Iran.

Trump predicts quick end despite mounting losses

Trump has claimed the war could conclude “very shortly,” warning that Iran would be hit “extremely hard” in the coming weeks. He also alleged that US forces have degraded Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy and missile and drone systems, and said the operation’s “strategic objectives are nearing completion.”

Despite these claims, the war has seen mounting US losses. At least 16 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost over Iran, while three F-15 fighter jets were previously downed in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait. Additionally, 13 US troops have been killed since the start of the war on February 28.

Moore expressed skepticism over Trump’s timeline of ending the war within two to three weeks, saying it “is sitting horribly" with him, detailing how families of US troops are "afraid" to pick up their phones and hear what is on the other end of the line.

Regarding the crew of the downed jet, Moore called for “some clarity from the White House” regarding the direction of the war. His remarks reflect growing concern within the US over the trajectory of the war as the war on Iran continues without a clearly defined end state.

Trump's war on Iran has no clear end in sight as challenges mount: NYT

A New York Times report on Thursday details how, despite relentless aggression against Iran, Trump’s war's alleged goals—seeking to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, instigating "regime change," and allowing oil passage through the Strait of Hormuz—remain far from being achieved.

Trump and senior officials are privately acknowledging that reopening the Strait of Hormuz may not be possible within the president’s self-imposed timeline for ending the war, sources familiar with internal discussions told CNN on Wednesday.

The strait, a critical oil chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply flows, is a central objective for the administration, not only to conclude the war but also to ease soaring gas prices, which have emerged as a political liability for Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Top officials and intelligence sources have estimated that restoring full operations at the strait could take weeks, if not months, making it unlikely to meet Trump’s four- to six-week deadline for declaring “mission accomplished". 

Iran’s unwavering resilience continues to defy US expectations. Even as the US and "Israel" unleash destructive aerial assaults on Iran’s infrastructure, the Iranian resistance remains strong, capable of striking back with missile attacks, including recent strikes on Israeli occupied territory and US interests in the region.

Sudanese Official Threatens to Replace Teachers with Paramilitaries

3 April 2026

Sudanese teachers hold a protest demanding a salary increase in this file photo in March 2022

April 3 2026 (KHARTOUM) – An announcement by the Director General of Education in Al-Jazirah State on Friday, stating that paramilitary groups are ready to work in schools instead of teachers demanding unpaid wages, has sparked a wave of controversy and resentment.

Director General Abdallah Abu al-Karram threatened to replace teachers with the “Al-Bara’on” battalions and “Sudan Shield” forces, both allied with the army, if they continue to demand salaries that have been in arrears since 2022.

Complaints from teachers regarding low wages and accumulated arrears have increased across several Sudanese states since the war began in April 2023. This has negatively impacted living conditions and the stability of the educational process throughout the country.

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee announced last Saturday that it would begin a gradual escalation due to the wage crisis and the government’s disregard for the suffering of workers in the education sector.

Sami al-Baqir, spokesperson for the Sudanese Teachers’ Committee, criticized the statements, describing them as completely unacceptable. He told Sudan Tribune that the remarks represent a disdain for education and are an attempt to impose “dead” union bodies.

Al-Baqir noted that Al-Jazirah has approximately 18,307 primary school teachers, 16,722 intermediate school teachers, and over 300 pre-school teachers. He indicated that the total number of educators in the state is 31,575.

Al-Baqir previously stated that Al-Jazirah is at the top of the list of unpaid wages, with arrears dating back to 2022. These include cash bonuses and clothing allowances, as well as 14 months of salary and holiday bonuses from 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee stated that such threats were previously made by suggesting the use of the Rapid Support Forces as replacements.

In a statement on Friday, the committee said these remarks reflect an exclusionary approach. It warned of the consequences for the educational process and civil institutions, given the country’s current conditions.

The committee called for the protection of teachers’ rights and a safe working environment. It emphasized that wage issues are a priority that cannot be ignored and stressed the importance of keeping educational institutions away from military-style threats.

UN Reopens Khartoum Headquarters for First Time Since War Began

3 April 2026

Khartoum Governor and United Nations officials participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official reopening of the UN office in Khartoum, April 2, 2026.

April 2 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations reopened its headquarters in the Sudanese capital on Thursday for the first time in three years. The move marks a preliminary step toward resuming operations from Khartoum after they were relocated to Port Sudan following the outbreak of war in mid-April 2023.Sudan travel guide

The reopening ceremony was attended by high-level government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohieddin Salem and Khartoum Governor Ahmed Osman Hamza, along with officials from the international organization and its various agencies.

The Foreign Minister praised the UN’s decision to resume its activities from Khartoum, describing it as a historic day for the country.

“With this celebration, we send a message to our partners in the United Nations that we are working side by side with them for the stability of Sudan,” Salem said.

Salem emphasized that Darfur and Kordofan would eventually recover from what he termed the “kidnapping” by the “terrorist Rapid Support Forces militia.”

“We are advocates for peace and, as members of the United Nations, we are joining hands with UN agencies and organizations to implement the government’s ‘Hope for Peace’ initiative to reach sustainable peace,” he added.

The minister stated that the government would not allow any party to dictate terms and remains committed to the initiative proposed by the Prime Minister before the UN.

He noted that the government calls for peace and welcomes all international initiatives. “Through the UN, we convey that there is no place for the militia among us, and we reject external dictates,” Salem said.

The Foreign Minister called on the African Union to review Sudan’s suspension from membership and urged the regional bloc IGAD to take more concrete steps to support stability in the country.

He praised the efforts of UN agencies, specifically highlighting the work of Denise Brown, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. He also noted the presence of the Zimbabwean ambassador, citing him as the only African envoy who remained in the country throughout the war.

Salem reiterated the government’s rejection of truces that would restore the “rebel militia,” asserting that the group will have no place in the country’s future.

Doctors Without Borders: ‘No Safe Place for Women and Girls in Darfur’ – at Least 3,396 Survivors of GBV Treated Between January 2024 and November 2025

31/03/2026 15:10 NAIROBI

A woman who fled El Fasher to Tawila in North Darfur (File photo: Cindy Gonzalez/MSF)

Women in Darfur, Sudan, are demanding protection, care and justice as sexual violence continues across the region, both in active conflict areas and far beyond frontlines, according to a new report released today by Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

The report There is something I want to tell you…: Surviving the Sexual Violence Crisis in Darfur, documents widespread and systematic sexual violence across roads, fields and displacement camps, both in acute conflict zones and far from front lines.

It provides the most comprehensive documented accounts of sexual violence in Sudan’s war, with survivors’ testimonies and data from MSF medical programmes highlighting clear patterns of widespread and systematic abuse.

Between January 2024 and November 2025, at least 3,396 survivors of sexual violence sought treatment in MSF-supported facilities across North and South Darfur, though MSF warns this represents only a fraction of the true scale, as many survivors cannot safely reach care.  Women and girls accounted for 97% of survivors treated in MSF programmes.

“Sexual violence is a defining feature of this conflict — not confined to frontlines, but pervasive across communities,” said Ruth Kauffman, MSF, Emergency Health Manager. “This war is being fought on the backs and bodies of women and girls. Displacement, collapsing community support systems, lack of access to healthcare and deep-rooted gender inequalities are allowing these abuses to continue across Sudan.”

Survivor testimonies and MSF medical data show that RSF soldiers and allied militias are responsible for widespread and systematic sexual violence against women.

Following the RSF’s capture of El Fasher — the capital of North Darfur — on 26 October 2025, MSF treated more than 140 survivors fleeing the city to Tawila in November, 94% of whom were attacked by armed men with many reporting assaults along escape routes. The assaults were widespread, often carried out by multiple perpetrators in front of family, and deliberately targeted non-Arab communities, as a means of humiliation and terror, echoing previous RSF atrocities such as the dismantling of Zamzam camp.

In just one month, between December 2025 and January 2026, MSF identified a further 732 survivors in displacement camps around Tawila, where women reported attacks both during their journeys and within the camps. Overcrowded shelters, lack of basic security, and unsafe conditions — including distant water points, insecure bathing areas and limited latrines — further increased their vulnerability.

Survivors described attacks not only during fighting, but in everyday settings — on roads used to flee violence, in fields where families grow food, and in markets and displacement camps — showing how sexual violence extends far beyond the frontlines.

‘They took us to an open area. The first man raped me twice, the second once, the third four times. Apart from the rapes, they beat us with sticks and pointed guns at my head…’ GBV survivor.

In South Darfur, hundreds of kilometres from active ground fighting, 34% of survivors were assaulted while farming or travelling to farmland, and 22% while collecting firewood, water or food, highlighting how violence occurs during everyday activities.

Children are also among the survivors: in South Darfur, one in five survivors was under 18, including 41 children younger than five.

MSF data also points to patterns of systematic abuse, with armed men responsible for most assaults — over 95% in North Darfur, while nearly 60% in South Darfur involved multiple perpetrators.

One survivor described the violence she experienced while fleeing her home:

“They took us to an open area. The first man raped me twice, the second once, the third four times. Apart from the rapes, they beat us with sticks and pointed guns at my head.”

For many, the threat of violence has become part of daily life:

“Every day when people go to the market, there are cases of rape. When we go to the farm, this happens,” said a 40-year-old woman in South Darfur.

Survivors also face significant barriers to care — including insecurity, stigma and limited protection services. Sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war and a systematic means of controlling civilians, in violation of international humanitarian law, MSF said.

Community leaders, midwives, activists and survivors in focus groups MSF organised called for an immediate end to sexual violence across Sudan, demanding protection, access to care and dignity — alongside justice and accountability.

MSF calls on all parties to the conflict — including the RSF and their supporters — to cease and prevent sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable. MSF also calls on the United Nations, donors and humanitarian actors to urgently scale up health and protection services in Darfur and all of Sudan.

Sudan Urged to Lift Constraints on Aviation Revenues as Khartoum Airport Reopens

02/04/2026 10:12 KHARTOUM

Still from a video of explosions near Khartoum airport, August 26, 2023 (File photo: Ahmed Omer)

Sudan’s tentative return to normal air traffic has prompted calls for the government to loosen its grip on aviation revenues, as officials signal the reopening of the country’s skies after years of disruption caused by war.

Aviation specialists say that recent moves to resume regional and international flights mark more than a technical milestone. They amount, rather, to a symbolic reassertion of state sovereignty—specifically, the ability to manage national airspace in accordance with international standards.

On Tuesday, the Sudan Airports Company announced that Khartoum International Airport is operationally ready to receive both regional and international flights, following the completion of preparatory measures. The declaration comes alongside assurances from Sudan’s prime minister, Kamil Idris, who has pledged to remove obstacles facing the country’s airports and to extend full support for infrastructure upgrades aligned with global norms.

Speaking during a meeting at Port Sudan airport with senior aviation officials, Idris emphasised the government’s commitment to facilitating civilian movement, particularly for voluntary return programmes. Aviation authorities, for their part, confirmed that both technical and administrative requirements for reopening Sudan’s airspace have been met.

Beneath the optimism lies a more structural concern

Yet beneath the optimism lies a more structural concern. Ibrahim Adlan, a former head of the civil aviation authority, argues that such pledges will remain hollow unless accompanied by financial reform. In particular, he calls for the removal of finance ministry controls over aviation revenues, especially overflight fees charged to aircraft traversing Sudanese airspace.

These revenues, he contends, are levied in exchange for specific services and ought to be reinvested directly into airport infrastructure, equipment and staff training. Current restrictions stem from a hastily enacted 2023 law granting the finance ministry sweeping authority over public funds—measures that, in his view, have stifled the sector’s capacity to develop.

Adlan insists that the reopening of Khartoum airport should not be treated as a routine operational update. Rather, it signals the restoration of a complex aviation ecosystem, encompassing flight safety, security protocols, passenger protection and the readiness of air navigation systems, including communications, surveillance and radar.

He adds that compliance with global aviation standards—from runways and taxiways to lighting systems and ground services—suggests Sudan has regained a baseline level of operational readiness sufficient to accommodate international traffic without technical restrictions.

Even so, he cautions that the announcement marks the beginning of a more demanding phase. Political will, though necessary, is insufficient on its own. It must be translated into concrete policies, including restoring technical authority to aviation regulators and revisiting past personnel decisions—such as the controversial dismissal of experienced staff in 2012, which he says deprived the sector of critical expertise.

The path forward, Adlan argues, lies in adherence to international governance standards, sustained investment in infrastructure and technology, and the modernisation of air navigation systems. Only then can official rhetoric evolve into a credible long-term strategy.

For now, Sudan’s aviation revival remains a fragile but telling indicator: a sector poised between recovery and reform, and a state seeking to reclaim both control of its skies and confidence in its institutions.