This live blog follows updates for Day 35 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 34, go here

• Easter masses cancelled in Dubai because of war
• Container ship with declared French ownership passes through Hormuz strait
• Human remains found on Thai ship attacked in Hormuz strait: Firm
• Ukraine offers to help unblock Hormuz
• Food commodity prices up on Mideast war: UN food agency

Iran hunts downed US jet crew as rescue reports emerge

Published April 3, 2026 | 17:48 GMT

Iran has launched a search for the crew of a downed US warplane, offering a bounty, Iranian state media reported. US media say one crew member has been rescued, as the conflict continues to escalate across the region.

Israel military announces 'wide-scale wave' of strikes in Tehran

Published April 3, 2026 | 15:41 GMT

The Israeli military said it had launched a wave of strikes in Tehran on Friday, alongside parallel attacks in Beirut.

"In addition to the strikes in Beirut, the IDF has begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian regime in Tehran," the military said.

Putin, Erdogan urge immediate Mideast ceasefire: Kremlin

Published April 3, 2026 | 15:13 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East war during a phone call on Friday, the Kremlin said.

"The leaders noted their shared positions on the need for an immediate ceasefire and the development of compromise peace agreements that take into account the legitimate interests of all states in the region," a Kremlin statement said.

"It was noted that intense military action is leading to serious negative consequences not only regionally but also globally, including in the areas of energy, trade, and logistics," it added.

Israeli strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs

Published April 3, 2026 | 14:56 GMT

Fresh strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday as the Israeli army said it was striking "terror infrastructure", hours after the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning for the area.

An AFP correspondent heard explosions as the state-run National News Agency reported strikes on the area, a Hezbollah bastion that has largely emptied of residents since war erupted last month between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel's army said it "has begun striking terror infrastructure in Beirut".

Italian PM begins visit to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar

Published April 3, 2026 | 14:41 GMT

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar Friday to boost "national energy security", a government source said, as the Middle East war rages.

Meloni began her previously unannounced tour in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, the reports said, adding that she was the first leader of a European Union or NATO country to visit the region.

US warplane downed over Iran, crew missing: US media

Published April 3, 2026 | 14:06 GMT

A US warplane has gone down over Iran and US forces are trying to rescue the crew, major US media outlets reported Friday after Iranian media aired footage of aircraft wreckage.

The New York Times quoted US and Israeli officials confirming Iranian claims to have shot down a fighter jet.

The Wall Street Journal and Axios reported that a search-and-rescue operation was underway by US forces, following what would be the first known loss of a jet inside Iran since President Donald Trump ordered the war.

White House requests giant $1.5 trillion defense budget amid Iran war

Published April 3, 2026 | 13:23 GMT

The White House sent a spending proposal to lawmakers Friday calling for a massive $1.5 trillion US defense budget next year as it faces increased costs due to the war in Iran.

The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since World War II, US media reported, although presidential budgets are wish lists that have to be approved by Congress, rather than binding orders.

"The budget builds upon the historic $1 trillion overall defense topline for 2026 and requests $1.5 trillion in total budgetary resources for 2027," the document reads. "This is a $445 billion, or 42 percent, increase from the 2026 total resource level."

Trump says US can open Hormuz with 'a little more time'

Published April 3, 2026 | 12:54 GMT

President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States could "open" the Hormuz Strait and "take the oil" if it has more time.

"With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A 'GUSHER' FOR THE WORLD???" Trump posted.

The message, on his Truth Social platform, did not explain how the United States could end Iranian control over the Hormuz waterway or what oil Trump was referring to.

12 injured in Abu Dhabi after attack intercepted: govt

Published April 3, 2026 | 12:06 GMT

At least 12 people were injured in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Friday as a result of falling debris following the interception of an attack, the government media office said.

The incident in the Ajban area "resulted in minor to moderate injuries sustained by 6 individuals of Nepali nationality and 5 individuals of Indian nationality, and one major injury sustained by an individual of Nepali nationality," the Abu Dhabi Media Office posted on X.

Israel army says will strike two bridges in East Lebanon

Published April 3, 2026 | 11:29 GMT

The Israeli military said on Friday it plans to strike two bridges in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa region, warning residents in the area to evacuate.

"In order to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and military equipment... the IDF intends to target the Sohmor and Mashghara bridges," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said on X.

WHO warns about 'multiple attacks on health' in Iran

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:57 GMT

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Friday about "multiple attacks on health" in Iran in recent days, while paying tribute to the Pasteur Institute in the capital which was destroyed in an airstrike.

"Multiple attacks on health have been reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in recent days amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X.

He said the Pasteur Institute "sustained significant damage and was rendered unable to continue delivering health services" -- one of 20 facilities the WHO has confirmed as being targeted.

The center, which has no formal links with the Pasteur Institute in Paris, is one of the oldest research and public health facilities in Iran, having been founded in 1920.

Tedros said that the center "plays an important role in protecting and promoting population health, including in emergencies".

The Pasteur Institute in Paris sent its well-wishes "to the researchers, students, and civilian staff who may have been affected by the strikes", in a statement on its website.

Easter masses cancelled in Dubai because of war

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:05 GMT

All masses in Dubai have been cancelled because of the Middle East war, two Catholic churches in the United Arab Emirates posted on their websites on Friday, just ahead of Easter.

Following government directives, "all Masses at our Church are cancelled until further notice," St Francis of Assisi Church at Jebel Ali in Dubai posted.

The Jebel Ali coastal area has been hit several times by missiles and drones fired by Iran at neighboring Gulf states in retaliation for the Israeli-US offensive launched on Feb. 28.

"Parishioners are requested to refrain from visiting the Church premises, in the interest of safety and community well-being," the announcement added.

St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai published a similar announcement on its website, and said Good Friday's mass would be live-streamed online instead, on the church's YouTube channel.

Container ship with declared French ownership passes through Hormuz strait

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:05 GMT

A container ship declaring itself to have a French owner passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according Marine Traffic data analyzed by AFP Friday.

The Maltese-flagged Kribi belonging to the French maritime transport group CMA CGM crossed the strait -- which has been virtually blocked by Iran since early in the Middle East war -- to exit the Gulf on Thursday afternoon, the maritime tracking website showed.

The ship was off Muscat, Oman on Friday morning, still broadcasting the message "owner France" on its transponder system in the field usually corresponding to the destination.

Human remains found on Thai ship attacked in Hormuz strait: Firm

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:05 GMT

Human remains have been found aboard a cargo ship struck by Iran while transiting the Strait of Hormuz last month, the vessel's owner said Friday, after three crew members were reported missing following the attack.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran late February prompted Tehran to respond by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global oil supplies.

The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree was struck in March while travelling through the strait after departing Khalifa port in the United Arab Emirates.

"Certain human remains were found within the affected area of the vessel," a statement from transport company Precious Shipping said Friday, adding it could not yet confirm the identities or the number of individuals.

Ukraine offers to help unblock Hormuz

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:00 GMT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in remarks made public Friday said his country could help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure by Iran has rattled the global economy.

Iran has placed a stranglehold on the key shipping lane -- threatening fuel supplies and roiling the global economy -- in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war.

"No one has involved us specifically in the issue of the Strait of Hormuz. During my visits, I told representatives of the Middle East and Gulf countries: Ukraine is ready to help with everything related to defense," Zelensky said.

He was speaking to a small group of journalists, including AFP, on Thursday.

Food commodity prices up on Mideast war: UN food agency

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:00 GMT

The war in the Middle East has pushed food commodity prices higher due to higher energy and fertilizer costs, the UN's food agency said Friday.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said its Food Price Index, which measures the monthly changes in international prices of a basket of food commodities, had increased 2.4% in March from February.

It was the second rise in a row, which the agency said was largely due to higher energy prices linked to conflict in the Middle East.

Within the index, the category of vegetable oil saw the sharpest rise, of 5.1% over February, as palm oil prices reached their highest point since the middle of 2022, due to effects from spiking crude oil prices, FAO said.

However, a "broadly comfortable" supply of cereal has cushioned the damaged from the conflict, FAO said.

"Price rises since the conflict began have been modest, driven mainly by higher oil prices and cushioned by ample global cereal supplies," said FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero in a statement.

But he warned that if the conflict goes on beyond 40 days and the high prices on fertilizer continue, "farmers will have to choose: farm the same with fewer inputs, plant less, or switch to less intensive fertilizer crops".

Kuwait electricity, desalination plant hit by Iranian attack: Govt

Published April 3, 2026 | 10:00 GMT

A Kuwaiti power and desalination complex was damaged by an attack from Iran on Friday, the electricity and water ministry said.

"One of the power generation and water desalination stations was subjected to an attack this dawn by the sinful Iranian aggression, resulting in material damage," a ministry spokesperson said, according to the official Kuwait News Agency.

An AFP correspondent in Kuwait City said there had been no disruption to power or water services.

Abu Dhabi gas complex shut as fire erupts after intercepted attack: Govt media office

Published April 3, 2026 | 09:25 GMT

A fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted attack forced the suspension of operations at a gas complex in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Friday, the government media office said.

"Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to an incident of falling debris at the Habshan gas facilities, following successful interception by air defense systems. Operations have been suspended while authorities respond to a fire. No injuries have been reported," the emirate's media office said on X. 

Italy extends fuel excise tax cuts for month

Published April 3, 2026 | 08:36 GMT

Italy's government has extended by a month a temporary cut in fuel excise taxes that were due to expire on April 6, the economy minister said Friday.

"We are extending the reduction of excise duties already in force, which would have expired on Easter Monday, until the first of May," Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said following a meeting of the council of ministers.

He said the new decree-law -- to which some 500 million euros would be allotted -- also included a measure for agriculture businesses that would extend a 20% tax credit.

After May 1, "international geopolitical developments, which are clearly beyond our control, will determine whether other types of measures may be needed in response to a situation that is objectively very complex from every point of view, including the economic one," he added.

Israel says it has struck over 3,500 targets in Lebanon in past month

Published April 3, 2026 | 08:36 GMT

The Israeli military said Friday it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the month since fighting with Hezbollah began.

The Israeli military said Friday it had killed approximately 1,000 "militants" in Lebanon over the past month, with strikes targeting what it described as "terrorist infrastructure, weapons storage facilities, launch positions, and command and control headquarters" belonging to Hezbollah.

Lebanon's health ministry said on Thursday that 1,345 people had been killed and 4,040 wounded since the start of the war, including 1,129 men, 91 women, and 125 children.

The ministry said the toll also included 53 healthcare workers. Hezbollah has so far not announced its losses.

IRGC claims downing 'another F-35 fighter jet'

Published April 3, 2026 | 07:36 GMT

The IRGC claimed on Friday that the "second F-35 fighter jet was destroyed" in the skies of central Iran by the new advanced defense system of the IRGC Aerospace Force, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported. 

It said the doomed fighter jet belongs to the Lakenheath squadron.

The IRGC claimed that the intruding fighter jet has been completely destroyed and has crashed.

In the past 12 hours, this is the second fighter jet that has been destroyed by the IRGC's air defenses, and due to the disintegration of the aircraft, there is no information about the fate of the pilot, a statement published by Tasnim News Agency said.

Iran warns UN Security Council against 'provocative action' on Hormuz

Published April 3, 2026 | 07:00 GMT

Iran warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action", ahead of a scheduled vote on a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz that ended up being postponed.

"Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Araghchi was speaking ahead of a scheduled Security Council vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz Friday.

It was later announced that the vote was postponed, with no new date scheduled.

UN Security Council delays vote on authorizing force to protect Hormuz

Published April 3, 2026 | 05:29 GMT

The UN Security Council has postponed a vote scheduled for Friday on authorizing the use of "defensive" force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, according to the official program.

The 15-member body was set to vote Friday morning on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain, but by Thursday night the schedule shifted.

The reason given was that the United Nations observes Good Friday as a public holiday, according to diplomatic sources -- despite this fact being known when the vote was first announced.

No new date has been given for voting on the draft.

Kuwait oil refinery units on fire after drone attack: State media

Published April 3, 2026 | 05:15 GMT

A drone attack on a refinery owned by Kuwait's national oil company on Friday sparked fires at several of its units, state media said.

"Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) told KUNA that the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was targeted in a drone attack early this morning, resulting in fires in several operational units," official news agency KUNA reported, adding that emergency teams were working to contain the blazes.

Israel military says responding to missiles fired from Iran

Published April 3, 2026 | 05:00 GMT

Israel's military said Friday that its air defenses were operating to down missiles fired from Iran, as Tehran keeps up its retaliatory fire on the country.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

The military said in a statement it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel".

It said "defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat".

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services said an unintercepted missile hit central Israel, injuring no one but causing damage to homes, roads and some cars.

According to Israeli military radio, a train station in Tel Aviv was damaged by shrapnel, without saying from where it had been fired.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement published by broadcaster IRIB early Friday that it had targeted areas of Tel Aviv and the port city of Eilat with long-range missiles.

Trump says US forces yet to start 'destroying what's left' in Iran

Published April 3, 2026 | 03:21 GMT

US forces have yet to begin "destroying what's left in Iran," President Donald Trump warned late Thursday, as he said more of the country's bridges and energy infrastructure were in his sights.

The US military "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, several hours after he said Iran's tallest bridge had been destroyed.

Trump has repeatedly stated that the vast majority of major military targets in Iran have already been damaged or destroyed over the past month of war.

Iran's "New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!" Trump said, seemingly referring to his call for Tehran to strike a deal with Washington that will bring about a ceasefire.

Kuwait says air defenses responding to missile, drone attacks

Published April 3, 2026 | 01:15 GMT

Kuwait's military said on Friday its air defenses were working to intercept missiles and drones fired towards the Gulf nation's territory.

"Kuwaiti Air Defenses are currently responding to hostile missile and drone threats," the Kuwaiti army posted on X, saying any explosions heard were air defense interceptions.

Israel military says responding to missiles fired from Iran

Published April 3, 2026 | 00:29 GMT

Israel's military said Friday that its air defenses were operating to down missiles fired from Iran, as Tehran keeps up its retaliatory fire on the country after a US-Israeli bombing campaign began at the end of February.

The military said in a statement it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel", adding that "defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat". There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage.

UK-led talks demand 'immediate' reopening of Hormuz

Published April 2, 2026 | 16:55 GMT

The UK and its allies have agreed to explore using sanctions to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported.

 British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Thursday said some 40 countries who joined a virtual meeting on the Strait of Hormuz crisis had demanded "the immediate and unconditional reopening" of the vital shipping route.

 "Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. They must not prevail. To that effect, partners today called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea," Cooper said in a statement after the talks.