(LEAD) Hegseth claims 'decisive victory' in Iran war, says U.S. reserves option to take Tehran's uranium
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 10, 13-18; ADDS photo)By Song Sang-ho
· Song Sang-ho
Follow the story
Iran
A focused view of neutral reporting on Iran, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Trump says Lebanon not included in US-Iran ceasefire amid Israeli assault
President Donald Trump has claimed that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, contradicting the assertion of Pakistan, which mediated the truce.
· Al Jazeera Staff
US, Israel Insist Iran Ceasefire Doesn't Apply In Lebanon, Which Suffers Huge Airstrikes
Israel has made clear that it doesn't see the newly declared US-Iran ceasefire as applying to its war in Lebanon, where it is still trying to destroy Hezbollah. The White House too has made its stance clear that it doesn't apply, but President Trump has stated his intent to take care of a Lebanon ceasefire separately.
· Tyler Durden
What is in the US-Iran peace deal? What we know so far
A two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump appeared to have brought a temporary halt to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
· RT
French former detainees in Iran return home after more than 3 years in Iran
Jacques Paris, left, and Cecile Kohler, French nationals who were freed by Iran with after three and a half years in detention, speak to media at the Elysee Palace as they are hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, in Paris, France, April 8, 2026. (Tom Nicholson/Pool Photo via AP)
· Sylvie Corbet
Jimmy Kimmel on Trump’s Iran threats: ‘The most dangerous episode of the Celebrity Apprentice yet’
Late-night hosts discussed Trump’s threat ‘a whole civilization will die tonight’ hours before a ceasefire
· Guardian staff
'Islamic bomb': The secret Pakistani scheme to make Iran a nuclear power
"I want to question the holier-than-thou attitude of the Americans and British. Are these bastards God-appointed guardians of the world?"
· Middleeasteye
Trump: Lebanon not part of ceasefire
US President Donald Trump has said that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire deal struck between Iran and the US.
· Middleeasteye
Q&A replay: Fragile truce or 'big day' for lasting peace? | The National
America and Iran have claimed victory after a conditional ceasefire was agreed only hours after US President Donald Trump warned “a whole civilisation will die … never to be brought back again”.
· Enas Refaei
Hope and scepticism among Iranians after ceasefire announcement | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on the Iran war
· Lizzie Porter
Iran, US both claim victory, but did they actually concede ground?
Iran and the United States have both claimed victory in their conflict as they both accepted a two-week ceasefire just before US President Donald Trump’s apocalyptic deadline to obliterate Iranian “civilisation” if Tehran did not agree to a deal.
· Shola Lawal
Hegseth touts US ‘victory’ over Iran as Tehran hails its own ‘historic’ win
US-Israel war on Iran achieved ‘every single objective’: Hegseth
· Al Jazeera Staff
Kurdistan Region of Iraq hopes ceasefire brings end to drone, missile attacks
The Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq has been one of the main targets of Iran and its proxies in the month and a half of war since February 28.
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
A pause, not an end: What the two-week ceasefire with Iran really means - opinion
Many Israelis woke up this morning with a sense of frustration. In the hours leading up to the expiration of the American ultimatum to Iran, expectations were high that the night might bring another decisive phase of the campaign, possibly including strikes against Iran’s critical energy infrastructure. Such a move …
· AMIR AVIVI
Is Australia headed for a recession? A growing number of economists think so – here’s why I’m not one of them | Greg Jericho
In backing down on his threats to destroy Iranian civilisation, Donald Trump has lessened concerns of a recession in Australia – at least for now
· Greg Jericho
Iran struck Saudi oil pipeline hours after ceasefire: Report
Iran attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline hours after a ceasefire was agreed, Reuters is reporting, citing an industry source.
· Middleeasteye
Why the US-Iran ceasefire is seen as a failure for Donald Trump
As the two sides prepare to meet in person in Pakistan, analysts identify American leader’s miscalculations leading to weaker footing
· Alyssa Chen
Why the US-Iran ceasefire is seen as a failure for Donald Trump
As the two sides prepare to meet in person in Pakistan, analysts identify American leader’s miscalculations leading to weaker footing
· Alyssa Chen
UK ban on Ye sparks criticism as Starmer stays silent over US threats to destroy Iran
The United Kingdom’s decision to block the American rapper formerly known as Kanye West from entering the UK, citing his antisemitic comments, has sparked an intense debate online.
· Middleeasteye
Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah - report
Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, blocking oil tankers from transiting the waterway, in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-tied outlet Fars News reported on Wednesday.
· REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
In a war with no winners, Netanyahu looks like the biggest loser
As Iran and US agree fragile ceasefire, Israel’s conflict has turned out to be a bust and, say opponents, ‘a political disaster’
· Peterbeaumont
First ships pass Strait of Hormuz since Trump-Iran ceasefire, but traffic remains low amid confusion
The first vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Iran and the U.S. reached a two-week ceasefire deal, ship-tracking service MarineTraffic said Wednesday.
· Kevin Breuninger, Spencer Kimball, Brian Sullivan
Delta Air Lines Erases All 'Epic Fury' Losses As In-House Refinery Cushions Fuel Shock
Delta Air Lines soared in premarket trading on a combination of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire and stronger-than-expected first-quarter results, with the carrier's in-house refinery helping to lower the average jet fuel price for its fleet in the first quarter, making it appear to be one of the better-positioned carriers t…
· Tyler Durden
Israeli attacks across Lebanon kill dozens hours after Iran-US ceasefire
Israeli strikes have hit several dense commercial and residential areas in central Beirut without warning, hours after a ceasefire was announced in the United States-Israeli war on Iran.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Empty ships and shut wells: Why the Iran war oil crisis is not over yet
After 40 days of fighting, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday morning, with negotiations expected to begin on Friday in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.
· Mohamed A. Hussein
Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Nvidia lead tech rally after Trump announces ceasefire with Iran
U.S. stocks soared on Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, and beaten-down tech names shared in the rally.
· Chris Eudaily
Israel strikes central Beirut without warning, says Iran ceasefire does not apply
BEIRUT — Israeli strikes hit several dense commercial and residential areas in central Beirut without warning Wednesday afternoon, hours after a ceasefire was announced in the US-Israeli war with Iran. Lebanon’s health ministry said dozens were killed and hundreds wounded in an early estimate.
· Associated Press
Qatar's Diamond League track meet put back from May to June amid ongoing uncertainty
Fans arrive for the World Cup group B soccer match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Wade, File)
US, Iran agree to two-week ceasefire | The wRap
Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
· Jaira Roxas
Trump tells The Post in-person Iran talks will happen ‘very soon’ — but reveals why JD Vance might not attend
WASHINGTON — President Trump told The Post that he expects peace talks with Iran to happen in Pakistan “very soon” following the Tuesday cease-fire deal — but that Vice President JD Vance may not attend due to security concerns.
· Steven Nelson
Hegseth claims 'decisive victory' in Iran war, says U.S. reserves option to get Tehran's uranium
WASHINGTON, April 8 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Wednesday the United States has achieved a "decisive" and "overwhelming" victory in the war with Iran, adding that the Islamic Republic will hand over its enriched uranium, or the U.S. will "take it out."
· Song Sang-ho
Trump eyes ‘joint venture’ with Iran to charge tolls on ships passing through Strait of Hormuz
President Trump on Wednesday said he is open to a controversial idea that would reshape global shipping lanes: allowing Iran to charge tolls on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz — if the US gets a cut of the action.
· Caitlin Doornbos
Hegseth claims Iran ‘begged’ for ceasefire after US and Tehran agree to two-week pause
Defense secretary spoke to reporters in first press briefing since Trump announced ceasefire deal after 40 days of war
· Joseph Gedeon
Iranian official threatens to 'punish' Israel for Lebanon attacks
A senior official in Iran has threatened to "punish" Israel in response to its latest attacks on Lebanon and a "violation of the ceasefire terms," Al Jazeera is reporting.
· Middleeasteye
RT crew caught up in Israeli strikes on Beirut
Israel has stepped up air strikes across Lebanon, pounding central Beirut, just hours after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, according to RT correspondent Steve Sweeney, who was caught up in the attack with his cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity.
· RT
Read Full Article at RT.com
Israel has stepped up air strikes across Lebanon, pounding central Beirut, just hours after the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, according to RT correspondent Steve Sweeney, who was caught up in the attack with his cameraman Ali Rida Sbeity.
· RT
Cómo Trump pasó de amenazar a Irán con la aniquilación a acordar una tregua de 2 semanas
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, habla con reporteros durante la fiesta de los huevos de Pascua en el Jardín Sur de la Casa Blanca, el lunes 6 de abril de 2026, en Washington. (AP Foto/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
· Aamer Madhani
Iran Gives Approved Hormuz Shippers "Few Seconds" To Submit Payment In Bitcoin
Iran plans to require shipping companies to pay transit tolls in Bitcoin for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Financial Times report.
· Tyler Durden
Iran's IRGC says it downed Hermes 900 drone over Fars province
Iran's IRGC has said in a statement that it downed a Hermes 9000 drone over Lar, in the southwestern province of Fars.
· Middleeasteye
Survey finds 60 percent of Americans view Israel unfavourably following Iran war
A new Pew Research Center survey, conducted weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, found that six in 10 Americans now hold an unfavourable view of Israel, up from 53 percent last year and by nearly 20 points since 2022.
· Middleeasteye
Ceasefire 'provides opening' for Houthis to use Tehran tollbooth formula to choke shipping | The National
Yemen's Houthi rebels could follow Iran’s lead and create a new chokepoint on international shipping, a maritime intelligence analyst has said.
· Tariq Tahir
‘Stone Age’ to ‘Golden Age’: How the final hours before the truce unfolded
In the final hours before a United States-Iran ceasefire was reached early on Wednesday in the Middle East, the war that had shaken the world for nearly six weeks had threatened to explode to even more prolonged and devastating levels.
· Usaid Siddiqui
WATCH: PH to take advantage of two-week US-Iran ceasefire, says Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says on April 8, 2026 that the Philippine government would ‘take as much advantage’ of the two-week ceasefire forged by the United States and Iran in the Middle East. In a video released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos welcomed the truce and said the development…
· The Manila Times
Pakistan takes on role of peacemaker, but it comes with risks - analysis
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stepped forward as a peacemaker to help secure a ceasefire with Iran. Pakistan borders Iran, and it is a close friend of the US. Pakistan’s prime minister has worked with the Trump administration and is considered to have warm ties with the White House. This enabled Pakis…
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Five things to watch amid the ceasefire with Iran
On April 8, a fragile ceasefire took shape in the Middle East. The fragility of the ceasefire is clear from reports of continued Iranian attacks on the Gulf, as well as news that Israel will continue its strikes in Lebanon.
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Dow soars 1,400 points, oil plunges near $90 as Trump announces two-week ceasefire with Iran
US stocks surged Wednesday morning as oil plunged near $90 after President Trump said he had agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran — paving the way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
· Taylor Herzlich
Trump’s Iran ceasefire doesn’t mean Europe’s economy is out of the danger zone
Don’t be popping those champagne corks yet: Europe’s economy will still be hurting from the war in the Middle East for months — and maybe longer.
· Geoffrey Smith
Defeat from the jaws of victory: Israel reacts to Trump’s Iran ceasefire
As Israel contemplates a two-week ceasefire announced by United States President Donald Trump in the war on Iran on Tuesday night, it appears weakened in the eyes of its opponents and critics. Its arch-nemesis, Iran, is still standing; Israel’s defensive stock of missiles is depleted and its prime minister is facing…
· Simon Speakman Cordall
Trump se reúne con secretario general de la OTAN mientras considera salir de la alianza
El secretario general de la OTAN Mark Rutte en la sede de la organización en Bruselas, el 26 de marzo del 2026. (AP foto/Virginia Mayo)
· Michelle L Price
Can two-week US-Iran ceasefire pave the way for lasting peace? | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on the Iran war
· Vanessa Ghanem