Benjamin Netanyahu

A court statement on Thursday said that "the return to work of the judicial system" means Netanyahu's trial is cleared to continue, beginning with a hearing on Sunday.

Washington has reportedly been exploring indirect channels with Tehran aimed at limiting escalation across multiple theatres, including Lebanon.

Citing a senior administration official, NBC reported that Trump asked Netanyahu to reduce military action to avoid jeopardising the ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran.

In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible, Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh signalled cautious readiness for peace talks, calling recent military actions a necessary response to provocations and urging US restraint on Israel.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Lebanon is part of the ceasefire, threatening “STRONG responses” as Israeli strikes intensify, raising fears the fragile US-Iran truce could collapse.

Israel vowed continued strikes on Hezbollah despite global pressure, as Iran warned of “STRONG responses”, raising fears the fragile US-Iran ceasefire could collapse amid escalating Lebanon violence.

Benjamin Netanyahu vowed continued strikes on Hezbollah “wherever necessary” as Israel escalates attacks in Lebanon, killing over 200, while tensions rise despite a fragile US-Iran truce.

"As you know, last night a temporary two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect, in full coordination with Israel," Netanyahu said in a televised statement.

The fact that the negotiations between the US and Iran are expected to be based on Iranian demands has raised intense concern in Israel, as has concern that President Donald Trump might be eager to end the war.

He laid out a best-case scenario in which a US-Israeli operation would deliver a “near-certain victory,” dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities within weeks while preventing disruption to the Strait of Hormuz.

A secret Netanyahu pitch, deep White House divisions and dismissed intelligence warnings shaped Trump’s path to war with Iran. Despite internal doubts, the final call rested on instinct, not consensus.

Each tanker is capable of carrying around 2 million barrels, while the LNG vessel appeared to be empty at the time.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East has choked off shipping needing to traverse the strait, a key waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports normally flow

The escalation comes as Iran launched missiles toward Israel and parts of the Gulf, while explosions were reported in Tehran and the central city of Isfahan on Friday.

Iran War Latest News Today (April 3, 2026): The conflict has also widened across the Gulf region. Kuwait reported intercepting missiles and drones, while a refinery attack triggered fires at key facilities.

The reported strike is being viewed by some officials as an attempt to disrupt backchannel diplomacy.

Not only is this war seriously degrading Iran’s military and political power, it also represents a huge boon for Netanyahu in an election year.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical energy transit chokepoints, handling about 20 per cent of global oil exports

The strike comes amid growing speculation that Iran may have moved part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile-estimated at around 540 kg-to underground facilities in Isfahan, raising the strategic significance of the attack