Iran Executes Man Linked to Opposition and Israeli Intelligence
Iran has executed Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr, a man convicted of connections to the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq and Israel’s intelligence service, according to the judiciary’s news outlet Mizan on Thursday. Mizan reported that Fakhr was a long-time member of the opposition group and was found guilty of cooperating with Israeli intelligence. His death sentence was upheld by the supreme court and carried out after all legal procedures were completed, as cited by .
Lebanon to Seek Ceasefire Extension in Talks with Israel
Lebanon plans to request a one-month extension of the soon-to-expire ceasefire with Israel during a new round of talks in Washington on Thursday. Ahead of the negotiations, Israel stated it had no “serious disagreements” with Lebanon and urged cooperation against the Iran-backed militia opposing the talks and not participating in them.
The direct talks on 14 April marked the first between the two countries in decades, followed by a US announcement of a 10-day truce set to expire on Sunday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will convene Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, alongside US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. Additionally, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is expected to join the meeting, according to a State Department official.
An unnamed Lebanese official told AFP that Lebanon would seek a month-long truce extension, an end to Israeli bombing and destruction in affected areas, and a commitment to the ceasefire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed ongoing contacts to extend the ceasefire period.
Most Asian stock markets declined in response to recent war developments, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, and Wellington all down. However, Seoul rose more than 1% to a record high, driven by a rally in the tech sector, a key factor in the Kospi index’s surge this year. Taipei, Manila, and Jakarta also saw gains.
Oil prices remain elevated, with Brent crude holding above $100 after a surge on Wednesday, though Thursday’s initial gains were pared. Brent briefly exceeded $105 earlier before stabilizing around $103.
Iran Seizes Two Vessels in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards released video footage purportedly showing their forces seizing two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it detained the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and Liberia-flagged Epaminondas for maritime violations and escorted them to Iranian shores, as reported by shipping companies and Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. This marks the first seizure of ships by Iran since the war began in late February.
Tasnim reported the IRGC accused the two ships of “attempting to exit the strait of Hormuz covertly.”
At the White House, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said former President Donald Trump did not consider the capture a violation of the US-Iran ceasefire, as the vessels were neither American nor Israeli.
No, because these were not US ships, these were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels.
Opening Summary
Welcome to our live coverage of events in the Middle East.
Iran has seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz a day after Donald Trump announced an indefinite halt to US attacks, while peace talks show no signs of resuming. The status of a two-week-old ceasefire, initially due to expire earlier this week, remains uncertain.
In a reversal hours after threatening renewed violence, Trump announced on Tuesday a unilateral extension of the ceasefire with Tehran until discussions on an Iranian peace proposal could take place. However, Iranian officials did not confirm agreeing to any truce extension and criticized Trump’s decision to maintain the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Lead Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that a full ceasefire would only be meaningful if the blockade were lifted.
The IRGC’s seizure of two vessels on Wednesday for alleged maritime violations, and their escort to Iranian shores, was confirmed by shipping companies and Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. This is the first such action since the conflict began in late February.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was “satisfied” with the US naval blockade and believed Iran was in a weak position. She added that the president had not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal, following his Tuesday announcement of an indefinite pause at the request of mediator Pakistan until Tehran responded to US negotiating positions or talks concluded “one way or the other.”
The Pentagon announced the immediate departure of US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan without providing an explanation, amid the ongoing naval blockade.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his German counterpart that the US-Israeli war against Iran was “starting to weaken Europe.” Erdoğan emphasized the need for a peace-focused approach to avoid greater damage from the conflict.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded a photographer accompanying her, according to a senior Lebanese military official and Khalil’s employer. Khalil’s death, at age 43, raised the death toll to five on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day since the 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on 16 April. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on her death.
Khalil and freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj were reporting near the town of al-Tayri when an Israeli strike hit the vehicle ahead of them, reported. They sought shelter in a nearby house, which was subsequently targeted by another Israeli strike, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israeli targeting of journalists and obstruction of relief efforts as war crimes.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Hormuz Strait Closure
Oil prices surged 4% on Thursday after Iran vowed not to reopen the Hormuz Strait despite the US naval blockade and the truce extension. Around 0025 GMT, the benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 4.06% to $96.73 per barrel, while Brent North Sea crude climbed 3.62% to $105.63. Both prices eased back minutes later.
Violence in West Bank and Airline Fare Increases
Two Palestinians, including a 14-year-old schoolboy, were killed in the occupied West Bank after Israeli settlers opened fire near a school amid increasing assaults on education in the territory, according to witnesses and local officials.
United Airlines announced broad fare increases of 15-20% to offset rising petrol prices while maintaining profits, executives said. The major US carrier also reduced its 2026 flying capacity by 5%.
