Day 59 | Hormuz crisis spirals as ‘Israel’ intensifies Hezbollah clashes

The 2026 Iran War began on February 28, when the United States and ‘Israel’ launched a large-scale attack on Iran, unleashing nearly 900 airstrikes within 12 hours on the Islamic Republic’s missile systems, air defenses, nuclear facilities, military bases, and leadership targets.

The assault followed years of shadow conflict, including direct missile exchanges in 2024 and a limited 12-day war in 2025 that damaged Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials were killed in the opening strikes. Iran responded within hours, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at ‘Israel’, US bases, and targets across the Gulf.

On April 8, the United States, Iran, and ‘Israel’ agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, with Iran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while negotiations continue toward a broader agreement.

The fragile truce has since come under strain, particularly as ‘Israel’ launched major bombardments in Lebanon and clashes with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah intensified.

Here are the latest updates:

• US delegation trip canceled: President Donald Trump has called off a planned visit by a US delegation to Pakistan, saying discussions with Iran will continue by phone after Tehran refused direct talks with American negotiators. Trump said he received a new Iranian proposal offering “a lot but not enough,” without giving details.
• Diplomatic talks stall: Negotiations remain deadlocked, with Trump blaming internal divisions within Iran for slowing progress. Iran’s foreign minister, after meeting Pakistani mediators on Saturday, questioned whether Washington is “truly serious about diplomacy.”
• Mounting economic pressure: With no agreement in place, a US naval blockade is driving up food prices and unemployment in Iran, while Tehran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz continues to send shockwaves through global energy and trade markets.
  Escalation in Lebanon: In parallel, ‘Israel’ has carried out renewed deadly strikes in southern Lebanon despite a recently extended ceasefire, while Hezbollah has responded with rocket fire into ‘Israeli’ territory.