Iran war LIVE: Trump warns there’s ‘more to follow’ after Iran bridge strike
Donald Trump has sent a stern warning to Iran after claiming responsibility for striking a key bridge – saying there is ‘more to follow’.
Iran’s B1 bridge, a recently-constructed overpass that connected the city of Karaj to capital Tehran, was struck and partially destroyed – there were more than 100 people injured and at least eight deaths as a result.
He said: “The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again”. Trump then warned there would be “much more to follow” if a settlement was not reached.
Meanwhile, the US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George has stepped down and taken immediate retirement, reportedly on Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s orders.
Sources have told CBS News Hegseth wants someone in the role who will bring in his and President Trump’s vision for the Army. General George was expected to stay until at least the summer, making his sudden departure all the more dramatic, NBC reported.
Around half of Iran’s missile launchers still intact says report
US intelligence sources say that about half of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers are still intact, despite six weeks of US-Israeli strikes, according to a report.
Sources told CNN that US intelligence assessments showed 50% of the launchers were intact but many were believed to be inaccessible, after they had been buried underground by strikes, but not destroyed.
The CNN report, which cites three sources familiar with recent US intelligence assessments, differs widely from recent official estimates. In March the Israeli government said around 60% of Iran’s estimated 470 ballistic missile launchers had been destroyed or disabled.
However the difference in the figures may be due to different ways of classifying launchers that are intact but buried underground by strikes.
CNN’s report was denied by the US government, a Pentagon spokesman said the story was “completely wrong,” while the White House accused the broadcaster of trying to “demean the incredible work of our United States military”.
Fuel duty cut should be extended, says Starmer’s cost-of-living tsar
The Government should consider abandoning the increase in fuel duty planned for September because of the rise in pump prices driven by the Iran war, Sir Keir Starmer’s cost-of-living tsar has suggested.
Lord Richard Walker, the executive chairman of Iceland, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The 5p fuel duty cut that you allude to is an interesting one. That’s going to expire in September.
“I think given where we are, we do need to be thinking and talking about extending it or enlarging it.
“Interestingly, the Australian government, I was reading, have recently taken 14p per litre cut to their fuel tax. I mean that this cut is 5p.”
US fighter jet ‘shot down’ over Iran, government news agency claims
A semi-official Iranian news agency has claimed that a US fighter jet has been shot down over central Iran.
The Mehr news agency said an F-35 fighter jet had been shot down with the survival of the deemed “unlikely”, according to the report.
Nearly two weeks ago a US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after it was hit by suspected enemy fire.
The US military has not yet commented on the most recent Iranian claims but last night CENTCOM, the US military command in the region did post on X to say a previous Iranian claim that a fighter had been downed over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz was “false”.
CLAIM: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it downed an “enemy” fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran’s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times. pic.twitter.com/bN7HJdLxEr
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 2, 2026
Russia holds nuclear missile deployment drill as Donald Trump warns he could break up NATO
Russia has threatened the West by conducting full-scale nuclear drills using its intercontinental missiles.
Images released from the Russian government show the massive Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles being driven through the snow on their launch vehicles.
The move comes as the drills in Siberia saw crews from Russia’s strategic missile forces practice for all-out war. The war games saw the missile troops rehearse responding to simulated enemy attacks and countering air attack weapons.
President Donald Trump has threatened to pull the US out of NATO, labelling the alliance a “paper tiger” after it failed to jump into America’s war with Iran.
Multiple fires at Kuwait oil refinery
Despite claims from the US and Israel that Iran’s military capabilities have been all but destroyed, Tehran has continued to keep the pressure on Israel and its Gulf Arab neighbours, hitting Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery in a drone attack.
The refinery has been hit multiple times during the war and state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp said firefighters were working to control several blazes.
Sirens also sounded in Bahrain, warning of Iranian attacks and Israel reported incoming missiles.
‘Free fuel giveaway’ sparks chaos
Police were forced to shut down a free giveaway of fuel which quickly got out of control – causing traffic mayhem on a busy city street.
The promotion was running at Billy Beasley of RS Reward near the Liberty petrol station on Leakes Road in Truganina, a suburb in Melbourne, Australia.
Read more here.
Fuel crisis unfolding in Australia
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen on Friday urged motorists getting away for a long weekend during the Easter holiday to fill up in cities because most of the nation’s fuel shortages are in rural areas.
Among 2,400 gas stations in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, 182 had run out of diesel by Friday.
In Australia’s second-most populous state, Victoria, 76 gas stations were out of diesel. In the remaining states ranked by the most populous first, Queensland had 75 stations without diesel, Western Australia had 37, South Australia had 28 and in Tasmania there were seven.
Trump: ‘Britain should be our best ally’
Mr Trump said Britain “should be our best” ally, but had not been in his latest sideswipe over the UK’s refusal to be drawn into the conflict with Tehran, which has emerged in a video from a private Easter White House lunch.
It is not the first time the American leader has been critical of the UK’s aircraft carriers, having previously dismissed them as “toys” that “aren’t the best”.
Huge US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford sails out of Croatia
The largest American aircraft carrier in service sailed out of Split and “remains poised for full mission tasking in support of national objectives in any area of operation,” the Navy’s 6th Fleet announced.
It was unclear where it was going. It went to Croatia after a stop in Souda Bay, Greece, for repairs after a fire in its laundry room. It underwent further repairs in Croatia and saw its sailors take liberty while at port.
The Ford left Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24, 2025, making its deployment one of the longest in Navy history.
Meetings taking place ahead of World Cup
A first face-to-face meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino since the USand Israel started a war against Iran on February 28 made genuine progress at the end of a fraught month, according to the Associated Press.
The Iranian federation’s upbeat readout of the meeting in Turkey made no mention of moving World Cup games to Mexico — a subject Infantino has repeatedly shut down for the past two weeks.
Kuwait ‘confronting hostile missile and drone attacks’
The Kuwait Army posted on X, formerly Twitter: “The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
“The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they result from the air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks.
“Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities.”
Ryanair warns of cancellations as grim prediction made
Ryanair may need to cancel 10% of its flights this summer, its CEO has warned, if the Iran war continued to impact jet fuel prices.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary spoke to ITV News on Thursday about the worrying situation. He said: “We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5%, 10% of flights through May, June and July.”
Read more here.
Strike on bridge in Iran wounds 95 and kills eight
The strikes also wounded 95 people who had gathering under the bridge and along the riverbank to celebrate “Nature Day,” Iran’s state media said, citing authorities in Alborz province.
Trump referenced the strike on the B1 bridge, which he called Iran’s biggest, in a social media post saying “much more to follow.” Iranian officials condemned the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The bridge was still under construction.
A look at General Randy George’s career
General Randy George previously served as a senior military assistant to Lloyd Austin from 2021-2011 during the Joe Biden administration.
After decades of service, he first fought in the first Gulf War, before going on to serve in the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Army chief of staff role is typically designed as a four-year appointment. George joined in 2023, meaning he was positioned to remain in post until 2027.
Hegseth wants next chief of staff to implement Trump’s vision for US Army
A source says Pete Hegseth wants the next chief of staff to implement his and Trump’s vision for the US Army, CBS reports.
It comes after General Randy George was asked to step down from the role, with the Pentagon confirming he will be retiring from his position, effective immediately.
A senior Defense Department official told CBS News: “We are grateful for his service, but it was time for a leadership change in the Army.”
Pentagon confirms US army’s chief of staff is retiring
The Pentagon has confirmed that the US Army’s chief of staff, General Randy George, will be retiring from his position, effective immediately.
Hegseth asks US Army chief of staff to step down – report
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly asked the army chief of staff General Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement, according to CBS News.
George served as the 41st chief of staff of the US Army from September 2023.
Trump posts video of ‘Iran’s biggest bridge tumbling down’
Donald Trump has posted a video of smoke pouring from what he referred to as Iran’s “biggest bridge”. He then urged the country’s government to “make a deal before it is too late”.
Eight people killed in strikes on bridge near Tehran
Strikes on a bridge in Karaj, a city close to Tehran and in the Alborz province, has killed eight people, according to Ghodratollah Seyf, deputy of security and political affairs in Alborz.
Seyf says a further 95 people have been injured in what he called a “horrific crime”.
Russia says Strait of Hormuz is ‘open for us’
An aide to Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov, has reportedly bosted that the Strait of Hormuz is “open for us”.
According to the International Marine Organisation, nearly 2,000 vessels are trapped inside the Persian Gulf, although some vessels with ties to Iran, China, India and Pakistan have made it through.
‘Iran could face further sanctions over Strait of Hormuz’ – Yvette Cooper
Iran could face further sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has signalled after holding talks with more than 40 nation from across the world.
She said collective action to increase pressure on Tehran was being discussed as she accused the country of trying to “hold the global economy hostage” with its stranglehold on the key shipping lane.
Iran has throttled the channel in retaliation for the month-long US-Israeli campaign against it, causing global oil prices to soar.
In the face of US President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of allies over their refusal to take part in his offensive against Tehran, Ms Cooper said that “our job is to take decisions in the UK national interest”.
“Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a direct threat to global prosperity,” she said in a statement following the virtual meeting on Thursday.
Rocket hits UN peacekeeping base in Lebanon
A rocket has hit a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon, according to Italy’s Defence Ministry – but it’s not clear where it came from.
No injuries have been reported, the ministry said, with minor damage done to the site. The ministry said: “This afternoon, a rocket, the origin of which is still being determined, hit the Shama base, headquarters of the Italian contingent and UNIFIL Western Sector. No injuries were reported among Italian soldiers.
“Only minor damage to infrastructure was reported. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto is in contact with the Chief of Defence Staff, the Commander of COVI, and the Commander of the Italian contingent to receive constant updates on the situation and the conditions of the personnel.”
Amid rising tensions, Trump fires Pam Bondi
As the war continues to unfold and Washington remains focused on the wider crisis, attention has also turned to domestic politics in the US.
Donald Trump today confirmed he has fired Pam Boni, the Attorney General who released the Epstein Files.
He wrote on Truth Social: “Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year. Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with Murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900.
“We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future, and our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Full story: Trump fired Pam Bondi in humiliating clash with Attorney General who released Epstein Files
Trump questions UK ties ahead of King Charles visit
With King Charles due in Washington for a state visit this month, Donald Trump used the moment to question Britain’s standing – before turning back to Keir Starmer.
Trump told the audience: “I asked UK who should be our best (ally) The King is coming over here in two weeks, he’s a nice guy, King Charles. (Britain) should be our best but they weren’t our best.
“I said (to Starmer) you have two, old broken down aircraft carriers, do you think you could send them over?” Putting on a weak sounding voice, Trump then claimed that Starmer said: ‘Ohhh I’ll have to ask my team.’
“I said you’re the Prime Minister, you don’t have to,” Trump said. “(Starmer replied) No, no, no, I have to ask my team. My team has to meet, we’re meeting next week.
“(I said) but the war already started. Next week the war’s going to be over […] in three days, my prediction”.
Iran’s warns ‘7 million people’ are prepared to fight US
Iran has issued a chilling warning to the US, claiming seven million of its people are prepared to fight its troops if a ground invasion were to occur.
In a number of online posts written by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, it was claimed Iran had a large enough army to protect the nation.
“Right now, in less than a week, a powerful national campaign sweeping the country has brought forward around 7 million Iranians who have already stepped up and declared they’re ready to pick up arms and stand in defense of our nation,” one of his posts on X read.
Trump claims Macron’s wife ‘treats him extremely badly’
French President Emmanuel Macron – who like Keir Starmer has refused to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz – was also mocked by Trump, who claimed his wife, Brigitte Macron, “treats him extremely badly”.
The US president said Macron was “still recovering from the right to the jaw,” referencing a video released in May last year which appeared to show Brigitte pushing her husband’s face as the pair prepared to disembark a plane during a visit to Vietnam.
Responding to the comments, Mr Macron said: “Trump talks too much. His remarks are neither elegant nor up to the standard”.
Starmer: UK will not be drawn into Middle East war
Keir Starmer said on Wednesday the UK will not be drawn into the wider war in the Middle East.
He told a Downing Street press conference he was “looking through the options” after Trump urged allies to send warships to the strait of Hormuz to help unblock key waterway.
“While taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war,” Starmer said. “We will keep working towards a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stop the Iranian threat to its neighbours.
“I want to see an end to this war as quickly as possible, because the longer it goes on, the more dangerous the situation becomes, and the worse it is for the cost of living back here at home.”
Trump ‘puts on weak-sounding voice to mock Keir Starmer’
Donald Trump is said to have put on a weak-sounding voice to mock Keir Starmer, joking that the UK was unable to send forces to the Middle East.
The US president claimed to have asked if the UK could send its “two, old, broken down aircraft carriers” to help open up the Strait of Hormuz.
He said Starmer responded: “No, no, no, I have to ask my team. My team has to meet. We’re meeting next week.” By that point, the war might be over, Trump told guests at the White House.
