Shafaaq News https://shafaq.com/en?rss=1 Shafaaq News Agency Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:31:35 +0000 en hourly 3 https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Flights-to-resume-in-Al-Sulaymaniyah-within-days https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Flights-to-resume-in-Al-Sulaymaniyah-within-days Flights to resume in Al-Sulaymaniyah within days

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

Regular flight operations from and to Al-Sulaymaniyah are expected to resume within two to four days after a suspension lasting more than a month due to regional tensions, the head of Al-Sulaymaniyah Travel and Tourism Companies Association, Ata Nouri, told Shafaq News on Wednesday.

He explained that air traffic would restart following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel, and a decision by the civil aviation authority to resume both domestic and international flights.

“Around 90 percent of the flights to be reinstated will be domestic, while only 10 percent will be international,” he stated, noting that full restoration of air traffic to pre-war levels is expected to take between 48 and 96 hours.

Nouri clarified that international flights “are more complex to resume, as they depend on procedures and airlines operating outside the country, unlike domestic routes.”

Regarding prior bookings, he said many travel companies have already refunded customers, while others are working to compensate affected passengers. He also urged all travel and tourism companies to honor compensation obligations related to the suspension period.

Air traffic across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq remains in a state of anticipation as authorities await full stability before restoring normal flight operations.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:20:58 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/society/Baghdad-divided-between-ceasefire-celebrations-and-Basra-funerals https://shafaq.com/en/society/Baghdad-divided-between-ceasefire-celebrations-and-Basra-funerals Baghdad divided between ceasefire celebrations and Basra funerals

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Baghdad witnessed contrasting scenes on Wednesday, with celebrations marking a ceasefire between Iran and the USA unfolding alongside funeral processions for victims killed in an airstrike in Basra.

Shafaq News footage showed supporters of Iraqi armed factions gathering near the Iranian embassy in the Karkh district, where Iran’s ambassador to Baghdad, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadeq, received them. The gatherings followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday of a two-week ceasefire with Iran, which the factions described as a “victory” for Tehran.

At the same time, a funeral procession took place along Palestine Street in the Rusafa district for three members of Kataib Hezbollah who were killed in a strike in Basra a day earlier. Footage documented scenes of mourning as participants accompanied the coffins.

A security source told Shafaq News on Tuesday that the strike targeting a house in Khor Al-Zubair, within the Safwan district of Basra province, was a rocket attack launched from Kuwait and aimed at a gathering of an armed faction, killing five individuals inside the house. 

Read more: US-Iraq security agreements keep failing: The PMF, dual loyalty, and Baghdad’s sovereignty deficit

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:50:24 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/World/US-Vance-says-Iran-would-be-dumb-to-let-talks-collapse-over-Lebanon https://shafaq.com/en/World/US-Vance-says-Iran-would-be-dumb-to-let-talks-collapse-over-Lebanon US Vance says Iran would be "dumb" to let talks collapse over Lebanon

Shafaq News- Washington

The US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Wednesday that it would be “dumb” to jeopardise itsceasefire with Washingtonover Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, dismissing the conflicting positions as a “misunderstanding”.

In a press remarks from Hungary, Vance told reporters that the US did not agree that Israel would stop attacking Lebanon, adding, “There’s a lot of bad faith negotiation and a lot of bad faith propaganda going on.”

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement announcing the ceasefire. He highlighted the part about Lebanon.“The Iran-US Ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the US must choose – ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both,” Araghchi wrote. Still, US President Donald Trump and White House have argued thatLebanon was notpart of the deal.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:14:09 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-Iran-FMs-discuss-ceasefire-efforts-and-Lebanon-escalation https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-Iran-FMs-discuss-ceasefire-efforts-and-Lebanon-escalation Iraq, Iran FMs discuss ceasefire efforts and Lebanon escalation

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday the progress of ceasefire efforts in the region and the escalation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

In a statement, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said the talks took place during a phone call in which both sides reviewed ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire. They also assessed the role of Pakistan and several other countries in facilitating dialogue.

The ministers discussed recent field developments in Lebanon and their humanitarian and security implications.

According to the statement, Hussein and Araghchi stressed the need to work with multiple countries to push the United States to pressure the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt attacks on Lebanon and create conditions for resuming negotiations.

The Iranian minister also briefed his Iraqi counterpart on the outcome of his recent international contacts over the past two days as part of efforts to reduce tensions and support de-escalation.

Earlier today, Araghchi said the ceasefire terms between the United States and Iran are clear and explicit, adding that the US must choose ceasefire or continued war via Israel. He shared a post by the Pakistani prime minister on X dated April 7, stating that, “The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon.”

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:54:16 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-reports-closure-of-Strait-of-Hormuz-tanker-turns-back https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-reports-closure-of-Strait-of-Hormuz-tanker-turns-back Iran reports closure of Strait of Hormuz, tanker turns back

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, and an oil tanker attempting to pass through was forced to turn back, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday, clarifying that the step came following Iranian threats to shut the waterway amid escalating tensions linked to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.

The report cited maritime tracking data, stating that the oil tanker “Aurora,” which had been heading toward the exit of the Strait of Hormuz, abruptly changed course near the coast of Musandam, close to Khasab, and returned deeper into the Gulf after making a 180-degree turn. The maneuver occurred at one of the most sensitive points along the strategic waterway, specifically between Larak Island and the Musandam Peninsula.

Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of violating its commitments before the start of negotiations on ending the war, adding that the ceasefire has become “meaningless.” 

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:29:14 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/society/Iraqi-Airways-resumes-flights-on-April-10-after-airspace-reopening https://shafaq.com/en/society/Iraqi-Airways-resumes-flights-on-April-10-after-airspace-reopening Iraqi Airways resumes flights on April 10 after airspace reopening

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Airways will resume flight operations on April 10 following the reopening of national airspace, ending weeks of suspension linked to regional conflict, the carrier announced on Wednesday.

Director General Manaf Abdul-Munim Ajil said the initial phase will cover domestic routes connecting Baghdad with Erbil, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Basra, alongside international services to Istanbul, Cairo, and Amman. He described the rollout as “a gradual plan to restore operations safely,” with schedules structured to manage traffic flow and meet travel demand.

Ajil highlighted a focus on safety and service quality, noting that performance will be monitored as conditions evolve, with additional routes introduced in stages based on ongoing assessments and coordination with relevant authorities.

Passengers were advised to book through official Iraqi Airways offices or the airline’s online platform.

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority had earlier reopened national airspace and all airports after nearly 40 days of closure due to heightened risks linked to the regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:24:34 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-France-stress-preserving-Iran-US-ceasefire https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-France-stress-preserving-Iran-US-ceasefire Iraq, France stress preserving Iran-US ceasefire

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday emphasized preserving the Iran–US ceasefire to support regional and global stability.

During a phone call, the two leaders reviewed recent developments and efforts to contain the conflict, highlighting the importance of maintaining the truce to reduce tensions. They also addressed Israeli activity in Lebanon and its wider impact, calling for an immediate halt and stressing the need to protect civilians.

Al-Sudani also pointed to efforts to strengthen Iraq–France relations and expand cooperation, noting recent security operations that led to the arrest of individuals involved in launching a drone targeting a site near Erbil hosting US-led Coalition forces, an incident that resulted in the death of a French officer.

Read more: Iraq casualties: Over 100 killed in 40 days as US-Iran ceasefire took effect

US President Donald Trump had earlier announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran following nearly 40 days of regional escalation. Despite the truce, Israeli forces then carried out more than 100 airstrikes within 10 minutes across multiple locations in Lebanon, including Beirut, its suburbs, the south, and the Beqaa, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting 182 people killed and 890 others injured.

Iran responded by moving to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it may reconsider the ceasefire if operations in Lebanon continue. An informed source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran is reviewing the option of withdrawing from the truce, describing the strikes as a violation of what it considers a comprehensive agreement, while Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, stressed that any ceasefire must apply across all fronts.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:58:03 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-s-Ghalibaf-says-US-violated-terms-calls-ceasefire-meaningless https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-s-Ghalibaf-says-US-violated-terms-calls-ceasefire-meaningless Iran's Ghalibaf says US violated terms, calls ceasefire meaningless

Shafaq News- Tehran

The United States violated its commitments before the start of negotiations on ending the war, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday, adding that the ceasefire has become “meaningless.”

In a statement, Ghalibaf stated that Washington violated three clauses of Iran’s proposed 10-point plan, which he described as the agreed framework for talks, noting that the plan had been accepted by Trump “as a workable basis of which to negotiate.”

Ghalibaf specified that the first violation involved the failure to uphold a ceasefire in Lebanon, which he said was a core element of the plan and had also been emphasized by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as requiring an immediate halt to fighting across all fronts.

He added that a second violation involved “the entry of an intruding drone into Iranian airspace, which was destroyed in the city of Lar in Fars province,” while the third violation, he said, was the denial of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment, which is included in the sixth clause of the proposed framework. The Iranian Parliament Speaker concluded that the agreed framework had been openly violated before negotiations could begin, stating, “a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations is unreasonable.”

Earlier, the White House said Iran has submitted a revised and more “reasonable” proposal for talks with the United States, replacing what it described as an earlier “unacceptable” 10-point plan. Trump, however, has maintained that Israeli activity in Lebanon falls outside the framework, describing it as a separate “skirmish” linked to Hezbollah.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:21:21 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/France-pushes-to-include-Lebanon-in-US-Iran-ceasefire-talks https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/France-pushes-to-include-Lebanon-in-US-Iran-ceasefire-talks France pushes to include Lebanon in US-Iran ceasefire talks

Shafaq News- Beirut

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday signaled readiness to pursue diplomatic efforts to include Lebanon in the ceasefire framework and halt Israeli strikes, during a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

According to a statement, Macron conveyed condolences for victims of attacks across multiple regions and reaffirmed France’s solidarity with Lebanon following strikes that hit Beirut, its suburbs, Mount Lebanon, the south, and the Beqaa.

The two leaders reviewed recent developments after the announcement of a US-Iran ceasefire and the expected launch of negotiations later this week, with Aoun welcoming France’s support, particularly efforts to ease the suffering of civilians displaced by the escalation.

Earlier today, Israeli forces carried out around 100 strikes across Lebanon within 10 minutes, killing at least 112 people and injuring 837 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Iran responded by moving to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it may reconsider the ceasefire if operations in Lebanon continue. An informed source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran is reviewing the option of withdrawing from the truce, describing the strikes as a violation of what it considers a comprehensive agreement, while Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, stressed that any ceasefire must apply across all fronts.

US President Donald Trump, however, indicated that Israeli activity in Lebanon falls outside the ceasefire arrangement with Iran, describing it as a separate “skirmish” linked to Hezbollah.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:34:43 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Security/Iraq-s-Al-Nujaba-threatens-Israel-with-renewed-resistance-operations https://shafaq.com/en/Security/Iraq-s-Al-Nujaba-threatens-Israel-with-renewed-resistance-operations Iraq’s Al-Nujaba threatens Israel with renewed resistance operations

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Akram Al-Kaabi, Secretary-General of Harakat Hezbollah Al-Nujaba, part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI), warned on Wednesday that the Axis of Resistance* would resume operations against Israel in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

Abu Alaa Al-Walaei, Secretary-General of Kataib Sayyid Al-Shuhada, also called on the leadership of the Axis of Resistance to strike Israel in response to attacks on Lebanon and what he described as violations of a ceasefire announced a day earlier between Iran and the United States.

Earlier today, Israeli forces carried out around 100 strikes across Lebanon within 10 minutes, killing at least 89 people and injuring 722 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Iran responded by moving to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it may reconsider the ceasefire if operations in Lebanon continue. An informed source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran is reviewing the option of withdrawing from the truce, describing the strikes as a violation of what it considers a comprehensive agreement, while Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, stressed that any ceasefire must apply across all fronts.

US President Donald Trump, however, indicated that Israeli activity in Lebanon falls outside the ceasefire arrangement with Iran, describing it as a separate “skirmish” linked to Hezbollah.

*The Axis of Resistance is an Iran-aligned coalition of armed factions, including Palestinian groups, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Ansarallah (Houthis) movement, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, and other groups.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:58:10 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/World/White-House-says-revised-Iran-proposal-workable-for-negotiations https://shafaq.com/en/World/White-House-says-revised-Iran-proposal-workable-for-negotiations White House says revised Iran proposal “workable” for negotiations

Shafaq News- Washington

The White House on Wednesday said Iran has submitted a revised and more “reasonable” proposal for talks with the United States, replacing what it described as an earlier “unacceptable” 10-point plan.

Speaking to reporters, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described the new proposal as a “workable basis” for negotiations, pointing to alignment with Washington’s 15-point framework and reaffirming US red lines, including a full halt to uranium enrichment inside Iran.

Iran has requested a ceasefire and agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Leavitt added, noting that recent US military operations have significantly weakened Iran’s naval and air capabilities. She also indicated that talks are expected to begin on Saturday in Pakistan and clarified that Lebanon is not part of the arrangement.

Tehran earlier moved to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s latest strikes in Lebanon, warning it may withdraw from the truce. According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran has informed mediators it will only engage in negotiations if the ceasefire extends to Lebanon.

President Donald Trump, however, has maintained that Israeli activity in Lebanon falls outside the framework, describing it as a separate “skirmish” linked to Hezbollah.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:52:34 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Security/Iraq-casualties-Over-100-killed-in-40-days-as-US-Iran-ceasefire-took-effect https://shafaq.com/en/Security/Iraq-casualties-Over-100-killed-in-40-days-as-US-Iran-ceasefire-took-effect Iraq casualties: Over 100 killed in 40 days as US-Iran ceasefire took effect

Shafaq News- Baghdad

More than 100 people have been killed across Iraq in the 40 days since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, according to data compiled by Shafaq News from field and security sources, as well as statements issued by the factions themselves.

With no official casualty breakdown released, civilian deaths in particular remain impossible to verify, and Shafaq News was unable to confirm individual civilian deaths tied to specific incidents independently.

Popular Mobilization Forces

The PMF —a state-sanctioned umbrella of predominantly Shiite armed factions formally integrated into Iraq's security structure— has sustained the heaviest losses, based on statements issued by the PMF itself and sources who spoke to Shafaq News. US airstrikes targeting PMF units killed about 80 fighters and wounded about 200 others across approximately 77 documented strikes. The deadliest single incident struck a PMF position at Habbaniyah Base in Al-Anbar province, killing operations commander Saad Dawi and 14 fighters. Additional strikes killed fighters in Kirkuk, Diyala, Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, and Saladin.

Iraqi Army

Seven Iraqi servicemen were killed, and 13 others were wounded when a strike hit a military medical facility and an engineering unit at Habbaniyah Base on March 25, Iraq's Ministry of Defense confirmed. A separate incident in the desert corridor between Karbala and Najaf killed one soldier and wounded two others when a military patrol came under aerial fire during a reconnaissance mission.

Kurdish Peshmerga

The most serious single strike on Kurdistan Region forces hit Peshmerga positions in Soran, Erbil province, on March 24, killing six fighters and wounding more than 20 others. The Kurdistan Regional Government attributed the attack to Iran. A security officer was also killed in an attack targeting Erbil International Airport on March 8.

Police

At least three police officers were killed in drone strikes in Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Diyala.

Foreign Nationals On Iraqi Soil

One French soldier was killed and six others wounded in a drone attack in the Makhmour area of Iraqi Kurdistan, where French forces were conducting counterterrorism training. Six US service members died when a military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 12. One foreign crew member was also killed in an attack targeting tankers near an Iraqi port.

All figures in this report are based on data gathered by Shafaq News from field and security sources, as well as statements issued by the factions themselves. No official casualty breakdown has been issued by the Iraqi federal government or the Kurdistan Regional Government.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:43:11 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-warns-US-cannot-maintain-ceasefire-while-Israel-strikes-Lebanon https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-warns-US-cannot-maintain-ceasefire-while-Israel-strikes-Lebanon Iran warns US cannot maintain ceasefire while Israel strikes Lebanon

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the ceasefire terms between the United States and Iran are clear and explicit, adding that the US must choose ceasefire or continued war via Israel.

Araghchi shared a post by the Pakistani prime minister on X dated April 7, stating that, “The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon.”

Meanwhile, Israeli forces carried out around 100 strikes across Lebanon within 10 minutes, killing at least 254 people and injuring 1167 others, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defense.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:31:15 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Netanyahu-says-deal-not-end-of-battle-but-preparation-for-next-phase https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Netanyahu-says-deal-not-end-of-battle-but-preparation-for-next-phase Netanyahu says deal not end of battle, but preparation for next phase

Shafaq News- Middle East

The agreement between Washington and Tehran is a step toward future developments, not an end to the conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday, asserting that “Israel’s strength comes from Iran’s weakness.”

In his first remarks following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the agreement with Iran, Netanyahu said Israel has achieved tremendous accomplishments. “Iran is now weaker, and we have become stronger,” he stressed, adding, “We are at a stage on the path to achieving our goals. Had we not launched this war, Iran would have reached its objective of developing nuclear weapons.”

Netanyahu claimed that Israel had halted Iran’s missile production efforts, while acknowledging that the threat still exists. He also claimed that Israeli forces destroyed missile factories, targeted multiple Iranian nuclear facilities, and killed nuclear scientists.

The Israeli PM further stated that Israel struck Iran’s financial networks, as well as steel and weapons factories, and destroyed parts of its naval and air infrastructure. He added that Israeli operations had dealt Hezbollah its most significant blow since what he referred to as the “pager operation.”

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:24:22 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-strike-kills-Al-Jazeera-correspondent-in-Gaza-City-amid-ceasefire https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Israeli-strike-kills-Al-Jazeera-correspondent-in-Gaza-City-amid-ceasefire Israeli strike kills Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza City amid ceasefire

Shafaq News- Gaza

Qatar-based Al Jazeera on Wednesday reported the killing of one of its correspondents in an Israeli strike in Gaza City, amid continued hostilities despite a US-brokered ceasefire.

The network stated that Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent Mohammed Wishah’s car was hit while he was driving on the main road, bringing the number of Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023 to 262.

It also pointed to worsening conditions in Gaza City, citing ongoing Israeli military activity despite the ceasefire and alleging repeated violations. The Gaza Government Media Office recorded around 2,000 breaches since the truce took effect on October 11, 2025.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 736 Palestinians have been killed and 2,035 injured since the ceasefire began, raising the cumulative toll since October 7, 2023, to 72,315 deaths and 172,137 injuries.

Read more: Gaza journalists: A profession under fire

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:49:40 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-vows-retaliation-after-Israeli-strikes-kill-civilians-in-Lebanon https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Hezbollah-vows-retaliation-after-Israeli-strikes-kill-civilians-in-Lebanon Hezbollah vows retaliation after Israeli strikes kill civilians in Lebanon

Shafaq News- Beirut

Hezbollah on Wednesday asserted its “legitimate and legal right” to respond to Israeli strikes across Lebanon following a wave of attacks that Lebanese authorities say caused mass civilian casualties.

In a statement, the group accused Israel of targeting residential areas, indicating that dozens of airstrikes hit Beirut, its southern suburbs, as well as Saida, southern Lebanon, and the Beqaa. It warned that the victims’ blood “will not go in vain,” pledging to continue confronting Israeli operations and defending Lebanese territory.

Earlier today, Israeli forces carried out around 100 strikes across Lebanon within 10 minutes, killing at least 89 people and injuring 722 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

Iran responded by moving to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it may reconsider the ceasefire if operations in Lebanon continue. An informed source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran is reviewing the option of withdrawing from the truce, describing the strikes as a violation of what it considers a comprehensive agreement, while Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, stressed that any ceasefire must apply across all fronts.

US President Donald Trump, however, indicated that Israeli activity in Lebanon falls outside the ceasefire arrangement with Iran, describing it as a separate “skirmish” linked to Hezbollah.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:16:38 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-conditions-Islamabad-talks-on-halt-to-Israeli-strikes-on-Lebanon https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-conditions-Islamabad-talks-on-halt-to-Israeli-strikes-on-Lebanon Iran conditions Islamabad talks on halt to Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran has informed mediators with the US that it will only participate in talks in Pakistan if the current ceasefire includes Lebanon, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources described as familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a phone call, that the proposed 10-point plan represents a framework to end the war, including a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a statement from the Iranian presidency. Pezeshkian emphasized that the plan aims to halt hostilities and create conditions for broader de-escalation, stressing that ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz is “contingent on a complete cessation of attacks.” 

Earlier, Iran blocked tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after Israel launched its most devastating assault on Lebanon since the truce was announced, with Tehran warning it may abandon the truce entirely.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:03:23 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-accuses-US-of-violating-ceasefire https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-accuses-US-of-violating-ceasefire Ceasefire unravels within hours: Strikes hit Tehran's outskirts

Shafaq News- Tehran

The US-Iran ceasefire began falling apart almost immediately on Wednesday, with Iran reporting strikes on areas around Tehran and air defense systems firing across the capital, while Israel carried out its most devastating assault on Lebanon since the truce was announced, executing 100 strikes in 10 minutes across all Lebanese cities, including Beirut, killing hundreds.

Iran's Mehr News Agency described the Tehran-area strikes as a “ceasefire breach.” Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), in Statement No. 56 of Operation True Promise 4, warned, "Only hours have passed since the ceasefire agreement when the wolf-natured Zionist entity -for whom savagery and the killing of innocents, children, and women is an inseparable part of its identity- launched a brutal massacre in Beirut."

Moreover, Iran informed mediators that it will only participate in talks in Pakistan if the current ceasefire includes Lebanon. Earlier today, President Donald Trump indicated that Israeli strikes in Lebanon fall outside the two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, describing them as a separate “skirmish.”

Israel said the Lebanon assault was based on precise intelligence and weeks of planning, targeting Hezbollah's elite units, missile systems, and drone platforms, framing it as a response to Hezbollah attacks on Israeli territory rather than a ceasefire violation.

The dual-front collapse came less than 24 hours after Trump announced the two-week truce yesterday, following talks with Pakistan and receipt of a 10-point Iranian proposal he described as a workable basis for a permanent peace agreement.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:51:21 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-heads-into-make-or-break-presidential-vote-with-Kurds-still-on-the-fence https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq/Iraq-heads-into-make-or-break-presidential-vote-with-Kurds-still-on-the-fence Iraq heads into make-or-break presidential vote with Kurds still on the fence

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's parliament is to convene Saturday to elect a president after 70 days of constitutional breach and 148 days without a government, however, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), whose attendance is essential, has yet to commit, conditioning its participation on a national consensus that has so far proven elusive.

The April 11 session is the clearest opening yet to end a deadlock that has left a caretaker government -with half its cabinet now sitting in parliament after winning November's elections- struggling to manage a country under military assault, without oil export revenues, and unable to guarantee public sector salaries.

"We need a full-mandate government formed as quickly as possible," al-Hikma (Wisdom) Movement MP Zaidoun al-Nabhani told Shafaq News, warning that the caretaker setup was buckling under the weight of compounding crises.

The constitution required a president to be elected within 30 days of parliament's first session on December 29 -a deadline Iraq has long since blown past.

Read more: Three months of parliament paralysis: Divisions and pressure expose Iraq’s fragile system

The KDP wants its own man in the post. "We consider Fuad Hussein the most suitable candidate to lead Iraq at this critical stage," KDP MP Avesta Mam Yahya told Shafaq News, adding that the decision to enter the chamber would rest with Kurdish leadership if no broader agreement materialized. Consultations were still ongoing with no final outcome, she said.

The shiite Coordination Framework had previously deferred the prime ministerial contest until after the regional war subsides. Nouri al-Maliki was nominated in January, but that track too has stalled, leaving Iraq's political transition frozen at every level simultaneously.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:48:22 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Security/US-warns-Americans-against-Iraq-travel-despite-airspace-reopening https://shafaq.com/en/Security/US-warns-Americans-against-Iraq-travel-despite-airspace-reopening US warns Americans against Iraq travel despite airspace reopening

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The US Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday warned American citizens against traveling to Iraq, citing ongoing security threats despite the reopening of Iraqi airspace and airports.

On X, the embassy pointed to multiple drone incidents near the US diplomatic support center and Baghdad International Airport on April 8, warning that further attacks could target US nationals and interests across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. It noted risks to diplomatic sites, companies, universities, energy infrastructure, hotels, and airports, as well as Iraqi institutions and civilian locations, while also referencing previous kidnapping attempts involving US citizens.

“U.S. citizens should not travel within Iraq by air in light of the ongoing risk of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace,” the statement said, advising those already in the country to consider overland departure.

While confirming that the US mission remains operational despite the departure of some staff, the embassy urged citizens to avoid approaching its compound in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil due to security concerns.

The advisory follows the reopening of Iraq’s airspace and airports after nearly 40 days of closure amid heightened regional tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:47:29 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Iranian-Kurdish-official-warns-ceasefire-may-threaten-Kurdish-cause https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Iranian-Kurdish-official-warns-ceasefire-may-threaten-Kurdish-cause Iranian Kurdish official warns ceasefire may threaten Kurdish cause

Shafaq News- Erbil

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran does not represent a final resolution to the conflict, but gives Iran temporary time to regroup, Iranian Kurdish opposition official told Shafaq News on Wednesday.

According to spokesperson for the Iranian Kurdish opposition Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) Khalil Nadri, while a short-term ceasefire may have limited psychological effects, a lasting one would harm the Kurdish movement across Kurdistan, arguing that “the continuation of the Iranian system would prolong threats to the Kurdish cause.”

Nadri noted that Kurdish opposition parties are not directly involved in the conflict, and decisions on continuing or halting the war remain in the hands of the United States. “Kurdish struggle in Iran extends over decades and is not tied solely to the current war, while regional developments directly influence its trajectory.”

He also said that any permanent ceasefire that does not lead to the fall of the Iranian system would allow Tehran to strengthen its regional influence and present itself as victorious, “undermining US credibility and the interests of its allies.”

Since February 28, Iranian strikes have repeatedly targeted the of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

About Kurdish Iranian Opposition

The Iranian Kurdish opposition comprises various political and armed movements advocating for Kurdish rights, many of which have been based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Below is a summary of the key groups:

• Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI): Founded in 1945, led by Mustafa Hijri

• Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan: Founded in 1969, led by Abdullah Mohtadi

• Khabat (Organization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle): Founded in 1980, led by Babashekh Hosseini

• Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK): Founded in 1991, led by Hussein Yazdanpanah

• Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK): Founded in 2004, led by Siamand Moeini and Zilan Vejin

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:31:28 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Trump-Lebanon-excluded-from-Iran-ceasefire-agreement https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Trump-Lebanon-excluded-from-Iran-ceasefire-agreement Trump: Lebanon excluded from Iran ceasefire agreement

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday indicated that Israeli strikes in Lebanon fall outside the two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran, describing them as a separate “skirmish.”

Speaking to PBS NewsHour correspondent Liz Landers after a Pentagon briefing, Trump clarified that Lebanon was excluded from the arrangement, attributing this to Hezbollah, and suggested it would be handled independently. “It's part of the deal – everyone knows that.”

The White House, meanwhile, said that the ceasefire proposal published by Iran is not the one currently under discussion with Washington.

Trump had earlier announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran following nearly 40 days of regional escalation. Despite the truce, Israeli forces then carried out more than 100 airstrikes within 10 minutes across multiple locations in Lebanon, including Beirut, its suburbs, the south, and the Beqaa Valley, with Lebanese media reporting around 200 fatalities.

Iran responded by moving to restrict tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, warning it may reconsider the ceasefire if operations in Lebanon continue. An informed source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran is reviewing the option of withdrawing from the truce, describing the strikes as a violation of what it considers a comprehensive agreement, while Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, stressed that any ceasefire must apply across all fronts.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:54:41 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/society/Iraq-Israel-attacks-on-Lebanon-undermine-ceasefire-efforts https://shafaq.com/en/society/Iraq-Israel-attacks-on-Lebanon-undermine-ceasefire-efforts Iraq: Israel attacks on Lebanon undermine ceasefire efforts

Shafaq News- Baghdad

On Wednesday, Iraq accused Israel of undermining the ceasefire in the Middle East despite difficult international efforts following Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon.

Government spokesperson Bassem Al-Awadi said “the actions reflects the persistence of the Netanyahu government in committing further crimes as part of a systematic approach that disregards the principles of international law and the requirements of international peace and security,” calling on the international community, global organizations, and major powers to assume their responsibilities to prevent further attacks.

Earlier today, the Israeli army carried out around 100 strikes within 10 minutes across Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut, which resulted in 89 deaths and 722 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:36:37 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-shuts-Hormuz-again-as-Israel-tears-through-Lebanon-hours-after-ceasefire https://shafaq.com/en/Middle-East/Iran-shuts-Hormuz-again-as-Israel-tears-through-Lebanon-hours-after-ceasefire Iran shuts Hormuz again as Israel's Lebanon blitz shakes ceasefire

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran blocked tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after Israel launched its most devastating assault on Lebanon since the truce was announced, with Tehran warning it may abandon the truce entirely.

Two oil tankers had passed safely through Hormuz with Iranian permission in the morning -the first sign the ceasefire was holding. By afternoon, the passage was blocked again. Israel had carried out 100 strikes in 10 minutes across all Lebanese cities including Beirut, killing hundreds. The Israeli military said the assault was based on precise intelligence and weeks of planning, targeting Hezbollah's elite units, missile systems, and drone platforms.

An informed source told Tasnim News Agency that Tehran was "studying the possibility of withdrawing from the ceasefire" and that Iran's armed forces were already identifying targets inside Israel. "If the United States cannot restrain its aggression in the region, Iran will help it do so -by force," the source said. Ibrahim Rezaei, spokesman for Iran's parliamentary National Security Committee, demanded an immediate halt to Hormuz shipping, "Either a ceasefire on all fronts or no ceasefire on any front."

A separate Iranian military source told state media that Tehran was assessing options for a "deterrent" strike against Israeli military sites, with official circles raising questions about Washington's role; “Either unable to pressure Netanyahu's government, or having granted Israel a quiet CENTCOM mandate to operate freely despite the agreements.”

Trump complicated the picture further by stating that Lebanon was not covered under the ceasefire agreement, and said direct talks with Iran would begin soon. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a pivotal role brokering the truce, urged all parties on X to "exercise restraint and respect the two-week ceasefire as agreed, so that diplomacy can lead to a peaceful resolution." Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that undermining the peace process would serve no one's interests, warning that closing Hormuz "will disrupt supply chains" and that the strikes on Lebanon were "generating a negative atmosphere."

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi discussed the ceasefire violations in a call with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, praising Islamabad's mediation while raising Israeli breaches in both Iran and Lebanon.

Despite the turbulence, Sharif confirmed that US and Iranian delegations would convene in Islamabad on Friday to negotiate "a final agreement resolving all differences." A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran could allow limited, controlled Hormuz passage as early as Thursday or Friday, in coordination with the Iranian military. French President Emmanuel Macron said roughly 15 countries were planning to facilitate the resumption of navigation through the strait.

Read more: Long war with Iran: A dangerous repetition of history, but with even less preparation

]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:22:30 +0000 https://shafaq.com/en/Security/Al-Walaei-urges-strikes-on-Israel-after-Lebanon-ceasefire-breach-says-battle-open https://shafaq.com/en/Security/Al-Walaei-urges-strikes-on-Israel-after-Lebanon-ceasefire-breach-says-battle-open Al-Walaei urges strikes on Israel after Lebanon ceasefire breach, says battle open

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Abu Alaa Al-Walaei, Secretary-General of Kataib Sayyid Al-Shuhada, on Wednesday called for coordinated strikes against Israel, accusing it of violating the ceasefire in Lebanon and targeting civilians.

In a statement, Al-Walaei said the call comes “after the massacres committed by Benjamin Netanyahu against our unarmed Lebanese people,” describing the actions as an attempt to cover what he called a “historic setback” against Iran and its allies. He urged armed factions within what is known as the “Islamic Resistance Axis” to respond, calling for a unified retaliation against Israel, which he accused of breaching the truce and killing civilians in Lebanon.

Al-Walaei noted that the alliance possesses “significant tools” to respond to what he described as Israeli violations, adding, “retaliation would challenge Israel’s position.” He also stressed the need to keep the confrontation ongoing, extending it to countries that have normalized relations with Israel, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, citing the presence of Israeli interests in those states.

More than 100 Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday hit multiple areas across Lebanon, including Beirut and its suburbs, southern regions, and the Beqaa Valley, killing around 200, according to Lebanese media.

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