live Zelensky claims Russia has issued Donbass ultimatum | Russia-Ukraine conflictKremlin rejects Zelensky ultimatum claimHomeWorld NewsLIVE UPDATESTrump claims he’s nearly ready to end war as airstrikes batter Tehran (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)A missile hit an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar as well as Kuwait’s airport earlier WednesdayPublished 31 Mar, 2026 18:52 | Updated 1 Apr, 2026 14:53© IRGCWelcome to RT’s live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the wider turmoil across the Middle East, which continues to be affected by missile and drone strikes from both sides.As the war on Iran entered day 32, missiles struck an oil tanker off the coast of Qatar as well as Kuwait’s airport on Wednesday, while US and Israeli airstrikes relentlessly pounded Tehran. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has announced that he’s nearly ready to end the war.Trump claimed that Iran’s president wanted a ceasefire ahead of his speech to the American people, scheduled for Wednesday. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, however, had earlier stated that the US suggestions for halting the conflict contain “largely excessive, unrealistic, and unreasonable demands,” contradicting Trump’s earlier claims that Iran had agreed to “most of” the requests on the list.Trump also suggested that the US is considering leaving NATO over what he cast as its lackluster military support for the Iran war.Here are the latest developments: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has claimed that “regime change in Iran has occurred,” telling reporters that “if Iran is not willing, then the US War Department will continue with even more intensity.” Echoing Trump’s criticism of NATO members, Hegseth remarked that “you don’t have much of an alliance if you have countries that are not willing to stand with you when you need them.”Iran and the US are engaged in “exchanges of messages” but are not holding any talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has said.The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is slated to go to the Middle East along with three destroyers, two US officials said, as quoted by Associated Press. The carrier strike group consists of more than 6,000 sailors. It comes as thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have also begun arriving in the Middle East, according to two other US officials.Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates. You can also read our previous updates here.Show latestShow oldest01 April 202615:28 GMTUS vastly underestimating the cost of Iran war – The InterceptREAD MORE: US vastly underestimating the cost of Iran war – The InterceptRepublicans are considering cuts to US federal health spending to help fund a budget bill that includes up to $200 billion for the Iran war and immigration enforcement, Axios has reported. The proposals, still in their early stages, are expected to focus on reducing fraud and costs in healthcare programs, but could face political pushback ahead of elections, the outlet wrote.15:12 GMTFootage published by the Iranian Red Crescent on X shows the aftermath of a US-Israeli strike on a residential area in Tehran. Aid workers from the organization are attempting to rescue people buried under the rubble.🚨فوری؛ هم اکنونحمله هوایی به یک منطقه مسکونی در تهران / امدادگران هلال احمر درحال امدادرسانی به هموطنان آسیب دیدهThe footage clearly shows the first moments after an airstrike on a residential area and Iranian Red Crescent aid workers attempting to rescue their fellow… pic.twitter.com/vTNonMD0tr— جمعیت هلال‌احمر ایران (@Iranian_RCS) April 1, 202615:01 GMTFormer US National Security Adviser John Bolton has told CBS News that Trump “wants out” of the Iran war but “doesn’t know what to do.” He also cast doubt on Trump’s claims of “regime change” in Iran, saying there is no evidence the new leadership has changed its core policies.14:58 GMTIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has refuted Trump's claims that Iran's president wanted a ceasefire. “No ceasefire proposal has been made by Iran. The five-point plan allegedly proposed by Iran is media speculation,” Araghchi said as cited by IRIB.The war will continue until the aggressor is punished and full compensation is paid to Iran, he added.14:58 GMTAt least 1,318 people have been killed and 3,935 injured in the Israeli invasion and attacks on Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.14:45 GMTMost powerful energy crisis in human history is looming – Putin envoyRead more Most powerful energy crisis in human history is looming – Putin envoyRussia’s ban on gasoline exports has come into force, following a government decision approved last week.The measure is aimed at “stabilizing” domestic fuel prices and “ensuring priority supply to the internal market.” Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak cited volatility in global oil markets due to the Middle East crisis, while noting strong external demand for Russian energy resources.14:13 GMTJPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has defended Donald Trump’s decision to launch military action against Iran, saying “they were bad” and posed a longstanding threat. In an interview with Axios, Dimon expressed hope the conflict would “turn out well” and lead to “permanent” peace in the Middle East.© The Axios Show14:11 GMTNATO member closes airspace to US planes involved in war on IranREAD MORE: NATO member closes airspace to US planes involved in war on IranThe UK’s Royal Navy is not fully ready for war, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Gwyn Jenkins has reportedly said, admitting the force still has “work to do.”His remarks come as US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth criticized the “big, bad Royal Navy” for not deploying ships to support operations in Iran, while President Trump called on Britain to buy jet fuel from the US or source it directly from the Strait of Hormuz.14:04 GMTA broker for US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sought to make a multi-million dollar investment into defense companies prior to the start of US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources.However, the request was reportedly flagged in the BlackRock investment company and was not fulfilled. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has dismissed the report as “entirely false and fabricated.”13:57 GMTSteve Bannon, a former White House adviser and one of the architects of the MAGA movement, has urged US authorities to deport Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, Yair, and send him to the war with Iran.Yair Netanyahu, 34, has lived in Florida since 2023 and completed his mandatory service in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.“Netanyahu's kid down in Miami, turf him out tomorrow,” Bannon said. “Where’s DHS when you need them? Get him back there. Put a uniform on him. Let's have him in the first wave.”Some of Netanyahu’s relatives, however, served in the military. Netanyahu's brother Yonatan was a legendary commando officer who died in a counterterrorism mission in Uganda in 1976. His bona fide hero reputation is widely regarded as a key catalyst behind Netanyahu’s ascent to power.MoreLIVEUPDATESYou can share this story on social media:RTIranIsraelUSPlease check our commenting policy. If you have questions or suggestions feel free to send them to feedback@rttv.ru.Show commentssocialTop storiesFuture of NATO uncertain – HegsethFuture of NATO uncertain – HegsethZelensky claims Russia has issued Donbass ultimatumUS used untested weapon in Iranian school strike – NYTIsrael retaliates against FranceRussian military transport plane crashes in CrimeaEU diplomats hit out at Kiev over Druzhba pipeline – mediaWhat would a US invasion of Iran’s Kharg Island look like? (VIDEO) ExclusiveCharlie Kirk bullet doesn’t match suspect’s rifle – lawyersRT FeaturesIs East Asia entering a missile age? Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan rearmIs East Asia entering a missile age? 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