Iran-US war: US embassy warns citizens in Iraq after 'attacks' by Iran-backed groups

Israel’s main airport will resume full operations as of midnight on Wednesday, after the Iran war stranded tens of thousands of people, including both Israelis abroad and tourists inside Israel. Israel’s airspace has been open but severely limited during the war, limiting flights to once an hour and just 50 people per flight. Israel joins several other countries in the region in reopening its airspace as the ceasefire with Iran appeared to hold.

Netanyahu said Israel has achieved tremendous results. "Iran is weaker than ever. Israel is stronger than ever," Netanyahu said. He said Israel struck Iran’s missile program and nuclear targets and set back Iran by many years. The address comes at a time of public criticism over the inconclusive results of the war.

Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Iranian state media reports, according to AP.

The US embassy in Baghdad has warned citizens of further attacks after it said Iran-backed armed groups hit a diplomatic support centre at the airport. "Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran conducted multiple drone attacks in the vicinity of the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and Baghdad International Airport on April 8," the embassy claimed in a statement on X.

"They may intend to conduct additional terrorist attacks against US citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq."

The country’s interior ministry said in a post on the social platform X that these strikes targeted oil facilities, three power and water desalination plants, resulting in significant material damage to generators, distilleries and fuel tanks. Several fires also broke out at some locations, according to the ministry, which made no mention of whether there were casualties, but said that measures were taken to ensure the safety of workers and secure sites.

Tasnim News Agency quoted a source: "Iran will withdraw from the agreement if Israel continues to violate the ceasefire with its attack on Lebanon. The United States has agreed to a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon."

Saudi Arabia said Wednesday afternoon that it intercepted nine drones over the past few hours as the Gulf nation continues to deal with Iranian air attacks despite the announcement of a ceasefire in Iran.

Several Lebanese media outlets have reported that al-Nabulsi, an academic and religious figure, was killed in an Israeli attack on the coastal city of Saida.

Stock markets are surging worldwide, and oil prices are plunging back toward $90 per barrel after President Donald Trump pulled back from his threat to force a “whole civilization” to die in the war with Iran. The S&P 500 leaped 2.7% after Trump, Iran and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire, just hours before a deadline the U.S. president had set for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and allow oil to flow freely again from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1,350 points, and the Nasdaq composite surged 3.4% following even bigger gains in European and Asian markets.

Military aircraft can be seen parked at RAF Fairford airbase, after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

The Pentagon "for now, for now, has done its part," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday during a news conference. "We stand ready in the background to ensure Iran upholds every reasonable term." Hegseth praised the "bravery and sheer guts" of the US military and said the operation had hobbled Iran’s regime. He said nobody makes a better deal than Trump.

Ships near the Strait of Hormuz have received warnings from Iran's Navy that they must obtain permission to transit the waterway. Vessels were told that any unauthorized attempt to pass would result in destruction.

The Israeli military chief of staff said on Wednesday that Israel will continue to “utilize every operational opportunity” to strike Hezbollah after the military said it struck more than 100 targets within 10 minutes across Lebanon, the largest wave of strikes since March 1. Lt Gen. Eyal Zamir said Israel will continue striking Hezbollah to protect Israel’s northern residents, who have come under heavy fire from Hezbollah. The Israeli strikes caused panic during Lebanon’s afternoon rush hour as plumes of black smoke rose over several neighborhoods across the capital.

In less than 40 days, using just 10 percent of the US combat power, the country dismantled “one of the world’s most largest militaries," Hegseth said. He claimed Iran proved itself unable to defend itself, adding that the US-Israeli joint operation against Tehran achieved "every single objective on plan, on schedule". The US Secretary of Defence said, "Iran’s navy is at the bottom of the sea … Iran no longer has an air defence system … their missile programme is functionally destroyed".

A series of Israeli airstrikes hit at least five different neighborhoods in the heart and along the coast of Beirut on Wednesday, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. The simultaneous strikes during rush hour caused panic around the capital.

Israel's military said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets within a space of 10 minutes in Beirut, southern Lebanon and the Beqaa region, calling it the largest coordinated strike in the current war. The military noted the targets included missile launchers, command centers and intelligence infrastructure. Many were located within civilian areas and Israel accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields. "The State of Lebanon and its civilians must refuse Hezbollah’s entrenchment in civilian areas and its weapons build up capabilities," Israel's military said.

Syria says it has reopened its airspace for all flights, citing an easing of tensions following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority reported a return to normal, safe conditions at the Damascus International Airport on Wednesday.

Syria’s airspace had been closed in recent weeks after the US and Israel attacked the Islamic Republic and Iran retaliated with strikes on targets across the Middle East. The war has forced many airlines to avoid flying over the region and the resulting delays have affected travelers around the world.

The White House says "nothing is final" over plans for in-person talks over Iran. In response to questions about whether US Vice President JD Vance would be participating in U.S.-Iran talks expected to be held later this week in Pakistan, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, "There are discussions about in person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House."

The vice president was in Hungary, where he was supporting. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of upcoming elections.

Kuwait’s military said it has responded to an "extensive wave" of drone attacks targeting oil and power facilities despite the ceasefire announcement. The military said it engaged 31 drones that targeted the oil-rich county since 8 a.m. Wednesday. The attacks caused significant damage at oil and power facilities and water desalination plants.

An oil refinery on Iran's Lavan Island came under attack Wednesday, hours after a ceasefire in the war was announced, Iranian state television reported. The report said the attack came at 10 am. It added that firefighters were working to contain the blaze but no one had been hurt. It did not say who launched the attack.

The United Arab Emirates says its air defences are firing at an incoming Iranian missile barrage.

Israel's military said Wednesday that it "continues fighting and ground operations" in its war against the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.The military issued a statement acknowledging that the war was continuing, even after Pakistan said that Israel would halt its attacks as part of a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war.

Russia has strongly criticised the United States and Israel over their recent military action against Iran, describing the operation as a serious failure. According to Moscow, the attack did not achieve its intended goals and instead resulted in significant losses.

Speaking on Sputnik radio, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said the assault carried out on February 28 was “unprovoked” and followed an aggressive approach. She argued that the move worsened tensions in the region rather than resolving them.

The announcement of a ceasefire, between the US and Iran, along with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, will provide immediate relief to exporters by easing shipping disruptions, FIEO said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of military strikes against Iran.

Bahrain sounded its missile alert siren Wednesday morning, hours after the US and Iran said they reached a two-week ceasefire in the war. Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced the warning.

A draft version of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s post on X, updated just a minute before the final version went live on Tuesday, has raised eyebrows. The draft was clearly marked with the words, “Draft – Pakistan’s PM Message on X.”

US President Donald Trump said the US-Iran ceasefire deal was a major breakthrough for world peace and that this will begin golden age of the Middle East. Trump also said the US will ensure smooth traffic at the Strait of Hormuz. 

"A big day for World Peace! Iran wants it to happen, they’ve had enough! Likewise, so has everyone else! The United States of America will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz. There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We’ll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just “hangin’ around” in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will. Just like we are experiencing in the U.S., this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!" his post on Truth Social read.

Donald Trump said that China may have played a role in bringing Iran to the negotiating table for a ceasefire, suggesting Beijing’s involvement in efforts to ease tensions. 

"I hear yes," Trump told Agence France-Presse in a telephone interview when asked whether China had helped persuade Tehran to agree to a truce.

Israel has expressed support for the United States’ temporary ceasefire with Iran, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that the agreement does not include conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Asian stock markets spiked on Wednesday morning after the news of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Oil prices fell sharply following the de-escalation of military tensions in the Middle East and the promised reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Following confirmation of a cease‑fire deal between Tehran and Washington, pro‑government crowds poured into the streets of Iran’s capital in the early hours, vocally condemning the United States and Israel. Demonstrators repeatedly chanted anti‑American and anti‑Israeli slogans and set fire to foreign flags.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has adopted a cautious approach to the ceasefire with the US, ordering all its military units to stop firing, but keep their hands on the trigger as this may not be the end of the war.

China, which is Tehran's biggest trade partner, spoke with the Iranians to get them on board to look for a path toward a ceasefire in war with the US, sources said. Chinese officials were in touch with Iranian officials as the negotiations were evolving, two officials who were not authorised to comment publicly spoke on condition of anonymity.

akistan on Wednesday invited the US and Iran for talks in Islamabad on Friday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a social media post announced that the US and Iran, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

A massive protest has erupted outside the White House after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week halt to attacks on Iran. Protesters have called for Trump’s removal, accusing him of ‘war crimes’ and condemning what they describe as US ‘cruelty’ around the world.

The Israeli military claimed Iran was still being attacked after White House said Israel agreed to ceasefire. Reports of Iran violating have also surfaced, as missile alerts have been sounded in Israel, Dubai, Saudi and Kuwait. 

The US is likely to get involved in direct talks with Iran after Donald Trump’s ceasefire announcement. 

“There are discussions about in person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN. 

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry expressed optimism that the ceasefire will help ease regional tensions and contribute to improved security and long-term stability.

The prices of crude oil have fallen by $18 per barrel after US President Donald Trump's ceasefire announcement in Iran. Notably, Iran has also accepted the proposal, but with certain conditions.

The leading civil rights organization has called for the US president to be removed from office by invoking the 25th Amendment—marking the first time since its founding in 1909 that it has made such a demand.

“This president is unfit, unwell, and unhinged,” Derrick Johnson, the president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said in a statement.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres stated that "no military objective justifies the wholesale destruction of a society's infrastructure" amid US President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran. 

Reacting on Trump's ceasefire announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted the Islamic Republic's response on X and said Iran would cease its military operations if it is was not attacked.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a  two-week ceasefire in Iran hours after issuing stark warning to Tehran. Trump claimed the decision was taken after Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz.