Here's the latest
• State of possible talks: The White House said talks with Iran are proceeding apace, even after Tehran did not immediately accept a 15-point plan to end the war. The US is working to arrange a meeting in Pakistan to discuss an off-ramp, two administration officials told CNN.
• Iran’s response: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that messages have been exchanged with the US through mediators, but said that Washington’s shift in tone amounted to an acknowledgment of failure after previously demanding Tehran’s “unconditional surrender.”
• Protecting key island: Iran has been laying traps and moving military personnel and air defenses to Kharg Island in preparation for a possible US operation to take control of it, according to people familiar with US intelligence reporting.
• Gulf strikes: Gulf nations were fending off attacks Thursday morning as regional strikes continue. Among them was the UAE, which said it intercepted drones and missiles from Iran.
South Korea shifts to emergency economic response over energy crisis
Fuel-starved countries in Asia are implementing emergency measures as the global energy crisis worsens.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced a new emergency response system on Thursday, urging citizens to “actively participate in small everyday actions, such as using public transportation and conserving energy.”
He also asked gas stations to cooperate with the government’s oil price cap on refinery supply prices, and for citizens to reduce their electricity use. The government is also working to maintain current electricity prices, since the country’s sole electricity provider is a government-run agency.
Also on Thursday, the Philippines’ energy market regulator said it had suspended the country’s wholesale electricity spot market until further notice, citing fuel supply risks and volatile prices.
And in Thailand, panic buying ensued after the government announced that it would reduce the subsidy on oil prices – with social media videos showing cars rushing to fill up their tanks on Wednesday night.
Iran and the US are still talking - but they're portraying it differently
Talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing – though both sides are describing things very differently. US President Donald Trump claimed Tehran wants to make a deal “so badly,” while Iran stressed that Washington’s desire for a deal is “an admission of defeat.”
Meanwhile, the realities of war are hitting home in the US – with high public dissatisfaction, a new postal surcharge, and bipartisan skepticism in Congress.
Here’s what to know on Day 27:
- State of possible talks: The White House said talks with Iran are proceeding apace, even after Tehran did not immediately accept a 15-point plan to end the war. The US is working to arrange a meeting in Pakistan to discuss an off-ramp, two administration officials tell CNN.
- Iran’s response: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that messages have been exchanged with the US through mediators, but said that Washington’s shift in tone – having previously demanded Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” – amounted to an acknowledgment of failure.
- USPS fee: The US Postal Service will charge a first-ever 8% fuel surcharge on packages, adding to the costs for American consumers and businesses as a result of the war. The surcharge is temporary and will only apply to packages, not letters. Consumers and businesses will start seeing the fee on April 26.
- Bipartisan complaints: Members of the House Armed Services Committee said they were unsatisfied with a briefing by Trump administration officials on the war, its objectives and timeline – the latest sign of growing angst even among members of Trump’s own party. The frustration arose as lawmakers are bracing for a supplemental request to fund the war effort and restock munitions used so far.
- Protecting key island: Iran has been laying traps and moving military personnel and air defenses to Kharg Island in preparation for a possible US operation to take control of the island, according to people familiar with US intelligence reporting.
Japan begins releasing oil from government-owned reserves
From Thursday at 11 a.m. local time, Japan began releasing 30 days’ worth of oil from its state-owned reserves. This is part of a broader plan to release up to 45 days’ worth in total — its largest ever — alongside releases from private-sector stockpiles that began on March 16.
Tokyo also plans to release oil from stockpiles held jointly with producing nations by the end of the month, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.
Japan imports more than 90% of its crude oil from the Middle East.
While the government has avoided energy-saving mandates so far, it has warned against panic buying of toilet paper amid supply concerns. And after fuel prices hit record highs of 190 yen per liter, Japan rolled out subsidies to cap them at around 170 yen per liter ($4.16 per gallon).
On Wednesday, the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said the agency is prepared to release more oil reserves “if and when necessary.”
He made the comments during a visit to Tokyo, where Takaichi asked the IEA “to prepare to implement an additional release in case the situation drags on” amid the US-Israel war with Iran.
Republican unease grows over war's aims and length
A key group of House Republicans is growing increasingly frustrated over the US’ war with Iran after a Wednesday briefing with the House Armed Services Committee left many exasperated over the objectives and length of the conflict.
Among them is Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC), who told CNN she stormed out of the briefing and would shoot down any requests for additional funding for the war.
“I felt like the House Armed Services Committee was misled during that briefing. They didn’t have a lot of answers,” Mace said following the meeting. “Every day this drags on, the less support on the Republican side.”
Speaking to CNN’s Laura Coates later Wednesday, Mace, who is running for governor of her state, said the objectives of the war need to be clarified “both for the American public and for Congress.”
The congresswoman criticized recent comments Sen. Lindsey Graham – also of South Carolina – made to Fox News, saying the US should continue to engage in conflict with Iran and seize control of Kharg Island, an economic lifeline for Iran that handles roughly 90% of the country’s crude exports.
“I will not send South Carolina’s sons and daughters to war to die for the price of oil. I just will not do it,” Mace told Coates. “I don’t think Lindsey Graham, for all of that hubris, has thought through or war-gamed the consequences of us taking Kharg Island.”
“Tell me a war that we’ve won in the last 70 years… where we have done regime change, we failed,” she said.
South Korea held talks with US on easing sanctions on Russian oil
South Korea confirmed it has been granted permission to import certain Russian energy products under the US’ relaxing of sanctions, following some conditions, as the global fuel crisis grows.
“The US previously announced a temporary relaxation concerning Russian crude oil and petroleum product sanctions,” said Yang Gi-uk, an official at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources.
However, Yang added, the Seoul government consulted Washington to “confirm specific details” because there remained uncertainties and concerns about the measure.
Those talks confirmed that South Korea can buy Russian energy products as long as they are paid “in currencies other than US dollar,” Yang said on Wednesday. Secondary sanctions will not be applied.
The Trump administration is trying to find any lever it can pull to keep oil prices in check while it wages its war – including desanctioning hundreds of millions of barrels of Russian oil earlier this month.
Gulf nations intercept missiles and drones
Gulf nations were fending off attacks Thursday morning as regional strikes continue for a fourth week.
The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted drones and missiles from Iran on Thursday morning, assuring the public that “the sounds heard” are the country’s air defenses in action.
Kuwait issued a similar message, saying “any explosions that may be heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile targets.” It did not specify where the ongoing “missile and drone threats” were coming from.
Bahrain warned that sirens have been sounded, and instructed its residents to take shelter in “the nearest safe place.”
Some context: For many Gulf Arab states, their cities have borne the brunt of most Iranian missiles and drones, leaving their sense of security shaken and sowing deep distrust with their Iranian neighbors for years to come.
The majority of countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, now view the Iranian regime as a direct and a long-term threat to their safety and could now require an end to the war with guarantees to their security. In contrast, countries such as Oman have expressed discontent with Israel and the United States for launching the war against Iran.
Sea captain stranded in Gulf of Oman for three weeks talks about his experience
More vessels are crossing the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announced “non-hostile” ships may transit if they coordinate with Iranian authorities. But the future is uncertain according to an oil tanker master who was granted safe passage after being stranded three weeks in the region.
“One particular party may say it will allow safe passage, but conditions of safe passage depend on various factors, and parties involved are too many,” said Captain Samanth Baktavatsalam.
Baktavatsalam, an Indian national, is a tanker master with 27 years of sailing experience. But never before had he led a crew stranded at sea during an escalating conflict.
“It was quite intense,” he told CNN. “We could actually see projectiles and naval and air force services in action, and we could actually see some of the damage on the coastline.”
Baktavatsalam and his crew were stuck in the Gulf of Oman for three weeks before their vessel gained safe passage with military escort by an undisclosed regional authority. He did not disclose further details about the vessel or which flag it was sailing under.
Their tanker experienced near-complete GPS jamming, forcing the crew to rely on traditional navigation methods, he said. Keeping crew morale high was another challenge that Baktavatsalam managed with open communication, one-on-one check-ins, and remote counseling support.
Supplies became tight, but his vessel was still relatively better off than some others.
“Indeed, we are definitely one of the lucky ones,” he said. “In some places there are extreme cases of water rationing and managing with whatever they have.”
Baktavatsalam was one of an estimated 20,000 seafarers stranded in the region, caught in the crossfire of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Trump says Iran wants to make a deal “so badly” but “they’re afraid to say it”
President Donald Trump said Wednesday Iran wants to make a deal “so badly” but “they’re afraid to say it” for fear of being killed.
“Nobody’s ever seen anything like we’re doing in the Middle East with Iran, and they are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people. They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us,” Trump said at fundraising dinner for the House GOP campaign arm in Washington.
The White House said earlier Wednesday that talks with Iran are not at a dead end even after Tehran did not immediately accept a 15-point plan to end the war. The US is working to arrange a meeting in Pakistan to discuss an off-ramp, two administration officials tell CNN.
While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that messages have been exchanged with the US through mediators, he stressed that the communications do not amount to negotiations.
“Iran always lies," says Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser of US peace talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk has expressed deep skepticism about Iran’s willingness to negotiate an end to the war.
“Well, Iran always lies. We’ve learned that they always lie,” Falk said in an interview with CNN’s Jim Sciutto, when asked why Israel doubts Tehran’s intentions.
While the White House has claimed discussions with Iran are continuing apace – despite Tehran not immediately accepting a 15-point plan to end the war, Iran has cast doubt on the level of its engagement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that messages had been exchanged through “friendly countries” but these did not amount to negotiations.
Falk said Israel’s primary goal was to “remove the existential threat posed by this ayatollah regime.”
He described three potential paths to Israel’s goal: removing the regime itself, severely weakening Iran’s military capabilities, or pursuing diplomacy.
“The best way of doing that is to remove the regime,” he said. “Another way … is to decimate their military capabilities until they get to the stone age… more or less a third way … is by negotiations.”
Falk emphasized that Israel does not see these options as mutually exclusive.
“To the contrary, we can do all three at once, and that’s what we’re doing now.”
Iran is preparing for a US attack on Kharg Island: sources
Iran is actively preparing for a US attack on Kharg Island, including laying traps in case of a ground invasion.
CNN’s Jeremy Diamond reports on the latest here:
Some background: Kharg Island is a coral outcrop around a third of the size of Manhattan just 25 kilometers (15 miles) off Iran’s coast, in the Persian Gulf.
Almost every day, millions of barrels of crude oil gush from Iran’s major fields – including Ahvaz, Marun and Gachsaran – through pipelines to the island, known among Iranians as the “Forbidden Island” due to tight military controls.
Its long jetties, jutting into waters deep enough to accommodate oil supertankers, make the island a critical site for oil distribution. It processes 90% of Iran’s crude exports.
The island has long been key to Iran’s economy. A CIA document from 1984 said the facilities are “the most vital in Iran’s oil system, and their continued operation is essential to Iran’s economic well-being.” Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid recently said that destroying the terminal would “cripple Iran’s economy and topple the regime.”
USPS says packages will cost more to ship
The US Postal Service will charge a first-ever 8% fuel surcharge on packages, adding to the costs for American consumers and businesses as a result of the war with Iran.
The surcharge is temporary and will only apply to packages, not letter mail, according to a news release from USPS. Consumers and businesses will start seeing the fee on April 26.
Fuel prices have surged since the US-Israel war with Iran began. Over the past month, a regular gallon has gone up by around $1 to $3.98 on average nationally, according to AAA. Diesel prices have increased even more by $1.61 a gallon on average to $5.37.
Carriers, including UPS and FedEx, have automatic surcharges that kick in when fuel prices go above certain thresholds. Meanwhile, USPS has previously opted for flat-rate pricing that doesn’t change with fuel costs.
In addition, about 30% of the world’s raw materials for making fertilizer are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to higher food costs. CNN’s Lynda Kinkade discussed today.
Iran warns of possible Bab el-Mandeb front if southern Iran is targeted by military action
An Iranian military source has warned that Tehran could open additional strategic fronts, including around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, if the US and Israel undertake military actions against Iranian islands or attempt to pressure the country through naval operations.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, acting as a vital chokepoint for global trade, particularly oil and natural gas shipments.
“If the enemy attempts any ground action on Iranian islands or any part of our territory, or tries to impose costs on Iran through naval movements in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman, we will open other fronts as a ‘surprise,’” the source said, as cited by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency on Wednesday.
The military source specifically referenced the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Tasnim, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and asserted that Iran has both the capability and determination to create a credible threat in that area if tensions escalate.
“If the Americans intend to take reckless actions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, they should be careful not to add another strait to their list of challenges,” the source added.
Approximately 12% of total global seaborne-traded oil and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait annually.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also warned Wednesday that Tehran has intelligence indicating “enemies” are preparing to seize one of Iran’s islands with support from a regional country.
“Our forces are monitoring all enemy movements, and if they take any step, all vital infrastructure of that regional state will be targeted with continuous, relentless attacks,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X but without naming the state.
