Hardliners in Iran are increasingly pushing for the country to pursue a nuclear bomb and possibly withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

This shift comes after the death of Ali Khamenei and ongoing U.S.-Israeli attacks, which have strengthened the influence of the Revolutionary Guards.

While Iran has not officially changed its nuclear policy, debate within the leadership is growing, with some arguing a bomb is now necessary for survival.

Others remain cautious, and it’s unclear whether this rhetoric signals a real policy shift or negotiating pressure.

Source: Reuters

Iran is reportedly ready to deploy over 1 million fighters if the U.S. launches a ground invasion, according to Tasnim citing an IRGC source.

Bloomberg tanker data shows no sign of the eight oil ships Trump mentioned in the Hormuz Strait.

Only two Iran-linked LPG carriers were seen leaving the Persian Gulf Thursday, possibly the “extra two” he referred to.

While some ships turn off tracking signals for safety, vessels recently allowed through Hormuz have mostly broadcast their positions.

Four ships—two bulk carriers, a container ship, and one LPG carrier—were confirmed exiting in recent days.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf:

No one can issue an ultimatum to Iran and the Iranian people.

Israel has changed its war strategy from trying to destabilize Iran’s regime to targeting its military-industrial infrastructure.

With a possible push by Trump to end the war soon, Israel is aiming to inflict lasting damage before fighting stops.

Source: WSJ

Hopes of triggering an uprising inside Iran have faded.

Israeli and U.S. officials now believe the regime remains firmly in control, and Israel has stopped targeting internal security forces.

Instead, the goal is to weaken Iran’s ability to rebuild its military.

Source: WSJ

Marco Rubio:

Trump is just making the observation that, you know, I think there were a couple of leaders in Europe who said that this was not Europe’s war.

Well — Ukraine is not America’s war, and yet we’ve contributed more to that fight than any other country in the world.

Marco Rubio on Iran:

The Strait of Hormuz can be open tomorrow if Iran stops threatening global shipping, which is an outrage and a violation of international law.

For all these countries that care about international law, they should be doing something about it.

Marco Rubio on Iran:

Some concrete progress has been made, as you’ve seen and as has been documented already.

There’s a growing amount of energy that’s been flowing through the Strait — not as much as should be flowing, but some of it has picked up.

A controversial browser game called “Five Nights at Epstein’s” is spreading in US schools, where students play as victims trying to escape Jeffrey Epstein’s island.

Fueled by viral videos on platforms like Meta Platforms Inc apps, TikTok, and YouTube, it has drawn significant student attention despite attempts to block it.

Parents and educators are alarmed, saying the game trivializes real sexual abuse and may desensitize kids.

Source: Bloomberg

Another post from the White House.

IDF announces a soldier killed in Lebanon: Sgt. Aviaad Elchanan Volansky, 21.

Rahimi is now describing the war not as a “war,” but as a “rescue mission.”

She blames the regime for her cousin’s death, yet she does not elaborate or explain the circumstances surrounding how he died.

Iranian diaspora propagandists are attempting to push misleading Community Notes on posts, falsely alleging she claimed her cousin was killed by the IRGC—something she never actually said.

Trump:

As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time.

Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well.

Wall Street had its worst day since the Iran War began as hopes for peace faded.

The S&P 500 fell 1.7%, heading for a fifth straight weekly loss. The Dow dropped 1%, and the Nasdaq slid 2.4%.

Source: AP

Israel’s military says it is about 15,000 troops short—around half needed for combat—as it operates on multiple fronts.

While reservists can be called up, many are strained by repeated deployments.

Source: AP

Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett:

Currently, the State of Israel, or the Netanyahu government, does not know how to win anywhere.

Not in Gaza, not in Lebanon; they are not winning anywhere.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian:

President Putin's messages and the support of the Russian people inspire us in this war.

The resistance and courage of the Iranian people promise new bonds that will ensure the security of East Asia by the countries of the region.

On behalf of the people of Iran, I thank the government and people of Russia.

Iran’s Ghalibaf reacts to Pete Hegseth’s struggles with the metric system.

Iran is tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz, forcing ships to share detailed data, reroute into its waters, and sometimes pay for passage—creating what analysts call a “toll booth” system.

Source: AP

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on Iran:

We cannot agree with the accusations that we are helping Iran by providing intelligence data.

The coordinates of American military bases in the region are known to everyone — this is open information.