Extract from ABC News
By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran in Jerusalem
Worshippers light candles as they attend Easter Sunday Mass at Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran on Sunday. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Hi, it's the start of the sixth week of this war, which continues to shake the region and the world.
Here's what you need to know today:
- Donald Trump has issued a new deadline of Tuesday for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping traffic, without restriction. In an expletive-laden post on social media, he said bridges and power plants would be destroyed if the regime in Tehran didn't comply.
- Vision has emerged on social media showing the wreckage of what is said to be US aircraft, destroyed during a daring mission to rescue an American airman shot down over southern Iran. The F-15 fighter jet was attacked by Iran on Friday, with an operation to retrieve its crew of two. One of the US pilots was picked up hours after the attack, and Trump announced on Sunday the second had also been found.
- Iranian strikes across the region have continued, with missile barrages launched at Israel sending millions rushing to shelters. Northern Israel reported a number of attacks, with some injured from debris from intercepted missiles. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have been intercepting missiles and drones, with debris from one falling on a petrochemical plant in the UAE and starting a fire.
- Israeli attacks on claimed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon have continued, with strikes on the south of the country and the capital Beirut. A residential building in the suburb of Jnah was hit, not far from Lebanon's Health Ministry. Local authorities have repeatedly accused Israel of targeting health facilities and workers in the war.
- The death toll in Lebanon continues to soar. By Sunday afternoon, local time, authorities said more than 1,460 people had been killed and more than 4,400 injured. Many of those are civilians, including children. A fifth of Lebanon's population has been displaced as a result of the war, as a result of Hezbollah firing upon Israel in solidarity with Iran.
Here's what all that means
It's not entirely clear what prompted Trump to post another threat, this time heavy on the profanity, on his Truth Social account, promising yet another major escalation in the war with Iran.
But it may give an insight into his mindset as this conflict crawls into its sixth week, and a growing frustration that his usual bellicose style isn't delivering the results he desires.
Trump pulled out his phone and tapped out his promise to blow up infrastructure across Iran on Tuesday local time, if it didn't release its chokehold on shipping through the Persian Gulf.
A new deadline, to mark in global calendars after others had been pencilled in and scratched out in recent weeks.
"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran," he said.
"There will be nothing like it!!!
"Open the F***** Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH!"
He rounded out his sweary Easter Sunday missive with "praise be to Allah".
Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York quickly accused the global body of failing to rein in Trump and the United States.
"If the conscience of the United Nations were alive, it would not remain silent in the face of the overt and shameless threat by the war-mongering President of the United States to target civilian infrastructure," it posted on X.
"Trump seeks to drag the region into an endless war.
"This is direct and public incitement to terrorise civilians and clear evidence of intent to commit war crime."
Importantly, the Trump Truth post didn't include a reference to destroying desalination plants in Iran — his previous comments along those lines had prompted accusations the US would be committing war crimes given the unique status of such facilities in the category of civilian infrastructure.
Regardless, it's a unique negotiating approach. And one that hasn't yielded results yet.
Although Trump, yet again, has said a deal with Tehran could be reached as early as Monday.
One thing we've learnt in this war is that anytime the US president puts a timeframe on something, it's all but meaningless.
The looming threat of obliteration this time could be a tipping point. But Iran is promising "hell" will be unleashed on the region if Trump follows through.
So, basically the same as every other day of this war so far. Day 37, and counting.
And here's the impact on Australia
- What happened last time we ran out of oil: For plenty of young people, the idea that we might have to seriously limit our fuel consumption is unprecedented. But for anyone who lived through the 1970s, it's all too familiar. So why did Donald Trump start this war? (🎧19m 16s).
And here's how to stay up to date:
You can keep track of the latest updates from Iran and around the world throughout the day via our live blog.
Thanks for joining me. I'll see you at the same time tomorrow.
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