US deploys more forces to Middle East as peace talks kick off in Pakistan

Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi suggested that Tehran should leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty since the country is being bombed by the U.S. and Israel despite maintaining that it is not attempting to build a nuclear weapon.

"Why should we accept the restrictions?" Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian Parliament, said to state TV.

"We are not seeking a nuclear weapon anyway. But it’s not like that we are supposed to observe the rules of the game, and they bomb us," he continued.

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is an international accord that aims to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Countries that signed the treaty agreed not to build or obtain nuclear weapons and permit the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct inspections to verify they correctly declared their programs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said God rejects the prayers of world leaders who start wars and have "hands full of blood," as the pontiff continues to speak out against the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Leo made the forceful remarks in front of tens of thousands of Catholic faithful in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. The pontiff described the conflict as "atrocious" and affirmed that Jesus cannot be used to justify any wars.

"This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," Leo said.

"[Jesus] does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood'," the pope added, citing a Bible passage.

While Leo did not call out any world leaders by name, some U.S. officials have used scripture to justify the military campaign against Iran, including Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

"Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation. Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy," Hegseth said as he led a recent prayer at the Pentagon.

Leo, in his remarks on Sunday, referenced a Bible passage in which Jesus, about to be arrested ahead of his crucifixion, rebuked one of his followers for striking the person arresting him with a sword.

Jesus "did not arm himself, or defend himself, or fight any war," Leo said. "He revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence. Rather than saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his government would cut taxes on fuel in half and remove the heavy road user charge for three months to help offset rising energy costs driven by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Halving the tax would trim the cost of fuel by 26.3 Australian cents, or 18 U.S. cents, per liter, Albanese said.

The total cost to the government would be about A$2.55 billion, or $1.75 billion, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said at a press conference.

Roughly 20% of the global oil supply was transported through the Strait of Hormuz before the war disrupted shipping and production. The price of Brent crude has surged 59% in March, the largest monthly gain in history, and was at $115.66 per barrel when the market opened on Monday.

"We understand the cost pressures for people are very real as the impact of the war on the other side of the world plays out right here," Albanese said at the press conference.

Reuters contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that U.S. forces destroyed many targets in Iran amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

"Big day in Iran," the president wrote on Truth Social.

"Many long-sought-after targets have been taken out and destroyed by our GREAT MILITARY, the finest and most lethal in the World. God bless you all!" he continued.

President Donald Trump on Sunday said there had been progress in negotiations with Iran to end the war in the Middle East, adding that an agreement could be reached in the near future.

"We have had very good negotiations with Iran — things they should’ve given us a long time ago. Moving along very nicely," he told reporters on Air Force One. "We are negotiating both directly and indirectly — through emissaries, but also dealing with them directly."

"We’re doing extremely well in that negotiation, but you never know with Iran," the president continued. "I think we will make a deal with them pretty shortly, but it’s possible we won’t."

Trump added: "I do see a deal with Iran soon."

Addressing the timeline for negotiating an end to the conflict, Trump said talks are weeks ahead of schedule.

"We’re ahead of schedule with Iran, weeks ahead," he said.

President Donald Trump is considering a high-risk military operation to remove nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran, according to reports.

The Wall Street Journal said the mission could involve U.S. forces entering the country for an extended period.

U.S. officials told the outlet that Trump has not made a final decision and is weighing the potential danger to American troops, but remains open to the plan as a way to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The officials also said Trump has urged advisers to push Iran to relinquish the material through negotiations as a condition for ending the war.

An Indian worker was killed Sunday when a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait was attacked by Iran, according to Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy.

The ministry said the strike also caused material damage to a service building at the facility.

In a statement shared on X, the ministry confirmed the extent of the damage but did not provide further details about the incident.

Separately, a spokesperson for Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said that 14 ballistic missiles and 12 drones had entered the country’s airspace over the past 24 hours. One of the attacks targeted a military-affiliated base, injuring 10 personnel.

The defense ministry also reported damage to a warehouse belonging to a private logistics company.

The United States could seize Iranian oil assets and potentially target the country’s main export hub at Kharg Island, President Donald Trump said Sunday.

In an interview with the Financial Times Trump suggested that taking control of the oil resources was a preferred option, while dismissing potential criticism back home.

“To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the U.S. say: ‘Why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people,” he was quoted as saying.

Trump indicated that Kharg Island — Iran’s primary oil export terminal — could be a potential target. Any move to seize or disrupt flow from Kharg would have significant economic consequences, potentially impacting global oil markets.

“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump said.

Trumps remarks come as the Pentagon prepares for an expansion of military operations in Iran with the conflict now entering its fifth week.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) intercepted two drones launched from Yemen, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday.

“In the past hour, the Air Force intercepted two unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Yemen,” the IDF said in a post shared on X.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia entered the Middle East war for the first time on March 28.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the Houthis said they "targeted sensitive Israeli military sites" with a "barrage of ballistic missiles."

The IDF, according to Ynet, said it intercepted both a cruise missile and a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis.

The group has also warned it could close a key waterway at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, increasing disruption to global shipping and oil supplies.

The UK is concerned over Israel's plans to expand the security zone in southern Lebanon, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer said Sunday.

"Deeply concerned by Israel's announcement stating intention to expand its ground operations in Lebanon, where over 1 million people have already been forcibly displaced," Falconer said.

"Israel must avoid further exacerbation of the conflict and refrain from any action to seize Lebanese territory," he wrote on X.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the expansion of the zone under Israeli military control in southern Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would capture additional territory in southern Lebanon to expand a security zone on Israel’s northern border, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded its ground operation against Hezbollah.

In a video statement Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to "further expand the existing security zone" in Lebanon as a means to "fundamentally change the situation" in northern Israel.

Iran’s Khondab heavy water production plant that was damaged in an Israeli strike has been rendered inoperable, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Sunday.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog said its assessment was based on analysis of satellite images and its knowledge of the site.

It also said the installation contained no declared nuclear material.

“Based on independent analysis of satellite imagery and knowledge of the installation, the IAEA has confirmed the heavy water production plant at Khondab, which Iran reported had been attacked on March 27, has sustained severe damage and is no longer operational,” the agency said in a post shared on X.

The IAEA added: “The installation contains no declared nuclear material.”

The Israeli military said Friday that it had struck the reactor area near Arak as part of attacks on Iran’s nuclear-related infrastructure.

The IAEA has separately said the Khondab heavy water research reactor was under construction, was not operational, and contained no nuclear material, meaning no radiological consequences were expected.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States is already taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical route for global oil shipments, which has all but been closed following the outbreak of U.S.-Israel military action against Iran.

Speaking in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Trump’s remarks were shared on X, where he claimed the move is “already happening,” while referring to the waterway as the “Strait of Trump.”

Trump also addressed tensions with Iran, saying he believes the country is “begging” for a deal, according to Channel 14’s post on X.

He added that any nation that had been “decimated,” as he described Iran, would be seeking negotiations.

The president also expressed strong appreciation for support from the Israeli public.

“I love Israel, love the people of Israel, and I’m very proud and happy about their support,” Trump said, citing a poll he claimed showed 99% approval. 

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert Sunday, warning Iran and its affiliated militias may be planning attacks on American-linked universities and other U.S.-associated targets across Iraq.

In a statement shared on X, the embassy said officials are advising all U.S. citizens to leave the country immediately amid escalating threats.

“Iran and its affiliated terrorist militias may intend to target American universities in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk, as well as other universities perceived as connected to the United States,” the embassy said.

“Iran has specifically directed threats toward American universities across various parts of the Middle East,” it said, before highlighting that Iran-aligned terrorist militias have carried out “widespread attacks on American citizens and U.S.-associated targets throughout Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.”

“U.S. citizens are advised to depart Iraq immediately,” the embassy said, adding that Iran-aligned groups pose an ongoing threat.

The embassy said Iran and its affiliated armed groups pose a serious threat to public security in Iraq.

“These groups have conducted attacks and are likely to attempt further ones against U.S.-associated targets throughout Iraq, including diplomatic facilities, universities, businesses, energy infrastructure, and other sites believed to have ties to the United States, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” it said.

“Iran-aligned terrorist armed groups have also attacked commercial airports and hotels frequented by foreigners. These groups may attempt to kidnap Americans,” the embassy warned.

The embassy said the safety and security of American citizens is its “top priority, whether for President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, or the Department of State.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he is in Jordan as part of a Middle East tour, signing defense agreements with Gulf states and offering Ukraine’s expertise in countering aerial attacks.

Meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Zelenskyy said the leaders discussed potential security cooperation and the broader situation in the Middle East and Gulf region.

“Ukraine is open to joint work to defend against drone and missile attacks,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Drawing on Ukraine’s experience during Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its fifth year, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of integrated defense systems.

“From our own experience, we know that without a unified system, it is simply impossible to establish comprehensive protection of people and critical infrastructure,” he said.

“We have such a system, because for the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale war, we have been forced to defend ourselves against constant Russian strikes, including those carried out using Iranian drones.”

Zelenskyy added that cooperation could be mutually beneficial, noting that countries receiving Ukraine’s expertise could help strengthen Kyiv’s own capabilities.

“It is also very important that those to whom we offer our expertise can help strengthen us as well. I thank His Majesty for the meeting and for his openness to dialogue,” Zelenskyy said.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has expressed gratitude to Iraqi groups and clerics for their support since the outbreak of the war, according to regional media reports.

The IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency reported that Mojtaba conveyed a “clear position on aggression against Iran,” while also thanking Iraqi paramilitary groups that have been targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East over the past month.

The message did not include any evidence that Khamenei is alive, the Jerusalem Post said.

More than three weeks after his appointment, however, Khamenei has yet to appear in public.

His absence has fueled speculation following reports that he was injured in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike at the start of the conflict.

The strike killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei has issued two written statements through state media since assuming leadership.

Iranian officials have attributed his absence to security concerns.

“The reason for his absence from public view is the observance of security considerations due to the current special circumstances,” said Ali Bahreini, Iran’s representative to the United Nations office in Geneva, according to state-affiliated media.

Power outages affected parts of Tehran and nearby areas on Sunday after damage to infrastructure, according to Iranian state media reports.

Citing the energy ministry, Iran International said shrapnel had struck a section of the electricity grid in Alborz province, leading to power cuts across several districts of Tehran and the city of Karaj.

State media confirmed that electricity disruptions were reported in both the capital and Alborz province following the incident, and that authorities were working to restore service, the outlet said.

The outages came as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they were carrying out strikes on targets linked to Iran’s regime across Tehran.

European Council President António Costa said Sunday that the European Union stood in solidarity with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries facing strikes and drone attacks by Iran.

“The EU stands in solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the face of continued Iranian airstrikes and drone attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure in the region,” Costa said in a post shared on X.

“These attacks must stop immediately,” he said before describing his call today with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, where they discussed the latest developments.

“I reiterated that the EU stands by the United Arab Emirates, which has been among the hardest hit,” Costa said.

“The EU continues to urge all parties to de-escalate and give diplomacy a chance, in the interest of security and stability in the Middle East,” he added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday an expansion of the security buffer zone in southern Lebanon, as part of efforts to strengthen protection along Israel’s northern border.

Speaking from the Northern Command, Netanyahu said the move is intended to create a larger defensive area to counter anti-tank missile threats, alter the security situation in the north and enable displaced residents to safely return to their homes.

“I have just instructed to further expand the existing security zone,” Netanyahu said in a video message shared on X.

“We are determined to change the situation in the north from its roots and restore security to the residents of the north.

“We will not tolerate a reality of ongoing threat to our settlements and citizens. We will continue to act with strength, determination and responsibility until we achieve the goal,” he added.

Netanyahu’s remarks came as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed a strike on a central site it described as one of only two facilities in Iran used to produce critical components for ballistic missiles.

“Additionally, dozens of weapon production sites were struck, including those for ballistic missile engines, UAVs and air defense systems,” the IDF said in a post on X.

Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other major holy sites were closed on Palm Sunday under Israeli wartime restrictions, disrupting one of Christianity’s holiest observances as the Iran war entered its fifth week.

The Catholic Church rebuked the police decision as "a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure."

Israeli police lamented the war restrictions limiting worship and acknowledged the need to "balance freedom" with "public safety."

"Under Home Front Command directives, life-saving restrictions apply to all holy sites in the Old City — for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike," Israeli police posted to X, responding to an outcry on religious freedom in a video statement. "The Old City has been targeted by murderous missiles multiple times this month, alongside constant fire on residential areas."

"These threats do not discriminate between religions, and neither does our duty to protect you," the statement continued. "We are in active dialogue with religious leaders, including an upcoming meeting with the Patriarch, to examine solutions that balance freedom of worship with public safety."

The Latin Patriarchate said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Father Francesco Ielpo were stopped by Israeli police while trying to reach the church privately to celebrate Mass, after the traditional Palm Sunday procession had already been canceled.

Israel President Isaac Herzog called the restricted worshipers to "express my great sorrow over this morning's unfortunate incident."

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Eric Mack.