The conflict in the Middle East, which erupted on February 28 with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, continues. Meanwhile, Italy has prevented two armed American fighter jets bound for the Iranian war zone from landing at the Sigonella base in Sicily. On Friday, the Ministry of Defense denied a US bomber permission to land: after determining that it was not a non-logistical aircraft, the decision was made to ground it. "I only enforced the agreements," Crosetto says. Relations with Washington are "solid," Palazzo Chigi assures.

Rubio, however, attacks countries that refuse to allow the use of the bases and states: "The US will reexamine its relationship with NATO." "Learn to defend yourselves and go get the oil from Hormuz," Trump reiterates. Tonight, the US president is scheduled to give an "important update on Iran," reaffirming his desire for the United States to withdraw from the Atlantic alliance.

Yesterday afternoon, however, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued an official statement emphasizing that the decision to deny the base to American F-15s should not be considered a break with the United States. This position differs from that of Spain, which completely denied access to its airspace to U.S. military assets involved in the conflict in Iran. The statement reiterated that the government is acting "in full compliance with existing international agreements."

News from April 1, 2026

"Trump threatened to halt the arms sales to Kiev if Europe remained outside the Hormuz coalition."

Donald Trump threatened to cut off arms supplies to Ukraine to pressure European allies to join a "coalition of the willing" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reports. Last month, the US president asked NATO to help him reopen the strait, but was rebuffed by European capitals. Three officials familiar with the discussions said Trump responded by threatening to cut off supplies to the European-funded NATO arms procurement initiative (PURL ).

Media: "Supreme Leader Khamenei is in good health."

Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in excellent health and has not appeared in public due to the ongoing war, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said, according to several media reports. "Regarding his health, there has been a lot of talk about it lately. But I assure you, he is fine. I don't think it's surprising, in the context of military operations, that it might take some time before he makes a public appearance," Baghaei said in an interview with Egypt's Al-Masry al-Youm. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also emphasized that, regardless of the circumstances, "the country is governed and defended extremely effectively."

Italy and 14 other European countries: "Stop military action in Lebanon."

"We are shocked by the dramatic situation in Lebanon, where there are already 1.2 million internally displaced persons, approximately 25% of the total population. Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks must cease. We urge Israel to fully respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we call on all parties, both Hezbollah and Israel, to suspend military action." This is what the ministers of Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Spain, and Sweden said in a joint statement.

Iran: "Hormuz will not be open to the US and its allies; no to negotiations."

The deputy speaker of the Iranian Parliament has stated that the Strait of Hormuz "will not be open to the United States and its allies" and that "we have not conducted any negotiations nor will we." This was reported by X, the Iranian state television, after US President Donald Trump said he would only consider a ceasefire with Iran if the Strait of Hormuz "is open, free, and clear."

Tehran: "Iran's call for a ceasefire is false and unfounded."

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that US President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran had requested a ceasefire was false and unfounded, Iranian media reported, citing Iranian state television.

Negotiations underway between the US and Iran for a ceasefire in exchange for the opening of Hormuz.

Negotiations are underway between the United States and Iran regarding a ceasefire in exchange for the opening of the Hormuz Strait. Axios reports, citing three American sources, who say it's not yet clear whether an agreement can be reached.

Iran reiterates: "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to 'enemies'"

Iran's Revolutionary Guards reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to the country's "enemies." They stated this in a statement broadcast on state television. "The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is firmly and fully under the control of our naval forces." US President Donald Trump stated that he would only consider a ceasefire if Hormuz were opened.

Trump: "Iran asked us for a ceasefire."

Donald Trump announced on Truth that Iran has asked the US for a "ceasefire." "We'll think about it when the Strait of Hormuz is open and clear," the tycoon said, adding that in the meantime, attacks continue.

Starmer: "This week, a summit in the UK with around 30 countries on Hormuz"

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will host a multinational summit this week with around 30 countries dedicated to the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative aims to coordinate the protection of global trade routes in the face of conflict in the Middle East, the prime minister emphasized in a speech at Downing Street.

Trump: "I am seriously considering withdrawing from NATO."

Donald Trump is seriously considering withdrawing the US from NATO: the US president himself said so in an interview with the Telegraph, calling the Alliance "a paper tiger".

Iran: Former US Embassy in Tehran Attacked

Iranian media reported that the former US Embassy building in Tehran was targeted in an attack in the early hours of this morning, claiming the United States had struck the facility. Iran International reports. According to witnesses cited by the media, the eastern side of the complex, at the intersection of Taleghani and South Mofatteh streets, was damaged. Authorities have not yet released details of the attack or the extent of the damage. The former US Embassy was converted into a museum after being occupied in November 1979 and has since been largely controlled by institutions linked to the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij.

WSJ: Emirates ready to take the field to force Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to help the United States and other allies forcefully open the Strait of Hormuz, Arab officials said, a move that would make it the first Persian Gulf country to become a combatant after being hit by Iranian attacks, the Wall Street Journal reports. The UAE, the US newspaper reports, is lobbying the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution authorizing such action, the officials added.

Israel launches "major attack" on Tehran, explosions in the Iranian capital

The Israeli military said it carried out attacks in Tehran today, where Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported explosions in several areas. A brief military statement said Israeli forces had "completed a wave of large-scale attacks against Iranian terrorist regime infrastructure sites in Tehran." Explosions were heard "in the northern, eastern, and central districts" of the Iranian capital, IRIB reported.

Israel intercepts a missile launched from Yemen

The Israeli military announced this morning that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, from where pro-Iranian Houthi rebels have recently launched attacks against the Jewish state. "The army detected a missile launched from Yemen toward Israeli territory," a statement posted on Telegram read, before a second message lifted the alert "in all areas of the country" a few minutes later. According to local media, the projectile was intercepted and no injuries were reported.

Iranian drones attack Kuwait airport, fuel tanks set ablaze

Kuwait's Civil Aviation Authority said the Gulf country's international airport was targeted today by an Iranian drone attack, causing "a large fire" in fuel tanks but no casualties. "Kuwait International Airport has been targeted by drone attacks launched by Iran and the armed factions it supports," said Abdullah Al-Rajhi, spokesman for the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, quoted by the Kuwait News Agency (KNA). The spokesman stated that "fuel storage tanks were targeted, causing a large fire at the site."

Trump: "The war in Iran will be over in 2-3 weeks."

Donald Trump said he believes the military operation in Iran will end "in 2-3 weeks." "We'll finish the job," said the president, who has repeatedly postponed the conflict date since February 28.

(Unioneonline)

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