Even before the latest hostilities, analysts described Iran’s economy as deeply fragile, weighed down by sanctions, energy imbalances, inflation and declining exports. The impact of renewed strikes and the effective closure of Hormuz a critical artery for global energy shipments has sharply intensified those pressures.

The blockade threatens more than 90% of Iran’s annual trade, estimated at over $100 billion, according to analysts, cutting off vital oil exports that account for roughly 80% of government revenue. Estimates cited by experts suggest losses of around $435 million per day, potentially exceeding $13 billion monthly.

Energy infrastructure constraints are compounding the crisis. With limited storage capacity and continued production, Iran risks being forced to halt oil output within weeks, raising the possibility of long-term damage to oil fields and a permanent reduction in production capacity.

On the domestic front, economic indicators point to severe distress. The Iranian rial has sharply depreciated, while food inflation has surged into triple digits, eroding purchasing power and fueling social discontent.

Shortages of energy have also disrupted key industries such as steel, cement and petrochemicals.The blockade’s effects are further magnified by limited alternative trade routes. Infrastructure outside the Gulf, including overland corridors and non-Hormuz ports, can handle only a fraction of normal throughput, leaving Iran with few options to offset lost maritime access.

Internal divisions are also emerging over the management of foreign currency revenues and economic policy, with some officials warning that significant portions of export earnings are not reaching state coffers.

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called for compromise, urging Tehran to consider limiting its nuclear program and reopening Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief to prevent further economic deterioration.Analysts say the government’s response is driven less by economic logic than by strategic considerations.

Sanam Vakil of Chatham House said the conflict is viewed by Iran’s leadership as existential, limiting the likelihood of policy shifts despite economic strain.The longer-term outlook remains uncertain.

Researchers at Royal United Services Institute warn that postwar recovery could be hampered by damaged infrastructure, reduced access to regional financial networks and strained ties with Gulf partners, particularly the United Arab Emirates, a key trade hub for Iran.

With reconstruction costs expected to be substantial and trade channels constrained, the economic consequences of the conflict may prove more enduring than the military phase itself.

More than 1,000 days into the conflict in Sudan, large-scale displacement and the collapse of essential services continue to shape one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with local communities playing a critical role in supporting affected populations.

According to humanitarian reporting, at least 9.5 million people have been displaced across the country, while more than half of the population now relies on aid to meet basic needs. The scale of the crisis has made Sudan the largest displacement emergency affecting children globally, with widespread implications for health, nutrition, and education systems.

In the city of Al Fasher, located in the Darfur region, intensified violence and deteriorating living conditions have forced families to flee toward relatively safer areas, including Tawila, Golo, and Rokero. Many displaced individuals arrive after prolonged journeys under limited access to food, water, and medical care, contributing to high levels of malnutrition and physical exhaustion.

Amid these conditions, humanitarian operations led by UNICEF and partner organizations are being supplemented by local efforts from displaced individuals themselves, particularly women who have taken on frontline roles in health care, education, and psychosocial support.

Fadeela, a nutritionist based in Golo, is among those providing direct assistance to displaced families. She travels daily to a health and nutrition facility, where she delivers counselling and support to mothers and children affected by malnutrition. She reported that many of the women arriving at the facility are in a state of physical exhaustion and psychological distress. Despite her own displacement, she continues to provide services, citing a sense of shared experience with those she assists.

In Rokero, Alawiya, a teacher and mother of four, has resumed teaching activities despite living in displacement conditions. After fleeing violence in Al Fasher, her family initially lived without shelter before relocating to a school building, where she now conducts classes during the day and remains overnight. She emphasized the role of education in recovery, stating that access to schooling is essential for rebuilding individual and community stability.

Community-based education initiatives have emerged as a key response in areas where formal systems have been disrupted. With infrastructure damaged or repurposed for shelter, informal teaching arrangements are enabling continuity of learning, although under constrained conditions.

In Tawila, Latifa, who has experienced multiple displacements, is working at a safe learning space supported by humanitarian partners. The facility provides structured activities and support for children exposed to conflict-related trauma. According to her account, children attending the space often show visible changes in behavior after participation, including improved engagement and reduced signs of distress.

She noted that many of the children have experienced violence at a young age and require consistent support to regain a sense of normalcy.Health services in displacement areas are also being maintained through local initiatives.

Amina, a midwife working in the region, described the conditions faced by families arriving at health facilities. She reported cases of extreme hardship during displacement journeys, including child mortality and the loss of family members. At the facility, she provides antenatal and postnatal care, supports childbirth, and conducts nutrition awareness sessions. She indicated that many women arrive without basic supplies, including clothing or blankets for newborns, increasing health risks.

Amina also highlighted concerns regarding conditions in displacement camps, particularly overcrowding and exposure to cold weather, which pose additional risks to infants and mothers. Despite these challenges, she continues her work while managing her own family responsibilities in an uncertain environment.Psychosocial support services are another critical component of the response.

Mahla, a social worker operating in a safe space for women and girls, provides individual and group counselling to those affected by the conflict. She described the journey to displacement as involving prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions, including lack of food, water, and shelter. In the safe space, women and girls are offered structured support aimed at addressing trauma and fostering mutual assistance.

Mahla indicated that such spaces serve as points of stability where displaced individuals can access both emotional support and a sense of security. She emphasized the importance of collective coping mechanisms, noting that participants often rely on shared experiences to support one another.The accounts from these individuals reflect a broader trend in which displaced communities are contributing directly to humanitarian response efforts, often in the absence of fully functional state services.

Their involvement spans multiple sectors, including nutrition, health care, education, and psychosocial support, highlighting the role of community-based initiatives in sustaining essential services during protracted crises.Humanitarian agencies continue to operate in the region, providing assistance such as medical treatment, counselling, and emergency supplies. However, access constraints, security challenges, and the scale of displacement have limited the reach of formal interventions, increasing reliance on local networks.

The situation in Darfur underscores the prolonged nature of the conflict and its impact on civilian populations. With millions displaced and basic services disrupted, the integration of community-led support with institutional aid remains a central feature of the response.As displacement continues, the ability of affected populations to sustain these efforts will depend on both external support and improvements in security conditions.

Current assessments indicate that needs remain high across all sectors, particularly for children, who represent a significant proportion of those affected by the crisis.

Leiter said Israel had agreed to begin “formal peace negotiations” with the Lebanese government, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The talks are scheduled to open Tuesday at the U.S. State Department following contacts between Israeli and Lebanese representatives.“Israel refused to discuss a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which continues to attack Israel and is the main obstacle to peace between the two countries,” Leiter said in a statement.

The position contrasts with calls from Lebanese authorities and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for a pause in hostilities ahead of negotiations. A report citing sources familiar with the discussions said Washington and Beirut had urged Israel to halt its attacks before talks begin.

Israel launched an intensified military campaign, including airstrikes and a ground offensive in Lebanon, after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in early March, in a move linked to broader regional tensions involving Iran.

Israeli officials have maintained that the ongoing conflict in Lebanon is separate from the ceasefire arrangement between the United States and Iran, with negotiations between those two countries set to take place in Islamabad.

In the absence of a ceasefire, discussions in Washington are expected to focus on measures Israel wants the Lebanese government to take, particularly regarding efforts to curb Hezbollah’s activities.

Lebanese authorities say the conflict has killed more than 1,950 people in recent weeks, including over 350 fatalities reported on Wednesday alone, marking one of the deadliest days since the escalation began.

The conviction is part of a broader investigation into the embezzlement of funds allocated for border defense infrastructure in the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.

Authorities have pursued multiple former officials in the region following allegations that money intended to strengthen frontier defenses was misappropriated.

Parts of the Kursk region were seized by Ukrainian forces for several months in 2024, underscoring its strategic importance.

Details of the specific charges against Smirnov were not immediately disclosed, but the case reflects an ongoing crackdown on corruption linked to defense spending in border areas.

Medical personnel and humanitarian organizations say Israeli attacks have increasingly hit hospitals, ambulances and emergency responders during the ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, which Israel accuses of operating from civilian areas.

Hezbollah denies using medical facilities for military purposes.According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 54 health professionals have been killed since hostilities escalated on March 2. The ministry also reported 152 attacks on ambulances and emergency teams, as well as the closure of six hospitals and 49 health clinics due to damage or security threats.

In the southern port city of Sidon, hospitals are facing mounting pressure as casualties rise. Doctors say the influx of wounded has strained a system already weakened by years of economic crisis and limited resources. Power outages and shortages of medical supplies have further complicated treatment efforts.

Dr. Mohammed Ziara, a burn surgeon from Gaza now working in Sidon with the UK-based nonprofit Interburns, said the situation resembled what he experienced during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. He said frontline hospitals are overwhelmed and struggling to cope with the volume of injuries.

The Sidon Government Hospital, where a specialized burn unit has been established, is receiving patients from across southern Lebanon, particularly from areas near the evacuation zone. Medical teams say capacity constraints often require discharging patients to accommodate new arrivals.

The World Health Organization said Israeli strikes on March 28 killed multiple paramedics responding to earlier attacks, highlighting the risks faced by emergency responders. The Israeli military has said some targeted individuals were affiliated with Hezbollah, though it has not provided public evidence.

Human rights organizations say such incidents echo earlier patterns observed in Gaza, where the United Nations reported high casualties among health workers and journalists during Israeli operations.

Analysts warn that repeated strikes on medical infrastructure could further degrade Lebanon’s already fragile health system.Civilians and medical staff say evacuation orders and ongoing bombardment have displaced more than one million people, forcing patients and hospitals to relocate under difficult conditions.

Transfers often require coordination among multiple authorities, leading to delays that doctors say can be life-threatening.Lebanese officials and residents have also raised concerns about the unpredictability of strikes.

Some civilians say attacks have hit residential areas without warning, complicating efforts to identify safe zones.Israel maintains that its operations target Hezbollah infrastructure and that the group’s presence in civilian regions complicates military action.

The escalation follows Hezbollah’s entry into the regional conflict alongside Iran, prompting expanded Israeli operations in southern Lebanon.

The figures, published by the Pentagon, show that 247 of the injured are from the U.S. Army, 63 from the Navy, 19 from the Marine Corps and 36 from the Air Force.

The data also indicates that 200 of those wounded are mid- to senior-level enlisted personnel, while 85 are officers and 80 are junior enlisted troops.

It remains unclear whether the figures include personnel involved in two combat aircraft incidents reported on Friday, including the downing of a U.S. fighter jet during operations over Iran.The overall death toll stands at 13 U.S. service members, the military said.

Of these, six died when a refueling aircraft crashed over Iraq, while seven were killed in combat operations linked to the conflict.

Separately, 12 U.S. troops were wounded, including two seriously, in an Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to earlier reports.

The casualty figures come as U.S. forces continue sustained operations against Iran, with the scale and intensity of the conflict raising concerns over its broader regional and strategic implications.

The strikes hit vehicles in Beirut’s southern outskirts and in an area just south of the capital, according to Lebanese authorities and state media.Targeted strikes in capital outskirtsLebanon’s state news agency NNA reported that one strike hit a vehicle in the Khaldeh area south of Beirut, killing two people and wounding three.

A second strike in the Jnah area targeted multiple vehicles, with the health ministry reporting at least five killed and 21 injured.

Israel’s military said it carried out two separate operations aimed at a senior Hezbollah commander and another high-ranking member of the Iran-aligned group, but did not identify the individuals or confirm whether they were killed.

The strikes come amid a widening Israeli offensive in Lebanon that has killed at least 1,200 people and displaced around 1.2 million, according to Lebanese authorities.

Lebanon became directly involved in the broader regional conflict after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in support of Iran, following earlier strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian targets.

The exchange triggered intensified Israeli ground and air operations across Lebanese territory.There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on Wednesday’s strikes.

The missile hit a hair salon in the town of Beit Awwa, southwest of Hebron, the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency WAFA reported. Thirteen people were wounded, including one in serious condition.

The Israeli military said its initial assessment indicated the strike was caused by a cluster munition, a type of warhead that disperses multiple smaller bomblets over a wide area, increasing the risk to civilians.

Iran has launched daily missile attacks toward Israel since the conflict escalated at the end of February, though there have been no prior reports of it deliberately targeting Palestinian areas in the West Bank.

Unlike most Israeli cities, where bomb shelters are widely available, Palestinians in the West Bank have limited access to protective infrastructure. Many rely on sirens from nearby Israeli settlements or cities for warning of incoming attacks.

The disparity in civil defence measures has heightened risks for civilians as missile exchanges intensify across the region.Rising toll amid regional warAt least 15 people have been killed in Israel since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering the current conflict.

The latest incident underscores the widening geographic and human impact of hostilities.The strike comes as streets across the West Bank have been crowded in recent days, with families preparing for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.