Middle East War Day 41: Iran's New Leader Speaks Out, Latest Developments
On the 41st day of the Middle East conflict, US President Trump warned Iran against charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel seeks direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish peace. Iran's new supreme leader stated a desire to avoid war with the US and Israel while defending national rights. The fragile ceasefire is threatened, and international oil prices are nearing $100 per barrel.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 13:05
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 14:00 (55 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 21:44 (127h 43m after Collected)
US President Donald Trump today warned Iran not to charge tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran had previously agreed to reopen this crucial waterway during a two-week ceasefire.
Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social: "Reports are that Iran is charging tolls to tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz – they better not do that, if true, they better stop it immediately!" Minutes later, Trump posted again: "Soon, with or without Iran's help, you will see oil begin to flow again."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he has ordered his cabinet to negotiate directly with Lebanon, demanding the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and the establishment of "peaceful relations" between the two countries.
A US official said today that Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week. However, a Hezbollah lawmaker reiterated that Hezbollah opposes any form of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
After the US-Iran ceasefire, Israel still launched airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut, threatening to break the ceasefire. In response, Israel stated that its military operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon are not affected by the US-Iran ceasefire.
According to Iran's state television, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated in his latest public letter that Iran does not want to go to war with the United States and Israel, but will defend its right as a nation, saying, "We will not give up our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and on this point, we regard the entire 'resistance front' as one."
These remarks are clearly aimed at Lebanon, where Israel is currently engaged in conflict with Tehran's ally Hezbollah.
Amidst the US-Iran ceasefire, thousands of Iranians gathered across the country, holding portraits of the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and waving Iranian flags. Khamenei died on February 28, the first day of the war, in a joint US-Israeli airstrike.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that due to the war, global economic growth forecasts will be revised downwards, warning that despite the current fragile ceasefire, the conflict will still have a "scarring effect."
She stated that the IMF expects to provide up to $50 billion in emergency financial assistance to countries affected by the war.
Investors are concerned about whether the ceasefire in the Middle East conflict can be maintained, and the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran remains largely blocked, causing international oil prices to rebound, approaching the $100 per barrel mark.
China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and Turkey, among other countries, have called for the US-Iran ceasefire to be extended to Lebanon.
Pakistan praised the "restraint shown by all parties" in the Middle East conflict, while condemning Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon. Pakistani authorities are preparing to lead upcoming US-Iran talks.
Washington and Tehran have both confirmed their participation in peace talks mediated by Pakistan, but the specific timing remains to be confirmed.
The British Prime Minister's Office stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump both called for a "workable solution" to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible after the US-Iran ceasefire. "The two leaders discussed the need for a workable solution to restore shipping to normal as soon as possible," and agreed to speak again. (Compiled by Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150410
Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social: "Reports are that Iran is charging tolls to tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz – they better not do that, if true, they better stop it immediately!" Minutes later, Trump posted again: "Soon, with or without Iran's help, you will see oil begin to flow again."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he has ordered his cabinet to negotiate directly with Lebanon, demanding the disarmament of the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and the establishment of "peaceful relations" between the two countries.
A US official said today that Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week. However, a Hezbollah lawmaker reiterated that Hezbollah opposes any form of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
After the US-Iran ceasefire, Israel still launched airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut, threatening to break the ceasefire. In response, Israel stated that its military operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon are not affected by the US-Iran ceasefire.
According to Iran's state television, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated in his latest public letter that Iran does not want to go to war with the United States and Israel, but will defend its right as a nation, saying, "We will not give up our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and on this point, we regard the entire 'resistance front' as one."
These remarks are clearly aimed at Lebanon, where Israel is currently engaged in conflict with Tehran's ally Hezbollah.
Amidst the US-Iran ceasefire, thousands of Iranians gathered across the country, holding portraits of the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and waving Iranian flags. Khamenei died on February 28, the first day of the war, in a joint US-Israeli airstrike.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that due to the war, global economic growth forecasts will be revised downwards, warning that despite the current fragile ceasefire, the conflict will still have a "scarring effect."
She stated that the IMF expects to provide up to $50 billion in emergency financial assistance to countries affected by the war.
Investors are concerned about whether the ceasefire in the Middle East conflict can be maintained, and the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran remains largely blocked, causing international oil prices to rebound, approaching the $100 per barrel mark.
China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and Turkey, among other countries, have called for the US-Iran ceasefire to be extended to Lebanon.
Pakistan praised the "restraint shown by all parties" in the Middle East conflict, while condemning Israel's continued attacks on Lebanon. Pakistani authorities are preparing to lead upcoming US-Iran talks.
Washington and Tehran have both confirmed their participation in peace talks mediated by Pakistan, but the specific timing remains to be confirmed.
The British Prime Minister's Office stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump both called for a "workable solution" to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible after the US-Iran ceasefire. "The two leaders discussed the need for a workable solution to restore shipping to normal as soon as possible," and agreed to speak again. (Compiled by Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150410