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Conflict involving Donald Trump, Iran and Israel intensified sharply on April 2, with fresh military claims, escalating rhetoric and rising economic tremors signaling a widening crisis. In a dramatic assertion, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had shot down a second US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. The aircraft was said to be “completely destroyed” on impact, while Iran’s Mehr News Agency suggested the pilot was unlikely to have survived due to the intensity of the explosion. There was no immediate response from US Central Command, which had earlier dismissed similar claims. The battlefield developments came alongside a sharp escalation in Washington’s stance. In a late-night warning, Trump threatened further devastation after reported strikes targeted a key bridge linking Tehran and Karaj — described as the country’s tallest at 136 metres and valued at $400 million, according to The Guardian. Taking responsibility for the strike, Trump urged Iran to strike a deal “before it’s too late,” warning that critical infrastructure, including power facilities, could be next. In a social media post, he shared footage purportedly showing the bridge’s destruction, declaring that “there is nothing left of what still could become a great country.” The remarks followed his earlier threat to bomb Iran “back to the stone ages.” In a prime-time address from the White House, Trump said US military objectives were “nearing completion,” while cautioning that strikes on Iranian targets would continue “extremely hard” over the next two to three weeks to “finish the job.” Tehran responded with defiance. Iran’s army chief warned that any ground incursion by US forces would be met with total resistance, stating that “not a single person” among invading troops would survive. Meanwhile, diplomatic caution emerged from Europe. Emmanuel Macron said reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz through military means would be impractical, following calls from Washington for allied intervention. Oil shocks and market jitters The geopolitical tensions quickly rippled through global markets, pushing oil prices sharply higher amid fears of prolonged disruption. US benchmark crude surged 11.4% to settle at $111.54 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 7.8% to $109.03 per barrel. Analysts warned that the conflict could significantly disrupt supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for global energy flows. A report by BMI, part of Fitch Solutions, cautioned that a prolonged conflict could heighten risks to infrastructure, delay post-war recovery and keep prices elevated well into the year. While the United States imports only a limited share of oil from the Persian Gulf, globally benchmarked prices mean supply fears can drive costs higher worldwide. Asian economies, however, face more immediate risks. Countries such as Japan, heavily reliant on Hormuz-linked shipments, may be forced to explore alternative routes if disruptions persist. Regional ripple effects The economic strain is already visible across the region. Pakistan announced a sharp hike in fuel prices, raising petrol to PKR 458.4 per litre and high-speed diesel to PKR 520.35 per litre, as governments brace for sustained volatility in energy markets. With military threats intensifying, diplomatic options narrowing and markets on edge, the conflict shows signs of entering a more dangerous and prolonged phase, with global consequences far beyond the battlefield.

Iran claims second US F-35 shot down, pilot feared dead

Tehran says advanced US stealth jet destroyed in central Iran as conflict intensifies and Washington ramps up strike threats.

India flags human cost at Hormuz talks, says it alone lost mariners in crisis

Muslim-majority countries condemn Israel’s new death penalty law

Oil prices surge past $105, Sensex tumbles after Trump’s Iran warning

UAE crackdown on Iranians intensifies as war leaves families stranded

Visas canceled, entry banned and institutions shut as tensions disrupt lives of thousands in Dubai.

US ‘very close’ to meeting Iran war goals, Trump signals more strikes ahead

US President warns of “extremely hard” action within weeks while leaving door open for backchannel diplomacy.

Israeli strikes on Beirut kill at least seven; Hezbollah clashes intensify in southern Lebanon

Israeli jets struck Beirut’s southern suburbs and nearby areas, killing at least seven people as fighting continues between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon amid the broader Middle East conflict.

USCIS to reject outdated work‑visa petitions starting April 1; employers warned to use updated forms

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued an alert that beginning April 1, petitions using older editions of key work‑visa forms will be automatically rejected, complicating filings for H‑1B and other temporary visa categories.

China, Pakistan unveil 5-point roadmap to halt West Asia war

Islamabad offers to host US-Iran talks as Beijing pushes diplomacy amid deepening regional crisis.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard takes de facto control, sidelining president amid leadership vacuum

Amid a deepening internal power struggle and the shadow of war, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively assumed control of key state functions, reducing President Masoud Pezeshkian’s authority and intensifying questions about the country’s governance amid a fragile succession of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.