Esra Tekin
April 05, 2026•Update: April 05, 2026
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of the news you need to start your Sunday, including US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to Iran about the Strait of Hormuzl Iran’s approval of humanitarian passage through the Strait of Hormuz; and Kuwait being hit by an Iranian drone attack that caused major damage to power and water plants.
TOP STORIES
- US President Donald Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum to Iran over Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said Iran has 48 hours to meet Washington’s demands to make a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
"Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them," he added.
- Iran approves humanitarian passage through Strait of Hormuz: Report
Iran approved the passage of ships carrying humanitarian and essential goods through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a letter by the Agriculture Ministry’s trade development office, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.
Backed by the government and the armed forces, the directive permits vessels carrying essential goods and livestock feed to pass under designated protocols, the report said.
After the approval, industry associations informed their member companies to proceed with sending cargo ships to southern Iranian ports following the removal of the previous restrictions, it added.
- Kuwait says Iranian drone attack causes major damage to power, water plants
Kuwait said an Iranian drone attack caused major property damage to electricity and water desalination plants, forcing two power generation units out of service.
The Kuwaiti Electricity Ministry said the attack targeted two electricity generation and water desalination plants late Saturday.
The ministry said no injuries were reported.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces said US-Israeli strikes targeted one of its headquarters in Salahaddin province.
- A drone attack sparked a fire at Kuwait’s oil sector complex in the Shuwaikh area, according to the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
- US President Donald Trump said several Iranian military leaders had been “terminated” in a “massive strike” in Tehran.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received a delegation from the Palestinian group, Hamas, at his Dolmabahce Working Office in Istanbul.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as broader regional and global developments, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said.
- The US has revoked the legal residency status of two relatives of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani, with two of them detained by federal agents, the State Department said.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed regional and global developments as well as issues concerning the alliance, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
- Two warheads from an Iranian fragmentation missile exploded near Israel's Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli Channel 12.
- Several homes and cars in Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel were damaged from a rocket fired from Lebanon, according to local media.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- 5 EU countries urge windfall tax on energy firms amid hostilities in Mideast
Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria and Portugal have formally called on the European Commission to introduce a coordinated windfall tax on energy companies, citing rising oil prices linked to the Iran war.
In a letter dated April 3 addressed to European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra, the five countries urged the development of a robust legal framework to tax extraordinary profits in the energy sector.
The initiative is backed by Spain's Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, alongside his counterparts Giancarlo Giorgetti (Italy’s economy and finance minister), Joaquim Miranda Sarmento (Portuguese finance minister), Lars Klingbeil (German vice chancellor) and Markus Marterbauer (Austria’s finance minister).
- Syrian Petroleum says 500,000 tons of Iraqi fuel to transit monthly to Baniyas
The Syrian Petroleum Company said the volume of Iraqi fuel oil flowing to the Baniyas refinery in western Syria is expected to reach 500,000 metric tons per month.
The move could turn Syria into a transit hub for Iraqi oil exports via the Mediterranean, as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The announcement came in remarks to Anadolu by Safwan Sheikh Ahmad, director of corporate communications at the Syrian Petroleum Company, who outlined details of a recent oil agreement between Syria and Iraq.
