Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton told Kurdistan24 that U.S. and Israeli military actions have caused "considerable damage" to Iran's leadership, nuclear program, and military capabilities, though the regime remains in power. 

He expressed skepticism about negotiations, citing internal divisions in Tehran and wide gaps between U.S. and Iranian positions. Bolton argued that regime change should be the central objective and described the current ceasefire as a "mistake."

He said President Donald Trump is constrained by domestic political pressures, including fuel prices and upcoming elections.

Bolton also addressed Israel's role, criticism from allies, and European assessments of Iran, while emphasizing ongoing security and economic implications of the conflict.

Iran has been selected as one of 34 vice presidents of the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, a move that has drawn criticism from the United States and several allied countries, including the UAE, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The appointment, confirmed at the opening session of the conference on April 27, sparked diplomatic tensions, with Western officials arguing it undermines the credibility of the treaty, while Iran and supporting states dismissed the objections as politically motivated.

Estimates indicate that Israeli and U.S. strikes have reduced Iran’s steel production capacity by around 10 million tons annually—equivalent to roughly 25–30% of the country’s total output highlighting significant industrial and economic disruption, with potential ripple effects on construction, exports, and domestic supply chains.

Iranian officials have submitted a new diplomatic proposal to the U.S. through Pakistani mediators, offering to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities on the condition that nuclear negotiations are postponed to a later stage.

The development follows President Trump's decision to cancel a high-level mission by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, with the president stating that talks could occur by phone instead.

While Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan and Oman to coordinate mediation, Trump signaled his intent to maintain a naval blockade to pressure Tehran into nuclear concessions.

Global energy markets reacted to the stalled diplomacy, with Brent crude rising to $107.75 per barrel.

A Situation Room meeting is scheduled for Monday to assess the U.S. response to the phased de-escalation offer.

Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities reached a peak on Sunday as an IDF soldier, Sgt. Idan Fooks, was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon.

The strike, which targeted a tank repair unit in Taybeh, wounded six other soldiers and utilized fiber-optic-guided drone technology.

In retaliation, the IDF launched widespread airstrikes across southern Lebanon, killing 14 people, including women and children, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of "dismantling" the ceasefire, while Hezbollah described its actions as a legitimate response to Israeli occupation. 

The escalation marks the deadliest day since the April 17 truce began, threatening the three-week extension recently brokered by the United States.

UNIFIL also reported the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper following an investigation into an Israeli tank shell explosion.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, told The Guardian that the global oil crisis triggered by the Iran war has permanently altered the fossil fuel industry.

Birol stated the crisis has shattered trust in fossil fuels, predicting a significant boost to renewables and nuclear power as countries revise their energy strategies.

The structural shift coincides with severe logistical paralysis; the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has stranded cargo ships, costing shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd an extra $50 million weekly.

The blockade has also devastated Iraq's economy, dropping its March oil production to just 1.62 million barrels per day and prompting warnings of a 2026 economic recession.

Meanwhile, India has compensated for the Middle East supply shortage by doubling its imports of Russian crude oil to 1.98 million barrels per day in March.

The U.S. State Department issued a stern warning to Baghdad through Kurdistan24, demanding the immediate disbandment of Iran-affiliated militias.

Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the Iraqi government's failure to prevent attacks on U.S. interests, combined with elements within the government providing operational cover for the militias, adversely impacts bilateral relations.

The demand coincides with intense U.S. financial pressure, including the blocking of a $500 million cash shipment of Iraqi oil revenues to Baghdad.

Iran-aligned groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, have responded by threatening U.S. diplomatic facilities and warning neighboring countries like Kuwait. 

Simultaneously, the U.S. has sanctioned seven militia commanders and offered a $10 million reward for the leader of Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.

The escalating security crisis is paralyzing Iraq's government formation, drawing direct diplomatic intervention from Iranian Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani as factions struggle to name a prime minister.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to return to Pakistan on Sunday to resume mediated peace talks, according to Iranian media.

The return follows a diplomatic stall on Saturday when U.S. President Donald Trump canceled his envoys' trip to Islamabad, citing an initially poor negotiating position from Tehran before noting Iran submitted a revised proposal minutes later.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistan's Prime Minister that Tehran will not negotiate under the pressure of the U.S. naval blockade.

The diplomatic friction occurs alongside severe regional fallout: Iran's military warned of a strong response if the U.S. continues blockading its ports, while the U.S. Navy attempts to clear mines from the closed Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon wavered as Israel launched deadly airstrikes in the south following rocket fire from Hezbollah.

 U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday Iran submitted a revised proposal shortly after he cancelled a planned trip by U.S. envoys to Pakistan, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to facilitating dialogue.

Explaining his decision to halt the visit by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump said the initial proposal from Tehran did not meet expectations.

“The Iranians gave us a paper that should have been better, and interestingly, the minute I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better…they offered a lot but not enough,” Trump said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned trip by senior envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials, saying Washington will not continue in-person negotiations without tangible progress.

Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, Trump said he personally halted the travel plans of special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as they were preparing to depart.

“I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you're not making an 18 hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing’,” Trump said.