Live 3rd April: Affiliate of Iranian State TV Claims a US Pilot Ejected from their Aircraft over Southwestern Iran
17 min ago
Iran claimed to have shot down planes before. This time may be different
By JON GAMBRELL
Throughout the war, Iran has made a series of claims about shooting down piloted enemy aircraft that turned out not to be true. But Friday was the first time that Iran went on television urging the public to hunt a suspected downed pilot.
21 min ago
Police ask Iranians to hunt for any downed American pilots
By JON GAMBRELL
Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of Iran’s capital, Tehran. Its provincial capital is Yasuj. It is an intensely rural, mountainous area of Iran, home to around 600,000 people.
The local television channel initially urged its viewers, if they saw Americans, to “shoot them as soon as you see them.”
It then changed the instructions, based on a police statement, asking for the public to hand over any downed American pilots alive to security agencies to “receive a precious prize.”
The anchor asked the public to cooperate with local authorities in the hunt.
29 min ago
Affiliate of Iranian state TV claims a US pilot ejected from their aircraft over southwestern Iran
By JON GAMBRELL
The local channel of Iranian state television claimed Friday that a U.S. fighter pilot ejected from their aircraft over southwestern Iran.
U.S. Central Command, the Pentagon and White House didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The anchor on the channel in Iran’s Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province read the following announcement: “If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police, you will receive a precious prize.”
The channel provided no other immediate details.
3 April, 2026 – 4:41 PM GMT+5
At least 12 people were injured by missile shrapnel in UAE
By JON GAMBRELL
Shrapnel from a missile interception in Abu Dhabi’s Ajban area on Friday left at least 12 people hurt. Officials said seven of those injured were from Nepal and five from India.
Churches in the UAE also announced they will be closed over Easter Sunday due to orders from the government as the war continued.
4:03 PM GMT+5
Israel says it will occupy new positions inside Lebanon in coming days
By SAM MEDNICK
Israel’s military said Friday it will soon be able to say it has established new defensive lines in order to prevent direct fire on communities in northern Israel.
Army spokesman Nadav Shoshani said Israel will establish control and defense for its communities coming under “immediate fire” posing an “imminent threat.” Shoshani said Israel has killed at least 1,000 Hezbollah militants since the start of the operation.
3 April, 2026 – 3:54 PM GMT+5
French-linked container ship transits Strait of Hormuz
The CMA CGM Kribi, sailing under a Malta flag and operated by French shipping company CMA CGM, became possibly the first vessel with links to France to pass through the strait since Iran effectively closed it, according to the MarineTraffic website.
The ship departed waters off Dubai on Thursday and arrived Friday off Muscat, Oman, MarineTraffic data showed. CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company, declined to comment when contacted by AP.
Traffic through the strait has dropped by about 90% since the start of the Iran war. Only about 150 vessels, including tankers and container ships, have transited the strait since March 1, according to data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Most were linked to Iran and countries including China, India and Pakistan.
3 April, 2026 – 3:17 PM GMT+5
Abu Dhabi shuts down gas field over reported debris from interception
By JON GAMBRELL
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates shut down Habshan gas facilities Friday after a reported interception of a missile rained down debris and started a fire.
3 April, 2026 – 2:24 PM GMT+5
Ukraine says it’s willing to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine could contribute to protecting maritime routes if invited, citing experience gained from keeping Black Sea shipping lanes open under sustained Russian attack.
“If we are invited, we will help,” Zelenskyy said, without elaborating. “The strait must be unblocked.”
Kyiv’s offer comes as it deepens cooperation with Gulf countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, shifting toward a long-term role as a security partner. Ukrainian teams have already been deployed to the region to advise on air defense, infrastructure protection and maritime security.
3 April, 2026 – 1:09 PM GMT+5
Kuwait says attack damaged desalination plant
By JON GAMBRELL
Kuwait said Friday an Iranian attack damaged a desalination plant.
The attack came after an oil refinery was hit by drones Friday morning.
Kuwait said without elaborating that the attack on the desalination plant caused “material damage to some of the plant’s components.”
Desalination provides the majority of the water for the Gulf Arab states and Iran, drawing the salty waters of the Persian Gulf into drinking water for the desert region.
About 90% of drinking water in Kuwait comes from desalination.
Desalination plants have become a major target in the war, with Iran initially accusing the U.S. and Israel of striking one before beginning to target them in the Gulf Arab states. Those states view attacks on desalination plants as a threat to their very livelihoods.
Source: AP news
