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Australian government officials are encouraging citizens to move forward with their Easter holiday travel despite widespread fuel shortages affecting hundreds of service stations across the country on Saturday, April 4th. The disruptions are linked to ongoing Middle East conflicts that have impacted the nation’s fuel supply chain.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen addressed the public through television broadcasts, stating: “Easter is a very special time of faith and family. We encourage people to feel free to stick to your plans, go and see your family, go take a break – but get no more fuel than you need.”

The fuel crisis has hit a nation that relies on imports for roughly 90% of its petroleum needs. Local shortages have emerged during the Middle East conflict, which entered its sixth week on Saturday. Some travelers have already canceled their holiday plans during what is traditionally one of the country’s peak travel periods.

Current fuel reserves stand at 39 days for gasoline, 29 days for diesel, and 30 days for aviation fuel, according to Bowen’s assessment.

“The total number of service stations without diesel in Australia, which is where the main pressure has been, is 312 out of the around 8,000 service stations,” Bowen explained, noting that rural locations face the greatest impact due to longer resupply times.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered an uncommon national address this week, warning citizens that economic impacts from the Middle East warfare would persist for months ahead. He also recommended using public transportation when possible.

WASHINGTON — Beijing is intensifying its diplomatic initiatives regarding the Iran conflict, collaborating with Pakistan on a five-point peace framework while building support among Gulf nations and rejecting a United Nations proposal that would authorize military force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The diplomatic push represents Beijing’s latest attempt to establish itself as a major player on the world stage, though analysts suggest the effort may be more symbolic than meaningful, particularly given Washington’s apparent lack of interest in China’s involvement.

“The war with Iran is the priority of all countries in and outside the region,” said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank. “It is an opportunity China will not miss to demonstrate its leadership and diplomatic initiative.”

Danny Russel, a former senior U.S. diplomat, characterized Beijing’s diplomatic efforts as “performative” and drew parallels to China’s 12-point Ukraine peace plan from 2023, which was “filled with platitudes but never acted on.”

“Its narrative is that while Washington is reckless, aggressive and heedless of the cost to others, China is a principled and responsible champion of peace,” said Russel, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “What we are seeing from China is messaging, not mediation.”

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, stated that China has been working “tirelessly for peace” since the conflict began.

The Trump administration shows minimal enthusiasm for Chinese mediation efforts, according to U.S. officials.

Washington has grown skeptical of third-party mediation attempts and has little desire to enhance China’s global standing or provide an opportunity for Beijing to claim diplomatic victories in the Middle East, said three U.S. officials who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss potential diplomatic strategies publicly.

One official characterized the administration’s stance on the Chinese-Pakistani initiative as “agnostic,” neither supporting nor opposing it, though all three emphasized this position could shift if President Donald Trump provides direction before his scheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Beijing may have motivation to see the conflict end before Trump’s planned visit to China in mid-May. Trump postponed the originally scheduled late March trip, citing war-related demands.

“There is no guarantee that Trump may not delay the trip to China again if the war rages on,” Sun said.

The conflict intensified significantly Friday when Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft, marking the first such incident since hostilities began five weeks ago. Trump told NBC News this development would not affect negotiations with Iran, speaking just days after announcing in a national address that the U.S. has “beaten and completely decimated Iran.”

Currently, China faces less disruption from Strait of Hormuz complications than other nations, having diversified its energy portfolio and reduced fossil fuel dependence.

Iran supplies approximately 13% of China’s oil imports, and Beijing is coordinating with Tehran to ensure safe passage for Chinese-flagged ships through the strategic waterway, where Iran’s blockade has caused energy prices to spike. China also maintains substantial strategic petroleum reserves.

Though China has positioned itself to weather immediate disruptions, experts believe Beijing is concerned about an extended conflict and has genuine interest in ending hostilities.

“An escalation of the conflict will start to harm Chinese interests,” Russel said. “Because China’s growth model is so export-heavy, prolonged energy shocks and shipping disruption will mean costlier inputs and weaker global demand that damage its vulnerable economy.”

Beyond avoiding a prolonged war, China “welcomes the opportunity to suggest that it is helping mitigate a crisis of America’s making, especially as the Trump administration’s lack of a considered strategy for containing the fallout becomes more apparent,” said Ali Wyne, a senior research and advocacy adviser on U.S.-China relations at the International Crisis Group.

Following the conflict’s outbreak, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conducted discussions with officials from Russia, Oman, Iran, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He assured Iran of China’s valued friendship, called on Israel to halt military operations and indicated China’s willingness to facilitate peace efforts.

Recently, Wang welcomed his Pakistani counterpart to Beijing to develop their five-point framework, which calls for ending hostilities and reopening the strait.

Liu reported that Wang has conducted over 20 phone conversations with regional foreign ministers, while a special envoy has traveled throughout the region to promote peace and reduce tensions.

Wang sought backing for China’s initiative from European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, describing it as representing “broad, international consensus,” according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang told Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that stopping the fighting was the most pressing issue.

This week, Wang also spoke with Bahrain’s foreign minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, to explain China’s opposition to Bahrain’s U.N. proposal authorizing military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Wang argued that U.N. Security Council actions should help reduce tensions “rather than endorse illegal acts of war, still less add fuel to the fire.”

China and Russia contended that the U.S. or other nations could exploit a U.N.-authorized mechanism to escalate the deadly conflict, according to a U.N. diplomat who spoke anonymously to discuss diplomatic conversations.

Both nations appear to have less urgent need for the strait’s complete reopening. While China has managed to pay for some ship passages, Russia benefits from elevated oil prices for its primary export.

To avoid a veto, Bahrain substantially modified its proposal to authorize defensive — rather than offensive — action to ensure safe vessel transit through the strait. The vote was postponed until next week.

China maintains that resolving the strait situation requires a ceasefire. However, its collaborative plan with Pakistan has received mostly silence from the U.S.

One U.S. official noted the plan is challenging to evaluate because it functions less as a concrete peace roadmap and more as a general appeal for respecting international law and emphasizing diplomacy and the U.N.’s importance.

India is strengthening its foothold across Africa through a dual strategy combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term economic partnerships. Recent weeks have seen New Delhi deliver rice shipments to Burkina Faso, Malawi, and Mozambique, while Indian policy experts advocate for enhanced engagement in Africa’s vital minerals industry, citing concerns over energy security and supply chain vulnerabilities that require stronger continental alliances.

The humanitarian initiative has moved swiftly and substantially. According to Business Insider Africa, India delivered 1,000 metric tons of rice to Burkina Faso, another 1,000 metric tons to drought-stricken Malawi, and 500 metric tons to flood-impacted Mozambique, accompanied by additional relief materials. Speaking about the Burkina Faso delivery, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated: “India has sent a consignment of 1000 metric tons of rice to Burkina Faso as humanitarian assistance. This is aimed at supporting food security for vulnerable communities and internally displaced persons. The gesture reflects India’s continued commitment as a reliable developmental and HADR partner to Global South countries.”

These humanitarian efforts address urgent crises affecting multiple African nations. Burkina Faso currently confronts one of the continent’s most serious humanitarian disasters, with millions requiring aid amid ongoing violence from Islamist militant groups and political instability following the 2022 military takeover. Meanwhile, Malawi battles food insecurity caused by El Niño-related drought conditions, and Mozambique continues recovering from devastating flood damage.

Beyond immediate relief efforts, India envisions broader engagement opportunities. A March 31 research document from the Center for Social and Economic Progress highlighted that Africa contains over 30% of worldwide critical and transition mineral reserves, recommending India move beyond traditional extraction methods or basic financing toward collaborative arrangements emphasizing technology sharing, skills development, and mutual benefit creation. The study identifies Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania as priority nations for future cooperation.

This blend of humanitarian outreach and resource-focused diplomacy indicates India seeks expanded African influence while China and the United States intensively compete for regional partnerships, infrastructure projects, and supply chain access. The approach appears both compassionate and pragmatic: providing rice for immediate needs while positioning for future mineral access.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rolled out stringent new penalties targeting nationals who journey to forbidden destinations, implementing financial sanctions as high as 30,000 Saudi riyals alongside potential movement restrictions extending up to two years, according to regulations approved by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.

These enhanced enforcement measures will become active on March 31, 2026, representing the Interior Ministry’s strategy to control movement to specified dangerous nations during a period of heightened regional instability. Government officials stated that the catalog of prohibited locations will be established by the ministry following appropriate administrative processes.

The new framework establishes escalating punishments for multiple infractions. Financial penalties may increase twofold, while movement restrictions can stretch to five years for individuals who continue visiting banned nations.

The policies additionally target violations involving travel paperwork requirements. Submitting fraudulent details during travel document applications may trigger penalties reaching 5,000 Saudi riyals plus potential movement limitations.

More severe infractions, such as altering travel paperwork, misappropriating documents, or facilitating unauthorized usage by others, may result in financial sanctions reaching 100,000 Saudi riyals and movement bans extending five years. Government representatives stated these situations will be forwarded to the Public Prosecution.

Authorities noted that limitations may target particular nations classified as dangerous, including areas experiencing active warfare. Movement near the Yemeni frontier faces special restrictions; all journeys are discouraged within 30 kilometers, while non-critical travel is advised against within the 30-80 kilometer range due to ongoing military operations.

The framework acknowledges that exemptions might be granted under specific circumstances, including for persons 60 years or older or individuals maintaining immediate family connections to residents of restricted nations, where reduced sanctions could be applied.

In related developments, officials announced that foreign nationals and visitors holding expired documentation may utilize the Absher digital platform to extend their presence or depart the kingdom without penalties through April 18, 2026.

In the wake of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, a London-based artist of Iranian heritage known as Naz has created a viral music video marking what many consider a turning point for Iran and the Middle East.

The TikTok creator appeared in a satirical music video just days following Khamenei’s killing, with the song serving as one of the first cultural responses to the dictator’s demise. Within its initial day online, the Instagram post accumulated hundreds of thousands of views.

The musical piece, titled “Hey Arr Arr” and performed by Hamed Fard with Naz dancing, emerged as regime forces fired upon Iranian citizens who were celebrating in the streets following news of Khamenei’s death.

Through social media platforms, Naz utilized music as a vehicle to amplify the voices of Iranians who, despite facing government violence, expressed joy over the end of the authoritarian leader’s reign. The video represents the intersection of art, resistance, and social media in documenting this historic moment for the Iranian people.

Syrian military forces have found two underground passages used for illegal trafficking operations along the border with Lebanon, according to Damascus officials.

The tunnels were located during comprehensive security sweeps conducted by army units near Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali village in Homs province’s western region, Syrian government sources informed The Media Line.

Lt. Col. Shadi Hassan from Syria’s Ministry of Defense explained to The Media Line that authorities have now sealed the tunnels and implemented proper security measures after determining they were being used for illegal border crossings.

This latest find occurred just 24 hours after another similar tunnel was found in the same vicinity. According to Hassan, the discoveries point to an organized system of unauthorized border crossings being utilized for various illegal activities, including contraband trafficking and the transportation of armed individuals.

Evidence suggests these underground routes represent part of a broader pattern of criminal activity occurring along the Syria-Lebanon frontier. The region’s challenging landscape and overlapping geographical features create ideal conditions for such illegal operations to flourish.

Damascus officials stress that finding and shutting down these passages represents part of continuous border security initiatives aimed at stopping smuggling activities. They note that previous unauthorized crossing points have been eliminated after being used to illegally transport both merchandise and people.

Security experts view these actions as components of a wider plan to enhance border monitoring, especially given increasing worries that these pathways might be used for activities extending beyond typical contraband operations into security and military concerns.

The tunnel discoveries occur during a period of heightened regional tensions, particularly along Lebanon’s southern border areas where sporadic fighting and military escalation have generated growing international alarm.

Security analysts indicate that Syria has strengthened its frontier monitoring procedures due to concerns that regional conflicts might spread into Syrian territory through armed infiltration or weapons and supply smuggling.

These developments also coincide with reports of continued security cooperation between Damascus and Beirut in fighting smuggling operations and armed organizations, motivated by common border security challenges facing both nations.

Beyond immediate security concerns related to the tunnel findings, political factors also come into play, especially considering repeated allegations of non-governmental groups’ participation in managing cross-border trafficking operations.

Retired Brig. Gen. Ahmad Mansour explained to The Media Line that these passages might demonstrate overlapping interests between smuggling organizations and militant groups, which further complicates regional security and creates additional difficulties for law enforcement in both countries.

Mansour noted that the continuing discovery of such tunnels could lead to wider conversations about future border management strategies and the importance of regional cooperation in stopping illegal activities that threaten regional stability.

Following these revelations, Syrian authorities appear committed to expanding operations along their western frontier to prevent the construction of additional tunnels and unauthorized crossing points.

Regional observers suggest that the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend heavily on continued collaboration with Lebanese counterparts, along with addressing the underlying economic and security issues that fuel border area smuggling.

The discovery of these additional underground passages underscores the unstable security conditions along the Syria-Lebanon frontier. This situation presents a major challenge for both governments, particularly considering the potential for additional escalation.

The United States Embassy in Albania has issued a security warning stating that Iran could potentially target American citizens, organizations with US connections, and Iranian opposition members as Middle East conflicts persist.

Albanian security agencies have elevated their alert status, with all protective systems described as “active and functional.” Embassy officials specifically warned that public locations such as tourist destinations, shopping centers, hotels, dining establishments, and nightlife venues may face increased risk. They encouraged heightened awareness and prompt reporting of any unusual activities.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj continues to receive regular briefings about possible security threats, his office announced in a Thursday statement.

“The president is informed about every situation and scenario, as well as all measures taken under security protocols,” the presidency stated, noting that collaboration with international allies remains at “extremely high levels.” Officials confirmed that Begaj maintains daily communication with the National Security Council.

These security concerns arise amid growing regional tensions, particularly after Bulgarian officials revealed that Iran delivered a diplomatic message last month warning Sofia against allowing American military aircraft to utilize Bulgarian airports for operations directed at Iran. This communication came after reports emerged of US military planes being observed in Bulgaria’s capital.

Former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski characterized the message as typical diplomatic correspondence during crisis periods, though she acknowledged its significance given current circumstances. “This is normal diplomatic practice in times of crisis. It is not a threat, but a warning,” she told NOVA television during an interview.

Neynski explained that Bulgaria provided assurances to Tehran that it remains uninvolved in military operations, confirming that no combat missions fly through Bulgarian airspace and no military refueling occurs within its borders. She noted that officials delayed disclosing the diplomatic communication to prevent public alarm during the country’s election period, when national security matters are especially delicate.

Recent U.S. intelligence evaluations reveal that Iran continues to possess substantial missile capabilities following more than a month of coordinated strikes by Israeli and American forces, with approximately half of its missile launchers remaining operational, according to three sources with knowledge of the intelligence reports who spoke with CNN on Friday.

The intelligence assessments, gathered in recent days, indicate that Iran maintains the ability to conduct regional attacks. One source described Iran’s remaining capabilities, stating: “They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region.”

The remaining operational launchers likely include missile systems that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) concealed in underground facilities to protect them from aerial bombardment. Intelligence reports also revealed that a substantial portion of Iran’s coastal defense cruise missile systems remain undamaged, primarily because U.S. military operations have concentrated on Iran’s naval forces rather than the missile installations positioned along the coastline that could target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

These intelligence findings differ significantly from recent public comments made by President Donald Trump, who stated during Wednesday evening’s national address that Iran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left.”

Based on the most recent intelligence analysis, President Trump’s projection that the conflict could conclude within two to three weeks appears overly optimistic. “We can keep f**king them up, I don’t doubt it, but you’re out of your mind if you think this will be done in two weeks,” one intelligence source told CNN. During the early stages of the conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that 75% of Iran’s missile launchers had been eliminated within the first week of operations.

Nevertheless, a Reuters investigation conducted three weeks later indicated that U.S. intelligence could only verify the destruction of roughly one-third of Iran’s missile stockpile. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed CNN’s reporting, describing it as “completely wrong.”

“The United States military has delivered a crippling series of blows to the Iranian regime,” Parnell said.

“We are far ahead of schedule on accomplishing our military objectives: destroy Iran’s missile arsenal, annihilate their Navy, destroy their terrorist proxies, and ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Violence escalated in the Middle East during the Passover holiday as Hezbollah militants fired 130 rockets at Israel over Wednesday and Thursday, leaving four civilians with minor injuries while Israeli forces responded with operations in Lebanon that wounded two soldiers.

Emergency medical services reported casualties from two separate rocket strikes on Thursday. A direct hit on a building in Kiryat Shmona left a 34-year-old and an 85-year-old with minor injuries, according to Magen David Adom.

Another rocket impact in the northern community of Bi’ina caused light injuries to two men, ages 30 and 40. Additional rockets targeted the coastal city of Nahariya, with Israeli news outlets confirming that a kindergarten was among the structures hit. Emergency teams located two additional impact zones, though air defense systems successfully intercepted most of the incoming projectiles.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem regarding the continued aggression during the Jewish holiday. Following a security briefing with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior military officials at the underground command facility beneath the Kiyra compound, Katz declared that Qassem would face a “very heavy price” and would end up “at the bottom of hell” with other eliminated members of Iran’s proxy network.

Israeli military officials confirmed that two soldiers received light wounds during combat operations in southern Lebanon. The injuries occurred during what the IDF described as a “targeted ground operation” by the 162nd Division aimed at strengthening Israel’s forward defensive positions, during which Israeli troops eliminated a Hezbollah fighter in close combat.

In a related development, Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthis took credit for launching a ballistic missile they claimed was aimed at “vital Israeli enemy targets” in the Tel Aviv region. However, Israeli defense forces reported the Yemen-launched missile actually activated warning sirens in Jerusalem before being successfully intercepted, with no casualties reported.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa revealed that diplomatic negotiations with Israel collapsed during the final stages, describing Israel’s stance toward Syria as consistently hostile.

Speaking at a Chatham House forum in London, al-Sharaa disclosed that Damascus had attempted to establish constructive dialogue with Israeli officials to find common ground, but recent events derailed any potential breakthrough.

On the topic of growing Middle East tensions, al-Sharaa declared that Syria will remain neutral in any US-Israeli conflict with Iran unless Syria faces direct attack and all diplomatic avenues are exhausted. Political analysts view this stance as Syria’s strategy to avoid getting pulled into a broader regional conflict.

The Syrian leader also distanced himself from al-Qaeda’s extremist views, stating his fundamental disagreements with their policies and ideology drove him to pursue an alternative path. He emphasized that Syria’s new government is adopting different strategies to prevent repeating historical errors, indicating efforts to reshape the nation’s political trajectory during this transition phase.

Al-Sharaa drew parallels between Syrian and Palestinian experiences, describing a common struggle where Syrians have faced hardships comparable to those endured by Gaza residents, underscoring the interconnected nature of regional humanitarian and political challenges.

These statements emerged during al-Sharaa’s ongoing European diplomatic tour. He traveled to Britain following meetings with high-ranking German officials, as part of Syria’s broader initiative to enhance political relationships and strengthen connections with European governments.

Iranian state television has broadcast footage of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters crossing into Khuzestan province, triggering widespread anger among Iranian citizens who believe these foreign military units are being deployed to suppress domestic opposition and protect the current government.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude on Tuesday through a social media post, thanking the “Muslim people of Iraq” for supporting Iran during what he characterized as an “unjust” conflict. He wrote, “I warmly shake the hands of the people, officials, and fighters of Iraq in Mesopotamia.”

Local residents in Khuzestan report that approximately 1,000 armed PMF members have crossed the border under the pretense of delivering humanitarian assistance, though they arrived with military vehicles and equipment while displaying official Iraqi flags. Sources suggest additional forces may have entered covertly.

The deployment violates Iran’s own constitutional provisions under Article 146, which prohibits foreign military forces from operating on Iranian territory. Similar criticism arose previously when Russian forces used Iranian military facilities.

A Khorramshahr resident spoke to The Media Line on Wednesday, describing widespread community distress over the PMF arrival, with some locals comparing it to the Iraqi occupation of their city during the Iran-Iraq War four decades ago. During that conflict, Iraqi forces held Khorramshahr for nearly two years.

The PMF deployment extends beyond Khorramshahr to include Abadan and Ahvaz, with forces positioned to assist Iranian military units during potential civil unrest or a possible American ground invasion of Khuzestan province.

Reports indicate PMF units previously entered Iran in January, working alongside the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in violent suppression of civilian demonstrators. Protesters reported seeing non-Persian speaking armed personnel in Tehran firing on demonstrators. Social media footage allegedly shows PMF fighters departing Iran following the brutal crackdown that human rights organizations say resulted in approximately 10,000 deaths over several days beginning January 8.

The PMF also participated in crushing the Woman, Life, Freedom protests during fall 2022 in Tehran and other Iranian cities, working alongside proxy groups including Hezbollah. Witnesses reported these foreign forces operating throughout Tehran as prolonged nationwide demonstrations led by women had weakened Iran’s domestic security apparatus.

Iran has increasingly relied on various mercenary organizations to suppress major public demonstrations, including the Afghan Shiite Fatemiyoun Division and Pakistani Shiite Zainabiyoun Brigade, both of which maintain permanent bases inside Iran. Unlike these groups, PMF fighters typically do not establish permanent Iranian facilities.

PMF elements maintain an unofficial presence at the Ghayour military compound in Ahvaz, which serves as a training facility for Arabic-speaking forces, primarily Iraqis and Lebanese. Other Iranian proxy organizations also operate from this location, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, Harakat al-Nujaba, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and smaller groups like Saraya Awliya al-Dam.

While the PMF attempts to portray itself as a grassroots organization supported by Iraqi Shiites and remains officially part of Iraq’s military structure despite recent tensions, other groups function primarily as Iran’s operational forces in Iraq, conducting terrorist activities, sabotage operations against Kurdish populations, kidnappings, assassinations, and attacks on U.S. military installations.

PMF leadership also receives training at IRGC military academies, while core members travel regularly to Qom for ideological and political education.

Iran is utilizing the PMF’s extensive urban warfare experience to prepare for potential internal conflicts, assist in city control during a possible U.S. ground assault, and reinforce its own weakened military forces, which are reportedly now recruiting Basij militia members as young as 12 for urban area control.

Middle Eastern security analyst Shukriyga Bradost explained to The Media Line that the PMF’s open entry into Iran reflects the group’s necessity to maintain the Islamic Republic’s stability. “The fall of this regime would effectively mean the end of the PMF and other Shiite groups tied to the Islamic Republic regime,” she stated.

According to Bradost, PMF forces are being positioned for potential use against U.S. ground operations. “If there is a collapse within the regime’s military ranks, they could use the PMF against the United States, because since 2009 this group has had both experience fighting the Americans and also cooperating with them in Iraq, and therefore has greater familiarity with U.S. military forces,” she explained.

The Virginia Tech analyst and international security researcher suggested that U.S. and Israeli forces may have avoided striking PMF units before their Iranian entry because using these forces against protesters could intensify tensions between Iranian security forces and demonstrators, potentially leading to military confrontation or civil war.

Intelligence reports indicate PMF fighters have been stationed near Abadan’s oil refinery in strategically sensitive locations. These forces reportedly entered Khuzestan through both the Basra border and Shalamcheh crossing, traveling in fully equipped Toyota Hilux vehicles while carrying Iraqi flags and receiving official welcomes from Iranian government representatives.

Meanwhile, several PMF brigades in Iraq that had attacked Iranian Kurdish forces and threatened U.S. positions have come under American military strikes, resulting in reported casualties among their members.

Iraqi officials, concerned about potential U.S. retaliation for PMF deployment into Iran, believe Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government has implicitly opposed the entry of PMF fighters into Iran. According to Arab media reports, Baghdad has emphasized that only the commander-in-chief may authorize Iraqi armed forces movements.

Despite his close ties to Iran, Sudani has previously expressed concern about Iraq becoming a battlefield in an Iranian-American conflict. Other Iraqi officials and politicians have similarly warned against Iraq’s involvement in a war between Iran and the United States.

Recent Arab media reports indicate that Kata’ib Hezbollah, considered part of the PMF, also entered Khuzestan without Iraqi government coordination. Al-Araby al-Jadeed reported that several armed groups allied with Iran’s government, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, have defied Iraqi military and security directives requiring them to avoid border areas and parts of Baghdad, while the Iraqi government has remained silent on these violations.

Former Baghdad Post editor-in-chief Sufyan al-Samarrai wrote on social media that, contrary to Iranian government claims, the PMF convoy did not consist of food aid but secretly transported “important equipment, concealed light weapons, and missiles mounted on PMF pickup trucks, in preparation for street warfare in Iranian cities.”

On Tuesday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein acknowledged in an Al Arabiya interview that Iraq had been unwillingly drawn into the conflict between Iran and the United States.

This development occurs as the PMF’s political influence in Iraq has become increasingly fragmented in recent years, particularly following Ali Khamenei’s death. A faction now identifying more closely with Iraqi Shiite religious authority Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Muqtada al-Sadr than with serving as Iran’s proxy force is distancing itself from Tehran’s agenda.

Both Sadr and Sistani are increasingly separating themselves from Iran’s Islamic Republic. Sistani did not issue a specific statement recognizing Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s leader, with his office merely expressing wishes for success to the former leader’s “successor.”

Sadr limited his response to a brief social media message following Ali Khamenei’s death, indicating a deepening divide between significant portions of Iraq’s Shiite religious establishment and Iran’s Islamic Republic, naturally placing the PMF in the center of this crisis.

Earlier, amid these disagreements, some PMF elements, including the Abbas Combat Division, separated and joined Iraq’s Ministry of Defense directly. The force is now split between a pro-velayat faction serving Iran’s Islamic Republic and a marjaiya faction loyal to Sistani. Another group, Saraya al-Salam, identifies itself as following Sadr’s orders.

The PMF appears to be losing Iraqi support, even among Shiites, with far more people turning away than in previous years. A recent IIACSS research group poll found that trust in the pro-velayat faction across Iraqi society dropped to approximately 28%, partly due to its service to Iran’s Islamic Republic within Iraq.

Iranian and Iraqi social media users have posted opposition to PMF presence on various platforms. Tishreen movement supporters, using the hashtag “Iraq is not (Iran’s) backyard,” have sharply criticized the economic consequences of PMF forces entering Iran.

Iranian users have expressed surprise that Israel or the United States did not attack the PMF, and, concerned about the likely reasons behind the Iraqi proxy group’s entry into Iran, have been discussing various scenarios.

One user named Mahtab wrote: “The country’s infrastructure has been destroyed, but the regime is still standing, and the PMF enters the country without coming under air attack. Isn’t that strange?”

British authorities announced Friday that three individuals have been formally charged in connection with a fire attack that targeted Jewish community emergency vehicles in north London last month.

According to prosecutors, the trio faces charges of arson with intent to damage property and reckless endangerment of life stemming from the March incident involving the ambulances.

While the Metropolitan Police have not officially categorized the case as terrorism, counter-terrorism specialists are heading up the investigation given the specific circumstances surrounding the attack on the Jewish community vehicles.

WASHINGTON – Fresh intelligence assessments from U.S. agencies indicate that Iran has no intention of releasing its control over the Strait of Hormuz anytime soon, as Tehran views its dominance of the critical oil shipping channel as its primary bargaining chip against America, three informed sources revealed.

These intelligence findings suggest Iran may continue restricting passage through the waterway to maintain elevated energy costs, potentially forcing President Donald Trump to seek a rapid resolution to the ongoing conflict that has lasted nearly five weeks and remains deeply unpopular among American voters.

The assessments also reveal that the military campaign, originally designed to eliminate Iran’s military capabilities, may paradoxically be strengthening Tehran’s regional influence by demonstrating its capacity to threaten this essential shipping route.

President Trump has attempted to minimize the challenges involved in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil shipments pass. Last Friday, he seemed to indicate he might deploy American military forces to clear the passage.

“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

However, military experts have consistently cautioned that using military force against Iran, which maintains control over one side of the strait, could result in significant casualties and potentially drag America into an extended ground conflict.

“In the attempt to try to prevent Iran from developing a weapon of mass destruction, the U.S. handed Iran a weapon of mass disruption,” stated Ali Vaez, who leads the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, an organization focused on conflict prevention.

According to Vaez, Tehran recognizes that its capacity to influence global energy markets through its control of the strait “is much more potent than even a nuclear weapon.”

Trump’s position regarding potential American military action to reopen the strait has been inconsistent. While he has established ending Iran’s blockade as a requirement for any ceasefire agreement, he has also urged Gulf nations dependent on oil exports and NATO partners to spearhead efforts to restore passage.

A White House representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Trump remains “confident that the strait will be open very soon” and has made clear that Iran will not be permitted to control waterway traffic following the conflict’s conclusion.

However, the official acknowledged that Trump has also emphasized that other nations “have far more at stake in preventing this outcome” compared to the United States.

The CIA has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.

Iran’s outmatched Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has employed multiple strategies to make commercial shipping through the waterway too hazardous or uninsurable since Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated their military campaign on February 28.

Through attacks on civilian ships, deployment of sea mines, and demands for transit payments, Iran has successfully halted traffic through the strait, causing global oil prices to reach multi-year peaks and creating fuel shortages in nations dependent on Gulf petroleum and natural gas.

Increasing energy expenses threaten to drive up inflation across America, creating political challenges for Trump as he confronts poor polling numbers while his Republican Party prepares for November’s midterm congressional elections.

According to the three sources, Iran shows no signs of relinquishing this strategic advantage in the near future, as warned in recent intelligence reports. The sources declined to specify which agencies produced these evaluations.

“It is certainly the case that now that Iran has tasted its power and leverage over the strait, it won’t soon give it up,” explained one source. All three requested anonymity when discussing the classified intelligence reports.

Military specialists emphasize that any operation to forcibly reopen the waterway would involve substantial risks.

The strait runs between Iran and Oman, measuring 21 miles across at its most narrow section, though the actual shipping channels are only 2 miles wide in each direction, creating vulnerable targets for both vessels and military personnel.

Even if American forces successfully captured Iran’s southern coastline and offshore islands, the IRGC could continue attacking them and maintaining waterway control using drones and missiles launched from Iran’s interior, according to defense experts.

“All it takes to disrupt traffic and deter vessels from passing through is one or two drones,” Vaez noted.

Several analysts believe that even after the conflict ends, Iran will be reluctant to surrender its ability to control strait traffic because the nation will require reconstruction funding, and collecting commercial shipping fees would provide one method of generating revenue.

Tehran “is going to look to maintain the leverage that they have rediscovered by disrupting traffic” through the strait, former CIA Director Bill Burns commented during a Foreign Affairs magazine podcast released Thursday.

Burns explained that Iran will attempt to use its waterway control capabilities to secure “long-term deterrence and security guarantees” in any peace agreement with America while gaining “some direct material benefits” such as charging passage fees to finance post-war rebuilding efforts.

“That,” he concluded, “sets up a really difficult negotiation right now.”

GUANABO, Cuba (AP) — Emotional scenes played out at Cuban detention facilities Friday as loved ones welcomed back inmates who had just been released, following the government’s Thursday announcement that 2,010 prisoners would be freed in what officials described as compassionate acts before Holy Week begins.

The release represents a significant number of inmates being returned to their communities as Cuba marks the religious observance period.

Two key Russian oil export facilities along the Baltic Sea coast have been shut down for shipment operations for the second consecutive week following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes, according to industry sources who spoke Friday.

The Ust-Luga and Primorsk terminals have suffered infrastructure damage from ongoing attacks that intensified during the final two weeks of March, with Ust-Luga hit by at least five separate drone strikes within a 10-day period.

Industry insiders indicate that the export bottlenecks, combined with operational problems at major refineries, may result in reduced Russian oil production levels.

According to traders, refineries have been blocked from shipping diesel fuel through Primorsk since March 22, cutting off the primary export pathway for facilities across European Russia and Siberia.

One industry source explained the situation: “Diesel fuel has not been accepted in Primorsk since Sunday (March 22). They have promised to resume accepting delivers to the system.”

The shipping disruptions are forcing refineries to explore costlier rail transportation options to reach other export points, traders report.

Facilities that typically route fuel oil shipments through Ust-Luga have spent the past week and a half exploring alternatives, including the Vysotsk terminal located further north along the Gulf of Finland, or the Taman facility on the Black Sea coastline.

However, traders note that Vysotsk has limited processing capabilities, while shipping to Taman would require securing significantly more railway cars for transport.

Finnish maritime authorities confirmed to Reuters this week that vessel traffic from both Primorsk and Ust-Luga has dropped dramatically to just “individual vessels” compared to the typical weekly average of 40 to 50 ships.

Cuban authorities commenced the release of inmates from detention facilities Friday, just hours after the island nation’s communist leadership announced a comprehensive prisoner amnesty amid heightened tensions with Washington.

The government plans to free more than 2,000 individuals in what state media described Thursday as a “sovereign and humanitarian” action, marking the most extensive such release in a decade.

Washington officials confirmed they are carefully observing whether individuals they classify as political detainees will be included in the releases.

“It is unclear how many, if any, political prisoners will be released,” the spokesperson said. “We continue to call for the immediate release of the hundreds of other brave Cuban patriots who remain unjustly detained.”

The issue of political detainees has remained a significant obstacle in diplomatic discussions between the two nations. If Cuba were to free all or most political prisoners, it would represent a substantial compromise in current negotiations.

Throughout Friday morning, a continuous flow of men and women emerged from La Lima detention center in Guanabacoa, located on Havana’s outskirts. Reuters interviewed several individuals who received pardons for various offenses including stealing and corruption, though none had participated in anti-government demonstrations.

“Long-live freedom,” shouted one man, convicted of theft, as he embraced his sister, waiting for him outside the prison gates. Others departed more quietly, some in tears, holding a single white slip of paper that stated the reason for their discharge was a “pardon.”

Abel Tamayo, who received a corruption conviction in 2024 and gained freedom Friday, described the amnesty as evidence of the Cuban leadership’s willingness to embrace reform.

“This shows they are open to everything, open to dialogue, open to national unity,” Tamayo told Reuters. “There are many people who are imprisoned who may well be bad people, but there are also many who are good people.”

Cuban officials have consistently denied making policy decisions in response to American demands.

Thursday evening’s official announcement made no reference to either the United States or the Vatican, which participated in previous amnesty efforts.

Human rights organizations, including some that receive American funding, claim Cuba detains hundreds of political prisoners, though exact numbers vary, and have pledged to closely examine the release proceedings.

Cuban authorities maintain they hold no political prisoners. Government officials argue those jailed following anti-government demonstrations were convicted of legitimate offenses including disturbing the peace, resisting law enforcement, theft, and property damage.

The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights, a Madrid-based organization that has received U.S. funding, reported that by midday Friday it had not documented the release of any individuals they classify as “prisoners of conscience.”

The island nation typically does not make public the identities of prisoners freed during such amnesties, making verification by advocacy groups more difficult.

Multiple sources informed Reuters that detention facilities throughout the Havana area and other Cuban regions had started releasing inmates.

During late 2015, Cuban leadership pardoned 3,522 prisoners to mark Pope Francis’ island visit during improved U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations under former President Barack Obama.

In March, Cuba released 51 prisoners through an arrangement with the Vatican.

Rights organizations noted that some, though not all, of those freed last month were individuals they regarded as political prisoners.

HAVANA — Outside a detention center near Cuba’s capital, 43-year-old Katia Arias felt overwhelming hope Friday morning as she joined other families waiting for one of the largest prisoner releases the Cuban government has conducted in recent years.

Her son, 20-year-old Emilio Alejandro Leyva, emerged from the facility alongside dozens of other inmates, carrying his belongings and release papers after serving time for robbery charges. Mother and son embraced for the first time in years.

“It has been so difficult, but today God has given me so much joy,” said Arias, 43, breaking down in tears. “Today, I feel so happy. This is how all mothers who will have their children released today should feel.”

Families experienced waves of emotion following Thursday’s announcement that Cuban officials would free 2,010 inmates in what they described as “humanitarian gestures” before Holy Week. Officials have not confirmed how many walked free on Friday.

The prisoner release occurs while Cuba faces intense pressure and severe oil restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, which has publicly called for government change and the freedom of detained protesters.

Questions remain about whether Friday’s releases included any of the 1,214 individuals that activist organizations claim are jailed for political activities in Cuba. Cuban officials reject claims they hold political prisoners.

At La Lima prison in Havana’s rural outskirts Friday, inmates reported being awakened at 6 a.m. to hear their names announced. Within hours, they were reuniting with family members gathered outside the facility’s blue entrance gates.

Most prisoners who spoke with The Associated Press Friday had not been incarcerated on political charges, though it remains unknown how many released individuals were protesters — typically charged with public disturbance, disrespect, or terrorism. The activist group Prisoners Defended has documented more than one thousand people detained for political reasons, many stemming from the 2021 widespread demonstrations that resulted in mass government arrests.

Recent months have seen scattered protests as the island faces deepening crisis. In March, demonstrators set fire to the communist party building in central Cuba, resulting in five arrests.

Limited information about Friday’s releases sparked frustration among human rights and opposition organizations, who viewed the releases positively but insufficient for meaningful reform.

“The government presents it as a humanitarian gesture toward prisoners, not as the release of political prisoners,” said Manuel Cuesta Morúa, leader of the Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba, the island’s main opposition platform. “By doing so, it mixes things up to avoid giving the impression that it recognizes political imprisonment in Cuba.”

The organization has called for official amnesty legislation and notes that previously released individuals often face house arrest or restrictions on free speech.

In a March release of 51 people, prison monitoring groups identified political motivations in 22 cases.

The advocacy organization Justicia 11J stated Friday that partial releases cannot represent progress “as long as the criminalization of the exercise of fundamental rights persists.”

“Although every release represents immediate relief, especially for families, in a context marked by the severity of conditions in the country’s prisons … we warn that this gesture does not constitute a change in the repressive policy of the Cuban state,” the organization said.

These releases coincide with escalating U.S.-Cuban tensions. Trump administration policies have strangled the island through oil restrictions, pushing the already struggling nation toward collapse, devastating hospitals and increasing nationwide power outages.

Cubans received temporary relief this week when President Trump announced the government permitted a Russian vessel carrying nine to ten days’ worth of fuel to reach the island. Whether Cuban or Russian officials made concessions for the shipment remains unclear. Another Russian tanker is en route.

Cuba routinely releases prisoners during significant periods.

In January 2025, Cuban authorities freed 553 inmates as part of Vatican negotiations, one day after the Biden administration announced plans to remove the island’s state sponsor of terrorism designation.

Cuban officials stated Friday’s release represents the fifth since 2011, with more than 11,000 people freed overall.

Despite continuing uncertainty, hopeful scenes unfolded outside La Lima prison Friday as families embraced and a father kissed his pink-wrapped infant’s head.

Twenty-year-old Damián Fariñas, who completed most of his two-year robbery sentence, met three excited friends waiting on the street.

“This is freedom, a pardon, owing nothing to anyone. I’m heading out into the world,” he said.

Another U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft went down Friday in the Persian Gulf area, with the lone pilot successfully rescued afterward, according to a New York Times report citing two American officials.

The incident marks the second military aircraft crash in the region, though details about the circumstances surrounding the emergency remain limited.

Military rescue operations were able to safely recover the pilot following the aircraft’s emergency landing.

A devastating earthquake claimed eight lives and injured one child in Afghanistan’s capital city on Friday after a residential building crumbled during the seismic event, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Authority.

The magnitude 5.9 tremor originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain region, as reported by the German Research Centre for Geosciences. Seismic monitoring showed the earthquake occurred approximately 110 miles below the surface.

The powerful shaking was experienced far beyond Afghanistan’s borders, with residents in Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad, Afghanistan’s Kabul, and India’s New Delhi all reporting significant ground movement, according to international news witnesses.

The mountainous terrain of Afghanistan makes the nation particularly vulnerable to various natural catastrophes, with seismic activity being the most lethal. On average, earthquakes in the region claim approximately 560 lives annually.

This latest tragedy follows another devastating quake that struck the country last November, when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake resulted in at least 27 fatalities and leveled hundreds of residential structures.

Israeli military forces launched airstrikes against Lebanon’s capital city on Friday evening, with officials stating they were targeting militant infrastructure as tensions continue escalating across the Middle East region.

The attacks occurred around sunset on Friday, with news reporters in the area hearing three powerful explosions that reverberated throughout Beirut. Many residents were observing Good Friday at the time of the strikes, despite the ongoing military hostilities affecting the religiously diverse nation.

Prior to the bombardment, Israeli military officials had issued evacuation warnings to civilians living in seven neighborhoods within Beirut’s southern suburbs, alerting them of planned military operations. Local Lebanese news sources confirmed the strikes targeted these southern suburban areas, though immediate casualty reports were not available.

Israeli military representatives stated they were “striking terror infrastructure in Beirut” but declined to provide additional operational details about the mission.

The conflict has expanded significantly since Israeli forces moved into southern Lebanon, with military leaders vowing to establish control over the region extending to the Litani River. This proposed security buffer zone is intended to protect Israeli communities in the north from attacks by Iran-supported Hezbollah fighters.

The current military campaign began after Hezbollah launched attacks into Israeli territory on March 2, acting in support of Iran following joint US-Israeli military operations against Iranian targets. Since then, the conflict has broadened to include Iranian strikes against Israeli positions, American military bases, and Gulf region nations.

More than one million Lebanese civilians have evacuated their homes due to the fighting, with Israeli evacuation orders now covering approximately 15 percent of Lebanese territory. Casualty figures show over 1,300 people have died in Israeli military strikes, while roughly one-fifth of Lebanon’s population has been forced to relocate.

Despite the widespread displacement, tens of thousands of Lebanese residents have chosen to remain in southern Lebanon communities, including approximately 9,000 Lebanese Christians living in border towns who have told international media they are determined to stay despite advancing military operations.

On Friday, American diplomatic officials in Beirut issued security warnings stating that “Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon.” This alert followed Iranian threats to retaliate against American universities in the region after Iranian educational institutions were damaged in recent attacks.

The American University of Beirut responded to these security concerns by moving to online instruction earlier this week. The US embassy also renewed its advisory for American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.

The violence has also affected international peacekeeping forces, with three United Nations peacekeepers injured Friday in an explosion at a UN position near the Lebanese border. Two of the injured peacekeepers sustained serious injuries, though the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. This incident follows the deaths of three other UN peacekeepers earlier this week.

Lebanese military forces have withdrawn from southern border areas to avoid direct confrontations with advancing Israeli troops, leaving civilian populations in contested zones.

WASHINGTON – A U.S. official confirmed to Reuters Friday that one American crew member has been successfully recovered following the crash of an F-15 fighter aircraft in Iranian territory.

The military aircraft was carrying two American personnel when it went down in Iran. The official who spoke to Reuters declined to identify which organization or forces conducted the rescue mission and provided no additional information regarding the operation’s specifics.

No details were released about the condition of the rescued American or the status of the second crew member aboard the downed aircraft.

Multiple ships from Japan, France, and Oman have successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz since Thursday, according to shipping data, as Iran continues its policy of permitting vessels from nations it considers allies to pass through the critical waterway.

Iran had previously blocked the strait following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran in late February that escalated regional tensions. The waterway serves as a passage for approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Tehran later announced it would allow ships without connections to the United States or Israel to continue their journeys.

Global oil and commodity markets are closely monitoring signs that shipping traffic is returning to normal levels. While some tankers and cargo vessels have managed to break through the blockade in recent weeks, such activity has typically been followed by periods of complete shutdown.

A cargo vessel belonging to French shipping company CMA CGM made the transit on Thursday, the same day French President Emmanuel Macron stated that diplomatic solutions, rather than military action, represented the only viable path to reopening the strait.

Before entering waters controlled by Iran, the French ship modified its Automatic Identification System to display “Owner France” as its destination, clearly indicating its nationality to Iranian officials.

The ships appeared to disable their AIS tracking systems while making the crossing, as their signals vanished from vessel monitoring systems.

Three ships operated by Oman Shipping Management – two large crude oil tankers and one LNG vessel – also departed the Gulf region on Thursday, based on data from MarineTraffic and LSEG.

Oman, which had facilitated discussions between Iran and the United States prior to the military strikes, has condemned the timing of the attacks while negotiations were still underway.

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines confirmed Friday that its partially-owned LNG tanker, Sohar LNG, had crossed the strait, marking the first Japanese-connected vessel and first LNG carrier to complete the journey since hostilities began.

A company representative refused to disclose to Reuters the exact timing of the passage or whether special negotiations were necessary.

As of early Friday, approximately 45 vessels owned or operated by Japanese companies remained stuck in the area, according to Japan’s transportation ministry.

Another Mitsui-owned LPG tanker, Green Sanvi, departed the Gulf through Iranian territorial waters earlier Friday, shipping records indicated.

The vessel, flying an Indian flag, displayed its destination as “India ship India crew.”

Additionally, the Panama-flagged Danisa, a large gas carrier, exited the Gulf using the same route while heading toward China, the data revealed.

The Trump administration is currently negotiating with the Democratic Republic of Congo about establishing a deportation agreement that would allow the United States to send migrants to the African nation, according to multiple government sources in Kinshasa who spoke with Reuters.

Two Congolese government officials confirmed the ongoing discussions, which were also verified by three United Nations sources and two diplomatic officials who have been briefed on the matter by American representatives.

These negotiations highlight Washington’s increasing dependence on third-country deportation arrangements to accelerate the removal process for migrants who entered the United States illegally or overstayed their authorized presence.

Such deportation agreements are typically negotiated behind closed doors, with minimal public information released about their scope or specific conditions.

The Congo discussions are happening alongside Trump administration efforts to broker a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda, as well as secure American access to Congo’s valuable mineral resources.

The United States has previously established similar deportation partnerships with several African nations, including Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Eswatini. Legal scholars and human rights organizations have condemned these arrangements, questioning their legal foundation and raising concerns about how deportees are treated when sent to countries where they are not citizens.

In some cases, migrants have been forcibly removed despite having received court-ordered protection in the United States that was specifically designed to prevent their deportation.

According to the Congolese sources, the current negotiations have not yet produced a finalized agreement, and several important aspects remain unresolved. Officials have not disclosed when deportation flights might begin, how many migrants could be affected, or which nationalities would be involved.

It remains unknown what compensation or benefits Congo might receive for agreeing to accept these deportees.

A source from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration who is familiar with the negotiations indicated that the plan could include migrants from South American countries, potentially including Venezuelan nationals.

When asked for comment, a State Department representative stated that Washington had “no comment on the details of our diplomatic communications with other governments.”

A spokesperson for Congo’s presidential office did not respond to requests for comment.