Iran emphasizes ignoring the "illusions and lies" of the US and Israel, warns of a proportional response to "terrorist actions," and Trump states that Iran no longer has the capability to develop nuclear weapons.

April 1 marked Wednesday as the 33rd day of the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, with the situation advancing in lockstep between intense exchanges of fire and diplomatic probing.

Iran has reiterated its hardline stance that it will not change its position, warning it would respond in kind to any “terrorist actions” by the U.S. and Israel. In a speech marking Iran’s National Independence Day, Iranian President Pezeshkian stressed the country’s independence and security. Citing Iranian media, Xinhua News Agency reported that Pezeshkian would issue an open letter to the American people. According to CCTV, on Wednesday evening local time, Israel faced the most concentrated missile attacks in a short period since the war broke out on February 28. On the same day, the Israeli army announced large-scale airstrikes against targets within Iran.

Meanwhile, reports say U.S. President Donald Trump has privately relayed ceasefire conditions to Iran via senior U.S. officials, and plans to deliver a nationwide address at 21:00 U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday regarding an “important update” on the Iran issue. According to media citing information from U.S. officials, Trump’s speech will reiterate the timeline for U.S. forces to withdraw from Iran within two to three weeks, and will praise the “achievements” made by U.S. forces in Iran.

According to CCTV, on Wednesday Trump said he does not care about Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, adding that the relevant facilities are “buried very deep.” Trump said the United States will continue to monitor the situation via satellites, and said Iran currently “has no capacity” to develop nuclear weapons, while also reiterating that the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons has been achieved.

According to media reports cited by Xinhua News Agency, Trump has instructed U.S. Vice President Vance to privately convey a message to Iran: as long as “specific demands,” such as the Strait of Hormuz being reopened, are met, he is open to a ceasefire. Vance delivered “tough” messages to the intermediaries, saying Trump “has grown impatient,” and warned that if Iran does not reach an agreement, its infrastructure will face mounting pressure from strikes.

On Wednesday, Trump claimed on social media that the newly installed Iranian administration’s president asked the United States for a ceasefire request; however, according to Xinhua News Agency, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Baghaei subsequently said that Trump’s so-called remarks about Iran’s request for a ceasefire are “false and groundless.”

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Supreme Leader is in good health but has postponed a public appearance due to the war

According to CCTV News, on Wednesday, April 1, the deputy director of communications and news at the office of the Iranian president emphasized via social media that Iran has “no position change whatsoever” regarding the conditions for defending national security, responding to external aggression, and ending the current conflict, and will not pay attention to the “fantasies and lies” of the United States and Israel. The Iranian people will defend national sovereignty with steadfast and united resolve.

According to CCTV, on Wednesday local time, Iranian President Pezeshkian delivered a speech for Iran’s Islamic Republic Day that stressed the intention to rely on public support to defend the country’s independence, security, and development. In his speech, he said that Iran’s Islamic Republic Day is a clear reflection of the Iranian people’s longing for independence, dignity, and rejection of any aggression. The Iranian people will unite as one, steadfastly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with the media that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in good health, but his public appearance has been postponed due to the war.

Baghaei said: “He (Mojtaba) is in good health. I think that, in the current wartime situation, he may need some time before he can appear publicly, which is not surprising. But I assure you that the country, government administration, and national defense are all operating efficiently.”

Iran’s military warns it will strike relevant U.S. intelligence companies, reiterating a warning targeting 18 U.S. firms

CCTV News reported that on April 1, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that if assassination operations targeting Iran occur, it will strike the relevant U.S. “intelligence companies.” The statement also said that the earlier warnings issued against 18 U.S. companies remain effective.

In response to statements by the U.S. Central Command denying strikes on civilian targets, Iran strongly rejected them, saying the so-called “U.S. forces do not invade homes or civilian targets” is pure lies, and stating that irrefutable evidence already confirms that attacks on the residence of Iran’s Supreme Leader and the residences of some Iranian officials, as well as an attack on Minab School, were “terrorist acts” directly carried out by U.S. forces.

In the statement, the Revolutionary Guard Corps also emphasized that regardless of whether the related actions are carried out by the U.S. side or by Israel, Iran will respond in kind, and that U.S. forces’ deep involvement in a “terrorist alliance” means they must bear responsibility for what the alliance does.

Large-scale mutual strikes, with drone losses continuing to accumulate

According to CCTV News, on Wednesday afternoon local time, while Iran was carrying out large-scale missile strikes against Israel, the Israeli military said it was conducting large-scale airstrikes against targets inside Iran.

According to Xinhua News Agency, on Wednesday, the Public Relations Department of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that during Wave 89 of the “True Commitment-4” operation, Iran and various resistance fronts used heavy missiles, attack drones, and rockets to strike U.S. military bases and Israeli targets in the region, including Israeli military facilities in places such as Eilat, Tel Aviv, and Bnei Brak.

The statement also said the strikes hit a location in Bahrain where 80 U.S. military personnel were stationed, and that a ballistic missile hit a helicopter formation of U.S. forces at a base in Kuwait, destroying one helicopter. Xinhua News Agency reported that the above account of combat conditions all came from Iran’s statements and awaited independent verification.

Iran’s military also said that in recent days it has carried out drone strike operations multiple times, with targets being relevant infrastructure of Israel’s defense contractor Rafael. It said the attacks caused fires and resulted in losses. Rafael is one of Israel’s major defense contractors and is known for developing the “Iron Dome” air defense system.

Regarding drone losses, citing U.S. media, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday that U.S. forces have cumulatively lost 16 MQ-9 “Reaper” drones in their military operations against Iran, including the latest two drones lost near Isfahan.

According to CCTV, Iran said that including a “Lukas” drone shot down on April 1, the total number of drones shot down by Iran’s air defense system has reached 150.

Trump applies pressure while probing for a ceasefire

According to reports cited by Xinhua News Agency, Trump has conveyed messages to Iran via Vance, saying that if Iran meets “specific demands,” including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, he is willing to consider a ceasefire. As of March 31, Vance was still communicating with the “intermediaries” regarding the Iran issue.

According to CCTV News, multiple U.S. officials said the United States and Iran are discussing a potential agreement involving swapping a ceasefire for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, it remains unclear whether the discussions would involve direct talks or be carried out through intermediaries, and there is still substantial uncertainty about whether an agreement can be reached.

According to U.S. media citing sources familiar with the matter on Wednesday, Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the Iran issue and briefed him on progress in potential ceasefire negotiations.

Statements differ across multiple countries, with Russia, France, and the UK each stating their position

According to CCTV News, on April 1 Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that if the relevant parties want Russia to play a mediating role on the Iran issue, Russia is willing to provide assistance.

According to Xinhua News Agency citing French media reports, French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting Japan, said clearly on April 1 that France “is not involved” in the U.S. and Israel military strikes against Iran, and emphasized that before the U.S. and Israel launched the strikes against Iran, France had not been asked in advance for its input. Macron’s comments came in response to Trump’s accusations that France was “extremely uncooperative.”

According to Xinhua News Agency, Spain’s defense minister also offered an explanation for Spain’s refusal to support U.S. military action, saying that the United States and Israel “cannot decide what rules apply to the world.” British Prime Minister Starmer said that Britain’s Foreign Secretary Cooper will chair an international meeting this week on the Strait of Hormuz to discuss options for restoring navigation through the strait.

In addition, according to Xinhua News Agency, Emirates Airlines has issued travel information stating that Iranian citizens are currently not allowed to enter the United Arab Emirates or transit through the country. Other Arab officials said that the UAE is preparing to assist the United States and other allies in controlling the Strait of Hormuz by force.

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