The combined US-Israeli force executed targeted strikes against Iran's industrial and logistical capacity in Khuzestan. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the strikes in a video posted to X, stating: "After we destroyed 70% of their steel production capacity, which they use as raw material for their weapons against us, today we attacked their petrochemical plants. These two things are their money machine, to finance the war on terror against us and against the entire world."

Mahshahr Special Petrochemical Economic Zone - one of Iran's most critical industrial hubs producing methanol, ammonia, polyethylene and other export commodities - was struck along with the Bandar-e Imam Khomeini petrochemical complex, causing partial damage. All personnel were evacuated under emergency protocols. Five people were injured across both sites.

The Shalamcheh border trade terminal in Khorramshahr county - a primary artery for trade and tourism between Iraq and Iran - was struck separately, hitting the passenger hall. One Iraqi citizen was killed and five others were injured. Iraq's Border Ports Commission head Omar al-Waeli confirmed the crossing was immediately suspended. Baghdad condemned the strike.

CENTCOM and the Pentagon confirmed the successful combat search and rescue of the pilot of the F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran on April 3 - the first US aircraft lost to enemy fire in decades. The rescue was conducted using HH-60G Pave Hawks and HC-130 aircraft operating deep inside hostile Iranian territory. The rescue helicopter sustained hits from small arms fire, wounding crew members onboard; the aircraft landed safely and all personnel received medical treatment.

The second crew member - the weapons systems officer (WSO), not a second pilot - remained missing. Iran offered a reward of approximately $60,000 for the capture of the missing airman. Iranian tribesmen reportedly fired on US helicopters participating in the search. The provincial governor of Kohgiluyeh denied reports that the WSO had been captured. Iranian state TV urged civilians in the area to search and report his location.

US and Israeli fighter jets struck Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran's Velenjak district, heavily damaging the Laser and Plasma Research Institute - a leading facility with documented links to the IRGC's directed-energy and weapons research programs. AP photographs confirmed the strike damage. The university was largely empty as all Iranian universities had moved to online instruction. Dormitories nearby sustained light damage. No casualties were reported.

Iran's Minister of Science Hossein Simaei Sarraf visited the site, telling reporters that parts of at least 30 universities have been impacted since the war began on February 28. He said the attack was "returning to the Stone Age" - a reference to Trump's earlier threat to bomb Iran "back to the Stone Ages."

Iran launched multiple salvos of ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions at central Israel. Submunitions impacted at over a dozen sites across Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, and surrounding areas in the Tel Aviv metropolitan region. Israeli emergency services reported that six civilians were lightly wounded. Cluster munition use is prohibited under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which neither Iran nor Israel has signed.

Separately, a ballistic missile with a conventional warhead struck the Neot Hovav industrial zone south of Beersheba overnight, sparking a fire. Debris from intercepted drones caused material damage to two buildings in Dubai, including one housing Oracle's UAE cloud computing facility.

US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!" The post set an April 6 deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face US strikes on Iranian power plants, oil facilities, and potentially desalination infrastructure.

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters responded through General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, calling the ultimatum "a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action," and warning that "the simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will open for you."

Behind the scenes: indirect negotiations are ongoing via Pakistan military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Turkey, and Egypt. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled willingness to engage. Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed Trump would use "overwhelming military force" if Iran refused. Pakistan indicated readiness to host talks.

Iranian drone strikes hit multiple Kuwaiti targets across a single day. The Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex - which houses Kuwait Petroleum Corporation headquarters and the Oil Ministry building - was struck, triggering a fire contained by emergency crews with no injuries reported. Two power and water desalination plants were struck, forcing two power generation units offline; Kuwait's electricity and water ministry confirmed significant damage. A drone also hit the Finance Ministry offices complex, causing significant material damage but no casualties.

Kuwait's air defenses were active throughout the day, intercepting missiles and drones. Bahrain's air defenses also engaged multiple incoming threats; four people were injured in Bahrain by shrapnel from intercepted drones.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both separately called for an immediate ceasefire and return to diplomatic dialogue, warning of severe global energy and economic consequences. Both leaders have consistently held this position since the war began; no new joint call was confirmed for April 4 specifically.

Separately, US intelligence and the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission confirmed that two Iranian state-owned vessels departed China's Gaolan Port in early March carrying sodium perchlorate - a key oxidizer precursor for solid rocket fuel. The shipment, sufficient to produce fuel for approximately 260 Kheibar Shekan missiles, confirms China is enabling Iran to reconstitute its degraded ballistic missile program post-Operation Epic Fury. The vessels departed week of March 2, 2026.

Hundreds of Israelis gathered at Habima Square in Tel Aviv to protest the ongoing war and demand a ceasefire, defying wartime restrictions on public gatherings. Police declared the assembly unlawful and forcibly dispersed the crowd, arresting 17 individuals.

During the dispersal operation, Yemen's Houthis launched a ballistic missile at central Israel, triggering nationwide sirens. Police faced immediate and heavy criticism for allegedly preventing detained protesters from reaching bomb shelters during the alert period - a potential violation of Israeli emergency protocols.

Dozens of armed Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Qusra and Jalud near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. The settlers set fire to residential homes and agricultural land. A 32-year-old Palestinian man was severely beaten and required emergency medical evacuation for head trauma. No Israeli security forces intervened during the initial attack.