Esra Tekin
April 04, 2026•Update: April 04, 2026
ISTANBUL
Here’s a rundown of the news you need to start your Saturday, including Iran’s remarks on targeting a US A-10 aircraft above the Strait of Hormuz; Trump’s insistence that talks with Iran will not be affected by the downing of the jet; and France reaffirming plans for “peaceful operations” to reopen the Straits of Hormuz with other nations.
TOP STORIES
- Iran says US A-10 targeted over Strait of Hormuz waters
The Iranian army said an A-10 aircraft belonging to US-Israeli forces was targeted by the country’s integrated air defense systems, state broadcaster IRIB reported.
The aircraft was hit by the army’s air defense systems and crashed into the waters of the Persian Gulf, Iran's Army Public Relations said in a statement.
The broadcaster, citing a separate statement, provided no further details, but said additional information would be announced later.
- Trump says downed US jet will not affect Iran negotiations: Report
President Donald Trump said the downing of a US fighter jet will not affect negotiations with Iran, according to NBC News.
In a brief phone interview with the media outlet, Trump declined to discuss details of the search and rescue operation following the incident, describing it as a sensitive military matter.
Per NBC News, the president voiced frustration with media coverage of the situation, which involves efforts to locate crew members after the aircraft was brought down.
- France reaffirms plans for 'peaceful operation' with other nations to reopen Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed plans to work with other nations on a “peaceful operation” to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions in the Middle East.
“We want to reopen the Hormuz Strait,” Macron told students at Yonsei University during a visit to South Korea.
He said France is working with other nations to plan a peaceful mission to escort tankers and carriers through the strategic waterway.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) said recent Iranian missile and drone attacks caused significant damage to its Al Taweelah complex in Abu Dhabi, necessitating a full evacuation and emergency shutdown.
- A second US Air Force combat aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf region, according to The New York Times.
- Bahrain said four citizens were injured and several homes were damaged by falling shrapnel following the interception of Iranian drones.
- Sirens sounded across northern Israel from rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper reported.
- Eleven people were reported injured in an airstrike carried out by Israel on the southern city of Tyre in Lebanon, according to officials.
- A fire broke out after an Iranian missile hit a factory in an industrial area in Negev in southern Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
- One person was killed in an explosion in Tehran, which has been under US-Israeli attacks, according to Iranian media.
- A powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, shaking parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara does not approve of attacks on Iran nor does it endorse Iran’s retaliatory actions against regional countries, during a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Authorities in Abu Dhabi suspended operations at the Habshan gas facilities after debris from an intercepted missile struck the site, said the media office.
- Kuwait said an electricity generation and water desalination plant was attacked, causing property damage to parts of the facility.
- China urged Israel against “discrimination” as well as “confrontation” because of a controversial law that imposes the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, which has triggered global condemnation.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US adds 178,000 jobs in March, beating expectations
The US added 178,000 jobs in March, rebounding from the previous month and far exceeding expectations, Labor Department data showed.
The gain followed a downwardly revised loss of 133,000 jobs in February. Economists had expected an increase of 65,000 nonfarm payrolls for March.
“Job gains occurred in health care, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing. Federal government employment continued to decline,” it said.
- US proposes record $1.5T defense budget, highest in history
President Donald Trump proposed a record $1.5 trillion in defense resources for fiscal year 2027, marking the highest defense budget request in US history, while also calling for sharp cuts to domestic spending.
According to budget fact sheets released by the White House ahead of the annual budget proposal, the plan includes $1.15 trillion in discretionary defense spending and an additional $350 billion in mandatory resources, bringing the total defense budget to $1.5 trillion.
At the same time, the administration is seeking a 10% reduction in discretionary non-defense spending, equal to about $73 billion, as Trump renews his push to scale back domestic programs while expanding military outlays.
