The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute are publishing daily updates to provide analysis on the war with Iran. The updates focus on US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran and the Axis of Resistance’s response to the strikes. The updates cover events from the past 24-hour period.
NOTE: ISW-CTP will no longer publish morning updates covering the war with Iran. ISW-CTP will instead publish threads on its social media channels in the morning that cover the latest developments in the war and include relevant maps.
Key Takeaways
Iran, the United States, and Israel have not exchanged fire since ISW-CTP’s last data cutoff on April 8. Gulf states continue to report drone attacks against them, however.
The US Government stated on April 8 that Iran submitted a “new” and “modified” proposal to the United States that will serve as the basis for the US-Iran talks. US President Donald Trump stated on April 7 that this proposal is a “workable basis on which to negotiate.” Unspecified mediators told the Wall Street Journal on April 8 that Iran has softened several of its demands, including its demands related to nuclear enrichment, the withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East, and war reparations.
Iran is taking several steps to try to exert control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which have the net effect of keeping oil prices high. Iran likely aims to use high oil prices to exert economic pressure on the United States and extract concessions from the United States during negotiations.
Iranian officials continue to insist that Lebanon is part of the ceasefire framework. Israeli officials have stated that Israel will not observe a ceasefire in Lebanon and will continue to strike Hezbollah, however. Hezbollah has resumed attacks on Israeli forces and positions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israeli officials on April 8 to conduct direct negotiations with the Lebanese government “as soon as possible to discuss Hezbollah disarmament.
Toplines
Iran, the United States, and Israel have not exchanged fire since ISW-CTP’s last data cutoff on April 8. Gulf states continue to report drone attacks against them, however. Bahrain’s Defense Ministry stated on April 9 that it has intercepted seven Iranian drones since April 8.[1] The Kuwaiti Armed Forces announced on April 9 that an unspecified number of drones entered Kuwaiti airspace and that one of these drones targeted a Kuwaiti National Guard site.[2]
Iran is taking several steps to try to exert control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which have the net effect of keeping oil prices high. Iran likely aims to use high oil prices to exert economic pressure on the United States and extract concessions from the United States during negotiations. An unnamed senior Iranian source told Russian state media on April 9 that Iran will not allow more than 15 vessels per day to transit through the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire.[3] The Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization published a graphic on April 8 instructing ships to follow designated entry and exit routes in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy to transit the strait.[4] These routes move international maritime traffic into Iranian-controlled waters. The graphic warns that ships risk hitting mines outside of these routes.[5] Unspecified US officials previously told Western media on March 23 that there are at least a dozen Iranian mines in the strait.[6] Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a statement on April 9 in which he said that Iran will “take the management” of the Strait of Hormuz to a “new phase.”[7] This statement is consistent with other Iranian officials’ statements in recent weeks that Iran intends to use the strait as a point of leverage even after the war ends.[8] Commercial maritime tracking data showed that three cargo ships and one oil tanker entered the strait, while six cargo ships and four oil tankers exited the strait between 2:00 PM ET on April 8 and 2:00 PM ET on April 9.[9]
The US Government stated on April 8 that Iran submitted a “new” and “modified” proposal to the United States that will serve as the basis for the US-Iran talks.[10] US President Donald Trump stated on April 7 that this proposal is a “workable basis on which to negotiate.”[11] Iranian media previously published a version of its 10-point proposal, which included long-standing and maximalist Iranian demands.[12] The proposal called for guarantees against future strikes on Iran, Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, recognition of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment, and the lifting of all US primary and secondary sanctions.[13] It also demanded the termination of United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions against Iran, the withdrawal of US forces from the region, war reparations, and a ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon.[14] Unspecified mediators told the Wall Street Journal on April 8 that Iran has softened several of its demands, including its demands related to nuclear enrichment, the withdrawal of US forces from the Middle East, and war reparations.[15] The Wall Street Journal also highlighted disagreements over the scope of the ceasefire, noting that the United States does not consider Lebanon part of the agreement despite Iran including it in its proposal.[16] Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on April 9 that Israeli strikes on Lebanon render negotiations “meaningless.”[17] Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf separately insisted that Lebanon is part of the ceasefire framework.[18]
US and Israeli Air Campaign
The US State Department reported on April 8 that the combined force’s campaign succeeded in degrading Iran’s military capabilities. The Department reported that the combined force destroyed more than 85 percent of Iran’s defense industrial base, including the majority of Iran’s ballistic missiles, missile launchers, and long-range attack aircraft.[19] The Department reported that the combined force destroyed 150 Iranian warships, all Iranian submarines, and 97 percent of Iran’s naval mine stockpile. The Department added that “Iran can no longer arm its terrorist proxies.” The Department reported that the combined force destroyed or degraded 70 percent of Iran’s launch facilities and ground control stations related to Iran’s space program. The Department added that the combined force struck more than 13,000 targets, including more than 2,000 command and control targets, more than 1,450 defense industrial targets, more than 1,500 air defense targets, around 800 drone targets, more than 600 naval targets, and more than 450 ballistic missile targets.
The Institute for Science and International Security reported on April 8 that combined force strikes before the ceasefire damaged several buildings at a former nuclear weapons components production site at the Parchin Military Complex in Tehran Province, according to satellite imagery.[20] Iran developed the Shahid Boroujerdi site under the Amad Project, which was Iran’s nuclear weapons program prior to 2003.[21] Iran built the site to produce weapons-grade uranium cores for nuclear weapons.[22] The core forms the central part of a nuclear warhead and contains the fissile material that triggers the chain reaction in a nuclear explosion. Iran shut down the site after the Amad Project ended, but the Institute noted that there has been some construction outside the main tunnel entrance to the site since then.[23] The Institute stated that bunker buster bombs, among other munitions, targeted the site between March 24 and April 1. The strikes destroyed a ventilation structure and penetrated the ground directly above the main tunnel complex. The strikes also destroyed a utility building outside the tunnel entrance. The strikes on Shahid Boroujerdi were part of the broader combined force effort to degrade Iran’s nuclear industrial base. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine stated on April 8 that combined force strikes hit 80 percent of Iran’s nuclear industrial base.[24]
Iranian Response
See topline section.
Israeli Campaign Against Hezbollah and Hezbollah Response
Hezbollah has resumed attacks on Israeli forces and positions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon. These attacks come after a Hezbollah official stated on April 8 that the group would halt attacks against Israel under the ceasefire.[25] Hezbollah said that it resumed attacks against Israeli targets on April 8 after Israel violated the ceasefire agreement.[26] Hezbollah resumed attacks against Israeli forces and vehicles in northern Lebanon, claiming 8 attacks between 2:00 PM ET on April 8 and between 2:00 PM ET on April 9.[27] Hezbollah claimed that it launched mortar rounds and rockets and directly engaged Israel Defense Forces (IDF) forces in Bint Jbeil, Bint Jbeil District.[28] An Israeli journalist confirmed that Israeli units directly engaged Hezbollah fighters in Bint Jbeil on April 9, after the IDF recently encircled the town.[29]
Hezbollah similarly resumed attacks against IDF infrastructure and Israeli communities in northern Israel, claiming 26 attacks between 2:00 PM ET on April 8 and 2:00 PM ET on April 9.[30] The IDF said that Hezbollah fired around 70 rockets from Lebanon at northern Israel in the past 24 hours.[31] An Israeli journalist reported that Israeli air defenses intercepted many of the Hezbollah rockets while allowing others to fall in open areas.[32] Hezbollah claimed that it fired at least eight rocket barrages targeting Kiryat Shmona.[33] An Israeli journalist reported that Israeli air defenses intercepted multiple Hezbollah rockets fired at Kiryat Shmona on April 9. Hezbollah also claimed that it launched rocket barrages and drones targeting the northern Israeli towns of Shlomi and Nahariya.[34] The Israeli journalist reported that Israeli air defenses intercepted Hezbollah rockets over Nahariya.[35]
The IDF has continued to conduct airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters across Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF killed approximately 200 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon on April 8.[36] The IDF reported that it killed Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem’s personal secretary, Ali Youssef Harshi, in an airstrike in Beirut on April 8.[37] The IDF stated that Harshi was a close confidant and personal adviser to Qassem and played a key role in managing and securing his office.[38] The IDF killed Shebaa “Lebanese Brigades” Commander Maher Qassem Hamedan and seven other Hezbollah fighters in an airstrike in Sidon, southwestern Lebanon, on April 8.[39] The IDF stated that Hamedan was responsible for recruiting fighters, supplying weapons, and funding the “Lebanese Brigades” in Shebaa.[40] The “Lebanese Brigades” is funded by Hezbollah and directly linked to the group, according to the IDF.[41] The IDF struck two additional bridges along the Litani River overnight between April 8 and 9 that Hezbollah used to transport weapons and fighters from northern to southern Lebanon.[42] The IDF also struck approximately 10 Hezbollah weapons depots, launchers, and headquarters in southern Lebanon.[43] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on April 9 that Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah “with force, precision, and determination.”[44]
The IDF has continued to conduct ground operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters across southern Lebanon. The IDF 401st Armored Brigade (91st Territorial Division) engaged in direct combat with Hezbollah fighters and destroyed several Hezbollah-affiliated sites in southern Lebanon on April 9.[45] The 215th Artillery Brigade (162nd Armored Division) killed more than 70 Hezbollah fighters and directed an IAF strike in Yater, southwestern Lebanon, on April 9.[46] The 215th Artillery Brigade also destroyed Hezbollah anti-tank missile launch sites, observation posts, and command centers in southern Lebanon.[47] The IDF 933rd (Nahal) Infantry Brigade (162nd Armored Division) located large quantities of Hezbollah weapons and destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure, including anti-tank shell launchers.[48] The IDF 35th Paratrooper Brigade (146th Reserve Division) located weapons depots and killed dozens of Hezbollah fighters on April 9.[49] The brigade also destroyed a Hezbollah building in Bint Jbeil, southeastern Lebanon, on April 9.[50] IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated during a tour in Bint Jbeil on April 9 that the IDF’s “main battlefield” is in Lebanon.[51] Zamir noted that the IDF will continue to deepen its ground maneuvers and strike Hezbollah.[52]
Israeli and Lebanese officials will reportedly begin direct negotiations under US auspices next week in Washington, DC.[53] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israeli officials on April 8 to conduct direct negotiations with the Lebanese government “as soon as possible.”[54] Netanyahu stated that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing “peaceful relations” between Israel and Lebanon.[55] Netanyahu’s statement reportedly followed calls between Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.[56] Senior US officials told Axios that Witkoff asked Netanyahu to “calm down” Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and open negotiations with the Lebanese government.[57] US Vice President JD Vance suggested on April 8 that Israel had expressed willingness to “check themselves a little bit in Lebanon.”[58] Israeli officials have stated that Israel will not observe a ceasefire in Lebanon and will continue to strike Hezbollah, however.[59]
The Lebanese government has continued to take steps to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam ordered the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to immediately enforce the Lebanese state’s monopoly over weapons in Beirut.[60] Salam’s order is a more targeted order than his cabinet’s March 2 decision to formally ban Hezbollah’s military activities across Lebanon.[61] Salam’s order comes amid consistent pressure from Israel on the LAF to disarm Hezbollah, and ahead of the Lebanon-Israel talks next week.[62]
Other Axis of Resistance Response
Other Axis of Resistance groups, including Iranian-backed Iraqi militias and the Houthis, did not claim any attacks against US assets, Israel, or other countries in the region on April 9. Multiple Axis of Resistance group leaders warned that they would resume attacks if the IDF continues its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, however. ISW-CTP has not observed any claimed or reported Iranian-backed Iraqi militia or Houthi attacks since April 8.[63]
Multiple Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leaders called for Iraqi militias to resume attacks against US and Israeli targets in response to recent IDF strikes in Lebanon.[64] Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada leader Abu Alaa al Walai called on April 8 for Axis of Resistance groups to attack Israel in response to its strikes in Lebanon, which the group framed as a ceasefire violation.[65] Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba leader Akram al Kaabi vowed on April 8 that the Axis of Resistance will “punish” Israel for its strikes in Lebanon.[66]
Houthi leaders also warned that the group may resume attacks against Israel if Israel continues its campaign in Lebanon. Houthi Leader Abdul Malik al Houthi said in a speech on April 9 that the IDF’s campaign in Lebanon “may lead to the return of the entire battle.”[67] Houthi Political Bureau member Mohammad al Bukhaiti separately told Hezbollah media on April 9 that the Israeli campaign in Lebanon is a “clear violation” that threatens to collapse the ceasefire and resume the conflict.[68] Bukhaiti warned that the Houthis could escalate their involvement in a resumed conflict, including by increasing their operations on “the Red Sea front.”[69] The threat is likely intended to coerce the United States to pressure Israel to halt its campaign against Hezbollah.
Endnotes
[1] https://x.com/BDF_Bahrain/status/2042166518176211145?s=20 ; https://x.com/BDF_Bahrain/status/2041800776171860041?s=20;
[2] https://x.com/KuwaitArmyGHQ/status/2042313449116496331?s=20; https://x.com/kng_kw/status/2042327675419967908?s=20
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-let-no-more-than-15-vessels-day-pass-strait-hormuz-tass-cites-senior-2026-04-09/
[4] https://t.me/defapress_ir/55402
[5] https://t.me/defapress_ir/55402
[6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/strait-of-hormuz-mines-iran-talks-officials/
[7] https://x.com/MKhamenei_ir/status/2042324468073148753?s=20
[8] https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-evening-special-report-march-31-2026
[9] Starboard Maritime Intelligence. Available by subscription at https://www.starboardintelligence.com/
[10] https://abcnews.com/Politics/white-house-iran-backed-trump-agreeing-ceasefire/story?id=131849996
[11] https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/a-closer-look-at-irans-10-demandsand-which-the-u-s-might-accept-c0148284?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos5
[12] https://t.me/farsna/427480
[13] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/08/irans-10-point-peace-plan-in-full/
[14] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/08/irans-10-point-peace-plan-in-full/
[15] https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/a-closer-look-at-irans-10-demandsand-which-the-u-s-might-accept-c0148284?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos5
[16] https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/a-closer-look-at-irans-10-demandsand-which-the-u-s-might-accept-c0148284?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos5
[17] https://x.com/drpezeshkian/status/2042216652629053539?s=20
[18] https://x.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2041943537386958858/photo/1
[19] https://x.com/USAbilAraby/status/2042161882656649337
[20] https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/shahid-boroujerdi-a-former-amad-nuclear-weapons-underground-site-attacked
[21] https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/shahid-boroujerdi-a-former-amad-nuclear-weapons-underground-site-attacked ; https://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/Summary_Shahid_Boroujerdi_Final.pdf
[22] https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/shahid-boroujerdi-a-former-amad-nuclear-weapons-underground-site-attacked ; https://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/Summary_Shahid_Boroujerdi_Final.pdf
[23] https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/shahid-boroujerdi-a-former-amad-nuclear-weapons-underground-site-attacked
[24] https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-allies-u-s-officials-fear-iran-victory-lap-is-premature-96f8e810?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3
[25] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-pauses-attacks-under-us-iran-ceasefire-sources-close-group-say-2026-04-08/
[26] https://t.me/mmirleb/14598
[27] https://t.me/mmirleb/14600 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14602 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14621 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14641 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14641 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14643 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14650 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14656
[28] https://t.me/mmirleb/14641 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14641
[29] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/2042231597781418119?s=20
[30] Data upon request.
[31] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/2042270919775674858
[32] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/2042270919775674858
[33] https://t.me/mmirleb/14604 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14606 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14612 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14616 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14625 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14631 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14635 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14652
[34] https://t.me/mmirleb/14664 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/14666
[35] https://x.com/manniefabian/status/2042270919775674858
[36] https://www.timesofisrael dot com/liveblog_entry/katz-over-200-hezbollah-operatives-killed-yesterday-group-is-pleading-for-a-ceasefire/ ; https://x.com/Osint613/status/2042239431885611422
[37] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042145243269595549
[38] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042145243269595549
[39] https://x.com/idfonline/status/2042205825771479143
[40] https://x.com/idfonline/status/2042205825771479143
[41] https://x.com/idfonline/status/2042205825771479143
[42] https://x.com/idfonline/status/2042145345673597021
[43] https://x.com/idfonline/status/2042145345673597021
[44] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/04/09/lebanon-beirut-attack-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire/
[45] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042173882220650541
[46] https://x.com/Me1Ray/status/2042184326436257900 ; https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042173882220650541
[47] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042173882220650541
[48] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042173882220650541
[49] https://x.com/idfonline/status/2042116940206915677
[50] https://x.com/Me1Ray/status/2042143790824353800
[51] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042302469594620049?s=20
[52] https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042302469594620049?s=20
[53] https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/israel-lebanon-negotiations-ceasefire
[54] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2042271441060557059
[55] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2042271443258327096
[56] https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/israel-lebanon-negotiations-ceasefire
[57] https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/israel-lebanon-negotiations-ceasefire
[58] https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/world/middleeast/jd-vance-lebanon-iran-cease-fire.html
[59] https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/israel-lebanon-negotiations-ceasefire ; https://x.com/AvichayAdraee/status/2042302469594620049?s=20 ; https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/04/09/lebanon-beirut-attack-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire/
[60] https://x.com/nawafsalam/status/2042204797705535703?s=20
[61] https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-evening-special-report-march-3-2026/; https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-military-says-projectiles-were-fired-lebanon-2026-03-01/
[62] https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2042271443258327096?s=20; https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/2042310204394455047?s=20; https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/hezbollahs-limited-options-for-supporting-iran/?utm_source=X&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hezbollahiranstrikesfeb2026
[63] https://x.com/USEmbBaghdad/status/2041897385756885003?s=20 ; https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-special-report-april-8-2026/
[64] https://t.me/Smedia1/1748 ; https://t.me/Al_Nojaba/1370
[65] https://t.me/Smedia1/1748
[66] https://t.me/Al_Nojaba/1370
[67] https://x.com/TvAlmasirah/status/2042250849183785089
[68] https://alahednews dot news/post/96566/البخيتي-ل-العهد-وحدة-الجبهات-شرط-وقف-النار-وأي-خرق-في-لبنان-يُسقط-الاتفاق-
[69] https://alahednews dot news/post/96566/البخيتي-ل-العهد-وحدة-الجبهات-شرط-وقف-النار-وأي-خرق-في-لبنان-يُسقط-الاتفاق-