The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has pledged to respond forcefully to the assassination of their intelligence leader, Major General Majid Khademi, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Monday. In a statement released through their official channel, Sepah News, the IRGC declared that those responsible for this act should prepare for a substantial counterattack under the operation named “Crushing Revenge.” The statement also claimed that the strike had resulted in the death of Asghar Bagheri, the commander of the Quds Force special operations unit.
In a separate context, a significant number of journalists gathered in the White House briefing room ahead of a scheduled address by President Donald Trump. Typically, this space is reserved for the White House press secretary, but Trump expressed his intention to speak on the recent rescue of two U.S. pilots whose plane was shot down over Iran. He has set a deadline of 8 PM local time tomorrow for Iran to agree to terms for opening the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Some reporters arrived as early as 6 AM to secure a spot, with even those arriving an hour before the conference unable to find seats. During an Easter event at the White House, Trump addressed attendees, stating that the nation is performing exceptionally well. He referenced the recent rescue operation, eliciting cheers from the crowd, while highlighting the challenges of conducting such missions in hostile territories like Iran.
President Trump also indicated that he would elaborate on the situation with Iran during his upcoming press conference. Notably, Iran has reportedly rejected a U.S.-proposed 45-day ceasefire, with state media announcing that Tehran seeks a permanent resolution to the conflict instead. This response was conveyed through Pakistani intermediaries and included ten stipulations, such as ending regional hostilities, ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions, and facilitating reconstruction.
The rejection of the ceasefire proposal is likely to increase tensions with President Trump, who has been advocating for a temporary halt to hostilities. Earlier in the day, Trump expressed his readiness to unleash significant military action against Tehran if an agreement is not reached by the stipulated deadline. Live updates are ongoing as we cover the latest developments in the ongoing conflict in the region, including Trump’s forthcoming press conference, where he is expected to be accompanied by senior military officials.
