Iran Update Special Report, April 1, 2026

(Institute for the Study of War) Senior officials in Tehran have signaled that they seek to use the Strait of Hormuz and energy flows around it as points of leverage that Iran can use after the war to extract concessions and secure strategic aims. They have also signaled that they will not accept a ceasefire or halt disruptions to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States and Israel cease all attacks on Iran. Iran has continued attacks on shipping amid discussions in Tehran about Iran’s leverage over the strait. Iran attacked the Panamanian-flagged AQUA 1 oil tanker, leased by Qatari state-owned energy firm, 17 nautical miles northwest of Ras Laffan, Qatar. These statements indicate that Iran could continue to use its proven ability to disrupt shipping in the strait after the war ends to deter the United States and its partners or compel them to avoid actions that would have negative impacts on Iran. The IDF stated on April 1 that it struck “approximately 15 weapons production sites,” including a Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) complex for advanced missile production. The IDF struck a pharmaceutical research and development company that supplied the Iranian regime with materials, such as fentanyl, that can be used for chemical weapons. The IDF killed IRGC Quds Force Lebanon Corps Engineering Head responsible for advancing underground projects in Lebanon and Syria for Hezbollah and the Assad regime and he managed dozens of underground facilities in Lebanon used to store advanced weapons. Iran launched five missile salvoes, including a 10-missile salvo, which was among the largest missile salvoes targeting Israel since the beginning of the war. It remains unclear if this was a one-off large salvo or will become part of a trend. Iran launched 19 drones and four ballistic missiles targeting Bahrain on April 1. One or more of these targeted a company in Bahrain. This follows the IRGC’s threat on March 31 that it would target US‑linked information, communications, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology firms in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks. Hezbollah claimed that it conducted 71 attacks targeting northern Israeli communities and Israeli forces and positions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon between 2:00 PM ET on March 31 and 2:00 PM ET on April 1. The Houthis launched an unspecified number of ballistic missiles targeting southern Israel on April 1. This attack marks the fourth time that the Houthis have attacked Israel since entering the conflict on March 28. The Houthis claimed that it coordinated the ballistic missile attack on Israel with Hezbollah and Iran. – Iran Update Special Report, April 1, 2026 | ISW