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April 5 – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf appeared to threaten disrupting commercial shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz chokepoint, according to an April 3 report from NBC News’ website. Qalibaf posted on X (formerly Twitter) asking, “What share of global oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), wheat, rice and fertilizer shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz?” He followed with, “Which countries and companies account for the largest share of shipping volume through this strait?” In recent years, vessels transiting the region have been repeatedly targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are allied with Iran’s regime. The threat comes as Iran has already significantly disrupted shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz; a blockade of the waterway has roiled the global economy.

On April 5th, The New York Times website reported that two U.S. military transport planes malfunctioned and became stranded during a pilot rescue mission in Iran. The U.S. military then sent three replacement aircraft to continue the mission and destroyed the two disabled transport planes.

On April 5, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency cited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as saying a US military aircraft was shot down in Isfahan Province while searching for a pilot.

On April 5th, U.S. President Donald Trump stated: "The U.S. military has pulled off one of the most daring rescue operations in American history. We’ve rescued one of our incredible aircrew members. At my direction, the military deployed dozens of fighter jets carrying the world’s ‘most lethal weapon’ to retrieve our missing pilot. He was injured but will make a full recovery."

April 5 — Al Jazeera reports a U.S. official has stated the second crew member aboard the downed F-15E fighter jet was rescued after "intense fighting."

April 5 (Axios) — Over the past 10 days, the U.S. and Iran have held indirect talks via Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey aimed at a ceasefire deal tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but no substantive progress has been made to date. Lead negotiators include U.S. Vice President Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Kalibaf, with Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir serving as mediator. White House envoy Witkoff and the foreign ministers of Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt have also joined the discussions. Two sources briefed on the talks said mediators are still pushing to arrange a direct U.S.-Iran meeting, but progress has been minimal. One source noted Iran has rejected all temporary ceasefire proposals so far, demanding a permanent end to the conflict and explicit U.S. assurances against future attacks. Mediators are now weighing confidence-building measures to clear the path for direct talks, though it’s unclear if progress will be made ahead of Monday’s deadline.