The United States has announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of Haidar al-Mazroei, the leader of the Iraqi militia group Ansar Allah al-Awfiya. The US Department of State made the announcement, stating that Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, also known as the Fadayan Ansar Allah militia, has been involved in attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as US military bases and personnel in Jordan and Syria.
The US has designated Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Haidar al-Mazroei as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in June 2024. The US claims that the group was involved in a drone attack on the Tower 22 in Jordan on January 28, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of three US military personnel.
According to the reward notice, members of Ansar Allah al-Awfiya have also been involved in attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as US military bases and personnel in Jordan and Syria. The US has been increasing its pressure on Iran and its allies in the region, with US President Donald Trump stating that Iran has demanded the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In other news, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that 1 million girls in Afghanistan have been affected by the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education. US Treasury Secretary Scott Mnuchin has made a major claim about Iran’s oil exports, stating that the country is struggling to sell its oil due to US sanctions.
Japan has increased its efforts to deport undocumented foreign nationals, with a record 318 individuals being forcibly deported in the past year. Qatar has announced its support for Pakistani mediation in the US-Iran negotiations, which have been ongoing for several months.
In a tragic incident, a poor tribal man in the Indian state of Odisha was forced to exhume his sister’s grave to withdraw money from her bank account. The US media has reported that Iran has proposed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed by Iran in response to US sanctions. The Iranian government has released a new video on its official social media account, showing a Lego animation of the proposed plan.
The United Arab Emirates has announced its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its subsidiary, OPEC+. The decision will take effect on May 1, 2026. US President Donald Trump has a major deadline on May 1, as he must obtain Congressional approval to continue military operations in Iran beyond 60 days.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Mnuchin has made a major claim about Iran’s oil exports, stating that the country is struggling to sell its oil due to US sanctions. Former US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has stated that Trump wants Iran to surrender its nuclear program, which is unlikely to happen.
The Pakistani police are searching for a 89-year-old armed robber who has been on the run for several days. Iran’s embassy in Ghana has released a new video on its official social media account, showing a Lego animation of the proposed plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
