“The U.S. and regional mediators are pushing for a ⁠45-day cease-fire that could lead to a permanent end to the ‌war with Iran, but the chances for a breakthrough remain slim,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

Axios: “The sources said the chances for reaching a partial deal over the next 48 hours are slim. But this last-ditch effort is the only chance to prevent a dramatic escalation in the war that will include massive strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure and a retaliation against energy and water facilities in the Gulf states.”

Punchbowl News: “Tracking and understanding Trump right now is very difficult, especially on the Iran war. It’s like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall. He’s all over the place on every issue — domestic policy, international affairs and Iran specifically — presenting Republicans with a political mess.”

“Had Congress been in town, every Republican would’ve been forced to respond to Trump’s threat to bomb Iran ‘back to the Stone Ages where they belong’ during his White House speech last week. Or his shockingly angry Easter morning Truth Social post.”

“Yes, Trump isn’t judged by the same standards as his predecessors. But even for him, Trump’s statements during the last few days have veered wildly from presidential norms, especially on an issue as serious as a U.S. military conflict.”

“The energy shock caused by the war in the Middle East caught China, the world’s top buyer of oil, by surprise. But Beijing has been preparing for a crisis like this for years,” the New York Times reports.

“China has stockpiled increasingly large amounts of oil. It has pursued renewable sources of energy like solar, wind and hydropower so aggressively that its demand for refined oil, diesel and gasoline is falling. And it has harnessed technology to reduce its reliance on the foreign-sourced raw materials that go into the massive output of its factories.”

Washington Post: War-driven energy crisis boosts China’s sales pitch for renewable tech.

“President Trump told Axios the U.S. initially worried that a message from the stranded crew member of an F-15 downed by Iran was a trick by the Iranians to lure U.S. forces into a trap,” Axios reports.

“The crew member survived more than 24 hours in the mountains despite being wounded, before being rescued in a special forces operation on Saturday.”

President Trump threatened to destroy all of Iran’s power plants if the country’s leaders don’t agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening, ratcheting up pressure on Tehran, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Said Trump: “If they don’t come through, if they want to keep it closed, they’re going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country.”

Pressed on when he thinks the war will end, Trump said: “I will let you know pretty soon.”

Pope Leo XIV used his first Easter speech Sunday to deliver a resounding call for peace in times of renewed war, declaring, “Let those who have weapons lay them down!,” the Washington Post reports.

Said Leo: “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them! We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people.”

President Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s energy plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened.

Said Trump: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!”

He added: “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

“An Air Force weapons officer whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran was rescued by U.S. Special Operations forces in a risky Saturday night mission that took commandos deep into enemy territory,” the New York Times reports.

“The rescue came after a life-or-death race between U.S. and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, who evaded Iranian for more than 24 hours in mountainous territory with little more than a pistol.”

“As U.S. forces converged on the downed airman, a firefight erupted, a former senior military official briefed on the operation said. In the end, the United States extracted the officer in an operation that involved hundreds of special operations troops.”

After a phone call with President Trump, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Iran will be facing “overwhelming military force” if they do not give in to U.S. demands. 

Said Graham: “I am completely convinced that he will use overwhelming military force against the regime if they continue to impede the Strait of Hormuz and refuse a diplomatic solution to achieve our military objectives. If it’s not clear to Iran and others by now that President Trump means what he says then I don’t know when it will ever be.”