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US-Iran Talks Updates: United States Vice President JD Vance Wednesday asserted that US President Donald Trump “does not want to make, like, a small deal. He wants to make the grand bargain,” the Associated Press reported. He added that Trump has been telling Iran, “If you guys commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive. We’re going to make it economically prosperous, and we’re going to invite the Iranian people into the world economy in a way they haven’t been in my entire life.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a high-stakes 40-minute phone call on Tuesday, reviewing the “substantial progress” in the India-US strategic partnership amid the tensions in West Asia. The two leaders underscored the urgent need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and secure. The conversation came as President Trump’s newly enforced naval blockade of Iranian ports, aimed at halting all maritime traffic, faced its first direct challenge from sanctioned vessels.
Despite Washington’s “zero tolerance” policy and a presidential warning that any ships challenging the perimeter would be “immediately eliminated,” the Rich Starry, a sanctioned Chinese-owned tanker, successfully transited the Strait Tuesday morning. Carrying 250,000 barrels of methanol, the vessel’s passage marks a bold act of defiance against the U.S. military’s blockade, which began in earnest on Monday evening.
Stay with The Indian Express Global Desk for real-time updates, geolocated footage of the crash sites, and live reactions from the Pentagon and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl on Tuesday he was not thinking about extending the ceasefire with Iran.
"It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild," Trump told the reporter. (Reuters)
The U.S.-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry made its way back to the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after exiting the Gulf the day before, shipping data showed, failing to break through a U.S. blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal. "During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade," the U.S. Central Command said on X, adding that six vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port.
- Reuters
In the first 24 hours of US’ naval restriction in the Strait of Hormuz, no ships made it past the blockade and six merchant vessels were sent back to an Iranian port, US Central Command (Centcom) said on Wednesday. Centcom said that US forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait to and from non-Iranian ports. The blockade, which came into effect on Monday 7.30 pm (IST), applies to all ships transiting the crucial maritime route to access Iranian ports and shores.
US Central Command said that it has enforced a blockade on Iranian ports, halting maritime trade within 36 hours and asserting control over key Middle East sea routes. "A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East. An estimated 90% of Iran’s economy is fueled by international trade by sea. In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander.
Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/dJxKJcEcmO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026
The United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries condemned the killings of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and, in a joint statement, called for an end to hostilities.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that US-Iran talks are highly likely to restart. "Highly probable that US and Iran talks will restart," he said.
VIDEO | New York, US: "Highly probable that US and Iran talks will restart," says UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.#usisraelwar #un
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 15, 2026
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/bcn2IIqvQ0
In a conversation with broadcaster Fox News, US President Donald Trump said that the war on Iran is 'close to over.'
“I think it’s close to over, yeah,” said Trump in a clip shared by Fox News. He added, "I mean I view it as very close to over."
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed-upon time and place following a trilateral meeting hosted by the United States in Washington on Tuesday, the US State Department said in a statement. (Reuters)
Lebanon and Israel late Tuesday held their first diplomatic talks in over three decades -- aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, BBC reported.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mediated the talks, said it was a "historic opportunity" to end Hezbollah's influence.
According to a statement released by the US, the two sides had agreed to launch direct negotiations, at a time and place due to be determined. Israel said it wanted to disarm all non-state terror groups.
Meanwhile, Lebanon called for a ceasefire and measures to address its humanitarian crisis. (BBC)
In an interview with Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” United States President Donald Trump, speaking of the Iran war, said, “I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean, I view it as very close to over.”
He adds, as quoted by the Associated Press, “If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished. We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”
Trump has declared a US victory in Iran repeatedly since days after the war started. (AP)
Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press said that “our leadership is not giving up” on its efforts to help the US and Iran negotiate.
He noted the talks marked the first direct discussion between the two in nearly 50 years, the report quoted.
“We would very much like to see if we can continue to pursue the dialogue,” he added, speaking on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. “We’ll keep at it, and our leadership is at it.”
Aurangzeb said he also this week met with US officials including Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss trade and finance concerns. (AP)
“A lot of young voters don’t love the policy we have in the Middle East. I understand that,” United States Vice President JD Vance said late Tuesday, the Associated Press quoted.
The vice president urged conservative activists who disagree with the Trump administration on top issues to avoid becoming “disengaged.”
Vance said Trump is pushing to make sure Iran never has a nuclear weapon, but added, “I’m not saying you have to agree with me on every issue.”
“What I’m saying is, don’t get disengaged because you disagree with the administration on one issue,” Vance said, adding how if conservatives stayed united, “that’s ultimately how we take the country back.” (AP)
United States Vice President JD Vance Wednesday asserted that US President Donald Trump “does not want to make, like, a small deal. He wants to make the grand bargain,” the Associated Press reported.
He added that Trump has been telling Iran, “If you guys commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive. We’re going to make it economically prosperous, and we’re going to invite the Iranian people into the world economy in a way they haven’t been in my entire life.” (AP)
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday called for devising a "cooperative framework" among Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, focusing on the shared goals of peace, prosperity and economic development.
Dar, who is also the Foreign Minister, made the comment during a meeting with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya, Egypt's Assistant Foreign Minister Nazih El Naggari and Director General of the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry Abdullah bin Khalid.
The senior diplomats from the three countries are in Pakistan for the inaugural Senior Officials' Meeting of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt held in Islamabad.
(PTI)
Israeli and Lebanese envoys met in Washington on Tuesday as Israel pressed its war on Hezbollah, a diplomatic milestone overshadowed by conflicting agendas, with Israel ruling out discussion of a ceasefire and demanding that Beirut disarm the group.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture in the crisis in the Middle East, a week into a fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran. Iran says Israel's campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon must be included in any agreement to end the wider war, complicating talks mediated by Pakistan aimed at averting further economic fallout.
(Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington were a historic opportunity, and while every complexity would not be resolved in the coming hours, he hoped the parties would begin to move forward.
(Reuters)
US President Donald Trump has said talks with Iran could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, according to an interview with the New York Post.
“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump was quoted as saying.
US President Trump criticised the United Kingdom Tuesday for not expanding North Sea oil production, saying in a social media post that Europe is "desperate for Energy."
Trump said the UK refuses to open North Sea oil, which he described as "one of the greatest fields in the World." He added that Aberdeen should be booming and noted that Norway sells its North Sea oil to the UK at double the price.
"U.K., which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! It is absolutely crazy that they don’t," Trump wrote.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 14, 2026https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he received a call from US President Donald Trump, during which the two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed regional developments.
In a post on X, Modi said both sides noted “substantial progress” across various sectors and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
The leaders also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure, amid ongoing regional tensions.
US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “I just want you to know we all love you,” during a recent conversation, according to US envoy Sergio Gor, reported PTI.
Speaking about the interaction, Sergio Gor said the remark reflected the warmth and strength of ties between the two leaders and underscored the strong footing of India-US relations.
The comments came following a nearly 40-minute phone conversation between Modi and Trump,
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said India and US relations are on a strong footing, PTI reported.
PM Modi and US President Donald Trump held a nearly 40-minute phone conversation, reported PTI.
Israeli and Lebanese envoys will meet in Washington on Tuesday as Israel presses its war on Hezbollah, a diplomatic milestone overshadowed by conflicting agendas, with Israel ruling out discussion of a ceasefire and demanding that Beirut disarm the group, reported news agency Reuters.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture in the crisis in the Middle East, a week into a fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran. The parallel war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon has been a complicating factor in Pakistan's mediation to end the wider conflict.
US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to attend the meeting between Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, at 11 am (1500 GMT), a State Department official said.
Axios reported that Rubio will host the meeting to launch direct negotiations between the countries.
Iran has condemned a ban imposed by YouTube on a pro-Iranian group that releases Lego-style artificial intelligence videos after posting one lampooning United States President Donald Trump and declaring “Iran won” last week.
Explosive Media said on X last week that YouTube suspended its account for “violent content”, while the group’s other online accounts appeared unaffected.
“Seriously! Are our LEGO-style animations actually violent?” Explosive Media asked, in its post on Friday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the ban was a move to suppress “the truth” about the US-Israel war on Iran.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsOur YouTube channel just got taken down again for “violent content.”
— Explosive Media (@ExplosiveMediaa) April 9, 2026
Seriously! are our LEGO-style animations actually violent?
(Al Jazeera)
A US-sanctioned Chinese tanker has passed through the Strait of Hormuz despite Donald Trump’s blockade of the key shipping lane.
Ship-tracking data showed the Rich Starry was the first vessel to pass through the strait and exit the Gulf since the US military began its blockade on Monday evening.
The Rich Starry, carrying 250,000 barrels of methanol, and its Chinese owner Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, were sanctioned by the US for dealings with Iran.
Two other sanctioned tankers linked to Iran are also transiting the waterway.
(The Telegraph)
Saudi Arabia is reportedly urging the United States to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and return to negotiations, warning that President Donald ould provoke Tehran into disrupting other critical shipping lanes. Read the full story here
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair a conference Friday in Paris, bringing together non-belligerent nations willing to participate in a mission in the Strait of Hormuz “when security conditions allow.”
Other participants will take part via videoconference, Macron’s office said. European and other partners are ready to contribute to a “purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement said.
France and Britain have been working in recent weeks to set up an operation to escort oil tankers and container ships to help ensure safe passage through the strait.
(AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call with UAE counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The ministers discussed the situation in the Persian Gulf following U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad and called for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and continued diplomatic efforts. — Reuters
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday said it was important to press on with peace negotiations to end the war between the United States and Iran, also looking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"It is necessary to continue working in order to advance peace negotiations, making every possible effort to stabilise the situation and reopen the (Hormuz) Strait, which is fundamental for us, not only for fuel supplies but also for fertilisers," Meloni told reporters in the northern Italian city of Verona. — Reuters
Iran’s President Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that diplomacy is the preferred path to resolving disputes, the Reuters reported.
Iran’s President Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that threats, pressure and military action will only exacerbate US's "self-made problems" in the region. — Reuters
Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: Iran’s President Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron that the US's lack of goodwill and maximalist demands prevented a final deal in Islamabad talks, according to IRNA.
Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: China said that a US blockade around Iranian ports is “dangerous and irresponsible.” The remarks came after US President Donald Trump threatened to sink boats that seek to leave or dock at the Strait of Hormuz.
“The US increased military operations and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardize safety of passage through the Strait,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference.
Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar spoke to his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar where the two discussed Iran, Strait of Hormuz tensions, and Lebanon, and stressed upon global security and freedom of navigation.
"A good conversation, as always, with my friend, India’s Minister of External Affairs
Dr S Jaishankar. We discussed Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Lebanon. I said that the firm American stance in the negotiations on conditions that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons (no enrichment in Iran, removal of enriched material from Iran) is critical for the entire international community," Saar said in a post on X.
"I also said that Iran’s harm to freedom of navigation and the global economy through economic terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz requires action that will ensure the freedom of navigation for all countries, including India and our friends in the Gulf," he added.
A good conversation, as always, with my friend, India’s Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar. We discussed Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Lebanon.
— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) April 14, 2026
I said that the firm American stance in the negotiations on conditions that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear… pic.twitter.com/miTi4YlXYE
Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: US and Iranian negotiation teams to return to Islamabad for peace talks later this week, news agency Reuters reported, citing four sources as saying.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has shared a four-point proposal to bolster peace and stability in the Middle East, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Xi shared the proposal during a meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed, Xinhua reported. It highlights the principles of “peaceful coexistence,” “national sovereignty” and “international rule of law”, as well as need for security and development coordination, according to the agency.
“The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf countries in the Middle East should be sincerely respected,” Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has condemned the US blockade on Iranian ports as a "grave violation" of its sovereignty.
In a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Amir Saeid Iravani says the "unlawful" blockade "constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea".
On Monday, Guterres called on "all parties" to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz - a critical waterway for global oil shipping.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held a phone call with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi on the latest developments regarding the ongoing “ceasefire and negotiations” between Iran and the US, according to the Mehr news agency.
“Araghchi emphasised the Islamic Republic of Iran’s commitment to preserving regional peace and stability with the cooperation and participation of all countries in the region and away from destructive US interventions,” Mehr said.
For his part, Albusaidi expressed hope that peace and stability “would return to the region as soon as possible”, it added.
An Israeli air raid on the southern Lebanese town of Bafliyeh has damaged numerous homes and caused injuries, according to the National News Agency (NNA).
Civil defence crew are currently sifting through rubble in the area looking for people who are missing, said NNA.
The Israeli military says one of its soldiers has been killed in combat in southern Lebanon and three others injured.
“In the incident in which Sergeant Major (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco fell, a reservist was moderately injured, and two additional reservists were lightly injured,” the IDF Posted on X.
It added the soldiers were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital and that their families had been notified.
Israeli strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs have reportedly stopped since last Wednesday but intense fighting has continued in southern Lebanon, where ground troops have invaded and Israel says it is creating a buffer zone for security.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsמצורפת הודעת דובר צה"ל בנושא שמו של חלל צה"ל אשר הודעה נמסרה למשפחתו: https://t.co/zTX8KrR6eB
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) April 14, 2026
באירוע בו נפל רס״ם (במיל׳) אייל אוריאל ביאנקו ז"ל, נפצע לוחם צה"ל במילואים באורח בינוני ושני לוחמים נוספים במילואים באורח קל.
הלוחמים פונו לקבלת טיפול רפואי בבית החולים, משפחותיהם…
The US military began a blockade of Iran's ports, angering Tehran and adding uncertainty around the crucial waterway, although hopes for dialogue to end the war provided some relief to oil markets where benchmark prices fell below $100 on Tuesday.
After a breakdown of weekend talks in Islamabad between the two adversaries, a US official said there was continued engagement and forward motion on trying to get to an agreement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said efforts were still under way to resolve the conflict.
US President Donald Trump said Iran had been in touch on Monday and wanted to make a deal but that he would not sanction any agreement allowing Tehran to have a nuclear weapon.
Iran criticised the US blockade around its ports on Monday as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty amid the fragile ceasefire.
“The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to UN secretary general António Guterres.
The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea”, Iravani added in the letter, seen by Agence France-Presse. -The Guardian
A tanker sanctioned by the United States passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, despite a US blockade on the chokepoint, shipping data on LSEG showed.
The tanker Rich Starry is Chinese-owned and has Chinese crew on board, the data showed.
The Associated Press news agency is reporting that Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round of negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad in the coming days, before the end of the ceasefire.
The agency cited two Pakistani officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The officials said the proposal will depend on whether the parties request a different location.
Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter are due to meet in Washington, DC, at 11am local time (15:00 GMT) as they begin rare direct peace talks, according to a schedule published by the US State Department.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will join “working-level” talks with the two ambassadors, the State Department said.
The discussion is expected to focus on securing a ceasefire in Lebanon – where Israel has unleashed devastating air attacks and a ground invasion – as well as the disarmament of Hezbollah and a broader peace arrangement.
Iran has proposed suspending uranium enrichment for up to five years, an offer rejected by the US which insisted on 20 years, according to the New York Times citing senior Iranian and US officials.
The report adds that the US and Iran traded proposals for suspending Tehran's nuclear activity during talks in Pakistan, but remained far apart from agreement.
But discussions suggest that there may still be a path to a peace deal, with a possible second round of face-to-face talks.
Iran's nuclear ambitions have been a major sticking point of the conflict, with Donald Trump reiterating on Sunday the US will ensure that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
Senator Chuck Schumer says the Democrats will again force a vote in the US senate to “stop the war in Iran and rein in an out-of-control Trump”.
The minority leader said the move will mark the fourth such vote since the US-Israel war on Iran began.
“For the 4th time, Republicans will have the chance to end this war,” he added.
Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives have tried and repeatedly failed in recent months to pass war powers resolutions to force Trump to obtain authorisation from the Congress before launching military operations.
Update on Trump’s Operation Epic Fail:
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 13, 2026
Strait of Hormuz: complete chaos
Iranian regime: still standing
Gas prices: Highest in years
Iran's nuclear ambitions: exactly the same
America's international credibility: worse
We must end this war immediately before Donald Trump makes…
The IMF, World Bank and the International Energy Agency said that fuel and fertiliser prices may remain high for a prolonged period as the situation in the Middle East remained uncertain due to the war.
The Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group met here as part of the coordination group they had established earlier this month for a joint response to the energy and economic impacts on the war in the Middle East.
In a joint statement here, the three institutions said the war has forcibly displaced people, impacted jobs, and reduced travel and tourism, which may take time to reverse.
"As we noted earlier this month, the impact of the war is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries," the statement said.
It noted that the shock has led to higher oil, gas and fertiliser prices, triggering concerns about food security and job losses as well.
Iranians rallying in Tehran have dismissed Trump’s “empty” threats to block Iran’s energy exports via the Strait of Hormuz.
“He said he would strike our power plants and our infrastructure, and even take one of our islands, but none of it happened,” Zahra, a 32-year-old beauty salon owner, told the Reuters news agency. These latest threats are “just empty promises”, she added.
Another protester, Milad, told Reuters that Trump’s threats demonstrate the US’s “desperation and helplessness in confronting Iran’s capabilities”.
Another protester, who did not want to be named, said: “Even if your threats are carried out, we know that our country’s armed forces will fully respond to them.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said the blockade restricted “the entirety of the Iranian coastline, including ports and energy infrastructure.” Its notice to mariners said transit through the strait to or from non-Iranian places was not reported to be impeded though ships “may encounter military presence.”
AP
The US blockade of Iranian ports has begun and let's take a recap of what Presiden Donald Trump said over 10 hours ago.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat.
Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to participate in Tuesday's meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington amid the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
With BBC inputs
US vice-president JD Vance says the US made a lot of progress in its weekend talks with Iran in Pakistan.
Asked whether more talks were coming, Vances also said on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier on Monday that the ball was in Iran’s court.
He also said – quoted by Reuters – that the US expected Iran would make progress on opening the strait of Hormuz, warning that the negotiations would change if Tehran did not.
The US military said on Monday that it had carried out a strike in the Eastern Pacific that killed two men.
The US Southern Command wrote on X: "Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations."
The US wants to choke Iran off, by blocking everything coming in and out of Iranian ports, Iranian access to world markets, to essentially throttle their energy industry.
What the US hopes is that there’ll be pressure on Iran from some of its main business partners, including China.
China imports roughly a third of its domestic oil from Tehran, and it’s been doing that throughout the war. Now, suddenly, if China doesn’t get access to Iranian oil, that causes the Chinese a problem.
The United States is hoping that pressure on China will mean China putting pressure on Iran and force Iran to get back to the negotiating table.
Remember, the ceasefire only has nine days left to run. Donald Trump believes the Chinese will put that pressure on Tehran sooner rather than later.
The Iranian state news agency IRNA has reported that the country is demanding compensation from five countries in the region, citing comments from Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani.
The countries named were Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan, with Iravani stating that they had “breached their international obligations toward the Islamic Republic of Iran under international law”, and should pay compensation for damages caused by the war.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that the conflict has “no military solution” and urged him to prevent any resumption of hostilities.
Lavrov also confirmed “Russia’s unwavering readiness” to assist in solving the crisis, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
The Ministry said Araghchi related to Lavrov the details of US-Iranian talks in Pakistan over the weekend, which failed to achieve a solution.
Russia and Iran are allies and signed the Iranian–Russian Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025, a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty”, which included military cooperation.
President Donald Trump said Monday that the US military hasbegan a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas and Iran responded with threats on ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Trump had vowed earlier to block the Strait of Hormuz entirely.
Trump later suggested he was willing to engage with Iran, saying he had spoken to “the other side.” This may come after he warned on Social media that Iranian warships coming “anywhere close” to the US blockade would be destroyed. -AP
We've just heard from US Vice-President JD Vance who is accusing the Iranian government of engaging in an "act of economic terrorism" by blocking traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance tells Fox News' Brett Baier that President Donald Trump has shown that "two could play at that game".
He says if the Iranians "engage in economic terrorism" the US will abide the principle that "no Iranian ships are getting out either".
Vance also discusses the talks with Iran over the weekend saying a lot of progress was made, but noted that Iran has to be flexible and accept the "critical things" the US demands.
"The ball is in Iran's court," he says.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4 today, Abas Aslani, a senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, was asked how Iran sees the US blockade.
Aslani says Iran sees the US blockade as its attempt to "create leverage in order to get more compromises from Tehran at the negotiating table".
Aslani added that the US is trying to adopt a similar tactic to one it used in Venezuela, but what makes Iran's strategy different is that if "Iranian vessels or tankers are targeted or stopped, Iran will respond in kind".
Speaking to reporters after the US placed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said, "They'd like to make a deal, very badly," referring to Iran. "Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," he reiterated the key sticking point between the two sides.
"We agreed to a lot of things, but they didn't agree to that." But he's "sure" that the Iranians will agree in the end. "If they don't agree, there's no deal," Trump said.
US President Donald Trump said that his timeline to deal with the war in West Asia has not changed. "Right now, there's no fighting," he said, as quoted by the BBC. "Right now we have a blockade, they're doing no business," he said, referring to the Iranians.
"I didn't like seeing boats come out, if they were doing business with Iran," he said, seemingly in reference to vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire. The New York Times reported that two Iranian vessels transited the Strait before the blockade.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the U.S. may "stop by" Cuba after its current focus on tensions with Iran concludes. (Reuters)
Amid an ongoing fued with US-born Pope Leo XIV over policies, US President Donald Trump said he will not apologise to the pontiff. The US president criticised the religious leader earlier today, after the pontiff had himself condemned the president's threats against Iran, the BBC reported.
He said the Pope is "very weak on crime and other things", adding that he is "just responding" to his criticism. Trump said he has "nothing to apologise for - he's wrong".
Speaking to reporters after the US placed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, President Donal Trump said that Iran is "really blackmailing the world," and he won't let that happen, the BBC reported.
The US President added that Iranian leaders want to make a deal, and said he was called this morning "by the appropriate people" seeking an agreement.
The US doesn't use the Strait because it has its own oil and gas, Trump said, adding that ships are heading to the US to "load up" on American oil. The US Navy began its blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas at 7.30 pm IST.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said the current ceasefire between the US and Iran is “very fragile.” He urged the global community to “unequivocally oppose any actions that undermine the ceasefire or escalate the confrontation,” Al Jazeera reported.
An Iranian defence ministry spokesperson on Monday said that "US President Donald Trump will fail in any attempt to interfere militarily in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman," Reuters reported.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that dozens of countries will convene a summit later this week on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the BBC reported. He said the waterway is a "running sore," which has been "shamefully exploited" by Iran.
Starmer refused to support the US in blocking the Strait.
Earlier, the UK chaired a virtual meeting with more than 40 countries aim at rallying support for a collective action against Iran for blocking the key maritime route.
The death toll in Lebanon has increased to 2,089 people - including 166 children, the BBC reported, citing state-run National News Agency, which quoted the country's health ministry.
The country was dragged into the wider conflict in West Asia after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2. The group broke its ceasefire with Tel Aviv over the US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei days earlier.
After Trump announced the truce last week, Tel Aviv intensified its campaign against the Lebanese militant group. Cessation of war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, was among the terms in Iran’s 10-point proposal.
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened that Iranian ships that come close to the American blockade of Iranian ports will be "immediately eliminated."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Lebanon must be part of the ceasefire between the US and Iran. The announcement comes as the US Navy blocks the Strait of Hormuz, a move Starmer said the UK does not support.
Since US President Donald Trump announced the truce on Wednesday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu intensified Tel Aviv’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel scaled up its offensive against the militant group. The attacks drew flak from several European and West Asian countries.
Before the attacks on Wednesday, more than 1,500 had been killed in Israel's air and ground campaign across the country, including more than 130 children.
US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran's “fast attack ships” as his Hormuz blockade came into effect. The US Navy established a naval blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas, including the Strait of Hormuz, effective 7.30 pm IST.
"Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
👁 ImageThe United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and seafarers have received notices warning that the blockade will apply to all vessel traffic, regardless of flag, The Guardian reported.
The UKMTO notice said that the passage through the strait to or from non-Iranian destinations should not be affected by these restrictions.
The US has begun its blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas.
The BBC has reported the presence of a US Navy aircraft carrier and two warships near the Gulf of Oman, based on satellite imagery from Saturday.
USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was positioned at the eastern edge of the Gulf, roughly 200 kilometres to the south of the Iranian coast. Two US Navy guided-missile destroyers were also visible.
The US’ naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will begin in 2 minutes.
Full efforts are still being made to resolve the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday, a day after talks between the two sides, held in Islamabad, ended without agreement, Reuters reported.
The US' naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will begin in 10 minutes.
Bahrain summoned Iraq's chargé d'affaires in Manama on Monday to protest against what it called ongoing drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory against the kingdom and other Gulf Cooperation Council states, the foreign ministry said.
Bahrain delivered a formal note of protest and urged Iraq to address the threats urgently and responsibly, adding that the kingdom reserved the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its security and stability. (Reuters)
Two Palestinian workers have been injured southeast of Jerusalem after Israeli forces opened fire. The incident took place in the Wadi al-Hummus area, Al Jazeera reported, quoting the Palestinian Wafa news agency.
Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said he did not expect US’ move to blockade the Strait of Hormuz change the situation much, considering the number of ships passing through the maritime route was already extremely low.
“A further blockage right now doesn’t really change the fact that there’s no normal trade in the strait since the beginning of the conflict,” he said, as quoted by NYT.
Earlier in the day, Dominguez said that the situation around the Strait of Hormuz “remains of grave concern.”
Reacting to the death of a Lebanese Red Cross paramedic in an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese town of Beit Yahoun, Agnes Dhur, head of the ICRC delegation in Lebanon, said, “The loss of those who dedicate their lives to saving others is gravely concerning, given the impact on the civilians who depend on their help,” Al Jazeera reported.
“Saving lives must never cost a life. Humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected. They must be allowed to reach and help the wounded and return unharmed,” she added.
Amid strained relations with Washington over the war in West Asia, NATO allies said on Monday they would not get involved in US President Donald Trump’s plan to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the US military would work with other countries to block all maritime traffic in the waterway, after talks in Pakistan failed to reach an agreement to end the six-week conflict with Iran.
"We're not supporting the blockade," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC.
France will organise a conference with Britain and other countries to create a multinational mission to restore navigation in the strait, French President Emmanuel Macron said on X on Monday.
Earlier, following the US-Israeli strikes in Iran, several key NATO leaders distanced themselves from the campaign. Several countries resisted supporting the U.S. campaign against Iran by denying U.S. military planes use of their airspace. (Reuters)
Indian tankers that have transited through the Strait of Hormuz did not pay tolls to Iran, Tehran's ambassador to New Delhi said on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to block passage for vessels making payments to Iran.
"You can ask the Indian government if we have charged anything up to now," Ambassador Mohammad Fathali told reporters at a briefing at Iran's embassy. (Reuters)
In a note sent to seafarers, the US Central Command (Centcom) said that “any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion and capture,” Al Jazeera reported.
According to a BBC report, the note states that blockade encompasses "the entirety of the Iranian coastline", including but "not limited to" Iranian ports and oil terminals. It said that humanitarian shipments such as food and medical supplies would be allowed, subject to inspection.
A diplomatic push is under way on a U.N.-led proposal to ensure safe passage for fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the UN said on Monday, with a source familiar with discussions emphasising growing urgency due to shortages.
"Extensive meetings" have been held in New York over the past two weeks on the design and operationalisation of the mechanism with the relevant member states, Juliette Touma, UNOPS director of communications, told news agency Reuters.
The proposed mechanism seeks to facilitate safe transit of commercial vessels carrying fertilizers and related materials through the strait and mitigate potential humanitarian fallout on fertilizer-dependent nations in Asia and Africa, she said. (Reuters)
OPEC on Monday lowered its forecast for world oil demand in the second quarter by 500,000 barrels per day, citing the impact of the war in the Middle East, the producer group's monthly oil report showed on its website.
Global oil demand is projected to average 105.07 million bpd in the second quarter, OPEC's report said, down from the 105.57 million bpd forecast in last month's report. (Reuters)
Two very large crude carriers (VLCC) loaded with Iranian oil have reached Indian ports, news agency Reuters citing ship tracking data from LSEG shows.
The development comes as local refiners utilise a temporary sanctions waiver granted by the United States last month to resume purchases from Tehran for the first time in seven years. The waiver is due to expire on April 19.
The Iran-flagged Felicity has reached Sikka Port in Gujarat, while the Curacao-flagged Jaya is at Odisha, according to the report.
A VLCC carries 2 million barrels of oil.
The railways infrastructure targeted by airstrikes in five Iranian provinces last week has been rebuilt, Iranian state TV on Monday said, including railroads linking Tehran to Tabriz and Tabriz to Mashhad.
The US military will impose a blockade in Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz and it will apply to all vessel traffic regardless of flag, the US Central Command said in a note to seafarers, Reuters reported.
"Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations," the US military's note read.
Iran has "good contact" with New Delhi on passage of Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali said on Monday, as quoted by news agency Reuters.
Fathali added that Tehran wants to help New Delhi. This come against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump announcing a naval blockade in the critical maritime waterway.
The US Israeli war on Iran, which began in February, has restricted shipping through the key route, which served as the conduit for 40% of India's crude imports and 90% of its LPG imports.
Nine Indian LPG tankers have exit the Persian Gulf since early March.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel supported President Trump’s proposed naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, NYT reported.
Netanyahu said he had spoken with US Vice President JD Vance following the negotiations in Islamabad, and refuted claims of rifts between Tel Aviv and Washington.
Vance told him that the US delegation had stressed that Iran’s enriched uranium had to be removed and enrichment in Iran stopped for years under any arrangement, Netanyahu said
China said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would go against the international community's interests and urged calm and restraint by all sides. The U.S. military said it will begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, after the failure of weekend talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the Iran war. Before the war, most Iranian oil exports were shipped to China, the top global importer of crude.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz does not serve the common interests of the international community, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, special envoy of the UAE President for China, in Beijing on Monday, according to a ministry statement. (Reuters)
In view of the evolving situation in West Asia and US President Donald Trump's announcement of a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said, “The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging, and the restoration of the freedom of navigation is of paramount importance for us,” as quoted by NYT.
The U.S. military said it will begin a blockade of ships leaving Iran's ports on Monday, and Tehran threatened to retaliate against ports of its Gulf neighbours, after weekend talks failed to reach a deal to end the war, leaving a ceasefire in jeopardy.
Oil prices surged when trade reopened on Monday, with no sign of a swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to ease the worst ever disruption in supplies.
Since the war started, Iran has effectively shut the strait to all vessels except its own, saying ships would only be allowed through under Iranian control and subject to a fee. U.S. President Donald Trump said he would now block Iran's ships too, and any vessels that paid Iran a toll. (Reuters)
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah says it hit multiple Israeli settlements and military positions.
The group said it attacked Misgav Am settlement, the Zarit barracks and Israeli soldiers in Kfar Giladi, Al Jazeera reported.
Earlier, the BBC reported the group saying that it attacked Israeli forces in Shlomi, Israel with drones.
Expressing disappointment over the deadlock in talks with the US, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said that Iran engaged in good faith and the two parties were "inches away from 'Islamabad MoU.'" He added that Tehran "encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade."
"Zero lessons earned. Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity," he said.
In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 12, 2026
But when just inches away from "Islamabad MoU", we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.
Zero lessons earned
Good will begets good will.
Enmity begets enmity.
Nigeria will seek stronger international financial support at this week's IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings as the Iran war lifts fuel costs at home and complicates reforms, its finance minister said on Monday.
Surging crude prices had some clear benefits for Africa's top oil producer, boosting foreign exchange earnings, Wale Edun said in a statement ahead of this week's meetings in Washington. (Reuters)
Two merchant ships from Pakistan were allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz and sail to Kuwait and the UAE on Monday after initially being denied permission to pass.
Two merchant ships, Shalimar and Khairpur, of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) are the first Pakistani ships to go into the Persian Gulf since the war broke out between Iran, the US and Israel. (PTI)
Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, said that the situation around the Strait of Hormuz “remains of grave concern.”
“Beyond the human toll, this situation is also disrupting international shipping, with broader consequences for the global economy and food security,” he said, as quoted by NYT.
US-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back on US President Donald Trump's broadside against him over the US-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican's appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn't fear the Trump administration.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said, "I don't want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do," referencing his 2024 election victory.
He also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position "because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J Trump."
"If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," Trump wrote, adding, "Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It's hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it's hurting the Catholic Church!" (AP)
An Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinians outside a school in Deir eal-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera reported, quoting medics.
The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia have held a phone call and "exchanged views… regarding the latest developments in the region and the Iran-US negotiations in Islamabad,” Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran’s Mehr news agency.
After Trumps announcement of naval restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, French President Emmanuel Macron said France and the UK will organise a conference "aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait" in the "coming days," BBC reported.
Earlier, the UK chaired a virtual meeting with more than 40 countries aim at rallying support for a collective action against Iran for blocking the key maritime route.
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it has attacked Israeli forces in Shlomi, Israel with drones, BBC reported
Full operational control of the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil will be achieved within days, with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants limited in there ability to attack northern Israel from the area, an Israeli military official said on Monday.
"Only a small number of terrorists remains in the area of Bint Jbeil," the official said, adding that the military "eliminated terrorists as they were exiting the hospital in Bint Jbeil, as well as located numerous launchers and weapons." (Reuters)
In veiw of the impasse in the US-Iran talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he thinks that "if the nuclear issue comes down to an all-or-nothing situation, especially regarding enrichment, we might face serious obstacles," Al Jazeera reported, citing Anadolu news agency.
The Israeli forces captured Bint Jbeil’s stadium, a key symbolic site where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared Israel “weaker than a spider web” following its 2000 withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the Iran war was the "root cause of the problems we face in our own country,” emphasising that Berlin was making all the efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
Merz said that Germany will cut taxes on fuel as households struggle with energy shock amid the war in Middle East. Merz said that the war “is the root cause of the problems we face in our own country.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his country will not support the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz announced by US President Donald Trump.
“We are not supporting the blockade,” Starmer told BBC radio. The UK “is not getting dragged in” to the war with Iran, he added.
The Israeli army said that it has killed over 100 members of Hezbollah group and the troops are close to capturing Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, the stronghold of the militant group.
An Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson said that US restrictions on vessels in international waters are “illegal” and "amounts to piracy,” while warning of a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz following threats by the United States to blockade it.
Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released footage showing the demolition of a Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon. "Fighters from the Yahalom Unit and the 7th Brigade destroyed an underground infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in southern Lebanon," IDF said in a post on X. "Forces of the 13th Battalion, under the command of the 7th Brigade's combat team, continue to operate in southern Lebanon," it added.
צפו בתיעוד: לוחמי יחידת יהל"ם וחטיבה 7 השמידו תוואי תת-קרקעי של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) April 13, 2026
כוחות גדוד 13 בפיקוד צוות הקרב של חטיבה 7 ממשיכים לפעול בדרום לבנון.
במסגרת פעילות במרחב, כוחות הגדוד בשיתוף יחידת יהל"ם, השמידו תוואי תת-קרקעי ששימש את מחבלי ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה… pic.twitter.com/DvmFO4HaaY
Lebanon’s National News Agency is reporting that one of the victims was killed in a series of Israeli raids on the town of Bazouriyeh.
At least nine people were wounded in those attacks and several homes and a school building were also severely damaged.
According to NNA, two people were also killed in Nabatiyeh El Faouqa and in Sir El Gharbiyeh, while two others were killed in the town of Choukine.
Indonesia and the United States are discussing an agreement to give US military aircraft access to Indonesian airspace, Indonesia's defence ministry said on Monday, adding that no deal has yet been reached.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to meet with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin later on Monday.
Sweden's government will cut fuel taxes and hike electricity subsidies in its spring mini-budget, it said on Monday, as it strives to ease the pain for households of higher energy bills driven by the war in Iran. The extra spending, coming ahead of a parliamentary election in September, will total around 7.7 billion Swedish crowns ($825.22 million) and comes on top of a bumper 80 billion in new spending already announced in September last year in the full-year budget bill for 2026.
South Korean low-cost carrier T'way Air plans to furlough some of its cabin crew without pay in May and June as part of its emergency management due to the fallout of the conflict in the Middle East, Joongang Ilbo daily reported on Monday.
T'way is the first among South Korean full-service and low-cost carriers to reduce staffing amid soaring fuel prices following the Iran war and the Korean won's record low exchange rate against the dollar.
The decision is to staff "cabin crew members more flexibly in line with changes in flight operating schedule," Joongang Ilbo quoted a T'way official as saying. -Reuters
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took a swipe at US President Donald Trump on X, warning that Washington’s plan to tighten maritime pressure on Tehran could rebound sharply on American consumers through rising fuel prices.
In a pointed post, Ghalibaf ridiculed US threats of a naval blockade targeting vessels linked to Iranian ports, suggesting the move could trigger a surge in global oil prices and make current US petrol rates look cheap.
“Enjoy the current pump figures,” he wrote, adding that Americans may soon grow “nostalgic” for $4–$5 per gallon fuel if tensions escalate further.
Trump again expressed disappointment with what he calls NATO’s failure to back the US and Israel’s war on Iran.
“They weren’t there for us,” he told reporters. “Now they want to come up, but there’s no real threat anymore.”
Trump also questioned the value of US membership in the alliance more broadly.
“You know, we spent trillions of dollars on NATO to help them guard really against Russia, when you think of it, we’re guarding against Russia. And I’ve long thought it was a little ridiculous, but we spend trillions of dollars doing it. And I think that’s going to be under very serious examination,” he said.
The Channel 12 broadcaster is reporting that the drone intrusion set off alarms in Metula and the surrounding area.
It said the drone was intercepted and that it is now safe for residents to leave their shelters.
The US president has repeated his earlier claim that the US will begin blockading Iranian ports at 10am EST (14:00 GMT).
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “The United States to Blockade Ships Entering or Exiting Iranian Ports on April 13 at 10:00 A.M. ET. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
👁 ImageThe US president says Iran still wants a nuclear weapon and expressed that intention during the meeting in Islamabad.
"They still want it, and they made that clear the other night. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon."
Trump has already said direct talks with Iran failed because Tehran was "unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions".
👁 ImageDemocratic Senator Mark Kelly has condemned President Trump for publicly attacking the Pope, calling it “abhorrent” in a post on X.
“As a Catholic, I find it abhorrent that the President of the United States would publicly attack the Successor of St. Peter,” Kelly wrote. “Donald Trump is flailing. His war in Iran has led to the death and injury of American service members and the death of Iranian children.”
Kelly said that Trump “will attack anyone or anything to try to protect himself, even the Church that millions of Americans find faith and comfort in every day”.
As a Catholic, I find it abhorrent that the President of the United States would publicly attack the Successor of St. Peter. Donald Trump is flailing. His war in Iran has led to the death and injury of American servicemembers and the death of Iranian children. He will attack… pic.twitter.com/fl5d1G2QVP
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) April 13, 2026
The Lebanese Army has announced the death of a soldier, who died on Sunday as a result of injuries from a “Israeli hostile attack” that occurred on April 8 in the town of Shamshtar in eastern Baalbek.
Abbas Hassan Qassem, 41, was a recipient of “several medals and commendations from the Army Commander, who congratulated him on several occasions,” the army said in a statement.
Qassem was married and had three children, it added.
Here are the top developments
US Blockades Iranian Ports: The US military will start blockading Iranian ports on Monday at 14:00 GMT, allowing ships not going to or from Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Warns of Consequences: The IRGC has warned that any miscalculated move will trap the enemy in the "deadly whirlpools" of the Strait of Hormuz, and military vessels approaching will be dealt with severely.
Trump's Threats Trump claims the US will "finish up" its war on Iran soon, after Tehran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions during Pakistan talks.
Iran Pushes Back: Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, says US threats won't affect the nation, vowing not to bow to pressure.
Regional Tensions Escalate: Israel continues to strike Lebanon, with Netanyahu releasing footage of himself in southern Lebanon, amid warnings of renewed civil strife from Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam
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