President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to "save face." People approached me four days ago, saying, "Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately." But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up... [Continue Reading]
US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran to allow Tehran more time to present a unified peace proposal.The extension was declared on April 21, 2026, without a specific deadline, signaling an open-ended pause in hostilities.Trump confirmed that while the ceasefire is extended, the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will continue.The blockade restricts Iran's access to its ports and remains a significant point of tension.Iran has not immediately responded to the ceasefire extension.However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the blockade as an "act of war" and a violation of the ceasefire,... [Continue Reading]
The United States and Iran have both issued warnings of their readiness for war amid uncertain ceasefire talks scheduled to take place in Pakistan.The talks, aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, have yet to secure Iran's confirmed participation.US Vice President JD Vance is prepared to lead the American delegation to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations, although he remained in the US on Monday, adding to uncertainty over the timing of the talks.Iran's cleric-led government has not confirmed its attendance and has accused the US of violating the ceasefire agreement through a blockade of Iranian... [Continue Reading]
The United States and Iran have each issued warnings that they are prepared for war as ceasefire talks remain uncertain.US Vice President JD Vance is reportedly ready to return to Islamabad for a second round of talks aimed at ending the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East since February 2026, contingent on Iran's agreement to participate.Iran's cleric-led government has not confirmed its participation and has criticized the US for imposing a blockade on Iranian ports and seizing a ship, which it views as violations of the ceasefire.Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led previous talks in Pakistan, stated... [Continue Reading]
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified due to renewed security incidents. These include reported attacks on vessels in the area and a recent interception by US forces of an Iranian cargo ship. The operational environment in the strait remains volatile with ongoing security concerns. In Lebanon, the 10-day ceasefire agreement with Israel continues to hold. Thousands of civilians have returned to southern Lebanon despite widespread destruction from previous hostilities. The ceasefire status remains stable with no reported violations as of the latest updates. Over the past weekend, a United Nations peacekeeper was killed in Lebanon. Reports indicate the... [Continue Reading]
Today, France and the United Kingdom convened 51 countries for an international summit on the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting underlined the determination of the international community to support freedom of navigation, to stand up for international law, and to protect global economic stability and energy security. We expressed our strong support for a comprehensive diplomatic settlement to the conflict through negotiations. The UK, France, and all our partners, will draw on our collective diplomatic, economic and military capabilities to support freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. First, we called for the unconditional, unrestricted, and immediate re-opening of... [Continue Reading]
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social at 19 April 2026 at 13:10 BST: "Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz, A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French Ship, and a Freighter from the United Kingdom." "My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan, They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations. Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait, which is strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it." "They're helping us without knowing, and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, $500 Million... [Continue Reading]
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the United States' decision to extend a waiver allowing the sale of Russian oil despite existing Western sanctions.The waiver permits countries to purchase Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels at sea until May 16, 2026.The US government stated that the waiver aims to ease the energy supply crunch caused by the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.This conflict has disrupted energy markets, particularly due to Iran's near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transport.President Zelensky... [Continue Reading]
The strategic Strait of Hormuz remains closed amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, with Iran's parliamentary speaker confirming that a final peace deal remains distant despite some progress in negotiations.Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament and a key negotiator, stated that while there has been "progress" in talks, "many gaps and some fundamental points remain." He emphasized that the strait will not reopen until the US lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural... [Continue Reading]
Iran has re-closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping less than 24 hours after briefly reopening it in response to a ceasefire declaration in Lebanon.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the strait would remain closed until the United States ends its naval blockade of Iranian ports.The IRGC controls the management of the strait and stated that the waterway has reverted to "strict management and control of the armed forces." This move came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had declared the strait open for commercial vessels.The closure has caused distress among sailors in the Persian Gulf, with... [Continue Reading]
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on April 18, 2026, that it is closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels once again, warning that any ship attempting to pass through will be targeted.This decision follows attacks on vessels in or near the strait, including two Indian-flagged ships reportedly fired upon by IRGC gunboats.The IRGC stated that the closure is a response to a continuing US naval blockade of Iranian ports, which it views as a violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in the US-Israel conflict involving Iran.The closure came less than 24 hours after Iran had briefly reopened... [Continue Reading]
Iran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route, in response to the United States' ongoing blockade of its ports.This closure follows a brief reopening of the waterway after a US-mediated ceasefire in the Middle East.Tehran announced that control of the strait has "returned to its previous state," with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stating that the waterway will remain tightly controlled until the US lifts its blockade.The IRGC described the blockade as "acts of piracy and maritime theft." Reports indicate that Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker attempting to transit the strait.The... [Continue Reading]
Iran has issued a warning that it will close the Strait of Hormuz again if the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports.This statement came shortly after Iran temporarily reopened the strategic waterway following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon brokered by the US.The Iranian parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that passage through the Strait of Hormuz would require Iranian authorization and that the waterway "will not remain open" if the blockade persists.Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the US naval blockade as a violation of the ceasefire.Since the blockade began, US forces have directed... [Continue Reading]
The Trump administration has extended a sanctions exemption allowing the purchase of certain Russian oil and petroleum products until May 16, 2026.This announcement came shortly after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping.The exemption applies to oil loaded onto vessels between April 17 and May 16, continuing a previous waiver that expired on April 11.The US Treasury Department issued the extension despite earlier indications that the waiver would not be renewed.No immediate casualties or disruptions have been reported in connection with this policy update.The move aims to alleviate surging global energy prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.This development... [Continue Reading]
Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping following the implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon.This announcement marks a significant development in the region's maritime security and international trade.The declaration was made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who stated that the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open for the duration of the ceasefire.However, military vessels remain banned from the waterway, according to a senior Iranian military official.The ceasefire in Lebanon, involving Israel and Hezbollah, has allowed displaced families to return to their homes in affected areas.The reopening of... [Continue Reading]
Europe is facing a significant jet fuel shortage, with supplies estimated to last only about six weeks due to disruptions caused by the ongoing war involving Iran.The conflict has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil exports from the Gulf region.Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), warned that flight cancellations could occur soon if oil supplies from the Middle East are not restored in the coming weeks.He highlighted the urgency of the situation in an interview, noting the potential for immediate impacts on air travel.The shortage is expected... [Continue Reading]
The UK government is actively preparing for possible food shortages this summer due to disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.Officials have confirmed contingency plans are being drawn up in case the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, which could disrupt supplies of carbon dioxide (CO2) critical for food preservation and animal slaughter.Staple items such as chicken, pork, and fizzy drinks could face shortages if CO2 supplies break down, according to government sources and recent reports.Business Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the scenario planning publicly, emphasizing that while the leaks about these plans were unhelpful, the public should be reassured that... [Continue Reading]
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has publicly criticized the United States' military conflict with Iran, describing it as a "mistake" that has destabilized the global economy.Speaking at the Invest in America forum in Washington DC, Reeves urged for de-escalation and highlighted the economic damage caused by the conflict.Reeves confirmed that the UK government will not participate in the US-led military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and gas exports.She emphasized that while the UK and US maintain their "special relationship," disagreements over the conflict are permissible.The conflict has led to soaring energy prices and a... [Continue Reading]
The United States military has fully implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports, completely halting economic trade by sea.This blockade, enforced by over 10,000 US armed forces personnel, warships, and aircraft, has been in effect for less than 36 hours but has already stopped all maritime trade entering and leaving Iran.US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that no ships have passed the blockade since it began on Monday, with several vessels ordered to turn back to Iranian ports.Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander, stated that the blockade targets all vessels entering or leaving Iranian coastal areas and ports, aiming to cut off... [Continue Reading]