Day: April 18, 2026

Data from Marine Traffic monitored earlier today indicates that tankers are reversing direction at the Persian Gulf region of the Strait of Hormuz.

The ships transporting LPG and crude oil seemed to alter their routes after Iran’s military announced that restrictions on ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz were being reinstated, citing “repeated breaches of trust” by the US.

The red dots on the map above indicate tankers that are not moving; several of these have emerged on either side of the strait since the restrictions were made public.

The red arrows indicate tankers transporting LPG and crude oil. The green arrows indicate cargo ships that frequently transport containers.

Iran indicates it is reviewing new US suggestions following discussions with intermediary Pakistan.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council states that Tehran is reviewing fresh US proposals after discussions with Pakistan’s military leader Asim Munir, who has been serving as a mediator between the nations.

Though Tehran has not provided an official reply, the council reinforced several earlier stated demands, including expanded authority over the Strait of Hormuz, in a statement issued today by the semi-official Mehr News.

“Iran is resolved to maintain oversight and authority over transit via the Strait of Hormuz until the war concludes and permanent peace is achieved in the area,” the council stated, emphasizing the necessity to sever American military installations in the region from their supply lines.

The council mentioned that this would be enforced through a system of fees, transit certificates, and restrictions on ships traveling only designated routes.

Earlier today, Pakistan’s Munir concluded a three-day official visit to Iran, during which he and a Pakistani delegation engaged with senior Iranian officials to encourage Tehran to return to negotiations with the US before the two-week ceasefire ends.

Discussions at a high level between the US and Iran over the weekend did not result in any agreement. Since that time, the US has enacted a blockade on Iranian ports.

The council asserted that it views this as a “breach of the ceasefire” and stated that Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the blockade is lifted.

Today, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a French soldier serving in the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon was killed.

Macron identified the soldier as Florian Montorio from the 17th Parachute EngineerRegiment, deployed in Lebanon with the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). He mentioned that three additional soldiers were injured.

Macron stated that “all indications point to Hezbollah being responsible for this attack,” and urged the Lebanese government to promptly apprehend those involved.

Hezbollah rejected the claim. In a statement, it urged “care in attributing blame and accountability regarding the incident while awaiting the Lebanese army’s investigation to completely ascertain the circumstances.”

UNIFIL stated that its patrol was removing explosive ordnance on a road in the village of Ghanduriyah in southern Lebanon when it “was fired upon with small arms from non-state actors.” The force reported that two of the three injured soldiers sustained critical wounds.

Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s prime minister, denounced the assault and stated that he ordered a prompt inquiry.

“This reckless conduct undoubtedly harms Lebanon and its relationships with allied and supportive nations globally,” he stated.

The assault occurs during a 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon, which was declared by US President Donald Trump on Thursday after the two nations engaged in their first direct discussions in decades earlier this week in Washington, DC.

Israel’s military accused Hezbollah of breaching the ceasefire on Saturday, claiming it spotted multiple “terrorists” nearing its troops and presenting an imminent danger. The military stated it “carried out targeted attacks on the militants.”

This post has been revised to include a statement from Hezbollah.

US President Donald Trump addresses the audience while signing an executive order at the White House on Saturday. Nathan Howard/Reuters

By Xenix news

President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that discussions with Iran are continuing but indicated frustration with Tehran’s tactics, remarking “they got a little cute,” while also noting that talks are advancing.

“Trump stated that we are having excellent discussions regarding Iran.” “They became somewhat charming, as they have for 47 years,” Trump stated.

“They aimed to seal off the strait once more, as they have for years.” “They cannot extort us,” Trump stated, mentioning that he will have additional details “before the day’s end.”

“We’re engaging with them, and you know, we’re adopting a firm position.” They took the lives of many individuals. “Many of our individuals have died,” Trump stated.

US President Donald Trump heads toward the White House after arriving back in Washington, DC on Friday. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

US President Donald Trump has two activities planned for today: engaging in executive time at 8 a.m. ET, followed by signing an executive order one hour later at 9 a.m. ET.

The executive order, based on information from a knowledgeable source, will promote increased research on the psychedelic ibogaine, as we mentioned earlier this week.

Speaking on Air Force One yesterday, Trump stated that he might not prolong the ceasefire between the US and Iran if discussions do not result in a deal to conclude the war by Wednesday.

“Perhaps I won’t prolong it, leaving you with a blockade, and regrettably, we may need to start dropping bombs once more,” the president remarked.

He also stated that the US would acquire Iran’s reserves of highly enriched uranium one way or another, cautioning it could arrive “in a far less friendly form” if talks collapse.

We will provide you with any pertinent updates regarding Trump today as we receive them

A message allegedly from the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei states that Iran’s navy is “prepared to make the enemies experience the harshness of fresh defeats.”

Khamenei, who has not appeared in public or shared any video messages since becoming Iran’s Supreme Leader six weeks ago, did not mention the recent uncertainty regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz in his written statement.

Rather, it commended Iran’s military for “bravely protecting the land, waters, and the banner that is rightfully theirs.”

Just a few statements have been ascribed to Khamenei. This event commemorated Army Day, which this year aligned with the birthday of his deceased father, Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes at the war’s outset.

Iranian gunboats fired on tanker, shipping body says

On Saturday, gunboats from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards opened fire on a tanker navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, as stated in a notice from the UK Maritime Traffic Organization (UKMTO).

The UKMTO stated that it obtained a direct alert from the tanker’s captain, who informed that he was “confronted by 2 IRGC gun boats,” approximately 20 nautical miles (30 kms) off the coast of Oman.

The captain stated that no radio alert had been issued prior to the ship – whose identity UKMTO did not reveal – being attacked.

“UKMTO reported that the tanker and crew are safe.”

The event occurred as Iran reinstated severe restrictions on shipping attempting to pass through the Strait due to US President Donald Trump stating Friday that a blockade on vessels utilizing Iranian ports would persist.

“The condition of the Strait of Hormuz will remain unchanged as long as vessels traveling from Iran to Iran continue to face threats,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) navy posted on X Saturday.

Iranian state media reported in recent hours that Tehran will persist in limiting movement in the waterway as the US upholds its blockade of Iranian ports.

If you’re only now catching up, here’s the way events have unfolded in the last 24 hours:

Following a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah that began yesterday, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be accessible for the duration of the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump recognized Araghchi’s statement in a post on Truth Social, saying: “THANK YOU!”

In another message, Trump stated that the US naval blockade on Iranian ports will “stay fully in place” until both nations reach a complete resolution to the conflict between them. “This procedure ought to progress rapidly since the majority of the issues have already been discussed,” he stated.

In the afternoon, Iranian state media Fars announced that Iran would shut down the strait again if the US persisted with its blockade. The Iranian Parliament’s speaker also cautioned about this.

Shipping giants voiced doubts regarding their ability to navigate the waterway following the announcements, yet a cruise ship, making the journey without any passengers, sailed through the channel towards Muscat.

Trump stated that Iran had “conceded to all” in discussions, including regarding enriched uranium, which the US opposes Iran possessing

This morning, Iran’s military said that it was reimposing restrictions on the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, alleging “repeated breaches of trust” by the United States in the two sides’ ceasefire.

The last 24 hours have been confusing for sailors trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has mostly obstructed since early March.

The confusion started when Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that with a truce established in Lebanon, “the route for all commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz is officially open for the duration of the ceasefire,” which concludes next week.

Araghchi suggested that Iran’s strict oversight of the Strait is shifting to a more relaxed system, where vessels must navigate “on the coordinated route as already announced” by Iranian officials.

US President Donald Trump quickly endorsed the action but then stated that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain “in full force” until a comprehensive agreement with Iran was achieved.

Tehran rejected this, and a semi-official Iranian outlet – Tasnim – also censured Araghchi for generating “multiple uncertainties regarding the conditions for passage, its specifics, and its methods.”

“Transit through the Strait will be restricted, contingent on fee payment, and managed by Iran,” reported another Iranian source, Mizan, linked to more hardline factions.

On Saturday, the Iranian military emphasized that passage for commercial shipping would be heavily limited as long as the US blockade was in place.

The navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) later posted on X, stating: “While the transit of ships from Iran to Iran continues to be endangered, the condition of the Strait of Hormuz will persist as it was.”

In the face of uncertainty, shipping firms remain reluctant to navigate the Strait. Following the departure of multiple tankers from the Gulf early Saturday, additional ones seemed to be circling without moving forward.

The tanker Agios Fanourios I, flying the Malta flag and transporting oil, passes through the Strait of Hormuz and reaches Iraq’s territorial waters near Basra on Friday. Mohammed Aty/Reuters

Iran’s military claims that limitations on ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz are being reinstated, citing “repeated violations of trust” by the United States regarding the ceasefire between the two parties.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tweeted that the Strait was open for traffic, but within hours, Iranian state media verified the “complete oversight of Iranian armed forces over the transit of ships, and this transit is deemed invalid if the supposed naval blockade persists.”

US President Donald Trump has asserted that a naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain effective until a comprehensive deal is finalized with Tehran. The timing and location of a potential subsequent meeting between the two parties remain uncertain after the first round of negotiations in Islamabad ended unsuccessfully last weekend.

A military spokesperson from Iran stated that Tehran permitted a “restricted number of oil tankers and commercial vessels” to navigate through the Strait.

“Sadly, the Americans, due to their consistent violations of trust that define their history, persist in acts of piracy and maritime theft under the guise of a blockade,” the spokesman stated, as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency.

The Strait was once more “under the strict management and control of the armed forces” until the US lifts its blockade on vessels departing from and arriving at Iranian ports, he stated.

Iran’s military claims that limitations on the movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz are being reinstated, citing “repeated violations of trust” by the United States regarding the ceasefire between both parties.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on X that the Strait was accessible for traffic, but shortly after, Iranian state media affirmed the “complete oversight of Iranian armed forces over the movement of ships, and this movement is deemed invalid if the supposed naval blockade persists.”

US President Donald Trump has emphasized that a naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue until a comprehensive deal is finalized with Tehran. The timing and location of a subsequent meeting between the two parties remain uncertain after the unsuccessful first round of discussions in Islamabad last weekend.

A spokesman for the Iranian military stated that Tehran had permitted a “restricted number of oil tankers and trade vessels” to traverse the Strait.

“However, the Americans persist in acts of piracy and maritime theft, disguising them as a blockade, due to their ongoing violations of trust that mark their history,” the spokesman stated, as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency.

Control of the Strait remained “under the strict supervision and regulation of the armed forces” until the US lifts its blockade on vessels departing to and arriving from Iranian ports, he stated.

The president previously stated that he was optimistic both parties were close to a settlement, with Iranian sources indicating new discussions are scheduled in Pakistan on Monday.

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Here’s the most recent.

• New round of discussions: US and Iranian representatives are scheduled to meet on Monday to negotiate an end to the conflict, according to Iranian sources reported by Xenix news. The US has not verified that discussions are planned.

• Delicate ceasefire: President Donald Trump indicates he might not prolong the truce with Iran if talks do not succeed. He additionally cautioned that the US would obtain Iran’s nuclear material “in a far less friendly manner” if an agreement is not achieved. He previously conveyed optimism that both parties are near an agreement.

• Strait of Hormuz: Trump has maintained that no fees will be imposed for passage through the waterway. The Iranian parliament speaker stated that the strait will be shut again if the US does not remove its naval blockade.

• Lebanon ceasefire: According to Israeli military officials, Israel will establish a “yellow line,” similarly employed in Gaza, preventing residents from returning to 55 seized villages. A few had started to return home as the ceasefire went into effect.

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Four tankers observed passing through the Strait of Hormuz during US blockade.

On Saturday morning, four tankers were observed passing through the Strait of Hormuz. MarineTraffic

On Saturday morning local time, four tankers moved eastward through the Strait of Hormuz toward the Gulf of Oman, according to ship tracking data from MarineTraffic, potentially testing the US-Iran ceasefire. According to the data, two of the ships were heading to China with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Two of the ships — Raine and Gardian — are subject to official US Treasury OFAC sanctions. All four tankers seem to be included in Iran’s shadow fleet, based on information shared by United Against Nuclear Iran, a policy group concentrating on Iran.

Since Monday, the US military has implemented a naval blockade on all ships arriving at or departing from Iranian ports. After Iran’s foreign minister stated that the strait is “completely open” during the truce, which ends Tuesday, Iran’s parliamentary speaker cautioned that it would be shut once more if the US does not remove the blockade.

US CENTCOM Commander General Dan Caine stated earlier this week that the US would target Iran-related vessels in areas far beyond the Middle East, particularly referring to the Indo-Pacific region. It is uncertain whether the US will stop the ships while they pass through international waters.

“Iran is in a tight timeframe where timing is crucial.” “The tankers we observe moving today are essentially confined to a three-week pipeline prior to any oil arriving in China,”

stated Charlie Brown, Senior Advisor of Dark Fleet Tracking at United Against Nuclear Iran and a former officer in the US Navy.

This indicates that the true challenge of the blockade is not immediate. It starts approximately 10 days after the blockade begins, when those ships are expected to be visibly passing through the Malacca and Singapore Straits on AIS again—before arriving at the Malaysian Eastern Out of Port Limits Anchorage, where they go dark once more to secretly perform ship-to-ship transfers,” Brown noted.

“If that link is broken, the consequences can multiply.”