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.
• 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.
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.”
Today we’ve provided you with the most recent updates about the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial shipping passage Iran declared it was reopening yesterday, before stating it would reinstate restrictions today.
Gunboats from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards opened fire on a tanker navigating the Strait of Hormuz today, as reported by the UK Maritime Traffic Organization (UKMTO).
Individuals who were uprooted from southern Lebanon due to the Israeli military continued their return home this morning after a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began yesterday.
Senior officials from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) state that Israel will create a “yellow line” in Lebanon, preventing residents from going back to regions occupied by the Israeli military. Officials stated that residents will not be permitted to return to the 55 Lebanese villages located within the area.
The chief of Pakistan’s military, who facilitated last weekend’s discussions in Islamabad between the US and Iran, has concluded an official three-day trip to Iran centered on advancing peace and stability in the Middle East.
Yesterday, the US Treasury Department released another exemption permitting the sale and transport of sanctioned Russian crude oil by sea, as it seeks to lower prices amid the ongoing conflict.
Xenix news reporting contributed by Tim Lister, Eugenia Yosef, Helen Regan, Laura Sharman, Sophia Saifi, Aleena Fayaz, and Jennifer Hansler.
Since initiating the blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, the US has compelled 23 ships to reverse course, according to US Central Command this morning.
“Since the start of the blockade, 23 vessels have followed orders from US forces to reverse course,” CENTCOM stated.
The update came after a tumultuous 24 hours in which Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz, not currently under direct blockade by the US, reopened, only to be effectively closed again.
In the short time Iran relaxed its restrictions, Xenix news reports that at least nine ships navigated the vital waterway.
President Donald Trump stated Iran pledged to never shut the strait again, although a US blockade continues as negotiators strive for a resolution to end the conflict.
• Strait of Hormuz: Iran declared the critical trade passage accessible to all commercial ships for the duration of the ceasefire. US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has pledged never to shut the waterway again, yet a US naval blockade will remain in effect until an agreement with Iran is “100% complete.”
• Current status of negotiations: Sources inform Xenix news that officials are optimistic a larger agreement to conclude the conflict could be reached by this weekend, despite ongoing points of contention. Sources report that the Trump administration is contemplating the release of $20 billion in Iranian funds during the ongoing negotiations. Trump also stated that the US will obtain Iran’s enriched uranium and that there would be no “exchange of money.”
• Tranquilité au Liban : Un cessez-le-feu de 10 jours au Liban semble être respecté. Israel stated its troops would remain in southern Lebanon, while Iran-supported Hezbollah cautioned it would only accept the ceasefire if the Israeli strikes ceased. The dispute has been a major obstacle in talks regarding the war in Iran.
Israel removes nationwide restrictions following the implementation of the ceasefire.
On Friday, Israel removed nationwide restrictions following the implementation of the ceasefire with Lebanon.
“The whole nation will transition to complete activity levels,” stated Israel’s Home Front Command. The sole exception was in what the Israeli military referred to as “frontline areas” in northern Israel, where assemblies will be capped at 1,000 individuals, yet this limitation will also be removed on Saturday evening.
Trump shares real-time updates on Iran talks while receiving briefings from Paki.
President Donald Trump has been sharing his thoughts online amid swift changes as discussions to resolve the conflict with Iran intensify on Friday.
As Iran declared the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the president began to record his response live through a series of 13 social media updates during the early morning hours in Las Vegas. He journeyed to Nevada on Thursday to redirect voters’ attention to tax reductions and the economy.
While the social media frenzy was ongoing, the president was getting frequent updates on the negotiation developments in Tehran from Pakistani intermediaries, a US official informed Xenix news. The Trump administration is contemplating the potential unfreezing of $20 billion in Iranian assets as part of the talks, two sources knowledgeable about the discussions told Xenix news. However, other significant obstacles persist, such as the duration for which Iran will consent to halt its uranium enrichment and the recovery of Iran’s nuclear materials.
Trump posts live updates on Iran negotiations as he gets readouts from Pakistan
“The United States will acquire all Nuclear ‘Dust’ generated by our exceptional B2 Bombers — no money will be exchanged in any manner,” Trump stated in one of his posts, emphasizing his awareness of critiques regarding the possibility of Iran gaining financially from the agreement.
Other articles discussed removing mines from the strait, Trump’s plan to maintain a blockade on Iranian ports, and a criticism aimed at NATO, which the US president has often condemned for not providing adequate support in his conflict with Iran.
Should the ongoing discussions between Pakistani mediators and Iranian representatives prove effective, a possible second round of negotiations might occur in Islamabad as early as this weekend, with officials optimistic that a more comprehensive agreement to conclude the conflict could be reached.
The Lebanese military has charged Israel with breaching a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon just hours after it was implemented.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump announced that a meeting at the White House between the two countries might occur in two weeks.
Here’s the most recent update:
Delicate truce:In the Lebanese capital Beirut, fireworks and celebratory gunfire erupted as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began at midnight local time. The decision to halt hostilities came after days of US pressure on Israel, as the continuing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah risked undermining the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Accusations of violations:Mere hours after it was enacted, the Lebanese army charged Israel with breaching the ceasefire by shelling multiple villages in the south.
Displaced individuals:Individuals forced from southern Lebanon due to Israeli military operations have been going back to their residences following the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Video recordings depict a series of cars forming a queue to traverse the Qasmiyeh bridge spanning the Litani River, which divides the nation.
Iran agreement: Trump announced an impending deal with Iran, asserting on Thursday that “victory is approaching.” “Very soon.” The US president has provided Tehran with two weeks to reach an agreement – a challenging objective considering that the prior Iran nuclear deal, which Trump exited during his initial term, required years of negotiation.
Jet fuel:A group of over 300 aviation firms announced Friday that airlines may need to cancel European flights in late May due to shortages of jet fuel, and governments should start developing a plan in case fuel rationing at airports becomes necessary.
Oil prices decline: Oil prices decreased Thursday after Trump mentioned that discussions with Iran might happen this weekend and the ceasefire in Lebanon was implemented. At 6:04 a.m. Brent crude, the worldwide oil standard, dropped 3.2% today to $96.2 per barrel.
Strait of Hormuz: As per Marine Traffic data examined by Xenixnews, a Pakistani-flagged tanker passed through the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking an uncommon transit through the maritime route during a US naval blockade. Nonetheless, the US navy could still intercept the ship before it arrives at its ultimate destination.
Counter-terrorism officers probe occurrences close to the Israeli embassy in London.
An overall perspective of the Israeli Embassy located in London, England, on March 23, 2010. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Counter-terrorism officers in Britain, some donning protective gear, are investigating the area around the Israeli embassy in London after police reported that an unidentified group declared it had aimed drones loaded with hazardous materials at the structure.
The Metropolitan Police stated that officers were investigating objects discovered nearby and their potential connection to the assertions made in an online video.
The force stated: “Although we can confirm that the Embassy was not attacked, we are conducting urgent investigations to verify the video’s authenticity and to find any possible connection between it and the objects left in Kensington Gardens.”
The update follows the Counter Terrorism Policing unit’s announcement that it is probing and executing arrests in three distinct recent arson incidents in London: an assault on Jewish community ambulances from last month, along with an attempted arson at a synagogue and an arson attack on a Persian language media organization’s offices, both occurring on Wednesday.
The conflict with Iran will affect global oil and natural gas markets for a long time. Recovery of output in the Gulf region may require approximately two years.
The pace of recovery will differ from nation to nation, the leader of the International Energy Agency mentioned in an interview released today.
“In Iraq, for instance, it will require significantly more time than in Saudi Arabia.” “Nevertheless, we project that it will require around two years in total to attain pre-war levels once more,” Fatih Birol stated to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, a Swiss newspaper in German.
Birol also indicated that investors were “undervaluing” the implications of a prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have remained under $100 a barrel throughout this week.
Birol pointed out that prior to the war, multiple oil and natural gas tankers were already on their way to their destinations and have now reached them. However, no new tankers were dispatched in March, as there were no recent shipments to Asia.
“This difference is now becoming evident.” He cautioned, “If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, we should brace for much higher energy costs.”
Pakistani-flagged vessel completes unusual passage through Strait of Hormuz.
Tracking the Shalamar through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Marine Traffic
A tanker with a Pakistani flag passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, as per Marine Traffic information analyzed by Xenixnews, marking an unusual passage through the strait during a US naval blockade.
The Shalamar disables its transponder at different locations, according to Marine Traffic. The ship is not under sanctions.
Marine Traffic data indicated that the ship was also partially loaded. It left the waterway carrying approximately 440,000 barrels of crude, a shipping source informed Xenixnews, noting that it is en route to the port of Karachi to unload its cargo on April 19.
“A senior shipping source from Pakistan stated to Xenisnews, ‘This is undoubtedly a Pakistani ship that has passed through the strait during the Iranian blockade previously,’ adding that ‘both the Iranians and Americans would have been aware of its passage through the strait.’”
The source indicated that the transponder being deactivated was for “security purposes.”
Nevertheless, the ship may still be intercepted by the US navy prior to arriving at its ultimate destination.
The head of US Central Command stated on Wednesday that the blockade of Iranian ports by the United States has been “fully implemented.” On Thursday, CENTCOM announced that 14 ships have altered their course to adhere to the blockade imposed by American forces after 72 hours of enforcement.
A pause in fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon could help pave the way for a deal with Tehran
Trump claims progress in Iran talks, even as he threatens to resume war
Here’s the latest
• Ceasefire in effect: Hours after a 10-day truce in Lebanon began, the Lebanese army accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said Israeli forces would not withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon, and Iran-backed Hezbollah warned it would only cease fire if Israeli attacks stopped.
• Diplomacy push: US President Donald Trump said a White House meetingbetween Israel and Lebanon could take place within two weeks. The conflict with Hezbollah has been a key sticking point in negotiations on the war with Iran. Trump also voiced confidence that a deal with Tehran will come soon, saying talks could happen this weekend.
• Strait of Hormuz: The leaders of Britain and France will host a virtual meeting of world leaders from 40 countries today to discuss efforts to reopen the vital trade chokepoint.Allcatch up
Key bridge reopens allowing displaced people to return to southern Lebanon
People displaced from southern Lebanon by Israeli military actions have been returning to their homes after a ceasefire between the two nations came into effect on Thursday.
Video footage shows a succession of vehicles queuing to cross the Qasmiyeh bridge over the Litani River, which bisects the country.
On Thursday, Lebanese state media reported that Israeli air strikes had destroyed the bridge, cutting off tens of thousands of residents from the rest of the country.
Qasmiyeh was the last operational crossing after Israeli forces “systematically destroyed or severely damaged all main bridges” connecting areas south of the Litani River to the rest of Lebanon, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Now it appears that the bridge has been repaired, allowing displaced people to return to their homes.
Nonetheless, on Thursday the Israeli military warned residents not to move south of the river, saying its forces remain deployed there as the ceasefire in Lebanon takes effect.
The speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, also discouraged people from returning to their villages.
“We urge everyone to exercise patience and delay their return to their towns and villages until the situation and unfolding events become clear, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement,” he added.
However video footage also shows residents of Nabatieh, a city in southern Lebanon, returning home after the ceasefire took effect
Residents of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon return home and venture out after ceasefire takes effec
Southern Lebanon – where Iranian-backed militant and political group Hezbollah has traditionally had a stronghold – has faced near-constant bombardment and ground assaults for over two years.
Scores of residents from villages in the south, near the Israeli border, have had to flee amid evacuation warnings from the Israeli military and a deepening ground offensive.
Trump keeps referring to enriched uranium as “nuclear dust” — but what is it?
US President Donald Trump gestures during a roundtable discussion in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump yesterday claimed Iran has agreed it would not have a nuclear weapon and would hand over its “nuclear dust,” a termhe uses to refer to Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
“Nuclear dust” is not a known term in the nuclear energy industry and experts say the way Trump and his lead negotiator Steve Witkoff have talked about uranium enrichment raises doubts about how well they actually understand the technicalities.
Since the US-Iran nuclear talks in February, Witkoff, a former real estate developer who has been leading US negotiations with Iran along with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, has made claims that experts say betray a similarly weak expertise.
Uranium must be enriched in order to create enough of a nuclear chain reaction for weapons or energy production.
Uranium is abundant in Earth’s crust, but most of it — about 99% — is the relatively fission-resistant isotope uranium-238. A chain reaction calls for the uranium-235 isotope, which has an odd number of neutrons, making its nucleus easier to split.
To be used as fuel for nuclear reactors, or to make an explosive nuclear weapon, uranium is “enriched” to increase the concentration of uranium-235. Different levels of enrichment have very different uses and strategic significance.
Since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in his first term, Iran had been enriching its uranium closer and closer to weapons-grade – meaning it can be used to make nuclear weapons.
Pakistan’s prime minister welcomes ceasefire
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attends a conference in Kuala Lumpur on October 6, 2025. Hasnoor Hussain/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Pakistan’s prime minister welcomed the ceasefireinLebanon and pledged to keep supporting peace efforts.
“Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and will continue to support all efforts aimed at lasting peace in the region,” Shehbaz Sharif said Friday on X.
Sharif also praised the “sagacious diplomatic efforts” led by US President Donald Trump and expressed hope it will “pave the way for sustainable peace.”
US and Iran must be on board, says think tank director as world leaders to meet on Strait of Hormuz
Today’s British and French-led virtual meeting of world leaders to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not likely to bear immediate results, Grégoire Roos, Director for Europe, Russia and Eurasia at Chatham House told Xenix news
Leaders from 40 countries are expected to discuss supporting the fragile Iran ceasefire and securing shipping lanes through the strait. A statement from the British prime minister’s office said world leaders would establish an international mission to reopen the strait. The strictly defensive mission would involve deploying a combined military effort as soon as conditions allow, according to the statement.
For the mission to be successful, it must satisfy three conditions, Roos said. The US must endorse it, even if indirectly; the shipping industry and the Gulf states must buy into it; and Iran must not contest it.
“So you really have three groups of stakeholders here that you need to get on board.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to arrive in Paris on Friday morning to host the summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also travel to Paris on Friday for the summit, according to a German government official.
The US is not among the countries attending the summit.
French president backs ceasefire but expresses concern
France’s President Emmanuel Macron attends a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on Tuesday. Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron said he fully supports the ceasefire that that could halt six weeks of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
However, Macron also raised concerns that the agreement “may already be weakened by the continuation of military operations,” in an X post on Friday.
“I call for the safety of civilian populations on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Israel. Hezbollah must renounce its weapons. Israel must respect Lebanese sovereignty and stop the war,” he added.
The Lebanese army said it recorded multiple ceasefire violations by Israel after the truce went into effect at midnight local time on Friday.
It accused Israel of committing “a number of acts of aggression,” saying intermittent shelling has impacted several villages in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah said it will abide by the ceasefire if Israel does.
Xenix news Martin Goillandeau and Michael Rios contributed reporting.
The details,” says former IDF official
Israel would benefit from an agreement with Lebanon but “the devil is in the details,” according to a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.
And the “only, most important factor” that will influence peace and stability in both countries is whether or not Hezbollah is disarmed, Jonathan Conricus told Xenix news
“If Hezbollah is disarmed through this process with the Lebanese government, then there can be peace, there can be stability, there can be prosperity and many positive things for Lebanese and for Israelis,” Conricus saidon Friday.
“If Hezbollah isn’t disarmed, that means future war and fighting and rockets and suffering — and it all boils down to whether or not the Lebanese government will actually be able to do what they have said and committed to doing but have so far not been able or willing to do.”
In January, Lebanon said it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups in the country’s south but Israel said that progress was “far from sufficient.”
Asked whether Lebanon’s armed forces is capable of disarming Hezbollah today, Conricus said: “When you look at the balance of power between the two organizations, Hezbollah still needs to be weakened significantly, militarily speaking.”
