US president Donald Trump has announced that Israeli and Lebanese leaders will hold historic talks on Thursday and Israel continues to batter southern Lebanon.
“It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," Trump said on Truth Social in a midnight post.
Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. At least 2,124 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon and more than one million displaced, according to the health ministry.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to revive peace talks between the US and Iran, with the White House optimistic about a deal to end the war.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “We feel good about the prospects of a deal.” But Leavitt said reports that the US has requested an extended ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong. The ceasefire, which remains fragile, is set to end next week.
Key Points
- White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
- Just In | Trump says historic Israel and Lebanon talks to happen tomorrow
- Trump says he is permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz - and doing it for China
- Iran says it will use alternative ports to bypass US Strait of Hormuz blockade
- US blockade is "a prelude to violating the ceasefire", Iran says
US says maritime blockade ‘has been fully implemented'
05:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAdmiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, has said that Donald Trump's forces have "completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea".
The command said yesterday that no vessels have made it past its forces during the blockade’s first 48 hours. The blockade began on Monday.
Central Command noted that 10 vessels have complied with directions to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or Iran’s coastal area.
The blockade is being enforced “impartially against all vessels of all nations entering or leaving coastal areas or ports in Iran,” the Command said. Vessels avoiding Iranian ports are not affected.
Israeli strikes kill four Lebanese medics
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarParamedic groups say a fourth Lebanese rescue worker has died after three consecutive, targeted strikes by the Israeli military yesterday that also wounded six others.
The back-to-back Israeli attacks on the southern village of Mayfadoun hit the first group of medics responding to a distress call from wounded civilians.
A second group trying to assist their wounded colleagues and a third group rushing to aid the first two teams that had been targeted were also hit in the attack.
The Israeli military has previously accused the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group of using ambulances as cover for militant activities, without offering evidence.
China urges Iran to restore ‘normal navigation’ in Hormuz Strait
04:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarChinese foreign minister Wang Yi has urged his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to work to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The top diplomat told Iran that while its sovereignty and security in the strait should be respected and safeguarded, freedom and safety of navigation must also be guaranteed, according to the foreign ministry.
“The current situation has reached a critical stage between war and peace, with a window for peace opening,” Wang said, according to Xinhua.
“It is a shared call of the international community to strive to restore normal navigation through the strait,” he added.
Just In | Trump says historic Israel and Lebanon talks to happen tomorrow
04:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS president Donald Trump in a midnight post claimed he is "trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon".
“It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow," he said on Truth Social.
Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Despite Hezbollah’s outright rejection, the talks are a major step for two countries with no diplomatic relations that have been officially at war since Israel’s inception in 1948.
The latest round of fighting was sparked by Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel on 2 March, days after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Hezbollah’s key ally and patron.
At least 2,124 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon and more than one million displaced, according to the country's health ministry.
The deadliest day of the war took place last week, when Israel launched 100 airstrikes across Lebanon in 10 minutes, including in the heart of the capital, killing over 350 people.
In pictures: Iranians protest against US and Israel amid ceasefire
04:30 , Rachel Dobkin
How Iran built its military and weapons over decades of conflict
04:20 , Paul J. SpringerSix weeks of U.S. and Israeli bombardment have served to degrade Iran’s nuclear facilities and cripple parts of its military.
But the Islamic Republic’s offensive capabilities have been built up over nearly 50 years, during which Iran has been either at war or under the threat of conflict.
As an expert in military history and theory, I believe that to understand what may come next in Operation Epic Fury, it’s valuable to grasp the development of Iran’s modern military structure, capabilities and international activities.
Read on...
How Iran built its military and weapons over decades of conflict
Pakistan and Iran to continue talks Thursday: report
04:15 , Rachel DobkinPakistan and Iran will continue talks on Thursday, CNN reported, citing Iranian state media.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Wednesday.
“Delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran”, Araghchi wrote on X. “Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong—and shared”.
Munir and Iranian officials will meet on Thursday as well to discuss messages exchanged between Tehran and Washington since peace talks failed last weekend, according to CNN.
Most Americans blame Trump for high gas prices amid Iran war: poll
03:45 , Rachel DobkinMost Americans blame US President Donald Trump for high gas prices amid the Iran war, according to a new poll.
The Quinnipiac University poll found that 65 per cent of US voters blame Trump either a lot or some for the rise in gas prices.
Americans are now paying more than $4 a gallon at the pump as the war causes oil prices to surge. Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel began strikes against the country on February 28.
Four Lebanese rescue workers killed in Israeli strikes: report
03:30 , Rachel DobkinFour Lebanese rescue workers have been killed in Israeli strikes Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, citing paramedic groups.
The strikes on the southern village of Mayfadoun also reportedly wounded six others.
The Israeli military told the AP it was “looking into” the reported strikes.
FIFA president Infantino says Iran will participate in World Cup 'for sure' despite war
03:15 , Associated PressFIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will participate in the World Cup “for sure” despite its war with the US.
Speaking at CNBC’s Invest in America Forum, Infantino said it is important that Iran participates in the World Cup even though its participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country.
“The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes”, Infantino said. “We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play”.
Infantino met with the Iranian national team in Antalya, Turkey, two weeks ago and said Wednesday he was impressed.
“I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well”, Infantino said. "And they really want to play and they should play. Sports should be outside of politics now”.
Read on...
FIFA president Infantino says Iran will participate in World Cup 'for sure' despite war
Pakistan's prime minister briefs Saudi Arabia on peace-keeping efforts
02:45 , Rachel DobkinPakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has briefed Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, on his country's peace-keeping efforts in the Iran war.
Sharif discussed his visit to Saudi Arabia in an X post early Wednesday morning local time, writing, “I had the pleasure and honour of meeting my dear brother, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah today.”
The prime minister said he “shared recent developments related to Pakistan’s peace efforts which helped facilitate the U.S.–Iran ceasefire and historic peace talks in Islamabad.”
The US and Iran’s peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend failed as the two countries could not agree on what to do about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“I reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to advancing its efforts to encourage both the U.S. and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region”, Sharif said. “Grateful to His Royal Highness, for his support of Pakistan's sincere peace efforts”.
Pentagon seeks help from US automakers to boost weapons production: report
02:15 , Rachel DobkinThe Pentagon has sought help from US automakers to boost its weapons production, according to a new report.
Senior defense officials have discussed producing military supplies with top executives at General Motors, Ford Motor and other companies, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
A Pentagon official said in a statement shared by The WJS that the US Defense Department “is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage”.
US military shares photos of commander's Middle East visit
01:45 , Rachel DobkinToday, Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, completed his second trip to the Middle East in the last 15 days. He engaged regional partners in six different countries and visited with U.S. troops. pic.twitter.com/gVjXuP4h80
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026
Iranian military advisor says Tehran is 'familiar with a long war'
01:15 , Rachel DobkinIranian military advisor Mohsen Rezaei has said Tehran is “familiar with a long war”.
Rezaei, a former commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and new adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said he does not agree with extending the two-week ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.
The ceasefire is set to expire next week.
“We are subject to the decisions of the relevant officials, but personally I do not agree to extend the ceasefire”, Rezaei said, per the Associated Press, which cited Iranian state media.
He added, “Unlike the Americans who are afraid of continuous war, we are fully prepared and familiar with a long war”.
Watch: Zelensky says countries must coordinate as Iran war drives up costs and risks in Europe
Thursday 16 April 2026 00:45 , Rachel DobkinICYMI: Trump tells Fox Business the Iran war is ‘very close to being over’
Thursday 16 April 2026 00:15 , Josh MarcusThe Iran war is “very close” to ending, according to US President Donald Trump, with peace negotiations expected to continue later this week.
"I think it’s close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over”, Trump told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo in a pre-taped interview that aired Wednesday.
"If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And we’re not finished," he added. "We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly."
The comments were similar to those Trump made in a prime-time address on April 1, in which the president claimed the U.S.’s “core strategic objectives are nearing completion.”
Read on...
Trump says Iran war is ‘very close’ to end amid reports peace talks will resume
White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
Wednesday 15 April 2026 23:46 , Dan HaygarthWhite House budget director Russell Vought said he could not estimate the cost of the Iran war, as he defended Donald Trump's request for a massive $1.5 trillion annual military budget against bipartisan criticism from US lawmakers who cited the Pentagon's historic lack of financial accountability, Reuters reports.
"We're not ready to come to you with a request. We're still working on it. We're working through to figure out what's needed," Vought told a hearing of the House of Representatives Budget Committee.
"I don't have a ballpark."
The cost of the war with Iran, which Trump began alongside Israel on February 28, has remained an open question on Capitol Hill.
An initial $200 billion request for additional funding for the war met with stiff opposition in Congress last month. Vought appeared before the panel to discuss Trump's proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, with its $500 billion increase in military spending and 10% reduction for non-defense programs.
Full story: Stocks hit record high as investors bet on Iran war optimism
Wednesday 15 April 2026 23:45 , Daniel HaygarthThe U.S. stock market reached a record high on Wednesday, extending a two-week rally built on hopes the war with Iran won’t create a worst-case scenario for the global economy. Whether Wall Street’s optimism for peace is justified, and if current stock valuations are sustainable, remains to be seen.
Read more:
Stocks hit record high as investors bet on Iran war optimism
Full story: Hundreds of Iranian sailors return from Sri Lanka weeks after US torpedo sinks warship
Wednesday 15 April 2026 23:30 , Dan HaygarthMore than 200 Iranian sailors who were rescued by Sri Lanka from two sinking warships at the start of the war have been sent back to their home, a senior official has said.
Sri Lankan forces rescued 32 Iranian crew members from the warship Iris Dena on 4 March after it was struck by torpedo fired by a US submarine, while it was returning from a naval exercise organised by India. Another 208 were rescued from the Iris Booshehr on 5 March, after it requested assistance from Colombo when it ran into engine trouble.
The country’s deputy defence minister Aruna Jayasekera said the crews of both ships “were flown out about 11pm on a special flight on Tuesday night”.
Read more below:
Hundreds of Iranian sailors return from Sri Lanka weeks after US sinks warship
Watch: White House denies it requested Iran ceasefire extension
Wednesday 15 April 2026 23:15 , Dan HaygarthEditorial: If President Trump can no longer be trusted on trade, Britain should look elsewhere for reliable partners
Wednesday 15 April 2026 23:00 , Daniel HaygarthThe threat by Donald Trump to tear up the US-UK trade deal, signed less than a year ago, confirms two things about him.
First, that trade policy and tariffs have nothing much to do with structural imbalances in exports and imports and are more an arm of foreign and defence policy. He is displeased with the British response to his ill-starred war in Iran, so his mind turns towards punishment. As many other nations have discovered, the president can be insulting, capricious and vindictive to anyone, and that clearly includes Britain, fond as he is of King Charles. Mr Trump will reach for any weapon that suits his spiteful purposes, irrespective of whether it might prove counterproductive.
The second lesson, which follows, is that this is a man who cannot be trusted.
Read the full article below:
If Trump can no longer be trusted on trade, the UK must look elsewhere
Iranian cargo vessel tried to evade blockade but was turned around, US claims
Wednesday 15 April 2026 22:20 , Dan HaygarthUS Central Command has said that an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade its blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
It says it was redirected and is heading back to Iran.
It also zero ships have broken through its blockade since it began on Monday
Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is… pic.twitter.com/EUnwhwYiDv
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026
Recap: White House denies U.S. requested ceasefire, says new talks may happen in Pakistan
Wednesday 15 April 2026 22:12 , Daniel HaygarthReports that the White House has requested a ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday but added that discussions about a second round of talks with the Iranians were ongoing and productive.
Speaking at a White House press briefing, Leavitt said any fresh talks would likely be in Pakistan again as it has emerged as the "only mediator" in the effort to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
"These conversations are productive and ongoing, and that's where we are right now. I've also seen some reporting about the potentiality for in-person discussions.
“Again, those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House, but we feel good about the prospects of a deal," Leavitt said.
Asked if her country had requested an extension of the ceasefire, she said: "I saw some reporting - again, bad reporting - this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true.”
Watch: US Central Command says naval blockade is being enforced in Gulf of Oman
Wednesday 15 April 2026 22:05 , Daniel HaygarthUS targets Iran's oil transportation infrastructure with sanctions
Wednesday 15 April 2026 21:45 , Dan HaygarthThe US Treasury Department has said it is targeting Iran's oil transportation infrastructure by imposing sanctions on more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels.
The sanctions target a network of Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the Treasury Department said in a statement. Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, a key figure in Iran's security and nuclear policymaking who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February.
"Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," treasury secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement.
The Treasury Department is also sanctioning Iranian national Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi, who it alleges to be a financier to Hezbollah, and three companies linked to a money laundering scheme involving the sale of Iranian oil in exchange for Venezuelan gold.
Recap: Talks ongoing about fresh negotiations, White House says
Wednesday 15 April 2026 21:30 , Daniel HaygarthTalks are ongoing about holding fresh face-to-face negotiations between the US and Iran, the White House has said.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “discussions are being had” although nothing was yet confirmed.
She added: “But we feel good about the prospects of a deal.
“It’s obviously in the best interest of Iran to meet the president’s demands. I think he’s made his red lines in these negotiations very clear to the other side.”
Previous negotiations broke down over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, the US said.
Any future talks are again likely to be held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, she said.
‘Strait of Vermouth’: Democrats roast two Trump cabinet members with one post after Bessent’s press briefing botch
Wednesday 15 April 2026 21:15 , Dan Haygarth
Dems roast two Trump cabinet members with one post after Bessent’s briefing botch
Senate votes against restraining Trump on Iran
Wednesday 15 April 2026 21:00 , Jane Dalton
Senate votes down restraining Trump on Iran after Fetterman crosses Democrats again
Economic pain is short-term, White House insists
Wednesday 15 April 2026 20:45 , Jane DaltonA global economic shock caused by the Iran conflict has been dismissed by the White House as "short-term disruption".
The Trump administration insisted it would deliver the long-term benefit of preventing Tehran getting a nuclear weapon, which was "a good thing for people all over the world".
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said: "The message is the short-term volatility for long-term gain."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "This is short-term disruption for the long-term strategic goal of the United States to ensure that the world's leading state sponsor of terror cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.
"That's a good thing for the American people. That's a good thing for people all over the world.
"As soon as the operation and now the negotiations with Iran conclude and the Strait (of Hormuz) is reopened, we do expect gas prices to decrease."
She added: "Of course we have this short-term disruption, but again, it's for the long-term strategic goal of ensuring that these terrorists cannot possess a nuclear bomb."
US targets Iran's oil transportation infrastructure with sanctions
Wednesday 15 April 2026 20:20 , Jane DaltonThe US Treasury says it is targeting Iran's oil transportation infrastructure by imposing sanctions on more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels.
The sanctions target a network of Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, who is the son of Ali Shamkhani, a key figure in Iran's security and nuclear policymaking who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February.
"Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The Treasury Department is also sanctioning Iranian national Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi, who it alleges to be a financier to Hezbollah, and three companies linked to a money-laundering scheme involving the sale of Iranian oil in exchange for Venezuelan gold.
Iran 'offers proposal allowing ships to exit Oman side of Hormuz'
Wednesday 15 April 2026 19:56 , ReutersIran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the United States, provided a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.
The source said Iran could be willing to let ships use the other side of the narrow strait in Omani waters without any hindrance.
The source did not say whether Iran would also agree to clear any mines it may have placed in that stretch of water or whether all ships – even those linked to Israel – would be allowed to pass freely.
But the source added that the proposal hinged on whether Washington was prepared to meet Tehran's demands, a condition that was central to any potential breakthrough with the Strait of Hormuz.
A so-called two-way traffic-separation scheme, which was adopted in 1968 with agreement of countries in the region, created the current ship routing system that splits sailing corridors through Iranian and Omani waters.
Netanyahu: Israel military continues to strike Hezbollah
Wednesday 15 April 2026 19:24 , Dan HaygarthIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the military continues to strike at Hezbollah and was about to "overwhelm" Bint Jbeil, as pressure mounts for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said he has instructed the military to continue reinforcing the security zone in southern Lebanon.
On Iran, Netanyahu said the US keeps Israel updated and the two countries are aligned. Should the ceasefire with Iran fail, "we are prepared for any scenario," he said.
Watch: Trump says Xi denied arming Iran after exchange of letters ahead of China meeting
Wednesday 15 April 2026 19:15 , Dan HaygarthUS won't be renewing waivers for Iranian and Russian oil
Wednesday 15 April 2026 19:02 , Dan HaygarthThe United States will not be renewing the general licenses that allowed purchase of some Iranian and Russian oil without facing US sanctions, treasury secretary Scott Bessent told reporters on Wednesday.
White House denies US requested ceasefire but says new talks may happen in Pakistan
Wednesday 15 April 2026 18:54 , Dan HaygarthReports that the White House has requested a ceasefire in the Iran war are wrong, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday.
She said conversations for a second round of talks with the Iranians were productive and that those negotiations would likely be in Pakistan again.
Watch: Zelensky says countries must coordinate as Iran war drives up costs and risks in Europe
Wednesday 15 April 2026 18:51 , Dan HaygarthFull story: Trump says Xi will ‘give him a big fat hug’ as he promises to ‘permanently reopen’ Strait of Hormuz
Wednesday 15 April 2026 18:35 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz “permanently open” on Wednesday, following talks with his Chinese counterpart as pressure mounts on the US to end the war with Iran and restore global shipping.
The apparent climbdown came just hours after Trump said he was employing US forces to impose a blockade of Iranian ports in the region, a move the military said had completely halted trade going in and out of the country by sea.
Trump vowed to reopen the strait “for China” in an unusual concession to a trade rival. He promised “this situation will never happen again” and added that the Chinese leader would “give me a big, fat hug when I get there in a few weeks”.
Read more below:
Israeli security cabinet to discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire, senior official says
Wednesday 15 April 2026 18:20 , Dan HaygarthIsrael's security cabinet have convened to discuss a possible Lebanon ceasefire, a senior Israeli official said, Reuters reports.
It comes more than six weeks into a war with Hezbollah that spiralled out of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Donald Trump earlier said the war with Iran could end soon, telling the world to watch out for an "amazing two days", as the army chief of mediator Pakistan arrived in Tehran in a bid to prevent a renewed conflict.
Senior Hezbollah official Ibrahim al-Moussawi told Reuters that diplomatic efforts by Iran and other regional states could produce a ceasefire soon, saying Tehran had used its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.
Two other senior Lebanese officials said they had been briefed that efforts were underway for a ceasefire.
One of them said the U.S. had been pressuring Israel to work towards a ceasefire in Lebanon, including during rare talks between Israeli and Lebanese government envoys in Washington on Tuesday.
US says no vessels have made it past its naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade
Wednesday 15 April 2026 18:04 , Dan HaygarthUS Central Command said in a statement on Wednesday that no vessels have made it past its naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports.
Central Command also said nine vessels have complied with direction from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or Iran's coastal area.
A Malta-flagged vessel is the first crude oil carrier to head west through the strait since the US blockade began, according to a global shipping tracking monitor.
The Malta-flagged VLCC Agios Fanourios I is expected to arrive on Thursday to Basra, Iraq, where ports are not under the blockade. Marine Traffic said the vessel attempted a transit after anchoring in the Gulf of Oman for nearly two days.
US blockade is "a prelude to violating the ceasefire", Iran says
Wednesday 15 April 2026 17:44 , Dan HaygarthIranian state media today reported that the commander of the nation’s joint military command warned it would completely block exports and imports across the Persian Gulf region, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the United States does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
"Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests," said Ali Abdollahi.
He added that the US blockade is "a prelude to violating the ceasefire".
Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz when Israel and the US launched strikes against it more than a month ago. The US on Monday began blockading ships trying to enter or leave Iranian ports and said it would not impede the freedom of navigation of other vessels in the Persian Gulf.
Reeves steps up criticism of Trump’s war against Iran during trip to Washington
Wednesday 15 April 2026 17:27 , Dan Haygarth
The war against Iran was a “mistake” and has not made the world a safer place, Rachel Reeves said as she stepped up her criticism of the US-Israeli military action.
The UK’s chancellor, speaking at an event in Washington, said diplomatic talks to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon should have been allowed to continue.
She criticised Donald Trump’s decision to go to war, which has resulted in Iran retaliating with strikes against Gulf states and the closure of the vital oil and gas shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a CNBC event in the US capital, Ms Reeves said: “The question is not whether you like or dislike the Iranian regime – I strongly dislike the Iranian regime – but how to achieve the change that you want to achieve.”
She said Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon and the best way to prevent the Tehran regime from getting one is through diplomacy rather than conflict.
The chancellor added: “There was a diplomatic channel open, conversations, formal discussions were happening.
“I think it was a mistake to end those and to enter into conflict, because I’m not convinced that we are safer today than we were a few weeks ago.”
JD Vance warns Pope to ‘be careful when he talks about theology’ and draws heckles at low turnout TPUSA event
Wednesday 15 April 2026 17:08 , Dan HaygarthJD Vance warned Pope Leo to “be careful” when opining on matters of theology, following a series of high-profile clashes between the leader of the Catholic Church and President Donald Trump over the past few days.
Read more:
JD Vance warns Pope to ‘be careful when he talks about theology’ and draws heckles
Sri Lanka repatriates 238 Iranian sailors after US attack
Wednesday 15 April 2026 16:47 , Alex CroftSri Lanka has repatriated a total of 238 Iranian soldiers from two naval vessels that were attacked by US forces, Colombo said this morning.
The sailors were sent back "in a chartered aircraft" late last night, according to the Sri Lankan defence ministry.
Iran's naval ship 'Iris Dena' was attacked by the US on 4 March, killing 84 on board outside Sri Lanka's international waters. As many as 32 others were rescued by Sri Lanka.
Three days later, Iran's second ship, 'Iris Bushehr', was allowed into Sri Lankan waters after it reported an engine failure.
The group of 'Iris Dena' survivors was accommodated at the Sri Lankan Air Force facility near the southern port of Galle.
Trump’s blockade appears to be turning back tankers in the Strait of Hormuz – but Iran has a trick up its sleeve
Wednesday 15 April 2026 16:31 , Alex CroftAfter high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad collapsed over the weekend, the future of a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran now appears to rest on a 100-mile waterway between the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
The United States imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas east of the Strait of Hormuz, which came into effect at 3pm BST on Monday.
US Central Command warned that vessels will be subject to “interception, diversion and capture” regardless of their flag. More than 15 US warships are in place to support the operation, a senior official told The Wall Street Journal.
President Donald Trump threatened that ships sailing from Iranian ports would be subject to “the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea”, referring to the administration’s controversial attacks on boats off the coast of Venezuela.
Our foreign affairs reporter Maira Butt reports:
Trump’s blockade is turning round boats in Hormuz – but Iran has trick up its sleeve
Pakistani delegation arrives in Tehran
Wednesday 15 April 2026 16:16 , Alex CroftPakistan's army chief Asim Munir and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi have reached Tehran as a part of Pakistan's ongoing mediation efforts between the US and Iran, Pakistan's military said in a statement on Wednesday.
They are expected to convey a message to Iran from the US ahead of a possible second round of talks between the countries.
Vessels prioritise exiting Strait of Hormuz as US blockade appears to deter voyages
Wednesday 15 April 2026 15:52 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s Bryony Gooch reports:
As the United States continues its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a total of 16 vessels crossed through the waterway as of Tuesday.
Almost all voyages appear to be moving out of the Strait, indicating that vessels are prioritising exit rather than re-entry at the moment, according to Kpler.
Several of these vessels appeared to have halted or reduced movement after clearing the Strait, which could reflect the US blockade's deterrent effect.
Nearly every vessel in this group has a documented history of lifting Iranian-origin sanctioned cargo, which means operators may be reluctant to proceed further until there is greater clarity on enforcement risk, analysis suggests.
Watch: Trump threatens strained relations with ‘anybody that turned US down’ in Iran conflict
Wednesday 15 April 2026 15:30 , Alex CroftPakistani delegation to deliver message from US to Iran
Wednesday 15 April 2026 15:11 , Alex CroftA Pakistani delegation is on its way to bring a message from the US to Iran and plan for a second round of talks between the two countries, Iran's state media said on Wednesday.
We earlier reported remarks from the Iranian foreign ministry that a Pakistani delegation was expected to arrive in Iran on Wednesday to pass on such messages.
Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said exchanges of messages never stopped after the Tehran delegation returned home from Islamabad following the talks on Saturday.
'This is not self defence': UN experts condemn Israeli bombardment in Lebanon
Wednesday 15 April 2026 14:49 , Alex CroftUN experts have condemned Israel's bombing in Lebanon earlier this month as "illegal aggression and indiscriminate bombing campaign", the UN Human Rights Council said.
"This is not self-defence. It is a blatant violation of the UN Charter, a deliberate destruction of prospects for peace, and an affront to multilateralism and the UN-based international order," experts in the council said in a statement.
Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah broke out last month, killing more than 300 people on April 8, as the Iran-aligned group resumed rocket attacks on northern Israel after a brief pause under a two-week US-Iran ceasefire.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire.
Trump shares opinion article in The Sun slamming Starmer
Wednesday 15 April 2026 14:32 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has shared an opinion article which lashes out at British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer for his refusal to join the US war effort in Iran.
“If hot air was a weapon, Sir Keir Starmer would have re-armed Britain,” the piece, written by The Sun’s defence editor Jerome Starkey, is titled.
The piece says that despite Sir Keir’s “first-rate rhetoric”, he has “dodged and delayed the choices he promised to make” in regard to boosting defence spending and building up the UK’s armed forces.
“The tough choice is guns or butter, a choice between what to take from voters now to make the nation safer tomorrow,” it reads.
“At the moment, Starmer’s answer is nothing: Safety can wait, as welfare buys votes.
It adds: “If only words won wars. If only words deterred them. Unfortunately, they don’t.”
Pakistan 'not giving up' on peace efforts
Wednesday 15 April 2026 14:12 , Alex CroftPakistan's finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said “our leadership is not giving up” on efforts to help the US and Iran end the conflict after weekend talks in Islamabad failed to secure a deal.
Diplomats worked through back channels yesterday to arrange a new round of talks between the US and Iran after Washington enacted its blockade of Iranian ports.
US president Donald Trump said a second round of talks could happen “over the next two days,” telling the New York Post the negotiations could be held again in Islamabad.
Watch: UN Secretary-General says it is 'probably likely' Iran peace talks will resume
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:54 , Alex CroftTrump launches new attack against Pope Leo over Iran: ‘Someone tell him they killed 42,000 protesters’
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:35 , Alex CroftDonald Trump took another swipe at Pope Leo and Nato overnight, amid a growing spat over the Iran war.
The US president launched into an outburst on his Truth Social platform late on Tuesday, after the Pope vowed to continue to “speak out loudly against war”.
Trump launched a furious attack on the pontiff since he condemned his threats that Iran’s “civilisation will die” as “unacceptable” earlier this month.
As the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Leo has become an influential critic of Trump’s conflict with Iran, while Trump faced criticism from Catholic and political allies for sharing an AI image that appeared to depict him as Jesus.
James Reynolds writes:
Qatari and Iranian officials hold discuss de-escalation efforts in Middle East
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:16 , Alex CroftSheikh Mansour bin Zayed, vice president of the United Arab Emirates, has discussed de-escalation efforts in the Iran war with Tehran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
The rare phone call between the two countries, reported by UAE state news agency WAM, comes against the backdrop of the UAE having condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf states.
It described them as terrorist acts, while also calling for the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump says he is permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz - and doing it for China
Wednesday 15 April 2026 13:12 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has claimed that he is “permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz” and that Chinese president Xi Jinping will give him a “big, fat hug” when they eventually meet.
The US military earlier claimed it has “maritime superiority in the Middle East” since it began a blockade on Monday, after US-Iran talks in Islamabad failed over the weekend.
Writing on Truth Social, the US president said: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World. This situation will never happen again.
“They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.”
He added: “We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to - far better than anyone else!!!”
Chinese spy satellite helped Iran targeting US bases - report
Wednesday 15 April 2026 12:57 , Alex CroftIran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite in late 2024 that it has helped it target US military bases across the Middle East, the Financial Times is reporting.
The TEE-01B satellite was purchased by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Aerospace Force after it was launched into space from China, the report said, citing leaked Iranian military documents.
The satellite was directed by Iranian military commanders to monitor major US military sites, the newspaper said. Images were taken in March before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations, the FT reported.
As part of the deal, the IRGC received access to commercial ground stations operated by Emposat, a Beijing-based provider of satellite control and data services with a network extending across Asia, Latin America and other regions, according to the report.
The Chinese foreign ministry on Wednesday denied the report, calling it untrue.
"Recently, some forces have been keen on fabricating rumors and maliciously associating them to China," the ministry said in a statement to Reuters news agency. "China firmly opposes this kind of practice driven by ulterior motives.”
Analysis | This is what the historic Israel-Lebanon talks in the US actually achieved
Wednesday 15 April 2026 12:21 , Alex CroftOur chief international correspondent Bel Trew writes:
That Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in more than three decades sounded like a chink of light the world has been hoping for, ever since Donald Trump threw a grenade into one of the most volatile regions in the world.
A lot was riding on the meeting.
Iran has made it clear that if Israel continues bombing Lebanon, including its chief ally the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, it will not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz or adhere to a truce with the US recently brokered by Pakistan.
Israel, which has vowed to occupy swathes of Lebanese sovereign territory, has said it will not stop pounding Lebanon until it has destroyed and disarmed Hezbollah.
Meanwhile Donald Trump has started to blockade in Iran’s ongoing blockade on Strait - vowing that Iranian ships, ,and those leaving Iranian ports - would be “eliminated”, piling even more pressure on.
This is what the historic Israel-Lebanon talks in the US actually achieved
Hezbollah slams Lebanese government's decision to hold talks with Israel
Wednesday 15 April 2026 12:10 , Alex CroftHezbollah has lashed out at the Lebanese government's decision to hold talks with Israel as "a national sin" that would widen divisions in Lebanon.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said Tuesday's US-mediated meeting between Lebanon's Washington ambassador and her Israeli counterpart did not reflect Lebanon's national identity or "the choices of its people".
The meeting hosted by US secretary of state Marco Rubio was the first such direct contact in decades between the two countries that have remained in a state of war since Israel was established in 1948.
Both sides said the talks were positive, though ahead of the meeting, Israel had ruled out any discussion of Lebanon's demand for a ceasefire in the war, which erupted on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran.
"Does the government not realize the danger of what it has undertaken? And does it understand that it has entered a wrong path that leads only to increasing the rift among the Lebanese?" Fadlallah said.
"It has obtained nothing from the enemy except praise without achieving any demand," he said in a televised statement.
Xi tells Trump he is not supplying Iran with weapons
Wednesday 15 April 2026 12:02 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has said he asked Chinese president Xi Jinping in a letter not to supply Iran with weapons.
In response, Xi said “that, essentially, he’s not doing that”, the US president told Fox Business Network in an interview aired on Wednesday.
Watch: JD Vance explains deal is stalled because Trump won't accept a nuclear-armed Iran
Wednesday 15 April 2026 11:39 , Alex CroftErdogan says Turkey working to extend US-Iran ceasefire
Wednesday 15 April 2026 11:20 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing from Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan, who has said Ankara is working to extend the US-Iran ceasefire and ease tensions in the region.
Both countries must seize the window of opportunity provided by the talks, Erdogan told lawmakers in parliament.
Erdogan also took aim at Israel, whose continuing attacks on Lebanon he said were harming hopes for peace.
Iran says supertanker has crossed Strait of Hormuz despite US blockade
Wednesday 15 April 2026 10:50 , Alex CroftAn Iranian sanctioned supertanker has crossed the Strait of Hormuz towards Iran's Imam Khomeini Port despite a US blockade, Iran's Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday.
Fars said the Crude Carrier was capable of carrying two million barrels of crude
But it is unclear if the tanker was returning with its cargo onboard or was empty.
We’re working to bring you confirmation of this.
Japan to provide £7.3 billion support for Asian countries to purchase crude oil
Wednesday 15 April 2026 10:37 , Alex CroftJapan has said it will issue about $10 billion (£7.3 billion) worth of support to help Asian countries purchase energy resources such as crude oil, as Middle East tensions drive prices higher and disrupt supply chains.
The support, aimed at preventing knock-on effects on Japan's own supply chains, would be channelled mainly through state-backed financial institutions such as Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), Reuters is reporting.
Announcing the plan, prime minister Sanae Takaichi said the support would be equivalent to as much as 1.2 billion barrels of oil, or about one year's worth of crude oil imports by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Leaders of the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam attended the meeting, among others.
US to send thousands more troops into the Middle East - report
Wednesday 15 April 2026 10:20 , Alex CroftThe US is set to send thousands of more troops into the Middle East in coming days, according to a report in the Washington Post which cited US officials.
The move comes as the Trump administration continues its attempts to ramp up pressure on Iran to make a deal.
It is unclear exactly how many troops would be sent, and the move is yet to be confirmed publicly by any US officials. We’re keeping an eye on this and will bring you any updates.
Can Pakistan bring US and Iran back to the negotiating table before ceasefire ends?
Wednesday 15 April 2026 09:59 , Alex CroftPakistan is reportedly keen to host the second round of peace negotiations between the US and Iran to end the war in the Middle East, just days after the first such attempt failed to result in a breakthrough.
Both the US and Iran could return to Islamabad as early as the end of this week, a source aware of the talks says, adding that the date was yet to be decided as the conflict continued to simmer. The war, now in its seventh week, has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure across the region.
Iran and the US came “very close” to an agreement and were “80 per cent there” during last weekend's meeting in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, held four days after the announcement of a ceasefire, sources say. It was the first direct encounter between US and Iranian officials in more than a decade, and the most senior engagement since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Arpan Rai reports:
Can Pakistan bring US and Iran back to the negotiating table before ceasefire ends?
Trump targets Pope Leo again in a new rant
Wednesday 15 April 2026 09:43 , Alex CroftUS president Donald Trump has escalated his war of words with Pope Leo XIV through his latest post on Truth Social.
In a midnight post, Trump wrote: "Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed, protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.
"Thank you for your attention to this matter. AMERICA IS BACK!!!"
Trump has been routinely targeting the Pope after he criticised the US president's war on Iran. Pope Leo had earlier said that Trump’s warning that an “entire civilization will die tonight,” in reference to Iran, was “unacceptable".
The pope has also suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the war between the United States and Iran.
Since then, Trump has branded Pope Leo as "weak" on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy, before uploading an AI-generated image of himself dressed as Jesus. The US president later deleted the image and claimed it depicted him as a "doctor" and not as Jesus.
Iran says it will use alternative ports to bypass US Strait of Hormuz blockade
Wednesday 15 April 2026 09:24 , Alex CroftIran’s semi-official news agency Mehr News is reporting that Tehran will begin to use alternative ports for its exports in order to bypass the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
It’s unclear exactly which ports this refers to - we’re working to bring you that information.
The US military has claimed it has “maritime superiority in the Middle East” since the blockade began on Monday, in response to a collapse in US-Iran ceasefire talks over the weekend.
The Strait of Hormuz is currently used for the overwhelming majority of Iran’s export trade, in particular oil, it’s most profitable export.
The Caspian Sea, to Iran’s north, accounts for under 5 per cent of Iran’s exports, according to some estimates. It’s possible that this could rise while the blockade is in place, but as it is a closed sea, trade opportunities are far more limited.
Watch: AOC says Trump is threatening to genocide Iran
Wednesday 15 April 2026 09:03 , Alex CroftDemocrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics, has accused the US president of threatening to carry out genocide on Iran.
Here’s what AOC said:
Urgent task ahead is to avoid resumption of war, says China
Wednesday 15 April 2026 08:55 , Alex CroftWe’ve heard from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which has warned that the international community must urgently ensure the war in Iran is not resumed.
The momentum of the hard-won ceasefire between Washington and Tehran must be maintained, it adds.
Beijing said the war should never have happened particularly in light of the cost it has had for the international community - especially, it added, given the least developed countries have paid a high price.
You're going to watch an amazing two days ahead, says Trump
Wednesday 15 April 2026 08:25 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has predicted that there will be an “amazing two days ahead” as he suggests the war in Iran is nearing its end.
Speaking to ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, the US president said he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that ends on April 21, according to a post by Karl on X.
"It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild," Trump said.
"They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals."
Watch: Trump says Iran was is 'very close to over'
Wednesday 15 April 2026 08:03 , Maira ButtHopes rise for renewed talks as US military says Iran blockade is in force
Wednesday 15 April 2026 07:38 , Maira ButtHopes rose for renewed talks between the United States and Iran on Wednesday, as the US military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by strike targets across the war-weary region.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a second round of talks could happen "over the next two days," telling the New York Post the negotiations could be held again in Islamabad as diplomats worked through back channels to arrange them.
UN secretary-general António Guterres concurred, saying it’s “highly probable” that talks will restart. He cited a meeting he had with Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar.
Hopes rise for renewed talks as US military says Iran blockade is in force
