US-Iran War Updates: US Naval Blockade Of Strait Of Hormuz Begins, Iran Says 'Cut Off One’s Nose To Spite One’s Face'

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has rejected negotiations with Israel, describing such efforts as “futile.” 

US Iran war LIVE: At least two tankers turned around after approaching the Strait of Hormuz after US imposed the blockade.
 

US Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz blockade started at 10 a.m. EDT. “We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world because that’s what they’re doing,” he said.

US Iran war LIVE: Amid the naval blockade of Iran, China has stepped up in its defence of Iran saying that the two countries “have trade and energy agreements” and they “expect others not to interfere in our affairs.”

US Iran war LIVE: USS Tripoli conducts night flight operations while sailing in the Arabian Sea. It's arsenal includes F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, MV-22 Ospreys, helicopters, and much more.

“USS Tripoli (LHA 7) conducts night flight operations while sailing in the Arabian Sea. Tripoli is designed without a traditional well deck, which allows for more F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, MV-22 Ospreys, helicopters, and extra maintenance space. During peak operations, the ship can surge to support up to 20+ F-35Bs.”

US Iran war LIVE: After the US naval blockade kicked off Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei posed a question to the Trump administration saying, whether it is “worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face.”

“Can an illegal “war of choice” be won through a “revenge of choice” against the global economy?! Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!” Baqaei asked.

US Iran war LIVE: In a presser, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had reached out to the US, even after talks failed in Islamabad. He added that Iran wants the deal "badly."

US Iran war LIVE: In another Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump claimed that only 34 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, which is by far “the highest number since the foolish closure began.” 

US Iran war LIVE: Donald Trump claims that boats have not transited Strait of Hormuz and the naval blockade has started.

US Iran war LIVE: After receiving widespread ​criticism from some religious conservatives, US President Donald Trump deletes the post depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure using an AI-generated image.

Trump said, “I did post it.” But he suggested it had something to do with the Red Cross and insisted: “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better.”

US Iran war LIVE: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi issued a clarification on Monday, stating that it has not refused any public donations intended for humanitarian assistance. The announcement follows reports or inquiries regarding the acceptance of aid from the Indian public. The Embassy expressed its gratitude for the support shown by the people of India during the ongoing crisis.

US Iran war LIVE: Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun has issued a statement regarding the ongoing situation in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing China's intent to maintain its established trade and energy ties with Iran. The Admiral stated that Chinese vessels continue to navigate the waterway and that Beijing expects international actors to refrain from interfering with its regional agreements.

US Iran war LIVE: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) intercepted more than 10 hostile aircraft launched from Lebanon toward Israeli territory. In a statement accompanied by footage of the interceptions, the military reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and reducing Hezbollah's operational capabilities.

US Iran war LIVE: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he and French President Emmanuel Macron will co-chair a high-level meeting this week to address the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to the House of Commons on Monday, Starmer emphasized the urgency of unblocking the vital maritime route, which serves as a critical corridor for global energy supplies.

US Iran war LIVE: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has characterized the recent U.S.-Iran negotiations in Islamabad as a positive step toward de-escalation, urging all parties to maintain the current ceasefire. In a statement, the spokesperson emphasized that regional stability depends on a transition from military action to political and diplomatic dialogue. China also addressed the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, linking the maritime crisis directly to the broader military conflict.

US Iran war LIVE: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has arrived in China for his fourth visit in three years, aimed at deepening economic and diplomatic ties with the world’s second-largest economy. The visit takes place against a backdrop of heightened global tension. Spain has emerged as a prominent voice in Europe seeking a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

US Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said that if any of Iran's fast attack ships come close to the US naval blockade, they will be "eliminated."

“Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

US Iran War LIVE: "A good conversation with FM Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwait. It focused on the regional situation and the well being of the Indian community," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X.

US Iran war LIVE: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Monday that over 250 Hezbollah members, including several high-ranking commanders, were killed during a series of extensive strikes across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. Military officials described the operation as a major effort to dismantle the group's operational and logistical capabilities.

The Iranian Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, has indicated that Tehran remains open to diplomatic dialogue with the United States, provided that Washington avoids what he described as “unlawful demands.” Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Ambassador Fathali reflected on the recent negotiations held in Islamabad, identifying several primary areas of disagreement that currently hinder progress.

US Iran war LIVE: The President of the European Commission has underscored the critical need to restore open passage through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the "freedom of navigation" as a matter of paramount importance. The statement highlights the European Union's concern over the continued closure of the waterway, which serves as a vital artery for global trade and energy supplies.

US Iran war LIVE: Iran has issued a significant warning regarding maritime security in the region, just hours before a planned U.S. military operation to block the Strait of Hormuz. The statement suggests that no ports in the surrounding area will be considered secure if the blockade proceeds. This development comes as tensions reach a critical point over control of the vital trade route.

US Iran war LIVE: Spain’s Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed naval blockade, characterizing the move as “senseless.” In an interview with Spanish broadcaster TVE on Monday, Robles criticized the trajectory of the ongoing conflict, suggesting that the escalation threatens to involve the wider international community in a "downward spiral."

US Iran war LIVE: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that military operations are ongoing in Lebanon, with a specific focus on the strategic Bint Jbeil region. This area has historically been a significant site of engagement between Israel and Hezbollah. During a cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister explained that the military is moving beyond positions held since the 2024 ceasefire. The objective is to establish a more comprehensive security zone to mitigate the risk of cross-border incursions and reduce regional threats.

US Iran war LIVE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday that he held a discussion with U.S. Vice President JD Vance regarding the recent diplomatic talks held in Pakistan.

US Iran war LIVE: The Kremlin stated on Monday that the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports is expected to have a negative effect on global economic stability. Responding to the U.S. announcement regarding the restriction of Iran's coastline, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that such measures would likely disrupt international commerce.

US Iran war LIVE: President Donald Trump has confirmed that two American pilots are in stable condition following a high-risk recovery operation inside Iran. The crew members were rescued after their F-15 fighter jet was downed during recent military activities. The President described the pilots as being in "very good shape" after the extraction.

US Iran war LIVE: During a recent briefing in Delhi, Dr. Mohammad Fathali, the Iranian Ambassador to India, extended his thanks to the Indian people and government for their assistance during the current regional crisis. Ambassador Fathali characterized India as a dependable partner, noting the compassion shown by the public and the logistical support provided by the government.

US Iran war LIVE: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the economic and security challenges facing Europe following discussions on the current Middle East crisis. A primary focus of the talks was the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime artery. Von der Leyen noted that the disruption is causing significant damage to international trade and regional stability.

US Iran war LIVE: Pope Leo XIV has issued a statement cautioning against the use of religious scripture for political gain as tensions escalate between the United States and Iran. The Pontiff emphasized that the Gospel should serve as a message of peace and reconciliation rather than a tool for justification in geopolitical conflicts.

US Iran war LIVE: On Monday, April 13, 2026, the foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held a critical phone conversation to discuss the fallout from the failed high-level negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad. The diplomatic outreach comes at a moment of extreme regional tension, as the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran appears on the verge of collapse.

US Iran war LIVE: An Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip killed at least three Palestinians early Monday, April 13, 2026. The attack targeted a security installation in Deir al-Balah, highlighting the continued volatility in the Palestinian enclave even as diplomatic efforts focus on the broader U.S.-Iran ceasefire.

US Iran war LIVE: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that both the United States and Iran appear "sincere" about maintaining the current ceasefire, despite the failure of weekend talks in Islamabad to produce a final agreement. Fidan proposed extending the initial 14-day truce by an additional 45 to 60 days to provide the necessary time for complex technical negotiations.

US Iran war LIVE: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a formal statement on Monday, April 13, 2026, welcoming the ongoing two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran while calling for an immediate return to international maritime norms in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Iran war LIVE: In a significant break from its closest ally, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, April 13, 2026, that the United Kingdom will not join the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz recently proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

US Iran war LIVE: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a cryptic yet pointed warning on Monday, April 13, 2026, suggesting that global fuel prices are set to skyrocket as the "approval system" for the Strait of Hormuz remains in place.

US Iran war LIVE: Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen has called for expanding the country's military strikes on Lebanon to now include civilian infrastructure in Lebanon, arguing that the distinction between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah should no longer be maintained.

"I demanded to stop making the distinction between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. We are constantly attacking Dahiya [a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut], Hezbollah, and specific targets. We need to strike the infrastructure of Lebanon itself: the Beirut airport, its port, sites, and power stations. A price must be extracted from the Lebanese government itself. This was the discussion, at least from my perspective," Cohen said.
 

Watch: Hormuz Crisis: Why Asia Will Beg Moscow for Oil

US Iran war LIVE: China on Sunday called for unobstructed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as US President Donald Trump threatened of a total blockade. 

"Safeguarding the security, stability, and unimpeded passage in the Strait of Hormuz serves the common interests of the international community," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday, as reported by Xinhua.

US Iran war LIVE: Pope Leo says he’ll continue to speak against war after Trump’s ‘use common sense’ remark.

US Iran war LIVE: Ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran ended in the early hours of Sunday without an agreement, raising questions about what happens when a current two-week truce expires on April 22.

As the talks wrapped up in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, both sides blamed each other for the failure.

US Iran war LIVE: Blocking Iranian shipments would disconnect a significant source of oil from the world's markets. Iran exported 1.84 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in March and has shipped 1.71 ​million bpd thus far in April, compared with a full-year average of 1.68 million bpd in 2025, according to Kpler data. 

However, a surge in Iranian ​output before the war started on February 28 has led to near-record levels of Iranian oil loaded on ships, with more than 180 million barrels floating as of ‌earlier this ⁠month, according to Kpler data.

US Iran war LIVE: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on ​Monday that whatever the pressure, Britain would not be dragged into ‌the Iran war nor be involved in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. 

"We're not supporting the blockade," he told BBC Radio 5 Live, adding that it was ​vital to get the Strait reopened.

"It is, in my view, vital ​that we get the Strait open and fully open, and ⁠that's where we've put all of our efforts in the last ​few and we'll continue to do so," Starmer said.
 

US Iran war LIVE: A U.S. naval blockade of Iran is a major, open-ended military endeavor that could trigger fresh retaliation from Tehran and put tremendous strain on an already ​fragile ceasefire, experts say.
President Donald Trump, in a social media post after no deal emerged from peace talks this weekend in Islamabad, said the U.S. Navy "will begin ‌the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz."

US Iran war LIVE: Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will not return to normal conditions for the United States and Israel, as restrictions on passage continue amid the ongoing conflict that began on February 28, reported Iranian state media

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said the strategic waterway “will never return to its former state, especially for the US and Israel,” a report in Press TV said.

US Iran war LIVE: An Israeli raid in Lebanon’s Srifa killed four members of the Saeed family, including an infant girl, Al Jazeera reported. The strikes came as doctors in Lebanon warned that medical facilities are overwhelmed, with dozens of communities impacted.

US Iran war LIVE: The Lebanese Army said a soldier died on Sunday from injuries sustained in what it described as an Israeli attack on April 8 in the town of Shamshtar in eastern Baalbek, according to Al Jazeera.

The soldier, 41-year-old Abbas Hassan Qassem, had received several medals and commendations from the army commander, who had honoured him on multiple occasions, the statement added.

US Iran war LIVE: Sirens warning of a suspected drone intrusion sounded in the Metula area near the Lebanon border, amid concerns about a Hezbollah UAV, The Times of Israel reported. The IDF later said the incident had concluded.

US Iran war LIVE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran entered negotiations with the United States in "good faith", but talks were derailed by what he described as maximalist demands that blocked a memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

US Iran war LIVE: Iran's Revolutionary Guards have declared that Iranian security forces hold the Strait of Hormuz under full control and have warned that any enemy miscalculation would result in forces being trapped in its "deadly vortex".

US Iran war LIVE: Iran's navy chief Shahram Irani on Sunday called US President Donald Trump's threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz "ridiculous", after marathon talks between Tehran and Washington in Pakistan failed to deliver a deal to end the Middle East war.

US Iran war LIVE: India-flagged LPG tanker Jag Vikram transited the Strait of Hormuz between Friday night and Saturday morning, marking a key movement through the crucial maritime route. 

The vessel had remained stationed for over a week before being cleared to pass through the strategically sensitive corridor.

US Iran war LIVE:  Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989, two rights groups said Monday, warning that capital punishment could be used even more widely amid ongoing unrest and conflict, said reports.

US Iran war LIVE: Explosive Media, a pro-Iranian group known for using artificial intelligence to produce videos styled like The Lego Movie, said its YouTube account has been suspended.

US-Iran war LIVE: The Iranian Embassy in India shared a video showing damage to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Tehran, a facility meant for children. The footage shows the hospital building heavily damaged following air strikes.

US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of the Catholic Church and the Holy See, posting an AI-generated image of himself performing a miracle shortly after targeting Pope Leo XIV.

The image depicts Trump in a scene resembling the Biblical miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

US-Iran war LIVE: Hezbollah said it carried out 43 military operations against Israeli positions and troop concentrations on Sunday, describing the strikes as part of its response to continued aggression and ceasefire violations, reported Iran's Press TV.

The group’s Islamic Resistance said the attacks targeted locations along the border as well as deep inside what it called occupied Palestine.

US-Iran war LIVE: The Indian stock market benchmark bourses, Sensex, and Nifty 50, opened in red, tracking global cues such as US-Iran talks failed to reach a ceasefire agreement, and crude oil prices surging over $100 per barrel.

Sensex opened 2.08% lower at 75,937.16 level, while Nifty 50 rang in 1.92% down at 23,589.60 level.

US-Iran war LIVE: Two conflicting accounts of the same encounter are now emerging from the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims it forced US warships to retreat with a blunt military warning. The United States says its two warships carried out their mission without interference.

US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran would not be able to sell oil and it won't have nuclear weapons, a day after failed Islamabad talks and his threat to block the Strait of Hormuz for all Iranian ports.

"Iran is in bad shape. Their military, navy, and aircraft have been destroyed. Iran is desperate. We had a word with them in Pakistan for more than 21 hours. They will not have a nuclear weapon. We have a blockade going on. Iran shall not be able to sell oil," he said.

US-Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump said the temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is “holding well” following the weekend’s failed marathon negotiations in Pakistan.

“I would say it’s holding well. Their military is destroyed. Their whole navy is under water,” Trump told reporters after returning to Washington from Florida, reported CNN.

US-Iran war LIVE: Intelligence firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence says all vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has stopped following the latest escalation, reported AP.

It reported that movement ceased after US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US would impose a blockade on the waterway.

The firm added that two ships already exiting the strait reportedly turned back after the post.
 

US Iran war live updates: Lebanon’s ministry of health says the death toll from Israeli strikes since the start of the offensive on March 2 has risen to 2,055, reported Al Jazeera.

The ministry also reported that at least 6,588 people have been wounded so far.

Iran war live updates: Recent negotiations between US and Iranian envoys produced limited progress in building goodwill and gave Washington a clearer understanding of Tehran’s negotiating posture, according to a Washington Post report citing US officials.

An unnamed US official was quoted as saying that Vice President JD Vance concluded after hours of negotiations that Tehran believed it held more leverage than Washington thinks is justified by the realities on the ground.

US-Iran war live updates: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to see talks continue between the US and Iran, saying he wants to see “a settlement” to the conflict in the Middle East as Australia continues to be rocked by the disruptions to the region.

US-Iran war live updates: US President Donald Trump has said he is indifferent to whether Iran returns to negotiations with Washington after talks in Pakistan failed to produce a breakthrough.

“I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland upon his return from Florida, news agency reported.

Iran War Live Updates: US President Donald Trump and his advisers are considering a resumption of limited military strikes on Iran, alongside the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as a way to break the deadlock in peace talks, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing officials and people familiar with the discussions, according to Reuters.

Iran War Live Updates: The US oil benchmark rebounded above US$100 a barrel on Monday after peace talks between the US and Iran failed to make a breakthrough, and with US President Donald Trump ordering a blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran War Live Updates: US president Donald Trump accused pope Leo of being weak on Iran and foreign policy in a lengthy post criticizing the pontiff’s views and recent comments about the trump administration. 

“I don’t want a pope who thinks it’s ok for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump wrote, arguing that the pope’s positions on global issues were misguided.

Iran War Live Updates: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (local time)visited southern Lebanon alongside senior military and defence leadership, asserting that the war is far from over and stating that Israel's enemies are now “fighting for survival.” 

According to the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu was accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Head of Northern Command Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo during the visit.

Iran War Live Updates: Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that recent threats issued by US President Donald Trump have "no effect on the Iranian nation," even as he signalled cautious progress in ongoing engagements between Iran and the United States. 

According to remarks carried by Iranian state media and reported by Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf said Tehran had presented "very good initiatives" during talks with Washington, contributing to forward movement in the dialogue process.

Iran War Live Updates: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated that Tehran remains open to reaching an agreement with the United States, provided Washington "abandons its totalitarianism" and respects the rights of the Iranian people. 

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said,"If the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found. I commend the members of the negotiating team, especially my dear brother Mr. Dr. Qalibaf, and say "God gives you strength."

Iran War Live Updates: In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, "In intensive talks at the highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with the US in good faith to end the war. But when just inches away from "Islamabad MoU", we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade. Zero lessons earned. Good will begets goodwill. Enmity begets enmity."