4 hour agoTrump: Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named
TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them. The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop.
The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel. The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury Sanctions because of their prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what's on board!
The Office of the Pakistani Prime Minister: PM Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with the Iranian President discussing the current regional situation
IRNA: "Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire."
10 hour ago"NO MORE MR. NICE GUY.": President Trump says in a new post on Truth Social that Iran committed a "total violation" of the ceasefire agreement by firing at ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also said U.S. representatives are traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan for negotiations, while warning that failure to reach a deal could result in renewed U.S. military action targeting "every single power plant and every single bridge" in Iran. He added that ongoing tensions in the strait are impacting global shipping, while asserting the U.S. stands to benefit economically and hurt Iran to the tune of $500 million a day
Two Pakistani security sources say negotiations between the United States and Iran will likely be held before Friday - Al Jazeera
Qalibaf: The Strait of Hormuz is under our control, and between the 12-day war and the last war, we achieved significant progress in air defense.
US Central Command: The naval blockade on Iran has completely paralyzed Iranian trade and economic operations.
1 day agoNY Times: Iran has about 40 percent of its prewar arsenal of drones, and has been digging out missile launchers and missiles during the ceasefire.it now has around 60 percent of its prewar level of launchers and could reclaim as much as 70 percent of its prewar missile arsenal
Bloomberg, citing ship tracking data: Five LNG tankers changed course after initially heading towards the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's warning that it would close the strait.
Earthquake of magnitude 4.7 - 52 km NE of Rāmhormoz, Iran
Axios, citing a US military official: Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched three attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz today.
1 day agoAs expected, and following the P-8A Poseidon flight activity below, aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has now been confirmed to have crossed the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea, escorted by two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) has wrapped up a lengthy ISR mission over the Red Sea and is now heading back to Jordan. So does this mean the USS Gerald R. Ford is about to head into the Red Sea again
US Central Command: Our forces are imposing a naval blockade on ships to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
UKMTO: UKMTO has received a report of an incident 20NM northeast of OMAN.
The Master of a Tanker reports being approached by 2 IRGC gun boats, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the tanker.
Tanker and crew are reported safe
1 day agoThe Iranian Civil Aviation Organization announced that the country's airspace and several airports were reopened starting at 7:00 AM local time on Saturday, according to its Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). The organization clarified that air routes in the eastern part of Iranian airspace are now open.
Iran reimposes restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the US blockade
Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters: The United States has violated its agreements once again and continued its maritime piracy.
British Foreign Secretary: The ceasefire in the Middle East must lead to lasting peace.
Mehr News Agency quotes Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman: The option of transferring enriched uranium abroad is rejected.
MarineTraffic data: Number of gas, oil product, and chemical tankers departing through the Strait of Hormuz rises to 8
Iranian TV quotes the head of the judiciary: Enemies must pay war reparations
CENTCOM: “Guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) directs a merchant vessel to return to an Iranian port as it enforces the U.S. blockade, April 17. Since commencement of the blockade, 19 ships have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return to Iran. ZERO vessels have evaded U.S. forces during the blockade.”
2 day agoHormuz is open, but US Naval Blockade will remain in full force says US President Donald Trump
Axios: U.S. considers $20 billion cash-for-uranium deal with Iran, according to two U.S. officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks
Iranian Foreign Minister: In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran
Pakistan's air force escorted Iranian negotiators home from inconclusive peace talks with the U.S. last weekend, launching a major operation after the Iranians said Israel might seek to kill them, three sources told Reuters. Pakistan deployed some two dozen jets in the escort, as well as the force's Airborne Warning and Control System for aerial surveillance to ensure the safety of the delegation back from Islamabad, said two Pakistani sources with knowledge of the operation
Pakistani source to Reuters: Progress in unofficial diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington, adding that an expected meeting between Washington and Tehran could result in a memorandum of understanding followed by a comprehensive deal within 60 days
2 day agoCENTCOM: “USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts U.S. blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, April 16. The ship's embarked carrier air wing includes eight F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, E-2D command and control planes, MH-60 helicopters and CMV-22B Ospreys for logistics support.”
Trump: If there is no deal, the fighting will resume
Trump: The next meeting with Iran could take place early next week.
