Iran is considering suspending its shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to get peace talks with the US back on track, which US president Donald Trump said could resume in the next two days, according to reports.
A source told Bloomberg the regime was trying to avoid escalation, with negotiating teams said to be urgently working to restart talks in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump told The New York Post that “something could be happening over the next two days” on future talks.
With just one week left of the agreed ceasefire, the United States has moved to blockade Iranian ports after a first round of diplomacy collapsed over the weekend without a breakthrough.
Iran has publicly called the US restriction on international shipping “piracy” and threatened that no port in the Gulf will be secure if Iranian ports are threatened.
Other sources told Bloomberg that limiting Iranian ships crossing the Strait for a few days is seen as a possible lever for Tehran to prevent an incident that could undermine talks.
Key Points
- Vance says Trump wants to make 'grand bargain' with Iran
- Pakistani official says government will 'keep at it' with US-Iran talks
- What Israel and Lebanon said after Washington talks
- Europe drafts 'post-war plan to free up Hormuz without US'
Can Pakistan bring US and Iran back to the negotiating table before ceasefire ends?
01:30 , Arpan RaiPakistan 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.
If the talks enter the second round with more signs of willingness from all parties to end the conflict, Pakistan would’ve successfully managed to break the deadlock and push US and Iran closer to peace.
“We have reached out to Iran and got a positive response that they will be open to a second round of talks,” a senior official in the Pakistani government says. Officials say they have sent a proposal to both US and Iran to re-send their delegates to resume the talks.
Read on...
Can Pakistan bring US and Iran back to the negotiating table before ceasefire ends?
WATCH: JD Vance explains deal is stalled because Trump won't accept a nuclear-armed Iran
01:00 , Rachel DobkinTrump to speak on Iran war in TV interview Wednesday
Wednesday 15 April 2026 00:40 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump will speak about the Iran war in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday at 6 a.m. Eastern Time.
Vance says Trump wants to make 'grand bargain' with Iran
Wednesday 15 April 2026 00:14 , Rachel DobkinUS Vice President JD Vance has said US President Donald Trump wants to make a “grand bargain” with Iran.
Speaking at an event for the conservative youth group Turning Point USA in Georgia Tuesday, Vance said Trump “doesn’t want to make, like, a small deal. He wants to make the grand bargain”.
Vance led the US delegation in peace talks with Iran over the weekend, but he left Pakistan with no agreement as the two countries couldn’t agree on what to do about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The vice president said Trump is telling Iran, “If you guys commit to not having a nuclear weapon, we are going to make Iran thrive”.
Vance says US-Iran mistrust cannot be solved overnight
Tuesday 14 April 2026 23:51 , Dan HaygarthJD Vance said on Tuesday there was a lot of mistrust between Washington and Tehran that cannot be resolved overnight but he added that Iranian negotiators wanted to make a deal and that he felt "very good about where we are."
Talks to end the Iran war could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, President Donald Trump said, after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran still has a week to run. Vance was involved in the talks last weekend in Pakistan.
"There is a lot of, of course, mistrust between Iran and the United States of America. You are not going to solve that problem overnight," the vice president said during a Turning Point USA event.
Iranian negotiators wanted to make a deal, he said. "I feel very good about where we are," Vance added.
Watch: Trump’s Iran war could trigger global recession, IMF warns
Tuesday 14 April 2026 23:35 , Daniel HaygarthUS Democrats will try again to rein in Trump's Iran war powers
Tuesday 14 April 2026 23:19 , Dan HaygarthThe US Senate will vote as soon as Wednesday on the latest Democratic-led effort to rein in Donald Trump's war powers.
Party leaders promised on Tuesday to keep bringing up such resolutions as long as the Iran war continues.
"Forty-five days into this war, Congress has been sidelined because our Republican colleagues refuse to take a strong stand against this war and duck it completely because they're afraid of Trump," Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a Senate speech on Tuesday.
Trump said on Tuesday talks to end the Iran war could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, after the collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports.
Failure to reach an agreement in those talks raised doubts over the survival of a two-week ceasefire that still has a week to run.
Congressional Democrats have tried and repeatedly failed in recent months to pass war powers resolutions to force Trump to stop military action and obtain lawmakers' authorisation before launching military operations, in both Venezuela and Iran.
Democrats are attempting to link their efforts to rein in Trump on Iran to affordability, as disruptions in shipments of oil and natural gas have caused a run-up in U.S. gasoline prices and agricultural products such as fertilisers - on top of the long list of other high consumer prices.
Pakistani official says government will 'keep at it' with US and Iran talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 23:06 , Dan HaygarthPakistan finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press that "our leadership is not giving up" on its efforts to help the US and Iran negotiate.
"We would very much like to see if we can continue to pursue the dialogue," he added, speaking on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
"We'll keep at it, and our leadership is at it."
Aurangzeb said he also this week met with US officials including trade representative Jamieson Greer and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss trade and finance concerns.
He plans to meet treasury secretary Scott Bessent on Friday.
Full story: Israel and Lebanon have ‘wonderful exchange’ but remain in deadlock after first talks in decades
Tuesday 14 April 2026 22:46 , Daniel HaygarthLebanon and Israel have held their first direct diplomatic discussions in decades.
The two countries met in Washington on Tuesday after more than a month of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the meeting as a "historic opportunity" but tempered expectations, making it clear that no immediate breakthrough agreement was anticipated.
Yechiel Leiter, Israel's Ambassador to the US, expressed optimism, noting what he called a "convergence of opinion" regarding the removal of Hezbollah's influence from Lebanon. He described the two-hour exchange as "wonderful".
Read more:
Israel and Lebanon remain in deadlock after first talks in decades
Editorial: As recession looms, Donald Trump desperately needs a deal
Tuesday 14 April 2026 22:28 , Daniel Haygarth
UN secretary-general says it is 'probably likely' Iran peace talks will resume
Tuesday 14 April 2026 22:05 , Dan HaygarthWhat Israel and Lebanon said after Washington talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 21:50 , Dan HaygarthLebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter hailed what he called a convergence of opinion about removing Hezbollah's influence from Lebanon, saying he was encouraged by a "wonderful exchange."
"The Lebanese government made it very clear that they will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah," he said. "Iran has been weakened. Hezbollah is dramatically weakened. This is an opportunity."
Lebanese ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad "reaffirmed the urgent need" for an end to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, "underscoring the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty." She also called for a ceasefire, the return of displaced people to their homes, and "concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis" resulting from the conflict.
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.
Middle East conflict sparked major supply shock, says Bank of England boss
Tuesday 14 April 2026 21:36 , Dan HaygarthWar in the Middle East has caused “a major supply shock”, the head of the Bank of England has said, but he remained tight-lipped on what it could mean for interest rates.
Though Andrew Bailey acknowledged the Iran conflict had caused a “large” jolt to the global economy, he said the UK was much better placed to deal with it because of its banking system, forged in the wake of the 2007-09 financial crisis.
The governor of the central bank was speaking before financial leaders, including chancellor Rachel Reeves, arrived in Washington DC for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Earlier, the influential body issued a gloomy outlook which found Britain had suffered the sharpest cut to growth forecasts of the largest global economies.
The IMF said the spike in energy prices caused by the war would help push UK inflation towards 4% – double the Bank of England’s inflation target – and contribute to higher costs for households.
The conflict hit oil and gas supplies as Iran tightened its grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, giving rise to a US blockade of the country’s ports amid a shaky ceasefire.
Israel and Lebanon will launch direct negotiations as a result of meeting, says US
Tuesday 14 April 2026 21:16 , Dan HaygarthThe US has said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to launch negotiations following talks in Washington DC.
In a press statement, US state department deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott said “productive discussions: were heard regarding steps towards direct negotiations.
He said: “All sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue”.
Pigott said his country stated that a peace agreement should be brokered by the US.
He said: “The United States affirmed that any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track.”
Regarding Israel and Lebanon’s wishes, he said: “The State of Israel expressed its support for disarming all non-state terror groups and dismantle all terror infrastructure in Lebanon and expressed its commitment to working with the Government of Lebanon to achieve that goal to ensure security for the people of both countries. Israel expressed its commitment to engage in direct negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues and achieve a durable peace that will strengthen security, stability and prosperity in the region.
“The State of Lebanon reaffirmed the urgent need for the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities announcement of November 2024, underscoring the principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty, while calling for a ceasefire and concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis that the country continues to endure as a result of the ongoing conflict.”
Analysis: What now, JD? Vance’s no-good, very-bad weekend hit his hope of succeeding Trump with a triple-whammy
Tuesday 14 April 2026 20:55 , Dan HaygarthAfter a whirlwind weekend in the Middle East, JD Vance returns to DC without the ‘dealmaker’ label to find other crises consuming Trumpworld, writes John Bowden.
What will JD do? Vance’s triple-whammy weekend hits his 2028 hope of succeeding Trump
US waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil set to expire
Tuesday 14 April 2026 20:49 , Jane DaltonThe US will not renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea that expires this week, officials say.
The waiver, which is set to expire on Sunday, had allowed 140 million barrels of oil to reach global markets and help relieve pressure on energy supply, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last month.
Mr Bessent said the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would ensure no Chinese ships or others would be allowed to pass.
He said China had been buying more than 90 per cent of Iranian oil.
Europe drafts 'post-war plan to free up Hormuz without US'
Tuesday 14 April 2026 20:29 , Jane DaltonEuropean countries are reportedly putting together a plan for a broad coalition of countries to help free up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan may exclude the US, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The proposals, which would take effect after the war, include sending mine-clearing and other military vessels.
French president Emmanuel Macron said the plan was for an international defensive mission that did not include “belligerent” parties, meaning the US, Israel and Iran.
'New era of peace possible', Israel says following Lebanon talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 19:23 , Dan Haygarth
Israel’s ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said of his discussion with Lebanese ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh in Washington: "We talked about a number of things, most importantly the long-term vision, where there'll be a clearly delineated border between our countries, and the only reason we'll need to cross into each other's territory will be in business suits to conduct business or in bathing suits to go on vacation."
Leiter said that his country’s fighting in Lebanon has weakened Hezbollah, meaning that it is now possible to "move into a new era of peace.”
'We are on the same side of the equation', says Israeli ambassador of Lebanon talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 19:17 , Dan HaygarthTalks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington have ended.
Israel’s ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter has told reporters the the three countries "discovered today that we are on the same side of the equation and that's the most positive thing we could have come away with."
UN chief says international law is 'being trampled' — especially in the Middle East
Tuesday 14 April 2026 19:15 , Dan Haygarth
The UN’s secretary-general Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that violations of international law are fuelling instability and mistrust.
Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters, he urged renewed U.S.-Iran talks and respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The secretary-general said he will travel to The Hague, Netherlands, later this week to mark the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice, the UN's highest tribunal, and send "a message that in a world moving toward greater fragmentation and sharper power competition, international law is indispensable."
Breaking: Lebanon united in liberating country from Hezbollah, Israeli ambassador to US says
Tuesday 14 April 2026 19:10 , Dan HaygarthThe Lebanese government made it clear during US-brokered talks with Israel that they no longer want to be "occupied" by Hezbollah and that there were conversations about long-term vision for clearly delineated border, Israel's ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told reporters on Tuesday.
UK's military and defence industries should be put on a war footing, former Royal Navy head says
Tuesday 14 April 2026 19:00 , Daniel HaygarthMilitary and defence industries should be put on a war footing, the former head of the Royal Navy has said, as a defence minister told the House of Lords that society needed to be prepared for war.
Crossbench peer Lord West of Spithead, who served a minister in a previous Labour government, told peers the UK had more work to do to be equipped to deal with threats.
Lord West said: “I’m delighted the minister has highlighted what is being done now, but I have this feeling we have a long way to catch up.
“We’re nowhere near that position, and we are, I believe in a state where we perhaps ought to put our military and certainly our defence on some sort of war footing, to be able to catch up and be able to do the things we need to do.”
He had earlier said the UK had fallen behind in the ability to track Russian submarines off its coast compared to the Cold War.
In response, defence minister Lord Coaker said: “The need for this country to move from where it is to a position of war readiness is crucial.
“That is not a government effort, that is a whole of society effort from this side of the House, from that side of the House, from all parts of the United Kingdom, to deal with the threats that we face our population has to understand the threat that they face, we as a government have to talk to them, and all of us have to stand up and say ‘We will defend our country and the values we stand for’.”
Diplomats try to arrange second round of talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:53 , Dan HaygarthDiplomats have been working through back channels to arrange a new round of talks between the US and Iran after Washington enacted its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran threatened to strike targets across the region, the Associated Press reports.
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 the capital of Pakistan.
An initial round of talks aimed at permanently ending the conflict failed to produce an agreement last weekend. The White House said Iran's nuclear ambitions were a central sticking point.
Though the ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the regional war's economic fallout.
Meanwhile in Washington, direct talks between the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the US were taking place, the first such negotiations in decades.
Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round of US-Iran talks. Two US officials said on Monday that discussions were still under way about the negotiations.
A diplomat from one of the mediating countries said that Tehran and Washington had agreed to the talks.
Trump’s Iran war could trigger global recession, IMF warns
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:45 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump’s war on Iran risks triggering a global recession, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned in the latest damning assessment of the conflict’s impact on the world economy.
Read the full story below:
Watch: Trump's energy secretary once said gas prices would fall by summer - now he's not so sure
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:30 , Dan HaygarthTalks could resume in next two days, Trump says
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:18 , Dan Haygarth
The New York Post reports that Donald Trump has said talks with Iran could resume in the next two days.
"You should stay there (Pakistan), really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there.”
Strait of Hormuz traffic barely affected on first day of US blockade, data shows
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:15 , Dan HaygarthThe first full day of a US blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports made little difference to Strait of Hormuz traffic on Tuesday, Reuters reports, with at least eight ships including three Iran-linked tankers, crossing the waterway, shipping data showed.
Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran failed to reach a deal - it came into force at 3pm UK time on Monday.
The blockade has created even further uncertainty for shippers, oil companies and war risk insurers. Traffic remains at only a fraction of the 130-plus daily crossings before the US and Israel's war on Iran began on February 28, industry sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
"During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the US blockade," the US Central Command said on X, adding that six vessels complied with direction from American forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port.
The three Iran-linked vessels that transited the strait were not heading to Iranian ports and were not affected by the blockade.
Full story: Trump demands Starmer ‘drill, baby, drill’ in the North Sea
Tuesday 14 April 2026 18:00 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump has reiterated his calls for Britain to expand oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, urging Sir Keir Starmer’s government to “drill, baby, drill”.
The US president added that “Aberdeen should be booming” in his latest social media rant aimed at Britain, while repeating his demand for there to be “no more windmills” in Scotland.
Read more below:
What do Israel and Lebanon want from talks?
Tuesday 14 April 2026 17:45 , Dan HaygarthThe Lebanese government hopes the talks will pave the way to an end to the war. While Iran has set ending the wars in Lebanon and the region as a condition for talks with the United States, Lebanon insists on representing itself.
Iran-backed Hezbollah and other critics maintain that Lebanon's government lacks leverage and that it should instead back the position of Iran, Hezbollah's key ally and patron. Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking member of the militant group's political council, told The Associated Press that it will not abide by any agreements made in the talks.
Hezbollah enjoys wide influence in Beirut's southern suburbs, as well as large swaths of the country's southern and eastern provinces. Hezbollah-allied politicians hold two Cabinet minister positions, though the group's ties have soured with Lebanon's top political authorities, who have been critical of Hezbollah's decision to enter the war last month and who have since criminalised the group's military activities in the country.
On the day of the talks, incoming fire triggered nonstop drone and rocket alert sirens in Israeli communities near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah so far on Tuesday has claimed 24 attacks on northern Israel and on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
The talks are the first between Israel and Lebanon since 1993.
Lebanon's top political authorities, critical of Hezbollah's decision to fire rockets towards Israel on 2 March in solidarity with Iran, quickly proposed direct talks in a bid to stop the escalation, hoping that Israel would not launch its ground invasion. Israel did not respond positively until last week, after it launched 100 strikes across the country, including in the heart of the Lebanese capital.
Beirut wants a truce as a prerequisite to talks, similar to Pakistan-brokered negotiations between the US and Iran.
"Israel's destruction of Lebanese territories is not the solution, nor will it yield any results," Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Monday. He came to power vowing to disarm non-state groups including Hezbollah. "Diplomatic solutions have consistently proven to be the most effective means of resolving armed conflicts globally."
Israel has ruled out a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday denied having disputes with Lebanon and said "the problem is Hezbollah."
"Hezbollah has also its financial roots, there are a lot of dimensions holding this organization, practically keeping Lebanon under Iranian occupation," Saar said.
Hezbollah wants a return to the 2024 agreement under which talks were conducted indirectly with the U.S., France and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon as mediators.
Lebanon and Israel hold first direct diplomatic talks in decades
Tuesday 14 April 2026 17:30 , Dan HaygarthLebanon and Israel opened their first direct diplomatic talks in decades on Tuesday in Washington following more than a month of war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, with US secretary of state Marco Rubio calling it a "historic opportunity" but making clear no breakthrough agreement was immediately expected.
Rubio said the Trump administration is "very happy" to be facilitating the discussions, while noting that "we understand we're working against decades of history and complexities" that will not be quickly resolved. Hezbollah opposes the direct talks and was not represented, and the group appeared to step up its fire on northern Israel as the talks began.
"But we can begin to move forward with a framework where something can happen, something very positive, something very permanent, so that the people of Lebanon can have the kind of future they deserve, and so that the people of Israel can live without fear," Rubio said.
Rubio and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz attended the opening of the session at the State Department that is being led by US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Israeli ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad.
Israel and Lebanon talks explained
Tuesday 14 April 2026 17:09 , Dan Haygarth
Israeli and Lebanese envoys met in Washington on Tuesday, a diplomatic milestone overshadowed by conflicting agendas with Israel ruling out discussion of a ceasefire and demanding Beirut disarm Hezbollah, Reuters reports.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture in the crisis in the Middle East, a week into a fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iran says Israel's campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon must be included in any agreement to end the wider war, complicating talks mediated by Pakistan aimed at averting further economic fallout.
The conflict has snared global energy supply and spiked oil prices, piling pressure on US president Donald Trump to find an off-ramp.
In a sign Washington wants to see progress in the talks, Trump's top diplomat and national security advisor Marco Rubio appeared at the start of the meeting alongside the Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad.
Rubio on the talks were a historic opportunity, and while every complexity would not be resolved in coming hours, he hoped the parties would begin to move forward.
'Small bit of economic pain' is worth 'removing Iran nuclear' risk, says US treasury secretary
Tuesday 14 April 2026 17:03 , Dan HaygarthAs energy prices spike, caused by the Iran war hitting the UK and wider global economy, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has said “a small bit of economic pain for a few weeks is worth taking off the incalculable tail risk of either a nuclear Iran or a nuclear Iran that uses that weapon”.
As chancellor Rachel Reeves hit out at the “folly” of America’s actions in the Middle East and its impact on families, Mr Bessent insisted “there is nothing more transient than what we are seeing now”.
He said: “So the conflict will end, prices will come down, and then headline inflation will come down, and with that, gasoline prices will come down.”
‘He was a hero’: Tributes to Red Cross paramedic killed during fierce Israeli bombing in Lebanon
Tuesday 14 April 2026 16:33 , Dan HaygarthThe night before 31-year-old Red Cross paramedic Hassan Badawi was killed, he called his pregnant wife to tell her that Israeli bombing in Lebanon was “everywhere” but that he could not leave the wounded behind.
In comments made to Al Jazeera, his mother Ahlam Badawi and his father Ali Badawi, remembered their son as a selfless “hero” who “in every war, used to be the first to go”.
“God used to be merciful on me and used to bring him to me safe,” Ahlam said in tears at the funeral of her son on Monday. “This time God took him from me.”
Read more below:
Paramedic killed while responding to emergency in Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Recap: Sanctioned China-linked tanker sails straight through Trump’s blockade
Tuesday 14 April 2026 16:00 , James ReynoldsA Chinese-owned oil and chemicals tanker sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday in an apparent defiance of Donald Trump’s US blockade.
Shipping data showed the Rich Starry passed through the waterway and exited the Gulf on Tuesday, becoming the first vessel to make it through the chokepoint since the blockade began on Monday afternoon.
The tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd, were sanctioned by the US for dealing with Iran, according to Reuters.
Trump has said the US military will block Iranian vessels and any ships that have already paid Iran tolls. He said that any Iranian “fast-attack” naval ships nearing the blockade will be eliminated.
The US military has warned vessels that they will be subject to “interception, diversion and capture” regardless of flag, according to a note sent from US Central Command.
China blasts Trump's 'irresponsible' blockade of Iranian ports
Tuesday 14 April 2026 15:53 , James ReynoldsChina lashed out at the US blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday, branding the decision “dangerous and irresponsible” and saying it would only aggravate tensions.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the move that would exacerbate the conflict, undermine the fragile truce and further jeopardise the safety of navigation through the strait.
China urges all parties to respect the ceasefire, stay committed to dialogue and peace talks, take practical steps to ease regional tensions and restore normal passage in the strait as soon as possible, Guo added.
Trump’s Hormuz blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
What is the ‘Gate of Tears’? Key shipping route that could be attacked by Houthis and disrupt global economy
Tuesday 14 April 2026 15:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump’s threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz have sparked fears Iran could counterattack by urging its Houthi allies in Yemen to halt sea traffic through another major shipping corridor in the Middle East.
The entry of the Houthi rebels into the Iran war at the end of March sparked concerns that the group, known for its attacks on shipping, could block the vital Bab al-Mandab strait to oil tankers, causing further economic chaos.
We look at the role of the chokepoint dubbed the ‘Gate of Tears’ and its significance for global sea traffic.
What is the ‘Gate of Tears’? Key shipping route that could be attacked by Houthis
Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
Tuesday 14 April 2026 15:00 , James ReynoldsTrump’s threats to the Strait of Hormuz will make America a pirate nation and risk conflict with China, making Beijing seem like the grown-ups, explains world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Trump’s Hormuz blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
Reeves shares 'anger' over US decision to go into Iran without a clear exit plan, impacting UK families
Tuesday 14 April 2026 14:30 , James ReynoldsChancellor Rachel Reeves said on Tuesday she was “very frustrated and angry” over the United States' failure to have a clear exit plan or objectives for the war in Iran, according to the Mirror.
“This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve,” Reeves told the newspaper.
“And as a result the Strait of Hormuz is now blocked,” she added.
Ms Reeves said she was frustrated by “the impact it’s having on families and businesses in our country”. She said borrowing and debt were falling and the economy was set to grow before the conflict erupted.
“Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime, but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here in the UK but also families in the US and around the world.”
Israel and Lebanon are holding talks. What do we know?
Tuesday 14 April 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsIsraeli and Lebanese envoys will meet for US-mediated talks in Washington on Tuesday. Here’s what we know so far:
Who is fighting, and why?
Israel intensified its air attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on March 2. It has since widened a ground invasion into Lebanon's south, ordering hundreds of thousands of Lebanese to flee villages it views as Hezbollah strongholds.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 2,080 people, including 252 women and 166 children, the Lebanese health ministry says.
When a two-week ceasefire took effect last week, Iran and Pakistan said it included Lebanon. The US and Israel said it did not. Israel continued to attack Hezbollah, and then Hezbollah started firing back.
So what are the talks for?
A week into the current war, Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun expressed willingness to begin direct negotiations with Israel to halt the fighting, even saying he was ready to move forward with normalising relations.
Israel rebuffed that offer, deeming it too late from a government that shares its goal of disarming Hezbollah but cannot act against the group without risking a civil war.
Israel changed its position and opened up to talks after the ceasefire came into effect on 7 April.
What to expect today
Talks will be held in Washington at 11am (3pm GMT, 4pm BST) between Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, officials say.
Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and the State Department's counsellor, Michael Needham, will attend, a department official said. Lebanon, Israel and the US have issued conflicting statements on what the talks would cover.
Lebanon's presidency has said the talks would focus on announcing a ceasefire and setting a start date for bilateral talks. An Israeli government spokesperson said the talks would not cover a ceasefire.
The Independent View: Trump declares victory, but the Iran war is a failure on all fronts
Tuesday 14 April 2026 13:30 , James ReynoldsEditorial: America’s approach to Iran – whether militarily, regarding peace talks or securing a deal on nuclear weapons – has led to the catastrophe that is the current situation in the Middle East:
Trump declares victory, but the Iran war is a failure on all fronts
Macron calls for resumption of US-Iran talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 13:13 , Alex CroftFrench president Emmanuel Macron has been speaking about the US-Iran ceasefire talks which collapsed over the weekend.
In a post on X, he says he has spoken with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and US president Donald Trump on Monday, and called for talks to restart between Washington and Iran and for a halt of any possible escalation.
He added in a post on social media platform X that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened unconditionally as soon as possible.
"Under these circumstances, negotiations should be able to resume quickly, with the support of the key stakeholders," he said.
Yesterday, I spoke with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, as well as with U.S. President Donald Trump.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 14, 2026
I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation.…
The Latest: Pakistan proposes new US-Iran talks as Vance and Trump hint at progress
Tuesday 14 April 2026 13:00 , James ReynoldsPakistani officials said on Tuesday that Islamabad has proposed a second round of talks to the US and Iran.
The Pakistani officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter with the press.
Four unnamed sources told Reuters that US and Iranian negotiators will return to Islamabad for talks later this week.
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian told France’s Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that diplomacy remained the preferred path to resolving disputes.
It came as US vice president JD Vance earlier said negotiations with Iran "did make some progress" and Donald Trump "we've been called by the other side" and "they want to work a deal."
A senior Hezbollah official on Monday said the Lebanese militant group will not abide by any agreements that may result from direct Lebanon-Israel talks set to start Tuesday in Washington.
JD Vance accuses Iran of ‘economic terrorism’ in Strait of Hormuz and threatens ‘two can play that game’
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:46 , James ReynoldsUS vice president JD Vance accused Iran of engaging in “economic terrorism” over its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, before threatening to do the same as American warships moved to blockade Iranian ports.
Mr Vance told Fox News on Monday that negotiators had “made a lot of progress” over the weekend after a first round of talks in Islamabad concluded without a clear breakthrough.
“I wouldn’t just say that things went wrong. I also think things went right ... They moved in our direction ... but they didn’t move far enough,” he said, suggesting the Iranian delegation had to return to Tehran for approval on terms “set” by the US side.
Read the full story:
Vance accuses Iran of ‘economic terrorism’ - before threatening to do the same
Has Trump's Strait of Hormuz blockade been working?
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:43 , Alex CroftOur foreign affairs reporter Maira Butt reports:
According to marine traffic data analysed by Kpler, five liquid tankers have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the blockade was in place. For all categories—liquids, LNG, LPG, and dry bulk—a total of eight vessels crossed between 13 and 14 April.
“The objective is to constrain Iran’s ability to export crude and condensate, which could eventually lead to production shut-ins.” senior crude analyst,” Johannes Rauball, told The Independent.
But Tehran appears to have moved its oil offshore in anticipation of the restrictions and the volumes of its oil in transit also remains elevated, according to Kpler.
This week, floating storage of Iranian crude - a method of producing and storing oil and gas on open waters away from land or ports - rose to 42 Mbbls (or 42 million barrels) up from 38 million on Sunday 12 April.
Floating storage is defined as crude-carrying tankers that have remained idle and reduced their speed for at least seven days, essentially "waiting for instructions" on water.
Because Iranian oil supply is exceeding demand, some tankers have been unable to discharge their load and find buyers.
“While any reduction in Iranian exports would primarily impact China, which absorbs the vast majority of these flows, overall availability of Iranian crude is expected to remain ample,” explains Rauball.
Recap: US 'lack of goodwill and maximalist positions' blocked peace agreement, says Iran
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsWashington’s “lack of goodwill” and “maximalist positions” prevented the finalisation of an agreement to end the war in Islamabad, Iran’s president told his French counterpart, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.
Masoud Pezeshkian told Emmanuel Macron in a call on Monday that diplomacy remained the preferred path to resolving disputes, according to the report. He said Europe could play a constructive role in encouraging the US to adhere to international law.
He added that “Iran is fully prepared to deal with any scenario within the framework of its national interests”, according to the report.
Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:14 , James ReynoldsItaly has suspended its defence agreement with Israel over the conflict in the Middle East.
“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” prime minister Giorgia Meloni announced on the sidelines of Vinitaly, an international wine and spirits exhibition, on Tuesday.
The country’s defence minister wrote to his Israeli counterpart to suspend a memorandum on cooperation around military equipment and research, according to the ANSA news agency. The agreement was due for automatic renewal this year.
Ms Meloni offered a rare - and cautious - rebuke of ally Donald Trump’s recent comments about Pope Leo XIV, saying she found the criticism “unacceptable”.
Trump called the pontiff “weak” and “terrible” after he criticised the president’s comments threatening to destroy “a whole civilisation” unless Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz.
Ms Meloni, balancing both sides, said: “I have expressed and continue to express my solidarity with Pope Leo. Moreover, I frankly would not feel comfortable in a society where religious leaders do what political leaders say. Not in this part of the world.”
Watch: Vance says US outlined ‘clear terms’ in Iran negotiations
Tuesday 14 April 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsThe Latest: Pakistan proposes new US-Iran talks as Vance and Trump hint at progress
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:30 , James ReynoldsPakistani officials said on Tuesday that Islamabad has proposed a second round of talks to the US and Iran.
The Pakistani officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter with the press.
Four unnamed sources told Reuters that US and Iranian negotiators will return to Islamabad for talks later this week.
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian told France’s Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday that diplomacy remained the preferred path to resolving disputes.
It came as US vice president JD Vance earlier said negotiations with Iran "did make some progress" and Donald Trump "we've been called by the other side" and "they want to work a deal."
A senior Hezbollah official on Monday said the Lebanese militant group will not abide by any agreements that may result from direct Lebanon-Israel talks set to start Tuesday in Washington.
Reeves shares 'anger' over US decision to go into Iran without a clear exit plan, impacting UK families
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:16 , James ReynoldsChancellor Rachel Reeves said on Tuesday she was “very frustrated and angry” over the United States' failure to have a clear exit plan or objectives for the war in Iran, according to the Mirror.
“This is a war that we did not start. It was a war that we did not want. I feel very frustrated and angry that the US went into this war without a clear exit plan, without a clear idea of what they were trying to achieve,” Reeves told the newspaper.
“And as a result the Strait of Hormuz is now blocked,” she added.
Ms Reeves said she was frustrated by “the impact it’s having on families and businesses in our country”. She said borrowing and debt were falling and the economy was set to grow before the conflict erupted.
“Obviously no sensible person is a supporter of the Iranian regime, but to start a conflict without being clear what the objectives are and not being clear about how you are going to get out of it, I do think that is a folly and it is one that is affecting families here in the UK but also families in the US and around the world.”
Israel and Lebanon are holding talks. What do we know?
Tuesday 14 April 2026 11:00 , James ReynoldsIsraeli and Lebanese envoys will meet for US-mediated talks in Washington on Tuesday. Here’s what we know so far:
Who is fighting, and why?
Israel intensified its air attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on March 2. It has since widened a ground invasion into Lebanon's south, ordering hundreds of thousands of Lebanese to flee villages it views as Hezbollah strongholds.
Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 2,080 people, including 252 women and 166 children, the Lebanese health ministry says.
When a two-week ceasefire took effect last week, Iran and Pakistan said it included Lebanon. The US and Israel said it did not. Israel continued to attack Hezbollah, and then Hezbollah started firing back.
So what are the talks for?
A week into the current war, Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun expressed willingness to begin direct negotiations with Israel to halt the fighting, even saying he was ready to move forward with normalising relations.
Israel rebuffed that offer, deeming it too late from a government that shares its goal of disarming Hezbollah but cannot act against the group without risking a civil war.
Israel changed its position and opened up to talks after the ceasefire came into effect on 7 April.
What to expect today
Talks will be held in Washington at 11 a.m. (3pm GMT, 4pm BST) between Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, and his Lebanese counterpart, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, officials say.
Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and the State Department's counsellor, Michael Needham, will attend, a department official said. Lebanon, Israel and the US have issued conflicting statements on what the talks would cover.
Lebanon's presidency has said the talks would focus on announcing a ceasefire and setting a start date for bilateral talks. An Israeli government spokesperson said the talks would not cover a ceasefire.
Starmer and Macron to hold summit in bid to reopen Strait of Hormuz after Trump’s blockade
Tuesday 14 April 2026 10:47 , James ReynoldsSir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron will co-host a summit in Paris on Friday focused on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Follow developments on our breaking news story here:
Starmer and Macron to hold summit in bid to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Watch: What the Strait of Hormuz looked like before Iran war and after US blockade
Tuesday 14 April 2026 10:30 , James ReynoldsUK gas supply ‘will meet demand over the summer’ despite Middle East crisis
Tuesday 14 April 2026 10:07 , James ReynoldsThe UK will have sufficient gas supplies to meet household and business demands this summer, with enough surplus to allow for exports to mainland Europe, according to a new forecast from British Gas.
This projection comes will come as relief to consumers, amid a surge in global oil and gas prices which have climbed sharply around the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
National Gas emphasised that Britain's gas requirements will primarily - around 86 per cent - be fulfilled by supplies extracted from the UK Continental Shelf and imports from Norway.
Read the full story:
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UK gas supply ‘will meet demand over the summer’ despite Middle East crisis
In full: Starmer refuses to back Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade
Tuesday 14 April 2026 09:45 , James ReynoldsSir Keir Starmer has demanded Donald Trump end his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is set to cause economic pain for Britons as petrol costs soar.
The prime minister had already announced that the UK would not support the blockade, and that the UK is “not getting dragged in” to the Iran war.
But Sir Keir then announced that he was bringing 40 nations together to force the reopening of the Strait, which Iran had initially blockaded and demanded a reversal in the White House’s policy.
In full, here’s how Britain is responding to developments in the Gulf:
Negotiators could return to Pakistan for more talks this week, sources say
Tuesday 14 April 2026 08:27 , James ReynoldsNegotiating teams from the U.S. and Iran could return to Islamabad this week, four sources said on Tuesday, days after the highest-level talks between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in the Pakistani capital without a breakthrough.
Asian stocks gain and oil falls on hopes of renewed US-Iran talks
Tuesday 14 April 2026 08:13 , Maira ButtAsian stocks were trading higher tracking Wall Street gains and oil fell on Tuesday as expectations rose over a possible second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran on an end to the Iran war.
Asian stocks gain and oil falls on hopes of renewed US-Iran talks
Watch: Tehran engaged in ‘economic terrorism’, says Vance as Strait Of Hormuz blockade begins
Tuesday 14 April 2026 07:45 , Maira ButtVance accuses Iran of 'economic terrorism'
Tuesday 14 April 2026 07:25 , Maira ButtVice president JD Vance has accused Iran of perpetrating “economic terrorism” through their control of the Strait of Hormuz as a US blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas came into effect on Monday.
“They’ve basically threatened any ship that's moving through the Straits of Hormuz,” he told Fox News. “Well, as the President of the United States showed, two can play at that game.”
He said that the United States would ensure that “no Iranian ships are getting out either” if Iran engaged in “economic terrorism”.
Rubio to take part in Israel-Lebanon talks – report
Tuesday 14 April 2026 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS secretary of state Marco Rubio will reportedly participate in the talks between Israel and Lebanon later today.
An Israeli delegation, led by ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and the Lebanese delegation led by ambassador Nada Hamadeh will hold talks at the US state department.
“This conversation will scope the ongoing dialogue about how to ensure the long-term security of Israel’s northern border and to support the government of Lebanon’s determination to reclaim full sovereignty over its territory and political life,” a state department official told CNN.
"Israel is at war with Hezbollah, not Lebanon, so there is no reason the two neighbours should not be talking," the official added.
Bessent says Fed should 'wait and see' before lowering rates
Tuesday 14 April 2026 06:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Federal Reserve should "wait and see" before deciding whether to lower interest rates amid the war in Iran, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Semafor.
Bessent said the US economy was "very strong" in January and February, and that the Fed is "doing the right thing by sitting and watching" how the conflict plays out.
"I would be shocked, for instance, if (the European Central Bank) hiked (rates)," he said.
"Although I will say that many European countries, (such as) the UK, and Asian countries, are subsidising demand, which we haven’t done in the US."
Bessent said he is confident that recent price increases are not "going to get embedded into inflation expectations."
Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
Tuesday 14 April 2026 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTrump’s threats to the Strait of Hormuz will make America a pirate nation and risk conflict with China, making Beijing seem like the grown-ups, explains world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
Trump’s Hormuz blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
What is the ‘Gate of Tears’? Key shipping route that could be attacked by Houthis
Tuesday 14 April 2026 06:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump’s threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz have sparked fears Iran could counterattack by urging its Houthi allies in Yemen to halt sea traffic through another major shipping corridor in the Middle East.
The entry of the Houthis into the Iran war at the end of March sparked concerns that the group, known for its attacks on shipping, could block the vital Bab al-Mandab strait to oil tankers, causing further economic chaos.
Like the Strait of Hormuz, the strait, also known as the “Gate of Tears”, is a chokepoint in the region through which large volumes of petroleum and liquefied natural gas pass. Crucially, it’s a vital strategic link in the maritime trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
More here.
What is the ‘Gate of Tears’? Key shipping route that could be attacked by Houthis
Israeli military says soldier killed in Lebanon
Tuesday 14 April 2026 06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIsrael’s military said a reserve soldier was killed and three others wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon.
The military said that the reservist killed was a firefighting vehicle driver.
The death brought the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the current war in Lebanon to 13.
Trump threatens to 'eliminate' Iranian warships approaching blockade
Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:51 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump has warned that any Iranian "fast-attack" ships that go near the US maritime blockade on Iran will be eliminated, saying the US would not allow Tehran to "extort the world".
Trump said the US blockade on vessels entering and departing Iran had gone into effect yesterday.
Describing Iran's navy as "completely obliterated" during the six-week-long war between the US and Iran, Trump had earlier posted on Truth Social: "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," Trump wrote.
Trump rants against ‘The Failing New York Times’ over Iran coverage
Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:35 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump has lashed out at The New York Times once again after the outlet's chief White House correspondent called his mental health and stability into question.
"HAVE THEY NO SHAME? HAVE THEY NO SENSE OF DECENCY?" the president posted on Truth Social after NYT veteran political reporter Peter Baker cast doubt over his "erratic behavior and extreme comments."
Trump, who once memorably branded himself a "Very Stable Genius", didn't respond directly to Baker's article, instead taking aim at the paper's coverage of his war in Iran.
More here.
Trump lays into ‘Failing NYT’ over Iran coverage after it questions his mental health
Dozens detained in New York City
Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
South Korean leader warns Gulf conflict to keep oil price high
Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSouth Korean president Lee Jae Myung said that rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz made it hard to be optimistic about the fallout from the Iran war, warning that high oil prices and supply-chain strains were likely to persist for some time.
Lee told a cabinet meeting this morning that the government should treat prolonged disruption in global energy and raw materials markets as a given and reinforce its emergency response system.
"For the time being, difficulties in global energy and raw materials supply chains and high oil prices will continue," Lee said.
"I ask that we pursue the development of alternative supply chains, medium- to long-term industrial restructuring, and the transition to a post-plastic economy as top-priority national strategic projects."
Lee also urged ministries to move quickly to deploy a supplementary budget passed in response to the war.
At the meeting, ministers outlined steps to contain the economic shock from the conflict, including support for crude imports, controls against hoarding of petrochemical feedstocks and medical supplies, and expanded financial assistance for affected companies.
US-sanctioned Chinese tanker first to pass through Strait during blockade
Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:31 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA Chinese tanker sanctioned by the US passed through the Strait of Hormuz this morning despite a US blockade on the chokepoint, shipping data showed.
The Rich Starry would be the first to make it through the strait and to exit the Gulf since the blockade began, data from LSEG, MarineTraffic and Kpler showed.
The tanker and its owner Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co Ltd were sanctioned by the US for dealing with Iran.
Rich Starry is a medium-range tanker that is carrying about 250,000 barrels of methanol on board, according to the data. It loaded the cargo at its last port of call, the UAE's Hamriyah, the data showed.
The Chinese-owned tanker has Chinese crew on board, the data showed.
Dozens detained in New York City protest over US arms sales to Israel
Tuesday 14 April 2026 05:28 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDozens of protesters were detained by police in New York City during demonstrations calling for the blocking of arms sales to Israel and an end to US military support for its ally.
Demonstrators included the anti-war group Jewish Voice for Peace, which said around 90 people were detained. Among those detained was whistleblower Chelsea Manning, a former US Army soldier and WikiLeaks source.
The New York City Police Department said there were "multiple" arrests but did not provide a number.
Clips from the protests showed a crowd gathering near the offices of US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Democratic colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Protesters chanted slogans like "stop the bombs," "end the killings" and "free Palestine" while expressing opposition to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Israel's attacks in Lebanon and Israel's assault on Gaza.
The protesters also chanted "let Gaza live," "let Iran live" and "let Lebanon live."
How the US blockade of Strait of Hormuz could work
Tuesday 14 April 2026 04:56 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump announced that the American military has begun a blockade of Iranian ports as part of his effort to force Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal to end the war that has raged for more than six weeks.
Enforcing the blockade is likely to demand significant resources from the US navy and could prompt concerns about military force and international law, experts say.
At least 15 US warships will be part of the blockade, an unidentified official told The Wall Street Journal. The US currently has 16 warships in the Middle East.
According to a defence official, no warships were in the Persian Gulf — the body of water that forms most of Iran’s coastline.
A note sent by Centcom to mariners says the blockade will "encompass the entirety of the Iranian coastline to include but not limited to ports and oil terminals," and applies to all vessel traffic, BBC reported.
Neutral vessels would be granted a "grace period" to depart Iranian ports that will expire once the blockade begins, after which time "any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion, and capture".
The blockade will not be effective on humanitarian shipments including food, medical supplies and other essential goods, subject to inspection.
