Iran’s senior military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Tehran would not tolerate an extension of the naval blockade. Speaking to Iran’s state television early Thursday, Rezaei cautioned the United States that Iran would respond if the blockade continued. He argued that such measures had been ineffective and claimed Iran could easily navigate the Indian Ocean despite restrictions.

Rezaei’s remarks came as US President Donald Trump reportedly instructed allies to prepare for a prolonged naval blockade. The comments highlight growing friction between Tehran and Washington over maritime control and regional security. Rezaei also urged the Iranian public not to believe rumors about Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, saying he remains young, healthy, and actively leading the country.

The warning underscores Iran’s defiant stance amid escalating regional tensions and signals potential maritime confrontations if the blockade persists.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has blamed the United States and Israel for the ongoing tension and blockade situation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a message broadcast by state media on National Persian Gulf Day, he reiterated his stance on keeping what he called “hostile countries” away from this vital waterway, describing the strait as a “symbol of resistance” for the Iranian nation.

Pezeshkian asserted that any insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz would be the responsibility of the United States and Israel, which he referred to as the “Zionist regime.” The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil transport routes, and analysts believe such political statements could further heighten tensions in the Middle East.

The remarks come amid a period of regional volatility, with the strait’s stability remaining a key concern for global energy security, according to the report.

Iran celebrated its annual National Persian Gulf Day at the end of April, commemorating the 1622 expulsion of Portuguese forces from the Strait of Hormuz. This year’s observance carried special significance due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, including an unstable truce with the United States and continued blockades in the Strait of Hormuz.

The celebration began at Tehran’s Tabiat Bridge, where around 10,000 people joined a “sports gathering,” according to state media. Iran’s deputy minister for sports development told the Mehr News Agency that the current situation required strengthening social stability and resilience by harnessing the people’s high morale.

Amid political and military strain, this year’s Persian Gulf Day was viewed not only as a historical commemoration but also as a demonstration of national unity and resistance within Iran.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that there is no ceasefire with Lebanon during a visit to Israeli troops deployed in southern Lebanon. He emphasized that the army’s mission, as directed by political leadership, is to prevent direct attacks on Israeli communities and to maintain their current defensive position. Halevi noted that forces may need to remain stationed in the area to sustain this security posture.

He further instructed troops to continue fighting in the absence of a ceasefire, aiming to eliminate threats from northern settlements, destroy terrorist infrastructure, and target militants. According to the report, since March 2, Israeli forces have killed at least 2,290 people in Lebanon, and around 1.2 million have been displaced across the country due to Israeli attacks.

The statements underscore Israel’s continued military engagement in Lebanon and the absence of any truce, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll and displacement within Lebanese territory.

Israeli forces carried out a raid on the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla, which was transporting humanitarian aid. According to the organizers, the flotilla was stopped in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Israel reportedly used drones, communication-disrupting technology, and armed boarding teams to seize control of the vessels. The flotilla’s mission said Israeli military speedboats approached with laser and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering crew members to kneel.

The flotilla’s social media post claimed that Israeli naval boats surrounded them illegally in international waters and issued threats of abduction and violence. Communication was lost with 11 vessels, while Israeli media reported that seven of the 58 ships had been seized near the Greek island of Crete. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that the flotilla was stopped before reaching Israeli territory.

A spokesperson for the Global Sumud flotilla described the raid as a direct attack on unarmed civilian ships in international waters. The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access to Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed allies to prepare for a long-term naval blockade targeting Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday. The directive followed a Monday meeting with officials involved in operations in Iran, where Trump said he preferred economic pressure over renewed warfare or withdrawal. He described the blockade strategy as less risky than resuming conflict.

The move comes after the U.S.-Israel coalition launched an invasion of Iran on February 28, resulting in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite the offensive, the coalition failed to achieve its objectives, and Iran retaliated with strikes on Israeli and U.S.-linked targets in the Middle East while closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was declared on April 7, followed by unsuccessful peace talks in Islamabad on April 11–12.

Trump rejected a new Iranian ceasefire proposal conveyed through Pakistan, citing its omission of Iran’s nuclear program. He later stated at a state dinner honoring Britain’s King Charles that U.S. forces were performing well in the Middle East and vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to assist the United States in resolving its ongoing dispute with Iran over enriched uranium stockpiles. The proposal came during a one-and-a-half-hour phone conversation between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to Trump.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said Putin expressed willingness to help but was told to first end Russia’s own conflict in Ukraine. Trump added that Putin wanted to be involved in the uranium enrichment process and believed Moscow could assist Washington in this matter.

Trump described the phone call as highly productive and suggested that a resolution to the Ukraine conflict could come soon, according to his remarks cited in the report.

The United States has spent at least $25 billion in its ongoing war with Iran, according to Pentagon officials. Acting Undersecretary (Comptroller) Jules Hurst disclosed the figure during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was also present. Hurst said most of the spending went toward ammunition and weaponry, as well as military operations and replacement of damaged equipment.

The war, which began on February 28, has drawn concern among US lawmakers over its financial toll. Democratic members have accused President Donald Trump of launching the costly conflict without congressional approval. The hearing also revealed that US bases in the Middle East suffered significant damage from Iranian drone and missile attacks, further straining resources.

Hurst added that the Pentagon is still calculating the total cost of the war and may request additional funds from Congress to rebuild damaged military infrastructure. The hearing was held as part of the administration’s effort to justify its proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027.

A UN-backed report has warned that more than 1.24 million people in Lebanon are at risk of severe food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The joint statement, released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, projected that between April and August 2026, nearly one in four people in the country could face acute food shortages.

The report noted a sharp deterioration in conditions compared to before the war spread in March 2026, when about 874,000 people, or 17 percent of the population, were already experiencing severe food insecurity. It attributed the worsening crisis to continued fighting, mass displacement, and mounting economic pressures.

The statement further cautioned that if the conflict persists, Lebanon’s food crisis could deepen in the coming months, posing serious humanitarian challenges for the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a significant phone conversation on Wednesday, April 29, lasting about ninety minutes. According to the Kremlin, the two leaders discussed the ongoing ceasefire involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Putin reportedly presented several proposals aimed at easing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution.

A Kremlin official stated that Putin also proposed a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine next month to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War II. The conversation additionally touched on the broader context of the war in Ukraine.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that this dialogue could signal renewed diplomatic activity amid the current global tensions.

Israel has imposed a ban on the fundraising campaign for the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla,’ which set sail toward the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid. The flotilla, consisting of around 100 ships from Turkey, Spain, and Italy, aims to break the blockade and ensure uninterrupted assistance to Gaza residents. The order was signed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, according to a report by Middle East Eye.

The Israeli Defense Ministry stated that the flotilla violates United Nations resolutions and disrupts regional settlement efforts linked to the Trump administration. Despite a ceasefire agreement signed on October 10, 2025, which called for immediate and full aid delivery to Gaza, Israel has reportedly restricted essential and nutritious food supplies, allowing only a small portion of promised aid to enter.

The report also notes that under international humanitarian law, blockades that harm civilians or obstruct humanitarian relief are prohibited, particularly those that contribute to starvation or prevent aid from reaching affected populations.

Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a deep stalemate, following failed mediation talks in Islamabad on April 13. Since then, the closure of the Hormuz Strait has disrupted global trade, causing severe shortages of fuel and fertilizer. The United States has imposed a strict naval blockade targeting Iranian ports, seizing or turning back Iran-linked vessels in the Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions, which Tehran has denounced as piracy. In retaliation, Iran has halted all maritime traffic through the Strait and seized several foreign commercial ships.

A new opportunity for diplomacy collapsed when US President Donald Trump announced that his delegation would not meet Iranian officials in Islamabad. At that time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Oman before traveling to Russia, where he met President Vladimir Putin and praised Moscow’s steadfast support. Meanwhile, Washington said it is considering a new Iranian proposal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait, focusing on resolving the current crisis while suspending nuclear program talks.

Trump later claimed Iran was on the verge of collapse and urged Tehran to act wisely, asserting that Iran had requested the lifting of the US blockade on its ports.

Iran’s state media has claimed that 52 Iranian ships successfully reached their destinations within 72 hours despite a US-imposed naval blockade. Semi-official Fars News, citing satellite tracking data, reported that by 10 p.m. Monday local time, 31 oil tankers and 21 cargo vessels had crossed the blockade line. Additionally, 30 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz during this period, including six Iranian tankers and five cargo ships.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, had announced a strict naval blockade on Iranian ports starting April 13. Iran asserted that its vessels continued operations despite US surveillance and threats. Earlier, tanker-tracking firm Vortexa reported that at least 34 Iranian tankers had breached the blockade, delivering around 11 million barrels of oil.

According to Iranian sources, Tehran has tightened restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz in response to the blockade. The development follows months of conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel, with Pakistan mediating a temporary ceasefire extended on April 21.

Iran’s Deputy Chairman of the National Security Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, has warned that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could face closure, emphasizing that Iran’s position remains strong. In a televised interview, he said the strait’s importance is no less than that of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested that Yemeni forces are prepared to blockade it to strike another blow against the United States. His remarks came as both Iran and the U.S. claim control over the Hormuz Strait.

Boroujerdi added that his participation in recent discussions was under the directive of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Last week, commission member Ali Khazarian stated that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei opposed expanding talks with the United States. Earlier, the IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency cited a military source saying Iran possesses both the will and capability to pose credible threats regarding Bab al-Mandeb.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located between Yemen and the African coasts of Djibouti and Eritrea, is a vital maritime route connecting the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, serving as a key link in global trade between Europe and Asia.

Former royal officials have described King Charles III’s recent visit to the United States as a turning point in relations between London and Washington. According to a former close associate of the royal family, the King’s cordial approach during the trip effectively pressed a ‘reset button’ in bilateral ties. The comments were reported by the BBC.

Ailsa Anderson, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s press secretary from 2001 to 2013, said the visit gave the impression that the two nations’ relationship had started anew. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, she noted that King Charles appeared more confident in delivering major speeches and, being above party politics, was able to convey a special message to the American public. Simon Lewis, the Queen’s former communications secretary from 1998 to 2000, told BBC Radio 4 that the visit came at a time when political relations between the two countries were strained.

Lewis added that the trip was organized in coordination with the government and could positively influence future relations between the British Prime Minister and the U.S. President. Observers believe the visit has created a positive diplomatic mood likely to strengthen ties further.