An Iranian academic has warned that tensions could escalate rapidly following a reported US attack on an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman. Hassan Ahmadian, an associate professor at the University of Tehran, told Al Jazeera that the situation had changed overnight after the incident. He said Iranian officials had previously made clear they would not accept any blockade on Iranian cargo ships and would continue operating under their existing policies.

Ahmadian described the US blockade as equivalent to an act of war under international law and warned that further seizures or attacks on Iranian vessels would provoke reciprocal action from Iran. He added that while Iran had sought to avoid being drawn into conflict, the current US administration appeared intent on forcing Tehran into submission.

The comments come amid rising regional tensions, with related reports of drone attacks on US warships and continued unrest in the West Bank, suggesting a broader climate of instability.

Iran has acknowledged that a United States military force attacked and seized an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, according to a statement cited by semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The statement from Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters confirmed that US forces fired on the ship, disabling it before boarding and taking control. Tehran described the incident as an act of maritime piracy and a violation of international law.

The Iranian statement warned that the country’s armed forces would soon respond to what it called armed piracy by the United States. The announcement marks the first time Iran has directly confirmed the seizure, following earlier conflicting accounts from both sides. The report was carried by Al Jazeera and local media.

The confirmation and warning signal a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States over maritime security in the region, though no timeline or details of Iran’s planned response were provided.

Former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth has said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iran’s power plants and bridges would amount to a war crime if carried out. In an interview with the BBC, Roth stated that Trump was effectively threatening large-scale war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian objects such as power stations and bridges.

Roth explained that even if such facilities have dual-use purposes, meaning they can serve both civilian and military functions, the law still forbids attacks that would cause disproportionate harm to civilians. He added that ignoring these principles would violate international norms that the U.S. government and the global community are expected to uphold.

In response, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz rejected Roth’s characterization, calling it false, baseless, and absurd. Waltz argued that such infrastructure could be considered legitimate military targets. Trump’s warning of possible strikes on Iran’s key infrastructure has sparked international debate.

Iran’s state-affiliated media reported that the country’s forces thwarted an alleged US attempt to seize an Iranian commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman. According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, US forces stationed near the area fired at the ship to force it back into Iranian waters. The report stated that the vessel was supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, whose rapid response compelled the American forces to withdraw from the area.

The report added that Iran’s account of the incident differs from earlier statements made by US President Donald Trump. However, the name of the vessel involved was not disclosed in the report. The incident was covered by Al Jazeera, citing Iranian sources.

No further details were provided about the timing of the event or any potential damage or casualties resulting from the exchange.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has voiced concern over the growing military cooperation among Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. Speaking on Sunday at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkey, Fidan said that Muslim countries in the region are worried about the emerging alliance. His remarks were reported by Middle East Eye.

Fidan noted that Greece, despite being a NATO member, has joined this trilateral partnership. He stated that no assurances have been given that the alliance is not directed against Turkey. He also referred to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tripartite summit in Israel last year, attended by the Greek prime minister and the Cypriot president, which he said heightened regional concerns.

Netanyahu had declared in December that those seeking to reestablish empires or dominate Israeli lands should abandon such ambitions, a statement widely interpreted as aimed at Turkey.

Former US President Donald Trump claimed that an Iranian-flagged vessel named 'Tuska' was seized by the US Navy in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the ship in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to break through a US blockade. He stated that the Iranian crew ignored warnings to stop, prompting US forces to strike the ship’s engine room and take control.

According to Trump, the 'Tuska' had been under US Treasury Department sanctions for previous illegal activities. He added that the ship is now fully under US custody and is being inspected to determine its contents. The report cited Al Jazeera as the source of the information.

The article noted that Iran has not yet issued any official response to Trump’s claims regarding the incident.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA has denied reports claiming that a new round of talks between Iran and the United States was taking place in Pakistan. According to IRNA, the reports are not true and the agency accused the United States of making excessive demands while frequently changing its stance and issuing contradictory statements. It added that U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports and threatening rhetoric have hindered progress in any discussions.

In a message on Telegram, IRNA stated that under the current circumstances there is no bright prospect for productive negotiations. The report did not cite any specific official or institution. Earlier, two Iranian media outlets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also expressed doubts about Iran’s participation in any potential meeting.

No responsible Iranian official has yet clarified the country’s formal position on the matter, leaving uncertainty over whether Iran will take part in future talks.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 72,551 as Israeli attacks continue, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa citing medical sources. The assaults, which began on October 7, 2023, have also left 172,274 people injured, with many still trapped under rubble. In the past 24 hours, hospitals recorded two additional deaths, one of which was recovered from debris.

Officials reported that since the ceasefire announced on October 11, 775 people have been killed and 2,171 injured. Rescue teams have recovered 761 bodies from destroyed buildings. The ongoing strikes have severely worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza, raising concerns about further deterioration.

The report underscores the continuing human toll and destruction in Gaza amid persistent hostilities, with no indication of relief for civilians caught in the conflict.

An advance delegation from Washington arrived in Islamabad on Sunday, April 19, ahead of the anticipated second round of peace talks between Iran and the United States. The discussions are expected to take place next week in Pakistan’s capital, though no official schedule has been released by the governments of Pakistan, Iran, or the United States.

Security in Islamabad has been significantly tightened following the arrival of the foreign representatives. Police announced that all vehicular movement in the city’s Red Zone and extended Red Zone areas will remain suspended until further notice. The heightened measures reflect the sensitivity surrounding the upcoming dialogue.

The first round of talks was held in Islamabad on April 10 and 11, following a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on April 8. The conflict began after a joint Israeli-US strike on February 28, which triggered widespread instability across the Middle East.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that more than 150 Hezbollah members were killed within 24 hours before a ceasefire agreement came into effect. In a post on Telegram, the IDF stated that the attacks were carried out across Lebanon targeting various military sites. According to the statement, around 300 military installations, including command centers and weapons depots, were struck during the operation.

The IDF also claimed that several Hezbollah commanders were among those killed in the strikes. Meanwhile, during the ceasefire period, two Israeli soldiers were reported killed in southern Lebanon over the past two days. The IDF confirmed that this brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the conflict began to 15.

The report, citing the BBC, did not provide independent verification of the Israeli claims or details about Hezbollah’s response to the attacks.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran will not withdraw its decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed if the United States continues its naval blockade. He mentioned that the ongoing talks between the two sides are stuck on only a few issues, though he did not specify what those issues are or how significant they might be.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump expressed optimism about ending the conflict, saying that the discussions between the two sides have gone well and that he believes an agreement will be reached. However, just hours before his remarks, reports emerged that a ship in the Strait of Hormuz had come under fire from Iranian gunboats.

The situation highlights the fragile state of negotiations and the persistent tension in the region, with both sides maintaining firm positions despite diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement.

The Malacca Strait, one of the world’s most vital maritime routes linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, has reemerged as a focal point of global attention amid geopolitical tensions. The renewed concern follows a US proposal seeking broader permission to operate military aircraft over Indonesian airspace after a recent defense agreement. Indonesia’s foreign ministry confirmed the proposal remains under consideration. Experts warn that such moves could reshape regional stability and influence global trade dynamics.

Researchers note that the Malacca Strait handles nearly one-third of global trade, including 29 percent of seaborne oil and large volumes of liquefied natural gas, electronics, and vehicles. The area also faces persistent threats from piracy and natural disasters. Analysts emphasize that while immediate disruptions to shipping are unlikely, long-term risks could emerge if major powers such as China perceive expanded US presence as a strategic challenge.

The so-called “Malacca Dilemma” underscores China’s heavy reliance on this route for energy imports and trade. Experts suggest that instead of reducing dependence, China is focusing on managing and expanding its influence across the South China Sea and adjacent maritime corridors.

Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission announced it is investigating the deaths of 12 civilians, including women and children, during a military operation in the restive Papua region. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Kemburu village, Central Papua, where the armed forces conducted what they described as a law enforcement operation against the TPNPB-OPM rebel group. Several others were also reported injured.

Commission chief Anis Hidayah told AFP that there is strong suspicion Indonesian soldiers were responsible. The military has not commented on the matter. Local media cited the army’s Habema Task Force as saying its troops killed four members of the separatist movement in a clash and were separately investigating the fatal shooting of a child in another village.

Komnas HAM, which operates independently within Indonesia’s state structure, stated that civilian casualties in any operation are unacceptable and constitute violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The commission urged all sides to exercise restraint and called on the military to reconsider its operations against Papuan insurgents.

Md. Babul Mia, a 34-year-old from Paniumdah village in Habiganj’s Nabiganj upazila, described his harrowing experience during the recent conflict in Iran. Having moved to Oman in 2019 and later entering Iran illegally, he worked at a steel company in Hasinabad near Tehran. When fighting erupted on February 28, he and his coworkers endured continuous missile strikes, food shortages, and communication blackouts for weeks. Babul said he survived on dry food for 20 days, trapped amid collapsing buildings and constant air raid sirens.

He recalled that the area around his workplace suffered heavy bombardment, including an attack that killed 166 schoolchildren. With assistance from the Bangladesh Embassy, Babul eventually crossed into Azerbaijan and returned home to Bangladesh on April 15, 2026. He expressed gratitude to embassy officials who coordinated their evacuation through multiple cities and arranged a special flight to Dhaka.

Babul said he remains deeply shaken by the destruction he witnessed and uncertain about how Iran will recover from the devastation he left behind.

Security sources in Pakistan have indicated that new talks between the United States and Iran may begin before Friday. Two unnamed sources told Al Jazeera that several recent developments suggest this possibility. A US C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft reportedly landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, while roads leading to the capital’s Red Zone were temporarily closed, signaling tight security measures.

The sources also said that guests were being evacuated from Islamabad’s Serena and Marriott hotels, and no new bookings were being accepted until Friday. The first round of US-Iran discussions had taken place at the Serena Hotel on April 11. Analysts believe these preparations point to renewed diplomatic activity, although no official schedule for the talks has yet been announced.

The developments suggest that Pakistan may again serve as a venue for sensitive diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, pending formal confirmation from either side.