A passengerless cruise liner has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war began, according to ship-tracking site MarineTraffic. The Malta-flagged vessel, named Celestial Discovery, had arrived in Dubai in early March and remained anchored there for about 47 days before resuming its voyage.

MarineTraffic reported that the ship crossed the strait on Friday and is currently heading toward Muscat, Oman, where it is expected to arrive by the end of the day. The crossing marks a notable development in maritime movement through the region, which had seen limited civilian vessel activity since the onset of the conflict.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not specify the nature of the ongoing war or the reasons behind the ship’s resumed journey, leaving broader regional implications unclear.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that 21 ships have returned to Iran since the start of the U.S. naval blockade. The announcement came as Iran declared that it had reopened the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial vessels. According to CENTCOM’s post on social media platform X, the blockade began on April 13 at Iranian ports located in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that the waterway would be closed if the United States did not lift its blockade in the region. Shipping companies have remained cautious about transiting the strait, and only a few vessels passed through the key maritime route on Friday.

The developments highlight heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, with both U.S. and Iranian actions affecting global shipping routes and regional stability.

The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra was once again unable to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night. After hearing reports that the strait had reopened, the ship lifted anchor and began its journey, but within hours received a radio message from Iranian forces instructing it to return to the Persian Gulf. The vessel complied and returned to a safe anchorage. BSC sources confirmed the incident late Friday night.

According to BSC officials, the ship entered the Strait of Hormuz at 11:50 p.m. and was expected to complete the crossing by around 3 a.m. However, Iranian authorities ordered it back before midnight. Marine traffic data indicated that hundreds of ships that had set out toward Hormuz around the same time were also forced to return to the Persian Gulf. The Banglar Joyjatra has been operating in the region since February 2, transporting goods between ports.

The vessel had been scheduled to return to Bangladesh since March 11 but was repeatedly denied passage. It is currently carrying about 37,000 tons of fertilizer from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khair port, destined for Cape Town, South Africa.

Iran has partially reopened its airspace, allowing international flights to pass over the country’s eastern region. The Civil Aviation Authority announced on Saturday that the airspace had been reopened for transit and that several airports resumed operations at 7 a.m. local time.

Despite the reopening, flight tracking websites indicated that more than three hours later, no international flights had yet crossed Iranian airspace. Several flights were observed taking longer routes to avoid the area, suggesting continued caution among airlines.

The report, citing The Guardian, did not specify the reasons behind the earlier closure or the partial reopening, leaving the broader context of Iran’s airspace restrictions unclear.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that airstrikes on Iran could resume if a long-term peace agreement is not reached by next Wednesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said he might not extend the current ceasefire with Iran and that existing blockades on Iranian ports would remain in place. He added that without a deal, the United States would be forced to restart bombing operations.

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday. Both countries are engaged in indirect talks aimed at extending the truce, but the first round of discussions in Islamabad ended without an agreement. The White House has stated that the Trump administration remains hopeful about the possibility of reaching a deal.

The warning underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations and the uncertainty surrounding ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed hostilities.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released new figures detailing their recent military operations in Iran and Lebanon. According to the IDF, approximately 10,800 strikes were carried out in Iran. The U.S.-based human rights organization HRANA reported that as of April 7, these attacks had resulted in 1,701 civilian deaths in Iran. On the same day, Donald Trump announced a conditional two-week ceasefire with Iran.

In Lebanon, the IDF stated that its forces conducted around 15,000 artillery strikes and 2,500 air raids, hitting about 165 multi-story buildings. Lebanon’s health authorities reported that the six-week conflict has killed 2,100 people and displaced more than one million, roughly one in five of the country’s population.

The figures highlight the scale of Israel’s military actions across two fronts, as both Iran and Lebanon face severe humanitarian impacts amid ongoing hostilities.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that the country could close the Strait of Hormuz if the United States maintains its blockade. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf stated that vessels would require Iran’s permission to pass through the waterway. He led Iran’s delegation in recent talks with the United States held in Islamabad.

Ghalibaf added that decisions on whether the strait remains open or closed, and the rules governing its control, would be determined on the ground rather than through social media. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that commercial shipping through the strait would remain fully open for the remainder of the ceasefire period. Former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed that move but emphasized that the U.S. naval blockade on Iran would continue until the conflict is completely resolved.

The exchange underscores renewed tensions over the strategic waterway, which remains a critical route for global trade and regional stability.

Iran announced that it will no longer impose traditional transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz but may introduce new charges related to security expenses. The statement came from Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran’s National Security Committee, who said the parliament is drafting a bill to define these security-related fees.

Rezaei explained that coordination with Iranian authorities will be mandatory for all vessels using the strait. He emphasized that military ships belonging to hostile nations, particularly the United States and Israel, will not be allowed to pass, while vessels from friendly countries may do so with prior coordination. He also stated that Iran will not accept any U.S. role in managing or securing the waterway.

Earlier, Iranian media outlet ISNA reported that official Mahmoud Nabavian mentioned some commercial ships would be permitted to cross the strait upon payment of a fee, citing Al Jazeera as the source.

U.S. President Donald Trump is increasingly encountering resistance from global leaders as his confrontational rhetoric and unilateral policies draw criticism. In recent weeks, several influential figures have openly dismissed or challenged him, exposing the limits of his international influence. Iran’s leadership has withdrawn from peace talks and vowed to continue confrontation with the United States, while Hungarian voters removed Trump’s close ally Viktor Orbán from power. Pope Leo also publicly rebuked Trump, saying he does not fear the president’s threats.

Former Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass observed that Trump’s reliance on intimidation is ineffective and that his advisers avoid sharing uncomfortable truths. Following a 21-hour meeting in Islamabad, Vice President JD Vance’s remarks underscored Washington’s rigid stance toward Iran, which many saw as a missed chance to ease tensions. A Western diplomat noted that Trump’s “we will always win” approach ignores the need for compromise.

Trump’s insistence on acquiring Greenland from Denmark has further alienated European partners, marking a clear red line. Despite limited military access through NATO, Europe’s refusal to transfer ownership highlights the waning reach of Trump’s power abroad.

Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping on Friday, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He stated on social media that all commercial vessels could now use the strait, provided they follow the safe lanes designated by Iran’s port and maritime authorities. The announcement coincided with a ceasefire in Lebanon, which Iran cited as part of its coordinated approach.

Despite the declaration, international maritime trade groups remain cautious and are assessing the safety of the route. Ship tracking data indicates that vessel movement through the strait is still very limited. Iranian state television later quoted a senior military official reiterating that only commercial ships may pass through the designated routes, while military vessels are prohibited.

The designated lanes are believed to correspond to two routes previously set by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last week, reflecting continued control measures even after the reopening.

Iran’s Defense Ministry has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen only under specific ceasefire conditions. According to the semi-official Fars News Agency, ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik said that the passage will remain conditional and that military or enemy-linked vessels will not be allowed to transit through the strait.

The spokesperson described the current situation in the waterway as temporary, noting that if conditions in Lebanon change, Iran may again close the strait. The statement, reported by Fars and cited by Al Jazeera, highlights Iran’s linkage of regional developments to its control over the strategic maritime route.

The announcement underscores Tehran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic lever amid ongoing regional tensions, though no timeline or further details on enforcement were provided in the report.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that his country is ready to assist international efforts aimed at restoring stability and security in the Strait of Hormuz. His statement came after participating in a virtual summit jointly hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a post on social media platform X, Albanese emphasized Australia's commitment to contributing to the initiative.

He warned that the longer the conflict continues, the more severe its impact will be on the global economy and humanitarian conditions. Referring to domestic concerns, Albanese noted that Australians are already feeling the effects on fuel supply and prices, and the government is working to protect families from these negative consequences.

Australia relies heavily on refined fuel from Southeast Asia, which depends on crude oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Continued instability in the region could therefore place additional pressure on the country’s energy supply.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Israel’s attack on a key bridge in southern Lebanon, calling for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel. According to the organization, Israeli forces destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge on April 16, just hours before a ceasefire was declared. The bridge had served as a vital route for delivering food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid to residents of southern Lebanon.

In a statement, HRW said the deliberate strike eliminated the last functioning access route for civilians and aid, raising concerns of disproportionate harm to non-combatants. The group urged that the incident be investigated as a potential war crime. HRW also called on governments to send a clear message to Israel that they would not risk complicity in war crimes by continuing arms transfers.

The organization’s appeal follows growing scrutiny of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, emphasizing the need for accountability in the use of force against civilian infrastructure.

The United States has imposed sanctions on several commanders of Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, according to a statement from the US Treasury Department cited by Al Jazeera. Among those targeted are individuals linked to Kataib Hezbollah. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the US would not allow Iran-backed militias in Iraq to threaten American lives or interests and that those enabling such violence would be held accountable.

The sanctions follow recent clashes involving Iran-supported Iraqi factions, which reportedly carried out rocket and drone attacks targeting US interests in the region last month. The move underscores Washington’s continued efforts to curb the influence of Iran-aligned militias operating in Iraq.

Analysts suggest the new sanctions could further heighten tensions in the Middle East, where multiple conflicts and rivalries are already straining regional stability.

Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran agreed to transfer its enriched uranium to the United States. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Tasnim news agency that enriched uranium is as sacred to Iran as its own soil and will never be handed over under any circumstances.

Trump had earlier asserted that Iran consented to hand over its uranium stockpile as part of an agreement, but Tehran has consistently denied the existence of any such deal. The uranium issue remains one of the main points of contention in U.S.-Iran discussions, with both sides maintaining conflicting statements that have left the situation unresolved.

The ongoing disagreement underscores the persistent mistrust between Washington and Tehran, keeping diplomatic progress uncertain as both nations continue to defend their positions on nuclear material control.