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.

Iran has warned that it will respond if the United States continues to enforce a blockade around Iranian ports. The warning came after US President Donald Trump announced that the blockade would remain in place, despite Tehran’s declaration that the Strait of Hormuz would stay open. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on April 18, 2026.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei issued the warning through a post on social media platform X, saying Tehran would be compelled to take action if Washington persisted with the blockade. He also clarified an earlier post by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, though details of that clarification were not elaborated in the report.

The exchange underscores renewed tension between Tehran and Washington over maritime access and regional security, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on the global shipping industry to remain cautious following Iran’s recent claim that the Strait of Hormuz remains open. In an interview with BBC NewsHour, Dominguez said that while any progress is welcome, he is still verifying the circulating information about the situation.

Dominguez highlighted that around 20,000 sailors and nearly 2,000 ships remain stranded, describing this as the main concern. He emphasized that when vessel movement through the Strait resumes, it must do so safely. The IMO chief also noted that he currently has no specific security assurances regarding the area.

Until the situation becomes clearer, Dominguez urged all maritime operators to maintain heightened vigilance and prioritize safety in their operations through the region.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 2,294 since fighting began on March 2 between Hezbollah and Israel. The ministry said at least 7,544 people have been injured during this period. The figures were released on Friday, according to the ministry’s latest update.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes and military operations across several areas of Lebanon. The attacks have caused significant damage to civilian lives and property. The Lebanese health authorities expressed deep concern as the number of casualties continues to rise and confirmed that rescue and medical operations remain ongoing in affected regions.

The situation highlights the continuing escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with mounting humanitarian consequences across Lebanon.

An Israeli drone strike in Lebanon during an ongoing ceasefire killed one person, according to reports on April 17, 2026. The incident occurred as Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc sharply criticized the Lebanese government for engaging in direct talks with Israel, calling the move a dangerous concession. Despite the attack, Hezbollah expressed cautious support for the 10-day ceasefire, provided it remains comprehensive and applies across all of Lebanon.

Hezbollah stated that the ceasefire should mark the beginning of a full Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The group credited Iran’s pressure and diplomatic efforts for making the truce possible. In its statement, Hezbollah accused the Lebanese government of abandoning earlier commitments and warned that the ongoing negotiations could undermine national sovereignty.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Hezbollah’s stance may complicate Lebanon’s internal politics and the broader peace process, as tensions persist despite the declared ceasefire.

Iran has announced plans to impose fees on certain commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Iranian news agency ISNA as reported by Al Jazeera. Mahmoud Nabavian, identified as a member of Iran’s negotiating team, stated that only specific ships will be allowed to cross the strait, and only after paying the required fee.

Nabavian linked this decision to the ceasefire in Lebanon, though U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed the two issues were unrelated. Conflicting statements have emerged from both Washington and Tehran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing negotiations between the two sides.

No official written document of any potential agreement has yet been released by either party, leaving the details of the plan and its implementation timeline uncertain.

Displaced Lebanese residents have begun returning to their homes in southern Lebanon after a 10-day truce between Lebanon and Israel took effect. Tens of thousands traveled back to devastated towns such as Nabatieh, despite warnings from the Lebanese army to delay their return and Hezbollah’s caution that it remains ready to respond to any Israeli violations. The ceasefire, which followed more than a month of Israeli air strikes and ground operations, has so far largely held, though Lebanon’s army reported intermittent shelling and other breaches. A boy was killed by unexploded ordnance in Majdal Selem, and rescuers recovered 13 bodies in Tyre from attacks that occurred before the truce.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that ongoing military activity could undermine the ceasefire and urged protection for civilians on both sides. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the truce did not end Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the ceasefire a gateway to direct negotiations aimed at securing Israel’s withdrawal and prisoner recovery.

The truce could also ease tensions in broader US-Iran talks, with Pakistan and Iran viewing the agreement as a step toward regional stability.

The United Nations has reported that around 900 Rohingya refugees died at sea in 2025, marking the deadliest year on record for the region. The announcement came on Friday following a shipwreck earlier this month that left hundreds missing. UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said in a briefing in Geneva that the deaths occurred in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

According to UNHCR data, over 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea journeys last year, with one in every seven either missing or dead. Baloch noted that this represents the highest mortality rate among major sea routes used by refugees and migrants worldwide.

Most of the Rohingya begin their journeys from overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where more than one million refugees live after fleeing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The region continues to face intense fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army, worsening conditions for civilians and prompting more to attempt perilous escapes by sea.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described Iran’s decision to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the ceasefire as a “right step.” In a statement cited by BBC, Guterres said that the full restoration of international navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait must be respected by all parties.

The statement added that Guterres hopes this measure, alongside the ongoing ceasefire, will help build trust among the involved parties. He also expressed optimism that it would strengthen the dialogue currently being mediated by Pakistan.

The UN chief’s remarks come amid efforts to maintain stability in the region and ensure the free movement of international maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected an offer of assistance from NATO to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said NATO had contacted him with a proposal to support operations in the area, but he advised the alliance to stay away. He remarked that NATO could only come if it wanted to refuel its ships and criticized the alliance as a 'paper tiger.'

The rejection follows earlier tensions when several NATO member states declined to join a U.S.-led naval blockade in the same region. Trump’s latest comments highlight the continuing strain between Washington and its traditional allies over security cooperation in the Gulf. He also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their courage and cooperation during the crisis.

Trump’s stance toward NATO has sparked renewed debate in international circles about the future of transatlantic defense coordination amid ongoing instability in the Hormuz Strait.

A senior Iranian military official announced that all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must now obtain permission from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The directive was disclosed in an interview with Iran’s state television. Another Iranian government official told Reuters that commercial vessels, including those flying the U.S. flag, will be allowed passage, but warships or naval vessels from any country will not receive authorization.

Tehran indicated that the move aims to maintain security and control over the strategic waterway, which is vital for global energy trade. The decision comes amid renewed tensions surrounding the strait, drawing international attention to Iran’s assertion of authority over the route.

The statement reinforces Iran’s position that while commercial trade will continue, it will not tolerate foreign military presence in the area, underscoring its firm stance on sovereignty and regional control.

Britain and France have announced a joint international mission aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement after a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, stating that the mission will begin once conditions are favorable. The initiative is described as peaceful and defensive, focusing on protecting commercial vessels and assisting in mine clearance at sea.

Starmer called on other nations to join the mission, noting that at least a dozen countries have already pledged resources and equipment. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy trade, and recent tensions have heightened concerns over maritime security in the area.

According to Starmer, maintaining the safety of this route is a collective responsibility of the international community to protect global trade interests.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that military operations against Hezbollah would continue, only hours after a ten-day ceasefire took effect in Lebanon. In a recorded message, he stated that Israel’s mission to eliminate Hezbollah was not yet complete and that the military had specific plans to counter remaining rocket and drone threats. Netanyahu reiterated that destroying Hezbollah’s military capability remained Israel’s main objective.

In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning on social media, declaring that Israel would no longer be allowed to bomb Lebanon. Expressing frustration, Trump wrote, “Enough is enough.” His statement came as a direct rebuke to Netanyahu’s stance, signaling a rare public disagreement between the two allies.

Observers fear that Netanyahu’s declaration could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire, especially after the United States, Israel’s key ally, openly opposed further military action. The next steps from the Israeli leadership remain uncertain amid growing international scrutiny.

Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain fully open to all commercial vessels during the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the decision on social media, stating that the move aligns with Iran’s support for peace and solidarity with the Lebanese truce. The permission for cargo and trade ships will remain valid for the duration of the ceasefire.

Despite Iran’s announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the existing naval blockade on Iran will remain in force. He emphasized that the blockade would not be relaxed until all aspects of a pending agreement with Iran are finalized. Trump expressed optimism that the process could conclude soon, citing progress in negotiations on most key points.

The statement came amid international efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts view Trump’s firm stance as a signal that Washington intends to maintain pressure on Tehran to secure a swift and comprehensive deal. The blockade continues to target Iran’s oil exports and broader trade activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed never to close the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz again. He made the statement in a social media post, asserting that the waterway will never again be used as a weapon against the world. According to Trump, Tehran has consented to keep the strait permanently open for all commercial navigation.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported. Over the past decades, Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the route amid regional tensions. Trump’s claim, if accurate, would mark a significant shift in Iran’s stance and could ease long-standing concerns over energy security and global trade stability.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that confirmation of such an agreement could bring major stability to international energy markets. However, as of now, there has been no official confirmation from Iran regarding Trump’s statement.