Israeli forces have carried out new airstrikes in several areas of southern Lebanon, according to a report by Al Jazeera Arabic. The attacks targeted the city of Nabatieh and the area of Maifadoun. No immediate details were available regarding casualties or damage, and further information was expected as the situation developed.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that military operations in southern Lebanon would continue, including within so-called 'safe zones.' He made the remarks after a brief visit to areas near the border. Recent reports indicated that airstrikes around Beirut had decreased somewhat due to U.S. pressure and possible preparations for negotiations.

Despite the reduced activity near the capital, Israeli air operations have persisted across southern Lebanon, particularly in the Bint Jbeil region, underscoring the ongoing volatility along the border area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that military operations in southern Lebanon will continue, including within areas described as 'safe zones'. He made the statement after a brief visit to the border region, according to Middle East Eye. In a video message released upon his return to Israel, Netanyahu said he had received the latest briefing from the army on the ongoing operations but gave no indication of any change in military strategy.

The report noted that recent U.S. pressure and possible preparations for negotiations have led to a reduction in attacks around Beirut. However, Israeli airstrikes have persisted in several parts of southern Lebanon, particularly in the Bint Jbeil area. Lebanese officials said an ambulance belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross was hit, killing one paramedic and injuring another.

Israel stated that it is maintaining contact with the Lebanese government but is not engaging in any ceasefire discussions with Hezbollah.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that several countries are actively cooperating with the United States to prevent Iran from selling oil. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday, Trump said that many positive developments were taking place regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He added that a naval blockade, set to begin Monday morning, would be highly effective as other nations were now assisting in stopping Iran’s oil exports.

Trump claimed that Iran’s military was nearly “destroyed,” mocking its current condition, and asserted that the country’s entire navy was “underwater.” He also said many tankers were changing routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and that numerous ships were heading toward the United States to collect oil instead.

When asked whether Iran would return to the negotiating table, Trump responded that it did not matter to him whether they did or not. The remarks were reported by Anadolu Agency.

Maritime intelligence agency Lloyd’s List reported that ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz has once again come to a stop following the U.S. President’s announcement of a blockade plan. The report said vessels navigating the vital Middle Eastern waterway either halted or turned back immediately after the declaration. Until Sunday, limited traffic, including oil tankers, had continued despite risks in the area.

According to Lloyd’s List, ship movement had slightly increased on Saturday as some shipping companies attempted to move their vessels out of the Gulf region amid hopes of a possible ceasefire. However, the U.S. blockade announcement dramatically changed the situation, leading to a complete halt in maritime activity. At least two ships that were leaving the strait reportedly turned back.

The report warned that the disruption in one of the world’s most critical maritime routes could have significant consequences for global energy markets and trade.

A 21-hour high-level meeting between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan during a ceasefire, ended without any agreement. Despite initial optimism, both sides blamed each other for the failure. US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran rejected Washington’s final offer, while Iran’s state media accused the US of making unreasonable demands. The unresolved issues included Iran’s uranium enrichment, regional peace frameworks, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls.

Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation, said the US failed to earn Iran’s trust but hinted that diplomatic efforts would continue. Pakistan’s foreign minister expressed hope that dialogue would resume, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin that a deal with the US was still possible if Washington respected international law.

Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump announced an immediate blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure. Iran dismissed the threats, saying they would not affect the nation’s resolve.

Bangladeshi expatriates in Lebanon are enduring extreme hardship as continuous Israeli airstrikes have devastated key areas, destroying workplaces and cutting off livelihoods. Many of them, particularly in the southern regions of Sur and Nabatieh and in Beirut’s Dahieh suburb, have lost their jobs and homes. Some are now living under makeshift tents or in overcrowded shelters, struggling with food scarcity and insecurity. The situation has worsened over more than 40 days of bombardment, leaving no area fully safe.

According to the Bangladeshi Embassy in Beirut, over a thousand nationals have received humanitarian assistance. The embassy says it is maintaining constant contact with expatriates, issuing safety alerts through community networks, and coordinating relief efforts. However, migrants report that embassy support remains limited and that adapting to life in shared shelters with locals has been difficult due to cultural and dietary differences.

The ongoing conflict, intensified after late February regional tensions, continues to threaten the safety and livelihoods of Bangladeshi workers in Lebanon, with many still displaced and living in fear.

The United States military, under President Donald Trump’s directive, is set to begin a naval blockade around Iran starting Monday morning, according to the US Central Command. Iran has warned that while the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to civilian vessels, no military ships will be allowed to pass. The blockade follows a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, after which Iran effectively closed the strait, a route that carries about 20 percent of the world’s energy supply, triggering global energy instability.

In response, Gulf countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are moving to secure alternative routes. Qatar has lifted all maritime restrictions, while Saudi Arabia announced that its east-west pipeline, previously damaged by Iranian attacks, is now fully operational. This pipeline can transport up to seven million barrels of oil daily, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz entirely. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Manifa oil field is ready to supply an extra 300,000 barrels per day.

Amid the ongoing crisis, Gulf nations are relying on new strategies and alternative routes to sustain their economies, as uncertainty over the Hormuz Strait continues.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon’s southern border areas since February 28, coinciding with its joint offensive with the United States against Iran. According to reports, Israeli forces have destroyed entire villages in southern Lebanon, including Tayba, Naqoura, and Deir Saryan. The Guardian analyzed videos posted by the Israeli military showing widespread explosions across these villages, though satellite verification has not yet been confirmed.

The destruction reportedly followed an order from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who instructed forces to demolish all houses along the Lebanon border, similar to operations in Gaza’s Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Israel claims the strikes target Hezbollah tunnels and military sites, asserting that the group operates from civilian areas. The military also plans to establish a “security zone” from the border to the Litani River, barring displaced residents from returning until northern Israel’s security is ensured.

Human rights organizations have condemned the campaign as unlawful destruction of civilian property, calling it a potential war crime under international law. A Human Rights Watch researcher said the justification for razing entire villages is unfounded.

Former Pakistani information minister and defense analyst Mushahid Hussain Sayed has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz as nothing more than an exaggeration. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sayed said that control of the strategic waterway effectively lies with Iran, and Trump’s warning would not intimidate or subdue the Iranian side.

Sayed argued that such rhetoric from Washington amounts to bluster rather than a realistic policy move. He added that attempts to pressure Iran through threats have not succeeded in the past 43 days and are unlikely to do so in the near future. His remarks came amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

The interview reflects ongoing regional skepticism about the feasibility of any U.S. naval blockade in the area, with analysts emphasizing Iran’s strong position in controlling the strait.

Iranian authorities on Sunday reaffirmed their defiance toward U.S. demands following failed negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, aimed at ending the ongoing war. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the U.S. delegation had failed to gain Iran’s trust, while President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened further military action. Tehran’s leadership praised its delegation for refusing to eliminate nuclear enrichment or relinquish control over the strategic waterway, urging supporters to maintain their presence in the streets.

Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei and several hardline lawmakers lauded the negotiating team for defending Iran’s sovereignty and “red lines.” State television blamed Washington’s “excessive demands” for the breakdown of talks, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed to respond forcefully to any U.S. naval movements. The Iranian delegation of more than 85 members included senior officials from multiple factions, signaling an effort to project unity.

The talks concluded without progress, and both sides signaled readiness for further escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to continue diplomatic mediation, while Iran’s government extended online schooling amid economic strain and an ongoing internet shutdown.

Shipping expert Lars Jensen has said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s announced blockade threat will likely affect only a very small number of vessels. According to Jensen, if the United States actually implements such a measure, only limited ship movements would be halted, and the overall impact on global shipping would remain minimal.

Jensen, the chief executive of Vespucci Maritime, explained that Trump’s warning to act against ships paying tolls to Iran would not bring major changes, as those vessels were already exposed to U.S. sanctions risks. He noted that few ships currently use that route, and even fewer pay tolls, meaning the measure’s reach would be narrow.

Jensen added that most shipping companies are expected to monitor the situation initially to see whether any temporary agreements emerge. If such arrangements occur, vessel traffic could gradually increase again. However, he did not confirm whether the route would become safe for navigation, emphasizing that the outcome depends on trust and the durability of any U.S.–Iran understanding.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it will begin enforcing a naval blockade on Iran starting April 13. According to the statement, all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports will be halted from 10 a.m. that day, following a presidential directive. The measure will apply to all vessels, regardless of nationality, operating near Iran’s coastal areas in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The announcement follows remarks by former President Donald Trump, who stated that the United States would impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after talks between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Islamabad ended without results. CENTCOM’s statement, cited by Al Jazeera, confirmed that the blockade will be uniformly enforced on all ships approaching Iranian ports or coastal zones.

The move signals a sharp escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, with potential implications for regional maritime trade and security, though no immediate response from Iran was included in the report.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll from ongoing Israeli military attacks has risen to 2,055 as of April 13, 2026. The ministry stated that at least 6,588 people have been injured since the operation began on March 2. The strikes have continued across various parts of Lebanon, intensifying the humanitarian situation in the country.

Experts cited in the report warned that the continuing conflict could lead to further casualties and a deepening crisis. The rising number of deaths and injuries has raised fears of a worsening humanitarian disaster as the violence shows no sign of abating.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights growing concern over the escalating conflict and its impact on civilians, with calls for urgent measures to prevent further deterioration.

The United States military has announced a blockade of all Iranian ports, set to take effect on Monday. The decision follows an earlier declaration by President Donald Trump to impose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM), the blockade will apply to all vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports, covering the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. However, CENTCOM clarified that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz will not be restricted for ships bound for non-Iranian ports.

The announcement marks a partial softening of the US stance compared to Trump’s earlier threats to block the entire strait and target ships paying tolls to Iran. Following the blockade declaration, US crude oil prices rose by 8 percent to $104.24 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 7 percent to $102.29.

Since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks, Iran has maintained control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy transport.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has released new drone surveillance footage over the Strait of Hormuz following a threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to blockade the strategic waterway. The video, published on April 12, 2026, was accompanied by a caption asserting that all maritime movements in the area are under full control of Iranian forces.

After the video’s release, the IRGC naval command warned that any activity targeting the Strait of Hormuz would have consequences for those involved. In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump said he intended to impose a blockade but that it would take some time to implement. He also warned that if no agreement was reached, Iran’s energy infrastructure could be destroyed, claiming it could be done within a single day.

Earlier, Iran had stated that any attack on its infrastructure would prompt retaliation against similar facilities in Israel and other regional countries.