The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the focal point of negotiations to end the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Following attacks on Iran, Tehran closed the vital waterway, allowing only limited passage under its supervision. This move disrupted global energy supplies and threatened the world economy, particularly affecting Gulf nations. Despite repeated warnings, U.S. President Donald Trump failed to compel Iran to reopen the strait, while Tehran insists on maintaining control and collecting tolls even after the war.

Washington responded by imposing counter-sanctions on Iranian vessels, stating these would be lifted only if Iran signed a ceasefire deal. Tehran rejected talks under such conditions but sent a new peace proposal via Pakistan, excluding nuclear issues. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the offer. Meanwhile, a liquefied natural gas tanker crossed the strait for the first time in two months, signaling limited maritime activity. The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ added further instability to the energy market.

Russia defended Iran’s right to control navigation in the strait, accusing Western nations of hypocrisy and piracy, while Iran’s defense ministry declared that the U.S. can no longer impose its policies on independent states.

Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia stated that although a ceasefire has been reached with the United States, the war is not completely over. He emphasized that Iran has no trust or confidence in the United States or its enemies. Akraminia added that the Iranian military remains as prepared as it was during the conflict.

He further explained that Iran is seriously preparing a list of targets, continuing training based on wartime experience, and maintaining weapons production. His remarks highlight Iran’s ongoing military readiness despite the declared ceasefire.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had requested the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a statement he made on his social media platform. The contrasting statements from both sides indicate continued tension and mistrust following the ceasefire.

Iran has lodged a formal complaint against the United States at the United Nations, accusing Washington of piracy. According to reports, Iran’s envoy to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, sent a letter to both the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council. In the letter, Iravani strongly protested the U.S. seizure of an Iranian vessel, describing the action as an act of piracy.

Iravani stated that such use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances. He further argued that the U.S. actions amounted to unlawful coercion, interference in legitimate international trade, and illegal confiscation of property. The Iranian envoy warned that this behavior sets a dangerous precedent that seriously undermines the rule of international law.

The letter reflects Iran’s continued opposition to U.S. maritime actions and highlights growing tensions between the two nations over enforcement measures at sea.

The United States has imposed sanctions on 35 Iranian individuals and entities accused of involvement in Iran’s shadow banking system. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the sanctioned parties were responsible for transferring billions of dollars in illicit funds that allegedly supported Iran’s terrorist activities. The announcement came amid a deadlock in ongoing talks aimed at ending the conflict.

Besant warned that the move serves as a warning to global financial institutions. He stated that any institution found to be assisting or transacting with this network would face severe consequences. The sanctions target what Washington describes as a financial network enabling Iran to bypass restrictions and fund destabilizing operations.

The action underscores Washington’s continued pressure on Tehran’s financial system and signals potential escalation in economic measures if the alleged network continues operating.

Iran has reopened six airports as part of efforts to restore air connectivity amid a fragile ceasefire, according to the state news agency IRNA. The airports now operational are Tehran’s Mehrabad, Mashhad, Shiraz, Zahedan, Gorgan, and Urmia. The announcement was made on April 28, 2026.

Citing the Iranian Airports and Air Navigation Company, the report said that the next phase will include the resumption of flights from Kerman (Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani), Yazd, and Birjand airports. IRNA added that with improved safety conditions in the country’s airspace, both domestic and international flights will gradually increase.

The reopening is also expected to restore air traffic through Iran’s eastern air corridor, signaling a cautious normalization of aviation activity following recent disruptions.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has requested the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He made the claim on Tuesday through a post on his social media platform, saying Iran informed him that it is in a state of near collapse and wants the strait reopened as soon as possible. Trump added that Iran is trying to stabilize its leadership situation and expressed belief that the country could overcome its leadership crisis.

According to the report, the Strait of Hormuz remains in a state of paralysis due to the ongoing war involving Iran. While Iran seeks to assert control over the strategic waterway, the United States has imposed a strict naval blockade in the area. As of the report’s publication, Tehran has not issued any official response to Trump’s statement.

The situation underscores the continuing tension between Iran and the United States over control of the vital maritime route, with no immediate sign of diplomatic resolution mentioned in the source.

Iranian snooker player Hossein Vafaei advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Snooker Championship after a dramatic 13–12 victory over top seed Judd Trump at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on Monday. The win marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and secured Vafaei’s first-ever appearance in the last eight of the championship.

Vafaei, ranked 32nd in the world, described the triumph as one of the best of his career. He dedicated the victory to the people of Iran, saying he wanted to bring them some happiness amid months of war and hardship. The player, known as the “Prince of Persia,” admitted he had been mentally distressed by the ongoing conflict and had even considered withdrawing from the tournament.

Having come through the qualifying rounds, Vafaei pledged to continue giving his best to bring more joy to his war-affected compatriots as the championship progresses.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed multiple times that a regime change has already occurred in Iran, asserting that the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials brought about this shift. However, reports indicate that Iran’s core institutions of the Islamic Republic remain functional. Following Khamenei’s death, a religious council swiftly appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor.

Iran’s military, security, political, and judicial authorities have reaffirmed their loyalty to the Supreme Leader’s office and the theocratic system. Although the new leader has not yet appeared publicly, several written statements have been released on his behalf. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), established after the 1979 revolution to protect the regime, continues to lead military operations and maintain significant economic influence through control of natural resources.

The IRGC also retains armed control of the streets through the Basij and other paramilitary forces, underscoring the continued strength of Iran’s theocratic governance structure despite leadership changes.

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Iran has the full right to control ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at the UN, he accused Western countries of hypocrisy and piracy, arguing that attempts are being made to unfairly blame Iran for regional attacks. Nebenzya said that any coastal nation under threat during wartime can restrict or regulate navigation within its territorial waters for security reasons.

He further compared Western nations to pirates, claiming that by supporting Ukrainian attacks on Russian commercial ships in the Black Sea, European countries are violating international law. According to Nebenzya, unlike pirates who attack under a black flag, Western states hide their illegal actions behind unilateral coercive measures, such as sanctions.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Russia’s alignment with Iran amid rising maritime tensions and its criticism of Western policies in both the Middle East and the Black Sea.

US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the two-month-long conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. According to a US official, Trump’s disapproval has dimmed hopes for resolving the crisis, which has already disrupted global energy supplies, fueled inflation, and caused thousands of deaths. Iran’s proposal calls for a complete halt to the war and resolution of maritime disputes in the Persian Gulf before any discussion on its nuclear program.

A US official said Trump wants the nuclear issue included at the start of talks. White House spokesperson Olivia Wells stated that the United States remains firm on its “red line” regarding ending the war launched with Israel in February. Planned peace talks mediated by Pakistan stalled after the cancellation of visits by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sought support from allies in Islamabad, Oman, and Moscow, securing backing from Russian President Vladimir Putin. With no sign of compromise, global oil prices rose another 3 percent on Tuesday as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply.

Iran has imposed a ban on the export of steel and related products following damage to its industrial sector caused by recent US-Israeli airstrikes. According to local media citing the country's customs authority, the directive prohibits the export of various steel products, including slabs, sheets, and strips. The new restriction took effect on April 26, 2026.

Earlier, Israel claimed that its airstrikes had destroyed about 70 percent of Iran’s steel production capacity, along with causing major damage to petrochemical facilities and transport infrastructure. The strikes occurred just days before a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8.

Analysts cited in the report warned that the loss of capacity in this strategically vital sector could have long-term negative effects on Iran’s economy, which relies heavily on industrial exports for revenue.

Iran’s state television IRIB reported that 155 people were killed in a devastating attack on a primary school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the new Middle East war. The victims included 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician from a nearby clinic. The updated figure revises an earlier death toll of 175.

According to the report, the attack occurred as the United States and Israel launched strikes on various locations in Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and targets in the Gulf region. The New York Times cited a preliminary U.S. military investigation suggesting that a Tomahawk cruise missile may have mistakenly hit the school.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the incident in a video address to the UN Human Rights Council as a “planned, sequential attack,” rejecting the notion of an accidental strike and accusing technologically advanced nations of deliberate targeting.

A luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions and blockade conditions. The 142-meter vessel, named Nord, traveled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, over the weekend, navigating one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil and LNG transport.

The passage occurred amid increased restrictions by Iran on regional navigation and growing U.S. military presence. U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a blockade on Iranian ports, further complicating the situation. Despite these challenges, the Russian-flagged yacht safely reached Oman’s Al Mouj Marina, one of the few private vessels to do so recently.

Mordashov, chairman of steel company Severstal, remains under Western sanctions, though his assets, including the Nord, have not been fully seized. It remains unclear whether he was aboard during the voyage.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran still possesses several important economic 'cards' that remain unused, countering Washington’s claims of dominance. In a post on his social media account on Sunday, he argued that the United States has already lost a significant portion of its power while Iran retains strategic leverage through its supply-based capabilities.

Ghalibaf described a balance between Iran’s supply-side strengths—such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and oil pipelines—and the U.S. demand-side measures, including releasing oil from strategic reserves, demand control, and potential price adjustments. He noted that while the Hormuz card has been partially used, the Bab el-Mandeb and pipeline options remain untouched.

He further pointed out that the U.S. has already employed or partially used several of its tools and faces economic constraints, particularly with rising fuel demand expected during the summer vacation period.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Saint Petersburg to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions focused on regional and international coordination and advancing joint initiatives. The visit was confirmed by Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, who said the meeting would emphasize strengthening mutual cooperation.

Russia and Iran have maintained a long-standing partnership, with Moscow serving as a key diplomatic ally for Tehran during its conflict with the United States. The two countries signed a 20-year agreement in January 2025 to deepen economic, military, and political ties. Russia has also described U.S. attacks on Iran as provocative aggression. In addition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and expressed interest in contributing to the process.

According to a CNN report cited in March, Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on U.S. military movements, marking an early sign of Moscow’s involvement in the conflict. Araghchi’s trip to Russia follows meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key mediators.