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.

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.

Iran has warned that it will take strict action if any military vessels enter the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that while the strait remains open to civilian maritime traffic under international law, any military ship approaching the area will be considered a violation of the ceasefire and will face severe measures.

According to the IRGC statement cited by Al Jazeera, Iran emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is legally open for civilian navigation but not for military presence. The warning underscores Tehran’s sensitivity to foreign military activity near its territorial waters and its intent to enforce restrictions on such movements.

The statement reflects Iran’s continued assertion of control over the strategic waterway and signals potential escalation risks if foreign military forces attempt to operate in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin that reaching an agreement with the United States is not impossible. According to Iran’s state broadcaster, Pezeshkian made the remark during a phone conversation with Putin that took place after nearly 21 hours of discussions between U.S. and Iranian representatives in Islamabad concluded earlier in the day.

Earlier, a report by Roya News said that Russian President Putin had expressed readiness to act as a mediator in resolving ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to assist in political and diplomatic solutions to regional tensions and to promote dialogue among involved parties. Moscow was presented as a potential mediator aiming to help achieve a “just and lasting peace” in the region.

The initiative comes amid multiple diplomatic efforts by the international community to contain the impact of regional conflicts, highlighting Russia’s attempt to play a more active mediating role in Middle Eastern crises.

After nearly 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without any progress. Both delegations left the venue after failing to reach consensus on several critical issues, according to the Arabic-language outlet Al Jarida.

The report identified six main reasons for the breakdown: disagreement over a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, disputes about the release of Iran’s frozen assets, and U.S. demands to halt uranium enrichment and remove enriched uranium under international supervision. Additional points of contention included restrictions on Iran’s missile and drone programs, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington’s refusal to pay compensation for damages from a February 28 U.S.-Israeli military strike.

These fundamental differences prevented any advancement in the peace process, leaving future dialogue between the two nations uncertain.

Tehran University professor Fouad Izadi has urged the United States to accept the realities surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he argued that Washington’s emphasis on the nuclear issue is a strategic cover for larger goals. Izadi stated that no nuclear expert would claim weapons could be made from uranium enriched to 3.65 percent, and reminded that Iran had allowed extensive inspections under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He noted that the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under President Donald Trump’s decision. According to Izadi, the best way to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons is to return to a similar agreement. He added that the US administration’s reluctance to pursue another JCPOA-style deal shows that the nuclear issue serves as a pretext for other aims.

Izadi further alleged that Washington’s real objectives include controlling Iran’s oil resources, altering its borders, and seeking regime change.

Iran has identified 3,375 people killed in the recent conflict following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to the country’s Forensic Medicine Organization. The announcement came 40 days after the attacks, as Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire. The organization’s head, Abbas Masjedi Arani, stated that among the identified victims, 2,875 were men and 496 were women.

The report, released through official Iranian sources, noted that the full extent of the war’s damage remains uncertain. Disruptions to communication networks and restricted access to several areas have made it difficult to collect complete data. As a result, officials believe the actual number of casualties could be higher than currently reported.

The situation underscores the heavy toll of the conflict on Iran, which has lost several senior leaders and suffered significant destruction during the attacks.

The latest round of talks between the United States and Iran, held in Pakistan, ended without any progress, sparking renewed fears of war. Concern has spread beyond Iran to its southern neighbors, especially after US Vice President JD Vance’s remarks suggested a possible return to conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is seen as a potential flashpoint, as the US has begun mine-clearing operations there without coordination with Iran, which currently controls shipping in the area.

Despite the stalemate, Iranian delegation head Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said future talks remain possible, even though the US failed to gain Iran’s trust this time. Pakistan, the host of the discussions, urged both sides to maintain the remaining ten days of the ceasefire to allow another round of dialogue.

However, optimism faded after Vance stated that Iran had rejected US conditions and that Washington had made its “final and best offer.” The diplomatic path remains open but fragile, with the risk of renewed tension at any moment.

Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Haji Babai has declared that the Strait of Hormuz is entirely under Iranian control and that all vessels using the route must pay tolls in Iranian rials. The statement follows recent discussions between Iran and the United States, which have reignited tensions over the strategic waterway. According to reports, nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas pass through this strait, making it a critical global energy corridor.

The issue of securing safe passage through the Strait was a key condition in the conditional ceasefire between Iran and the United States, but it became a major point of contention during negotiations. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, after talks in Pakistan, avoided commenting on the matter, while President Donald Trump claimed on social media that the strait would soon reopen. The U.S. Central Command reported that two Navy destroyers had crossed the strait to clear mines, a claim Iran denied.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any attempt by military ships to pass through the strait would be met with strong resistance, further heightening international concern over global energy supply stability.

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that negotiations between the United States and Iran cannot succeed if one side tries to impose its own conditions. In a post on social media platform X, Zarif referred to US Vice President JD Vance’s remark that Iran had decided not to accept US terms, saying this was precisely why no agreement could be reached.

Zarif warned Washington that it must learn it cannot dictate terms to Iran, adding that it is not too late for the US to understand this. His comments came after representatives from both countries met in Islamabad, Pakistan, in an attempt to end a 44-day-long war but failed to reach any deal. Vance blamed Iran for the failure, while Tehran viewed the US stance as an attempt at unilateral dominance.

The exchange highlights continuing diplomatic tension between Tehran and Washington, with little sign of progress toward resolving the ongoing conflict.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued his first formal response following recent discussions held in Islamabad, according to Al Jazeera. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Ghalibaf stated that Iran had demonstrated goodwill and interest before the talks began, but due to experiences from two previous wars, the Iranian side had no trust in its counterpart.

Ghalibaf asserted that throughout the negotiation process, the United States failed to earn the confidence of the Iranian delegation. He emphasized that by the end of this round of talks, the opposing side could not secure Iran’s trust. The speaker also expressed gratitude to Pakistan for organizing and supporting the discussions, describing the country as friendly and brotherly.

The remarks highlight continuing uncertainty in Iran–US diplomatic engagement, as mutual trust remains elusive despite Pakistan’s facilitation efforts.

Iran has launched an extensive repair initiative to restore oil refineries and distribution centers damaged in recent Israeli attacks. Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Sadegh Azimifar told SNN News Agency that the government targets recovering 70 to 80 percent of its energy production and distribution capacity within the next two months. The affected infrastructure includes refineries, transmission lines, oil depots, and aircraft refueling centers across the country.

To overcome the widespread damage, Iran has deployed special teams to clear debris and replace destroyed equipment. Priority is being given to the Lavan Island refinery in the Persian Gulf, where partial operations are expected to resume within ten days if the plan proceeds as scheduled.

Analysts cited in the report said the attacks on the oil sector pose a major challenge to Iran’s economy, but the government’s restoration plan reflects its determination to safeguard national energy security.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sharply criticized the United States for repeatedly violating its commitments, asserting that Tehran will not hesitate to defend its legitimate rights and territorial integrity. Speaking by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, Pezeshkian discussed ceasefire efforts, talks in Islamabad, and the escalating situation in Lebanon. He emphasized that Iran does not seek conflict and prefers resolving issues through dialogue based on international law.

Pezeshkian recalled that Washington had imposed two wars and committed numerous crimes against the Iranian nation. He described Iran’s missile capability as a defensive necessity and criticized the inaction of international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union, regarding illegal attacks on Iran and the region.

During the same conversation, French President Macron reiterated France’s readiness to help restore peace and stability in the region, according to the report sourced from Tasnim News Agency.

Iran’s security forces have arrested at least 50 individuals accused of leaking sensitive information about key national facilities to what authorities described as “enemy states.” The arrests were confirmed on April 12, 2026, by Iran’s state news agency SNN. The detainees are alleged to have worked as mercenaries engaged in espionage activities on behalf of the United States and Israel.

According to the report, the suspects had been providing foreign intelligence agencies with details about the locations of critical infrastructure and service sectors. During the operation, security forces reportedly seized a large quantity of electronic devices, satellite equipment, and weapons. The arrests come amid intensified counter-espionage operations following a deadly 12-day conflict last year between Iran and the United States and Israel.

Under Iran’s recently amended anti-espionage law, those convicted of such crimes face severe penalties, including the death sentence and confiscation of property. The mass arrests are seen as adding new tension to already strained intelligence relations between Iran, Israel, and Western nations.

Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad have ended without agreement, with both sides blaming each other for the failure. The discussions, held shortly after a fragile ceasefire, were marked by mutual claims of victory in the recent conflict. The negotiations began under tense circumstances following a warning from the US president that included threats to destroy Iranian civilization.

According to the report, no new announcement has been made about resuming attacks on Iran, but the likelihood of renewed hostilities has increased. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had partially but effectively closed, was not addressed in the talks. The presence of two US warships deployed in the Persian Gulf suggests Washington may be considering alternative actions.

The United States cited Iran’s failure to provide credible assurances that it would never develop nuclear weapons as the main obstacle to progress. Iran maintains it does not seek to produce such weapons, but after two wars in a year, domestic support for nuclear capability appears to be growing. The breakdown of these direct talks is being viewed as a significant diplomatic setback.