Iran’s military chief Amir Hatami declared that the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend its independence, territorial integrity, and security. Speaking on April 19, 2026, he said the army is committed to protecting Iran by land, air, and sea, and will fight to the last drop of blood if necessary. Hatami emphasized that all branches of the armed forces are ready to confront any enemy and continue strengthening their military capabilities.

He described the morale of Iranian troops as highly motivated, inspired by ideals of jihad and sacrifice, and pledged that they would not deviate from their duties. Hatami warned that the forces’ “fingers are now on the trigger,” signaling readiness to respond decisively to any threat.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, underscores Iran’s heightened military posture and its leadership’s emphasis on national defense amid regional tensions.

Iranian authorities arrested four individuals, including two foreign nationals, in the country’s northwestern region on Sunday. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the detainees are accused of being connected to a “U.S. and Israel-linked intelligence network.” They also face charges of importing satellite internet equipment similar to Starlink, which is considered a punishable offense in Iran.

The nationalities of the foreign suspects have not been disclosed. The arrests come amid heightened tensions following a joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel on February 28, after which internet services across the country were reportedly shut down.

The report did not specify further details about the investigation or the current status of the detainees.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran will not withdraw its decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed if the United States continues its naval blockade. He mentioned that the ongoing talks between the two sides are stuck on only a few issues, though he did not specify what those issues are or how significant they might be.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump expressed optimism about ending the conflict, saying that the discussions between the two sides have gone well and that he believes an agreement will be reached. However, just hours before his remarks, reports emerged that a ship in the Strait of Hormuz had come under fire from Iranian gunboats.

The situation highlights the fragile state of negotiations and the persistent tension in the region, with both sides maintaining firm positions despite diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement.

Despite a ceasefire being in effect, the United States has maintained a blockade around Iran’s ports and the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two countries. Iran has reimposed strict control over the vital waterway, saying the move is a response to the US blockade and accusing Washington of breaking its commitments. At least two commercial ships came under fire while attempting to cross the strait on Saturday.

At the center of Iran’s control strategy are small, fast-attack boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Many of these vessels, hidden in coastal tunnels, have survived US strikes and can quickly mobilize, attack, and retreat. Their swarm tactics make them difficult to track or target effectively. Although a convoy of eight tankers recently passed through the strait, Iran soon reasserted its dominance over the route.

The situation marks a shift from open warfare to controlled confrontation in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints, through which about 20 percent of global oil exports pass.

Iran is encountering two distinct strategies from the United States, according to Abbas Aslani, a senior fellow at Tehran’s Center for Middle East Strategic Studies. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Aslani said the first strategy involves negotiations, but questioned why Washington continues to impose naval blockades, expand sanctions, and strengthen its military presence in the region if it truly seeks an agreement.

He added that the second US strategy centers on pressure and threats. With the expiration of two ceasefire agreements—between the United States and Iran, and between Israel and Lebanon—Aslani warned that the likelihood of renewed confrontation is increasing. He noted that there are no signs of extending these truces, and no party appears to be discussing their renewal.

Aslani concluded that both sides seem to be using the lapse of ceasefires to exert pressure on each other, a situation that could ultimately lead to the resumption of conflict.

Iran has declared that it will not send its enriched uranium abroad, particularly to the United States, under any proposal. The announcement was made by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh during a diplomatic meeting in Turkey, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA and cited by Al Jazeera. Tehran also stated that there is no possibility of reopening discussions on this issue.

Khatibzadeh explained that while messages have been exchanged between Iran and the United States at various levels, Washington has presented conditions and demands that Tehran considers exaggerated and unacceptable. He further indicated that there remains a significant gap between the two sides on nuclear matters, which continues to hinder progress in negotiations.

As a result, prospects for any new progress or agreement in the Iran–United States nuclear talks remain uncertain for the time being.

Iran’s parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf warned that war could resume at any moment, according to a statement broadcast early Sunday on state television. Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran’s chief negotiator, said Tehran does not trust the United States and cautioned that renewed conflict remains a real possibility.

His remarks came amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the current ceasefire. The warning reflects heightened tensions and a lack of confidence in diplomatic progress between the involved parties.

Meanwhile, Israeli radio, citing military and political sources, reported that Israel’s army has been placed on high alert over fears that the ceasefire with Iran could collapse.

US intelligence and military officials have stated that despite more than four weeks of attacks by the United States and Israel, a significant portion of Iran’s weaponry remains intact. According to a New York Times report cited in the source, Iran continues to maintain a strong defensive capability.

The report indicates that Iran still possesses about 40 percent of its pre-war drones and more than 60 percent of its missile launchers. Officials said that since a two-week ceasefire began on April 8, Iran has recovered over 100 launch systems that had been hidden in caves and bunkers, suggesting active efforts to restore its operational capacity.

They added that Iran is working to retrieve missiles buried under debris from attacks on depots and underground facilities. Once recovery operations are complete, the country could regain up to 70 percent of its pre-war arsenal, according to the assessment.

Tehran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz as the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. According to ship-tracking website MarineTraffic, there are currently no signs of vessel movement through the strait. Many ships have been observed anchored across the Gulf, particularly near the coasts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

The report notes that some ships were still passing through the vital waterway on Saturday, but traffic dropped sharply after Tehran announced the closure. On the same day, several vessels were reportedly struck by missiles or projectiles, and a separate incident involved gunfire targeting an oil tanker.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, underscores rising tensions in the region as maritime security deteriorates under the ongoing blockade.

Iran’s armed forces on Sunday turned back two oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, according to Tasnim News, a media outlet close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The report said the tankers, sailing under the flags of Botswana and Angola, were forced to change course and retreat after Iranian forces intervened.

The move follows Iran’s earlier declaration that it would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Since that announcement, Tehran has maintained a strict posture over the vital maritime route, which is crucial for global energy supply.

The incident underscores heightened tensions in the region and signals Iran’s continued enforcement of its blockade policy in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami declared that the country’s armed forces are fully committed to defending Iran’s independence, territorial integrity, and security across land, air, and sea. He stated that all branches of the armed forces are enhancing their military capabilities and are ready to decisively confront any potential enemies.

Hatami emphasized that Iranian forces are inspired by the spirit of sacrifice and “jihad,” and remain steadfast in pursuing their objectives. In his remarks, he asserted that the troops are prepared for conflict and sacrifice, pledging to face enemies until their last breath.

According to the report, Hatami’s comments reaffirm Iran’s military readiness and stance amid ongoing regional tensions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country does not want war and is acting solely in self-defense against attacks from the United States and Israel. He emphasized Iran’s commitment to peace and regional stability, asserting that its actions are lawful and defensive in nature.

Pezeshkian accused the United States and Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, calling such actions violations of international law and evidence of double standards in human rights. According to Iran’s state news agency ISNA, he reiterated that Iran has not attacked any country and does not intend to do so under current circumstances.

He further explained that Iran’s measures should not be seen as aggression but as legitimate self-defense, comparing a nation’s right to defend itself to that of an individual responding to aggression.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain completely closed until the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. The IRGC also confirmed that the previously designated safe passage route for ships, which allowed transit through the strait upon coordination and payment of fees, has now been suspended.

According to a statement published by Iranian state media, the IRGC canceled all prior permissions that allowed vessels to cross the strait after paying tolls to Iranian authorities. The IRGC Navy warned that any ship attempting to breach the blockade would be targeted. Tehran considers the US blockade a violation of the ceasefire between the two countries, the statement added.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route, signals heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with potential implications for regional trade and security if the standoff continues.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that no date has been set for the next round of talks between Iran and the United States. He explained that both sides must first finalize the framework of an understanding before any new meeting can take place. His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that direct discussions might resume this weekend.

The first round of talks between the two countries ended last weekend without any agreement. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in Turkey, Khatibzadeh said Iran is focused on finalizing the structure of an understanding and does not want to enter discussions that are likely to fail or escalate tensions. He added that progress had been made, but additional demands from the U.S. side prevented a deal, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran would not accept being treated as an exception under international law, underscoring Tehran’s stance on sovereignty and legal equality in negotiations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that the United States and Israel will face a severe defeat. His message, broadcast on Iran’s state television, declared that the Iranian navy is prepared to deliver such a response. The statement comes as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz, where reports indicate that at least two commercial vessels have come under fire.

In a separate televised statement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf also warned that war could resume at any moment. He said Tehran does not trust the United States and cautioned that renewed conflict could erupt suddenly. The warnings from both leaders were aired early Sunday on state television.

The developments highlight escalating regional instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, as both military and political leaders in Iran signal readiness for confrontation.