Reports indicate that the United States may expand its naval blockade against Iran beyond the country's ports. According to the U.S. Central Command, more than 12 warships, over 10,000 troops, and a large number of combat aircraft have already been deployed around Iranian ports. So far, 23 Iranian or Iran-linked ships have been turned away as part of the ongoing blockade operations.

Additional reports suggest that the blockade could extend to Iranian-linked vessels found anywhere in the world, not just those entering or leaving Iranian ports. Analysts note that the U.S. has adopted policies allowing it to stop, inspect, or even seize ships connected to Iran or under sanctions globally. Such operations typically involve specially trained Marine or Navy SEAL teams boarding ships by helicopter and taking control, sometimes redirecting them to other ports.

Experts warn that if the blockade expands globally, it could significantly affect international trade, energy supply, and maritime security.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of committing a serious violation of the ceasefire but expressed confidence that a peace agreement will eventually be reached. The statement was reported by ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl, who said Trump made the remarks during a conversation shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

According to Karl, Trump stated that the peace deal would happen “one way or another,” emphasizing that it could occur either easily or with difficulty. The report, citing Al Jazeera as the source, did not provide further details about the nature of the alleged ceasefire breach or the context of the ongoing conflict.

The comments come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, though Trump’s remarks suggest continued optimism for a diplomatic resolution despite the reported violation.

US President Donald Trump announced that an American delegation will travel to Pakistan for discussions, arriving in Islamabad on Monday evening. In a social media post, Trump stated that his representatives are going to Pakistan to hold talks and are expected to reach the capital by tomorrow evening.

Trump added that the United States is offering what he described as a very fair and reasonable deal, expressing hope that the concerned parties will accept it. However, he warned that if the proposal is rejected, the US would take tough measures. He cautioned that if the talks fail, there would be no more politeness, and the United States could target Iran’s power plants and bridges.

Trump claimed that these Iranian facilities could be destroyed quickly and easily, underscoring his warning amid ongoing tensions. The statement follows his earlier remarks accusing Iran of violating a ceasefire but insisting that a peace agreement will eventually be reached.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will destroy every power plant and bridge in Iran if Tehran refuses to accept a proposed agreement. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Iran fired shots in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting a French ship and a British cargo vessel, which he described as a complete violation of their ceasefire agreement. He added that U.S. representatives are traveling to Islamabad for talks and are expected to arrive there on Tuesday morning.

Trump stated that Iran recently announced the closure of the strait, calling it strange since the U.S. blockade had already restricted it. He claimed that Iran was unknowingly helping the U.S. by doing so. The president emphasized that Washington is offering a fair and reasonable deal and expressed hope that Iran would accept it to avoid severe consequences.

According to the report, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense, with no visible signs of ship movement following the reported incidents.

Inter Miami earned a 3-2 victory over Colorado Rapids on Saturday night, with Lionel Messi scoring twice. The match marked the debut of sporting director Guillermo Hoyos as head coach, following the unexpected resignation of Javier Mascherano. The win extended Miami’s unbeaten run to seven matches, placing the team second in the MLS standings with 15 points from eight games.

Messi opened the scoring in the 13th minute from a penalty and sealed the win in the 79th minute with a decisive goal. After intercepting the ball in midfield, he advanced down the right flank, cut inside the penalty area, and fired a shot between two defenders into the net. The victory continued Miami’s strong form after losing their season opener to Los Angeles FC.

With his two goals, Messi now has seven this season, tying him with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa at the top of the MLS scoring chart.

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has accused President Donald Trump of engaging in a war that, she said, the American people do not want and that puts U.S. troops at risk. Speaking at a Democratic Party fundraising event in Detroit on Saturday, Harris claimed that Trump entered the conflict under the influence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential election, described the war as unnecessary and harmful to ordinary Americans.

In response, Netanyahu rejected Harris’s allegation. He had previously stated at a press conference last month that no one could tell President Trump what to do. The exchange has added new tension to U.S. domestic politics amid ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

The remarks have intensified political debate in Washington as the U.S. faces scrutiny over its role in the region, with both leaders’ statements drawing attention to the influence of foreign policy decisions on internal political divisions.

US Vice President JD Vance has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for clarifying recent remarks that had sparked tension with former President Donald Trump. The Pope explained that his speech in Cameroon, where he said the world was being troubled by 'a few dictators,' was not directed at Trump. He emphasized that the address had been prepared two weeks earlier and was misinterpreted, not intended to provoke political conflict.

Vance, a Catholic himself, wrote on social media platform X that he was thankful for the Pope’s clarification. He noted that the media often amplifies conflicts and that while differences exist, the reality is more complex. Vance added that the President and the administration strive to apply moral values within a complicated reality, saying the Pope would remain in their prayers.

Earlier, Pope Leo had criticized the US-Israel stance on the Iran conflict, prompting Trump to call him weak on crime and poor on foreign policy. The episode has reignited global debate over the balance between religious and political positions.

The United States military is preparing to inspect and, if necessary, seize oil tankers and commercial vessels linked to Iran in international waters, according to a report published on April 18 citing US officials. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move comes as tensions rise over maritime access in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has become a focal point of the dispute. Iran had briefly reopened the strait for navigation but closed it again after the US maintained its blockade on Iranian ports. The development follows failed talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan last week, which ended without agreement, leading to the continuation of the US blockade since Monday.

The preparations for inspections and possible seizures signal a further escalation in maritime tensions between the two countries, with potential implications for global energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz.

Football fans attending the World Cup will face steep travel costs in addition to expensive match tickets. According to the report, a round-trip train journey between New York City and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will cost 150 US dollars, equivalent to about 18,000 Bangladeshi taka. The distance between Manhattan’s Penn Station and the stadium is only nine miles, taking roughly 15 minutes by train.

Normally, the fare for this route is 12.90 dollars, or about 1,600 taka. However, during the World Cup period, the price will rise twelvefold. Transport officials have confirmed the fare increase, which adds a significant burden to fans already paying high ticket prices for the matches.

The sharp fare hike highlights the financial strain on spectators planning to attend games in person, as both ticket and travel expenses are expected to reach record levels during the tournament.

The United States has outlined several reasons that could lead to the cancellation of student visas. In a message issued on Saturday, the US Embassy in Dhaka stated that a student visa may be revoked if a student discontinues studies, remains absent from classes, or withdraws from their academic program without informing their educational institution. The embassy warned that such actions could also affect eligibility for future US visas.

The embassy urged all international students to maintain their lawful status by adhering to the conditions of their visas. It emphasized that compliance with visa regulations is essential to avoid complications that might impact their stay or future opportunities in the United States.

The advisory serves as a reminder for students to remain in good academic standing and communicate promptly with their institutions regarding any changes in their study plans.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran cannot 'blackmail' the United States by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. According to Al Jazeera, Iran announced it was tightening control over the vital waterway in response to a US naval blockade of Iranian ports that began on April 14. Tehran claims the blockade violates ceasefire terms, while Trump stated that although discussions with Iran are going well, any attempt to shut down the strategic oil corridor would not succeed in pressuring Washington.

Commercial ships in the region reported receiving radio messages from Iran’s navy warning that no vessels would be allowed to pass through the strait. This has raised uncertainty about whether the Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe for navigation.

The situation underscores rising tensions in the Gulf, with both sides maintaining firm positions over maritime control and sanctions enforcement.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald Ford, has re-entered Middle Eastern waters, according to two unnamed US defense officials cited by the Associated Press. The carrier, accompanied by destroyers USS Mahan and USS Winston Churchill, crossed the Suez Canal and is now positioned in the Red Sea. It had previously been stationed in the eastern Mediterranean but returned to port for repairs following a fire in one of its laundry rooms.

The redeployment of the Gerald Ford marks a renewed show of US naval strength in the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln is already deployed in the Arabian Sea, while another carrier, the USS George Bush, is reportedly moving toward the area and currently near the coast of South Africa. Officials also noted that the Gerald Ford recently set a record for the longest deployment of a US aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War.

The carrier last anchored at Croatia’s Split port on March 28, 2026, before resuming operations toward the Middle East.

The US Navy has dismissed reports circulating on social media that claimed severe food shortages aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, both currently deployed in the Middle East. Images showing nearly empty food trays had fueled speculation that sailors were facing inadequate meals on the vessels.

In a statement posted on X, the Chief of Naval Operations said that both ships have sufficient and healthy food supplies for all personnel. He emphasized that the health and well-being of sailors and marines remain his top priority, and that all crew members are receiving nutritionally balanced meals.

The clarification came after widespread online discussion about the alleged shortages, which the Navy described as false information. The statement aimed to reassure the public and families of service members about the conditions on board.

The Trump administration has extended a waiver allowing the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products for nearly one more month. The decision, announced by the US Treasury Department, aims to help control soaring global energy prices. According to a document posted on the department’s website, ships loaded with Russian oil by Friday can be purchased until May 16. The previous 30-day waiver expired on April 11, and the new extension renews that permission.

Reuters reported that US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent stated Washington will not renew the sanctions on Russian oil purchases after this period. Earlier, Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said the initial waiver had enabled about 100 million barrels of Russian crude to enter the market.

The move reflects Washington’s attempt to balance sanctions enforcement with global energy stability, as the temporary relaxation could ease supply pressures in the international oil market.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described the meeting as potentially 'special' and 'historic', suggesting that significant achievements could result from it. He also claimed that Xi was pleased about the reopening or imminent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to analysts cited in the report, the meeting, expected to take place in mid-May, reflects Beijing’s stance on the ongoing Middle East conflict. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, China aims to secure its energy supply, with about half of its total energy demand coming from the Middle East.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, highlights that the meeting could influence China’s approach to regional stability and energy security amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.