US General Dan Kane has warned that ships assisting Iran within the naval blockade zone could be targeted by American forces. Speaking at a joint press conference in Washington with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, he said that vessels carrying Iranian oil would also fall under US targeting rules. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

General Kane outlined several directives of the blockade, stating that it applies to all ships heading to or departing from Iranian ports. He emphasized that the United States would use force if the blockade is violated. According to US military claims, 13 ships have already been turned back without any American personnel boarding them.

The directives further clarified that the blockade applies only to Iranian ports and not to the Strait of Hormuz. Kane added that more than 10,000 sailors, marines, and air force personnel are involved in enforcing the blockade.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in Washington, D.C., that the United States will continue its blockade of Iranian ports for as long as necessary. According to Al Jazeera, he said the US Navy is controlling ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz because Iran no longer has a functioning navy. Hegseth emphasized that the US is aware of Iran’s relocation of military equipment and is closely monitoring the situation.

He further warned that if Iran refuses to agree to a deal, US forces are prepared to initiate military action. The remarks highlight escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran amid ongoing disputes over regional security and military activities.

The statement underscores the US position of maintaining pressure on Iran through naval control and potential military readiness, though no details were provided about the specific terms of the proposed agreement or diplomatic efforts underway.

Starbucks announced Wednesday the launch of a beta app within ChatGPT designed to help customers discover new drink options. Users can enable the Starbucks app through ChatGPT’s app directory and interact with it by including “@Starbucks” in their prompts. The tool allows customization and location selection, but final orders must still be completed through the Starbucks app or website, maintaining integration with the company’s loyalty program. Paul Riedel, senior vice president of digital and loyalty, said the initiative aims to meet customers at their moment of inspiration rather than starting from a menu.

The move is part of Starbucks’ broader “Back to Starbucks” turnaround strategy to attract U.S. customers back to its cafes. The company has reintroduced seating, streamlined its menu, and added new loyalty tiers. It has also promoted drink discovery through its mobile app’s trending beverage and secret menu features, targeting Gen Z consumers who favor unique beverages.

This beta app marks Starbucks’ continued use of generative AI and collaboration with OpenAI, following its earlier Green Dot Assist tool for baristas. Other major retailers like Walmart, Etsy, and Booking.com are also experimenting with ChatGPT integrations to enhance shopping experiences.

House Democrats have submitted articles of impeachment against US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of treason and multiple high crimes. The proposal, introduced in the House of Representatives last Wednesday, cites six specific charges, including launching an attack on Iran without congressional approval and ordering deadly strikes on civilian vessels under the guise of anti-smuggling operations. The impeachment motion references a March airstrike on an Iranian school that reportedly killed at least 175 people, including many children, according to The New York Times.

Arizona Democrat Yasamin Ansari and Representative John Larson are leading the effort, alleging that Hegseth violated laws intended to minimize civilian harm during armed conflict. The motion also accuses him of endangering national security by leaking classified information about planned attacks on Yemen’s Houthi rebels through a Signal group chat that allegedly included Vice President JD Vance and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Additional allegations include concealing civilian casualty data, attempting to punish Senator Mark Kelly, and removing transgender personnel from the military.

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson dismissed the accusations as a publicity stunt, telling Axios that it was an attempt to distract the American public. Analysts note that with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the impeachment proposal is unlikely to pass.

The United States has announced it will not renew the temporary waiver that allowed countries to buy Russian oil, a move expected to significantly affect India, which had been one of the main beneficiaries of the exemption. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent said the general license for Russian oil, as well as for Iranian oil, would not be renewed. The waiver had applied only to oil shipped before March 11, and that allowance has already been used.

The decision marks the end of a Trump-era measure designed to stabilize global energy prices by ensuring additional oil supply during the ongoing Middle East conflict. Since the escalation of hostilities in the region, energy prices have surged worldwide, including in the United States.

The temporary waivers were short-term measures aimed at controlling rising fuel costs. The Russian oil waiver expired on April 11, while a similar waiver for Iranian oil, which allowed about 140 million barrels to reach global markets, is set to expire on April 19. Washington’s move is seen as reinforcing its “maximum pressure” policy toward Iran.

White House adviser Stephen Miller described US President Donald Trump as a 'man of peace' while emphasizing that the United States would not accept threats from Iran. Miller made the remarks after recent US-Iran discussions in Islamabad ended without an agreement. Following the talks, President Trump imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Miller told a US broadcaster that while Trump seeks peace, the United States has made its stance clear: it will not tolerate interference and will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He warned that a military operation could destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure for years, though the US does not wish to take that route. Miller added that Washington hopes Iran will choose the right path toward an agreement but maintains the capacity to continue pressure indefinitely if Tehran does otherwise.

The comments come amid heightened regional tension following the failed talks and the new blockade, signaling a hardening US position toward Iran.

The United States has expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran as preparations continue for a second round of peace talks, likely to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday that discussions are ongoing and that Washington remains hopeful about the prospects of a deal. The first round of talks, held in Islamabad last weekend, ended without any agreement.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the initial negotiations, said that Washington is offering Iran a major compromise aimed at ending a six-week war and resolving long-standing disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Tel Aviv and Washington share the same goals regarding Iran.

The upcoming talks are expected to focus on achieving a breakthrough after the inconclusive first round, though no specific date has yet been confirmed.

US President Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain permanently open following secret discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump claimed Xi agreed to halt arms supplies to Iran and expressed optimism that the ongoing conflict with Iran is nearing its end. He made the declaration on Truth Social, adding that China was pleased with the decision and that the move served global interests.

Trump stated he is not considering extending the ceasefire with Iran, describing the war as almost over and a negotiated settlement as the best outcome. He said extremists in Iran had been removed and that a peace deal could allow the country to rebuild. Trump also revealed he had written to Xi urging him not to arm Iran, and Xi replied that China was not doing so.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continues mediating indirect communications between Tehran and Washington after failed talks in Islamabad. A Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir visited Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began a regional tour to bolster peace efforts.

The United States Senate held a vote to block the sale of Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers to the Israeli military, a move described by Middle East analysts as historic. According to Al Jazeera, 40 senators voted in favor of halting the sale, citing civilian harm in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Mai El-Sadany, executive director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said the vote signaled a shifting tide in U.S. policy discussions.

Although the proposal was ultimately defeated, El-Sadany noted that support had grown significantly compared to the previous year, when only 27 senators backed a similar measure. Her Washington, D.C.-based organization had urged senators to support the initiative.

In a related development, 36 senators supported a separate proposal to block the sale of 1,000-pound bombs to Israel. El-Sadany described this as a meaningful reflection of changing attitudes among U.S. voters and their representatives toward arms sales to Israel.

The United States has decided not to extend the temporary waiver on sanctions for Russian and Iranian oil. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the 30-day exemption, granted to stabilize the global energy market during the ongoing Middle East conflict, will not be renewed. He confirmed at a White House briefing that the waiver for Russian oil had already expired last week, and no further extension would be granted for Iran either.

Earlier, the US had allowed limited unloading and sale of Russian and Iranian oil that had been shipped before the sanctions deadline, citing rising global oil prices and supply shortages. According to Bessent, the temporary measure enabled the release of approximately 140 million barrels of oil into the global market, helping to ease supply pressures during wartime conditions.

The decision signals Washington’s intent to resume full enforcement of sanctions, potentially tightening global oil supply and influencing energy market stability in the near term.

The US Senate has rejected for the fourth time a resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war with Iran. The measure, voted down 47–53 mostly along party lines, followed a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran that began last week. Talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, failed to produce a lasting peace, though both sides indicated willingness for further dialogue. The resolution’s defeat came despite renewed calls from lawmakers to curb Trump’s unilateral military actions, which began alongside Israel on February 28.

Supporters argued that Trump acted outside constitutional authority, while opponents insisted he was within his presidential rights. Senator Chris Murphy criticized the conflict as mismanaged and costly, citing billions spent weekly and over a dozen American deaths. Republican Senator Jim Risch defended Trump’s actions as a duty to protect the US. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a similar measure, though any passage would be largely symbolic given Trump’s veto power.

The ceasefire’s future remains uncertain as US forces maintain a naval blockade near Iran and both nations prepare for possible renewed talks in Islamabad.

The United States has imposed new sanctions targeting individuals, companies, and ships linked to Iran, according to an update published on the US Treasury Department’s website. The announcement came during a period of ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The Treasury stated that three individuals, 17 entities, and nine vessels have been added to the sanctions list.

Shortly before this update, Treasury Secretary Scott Besent announced that the previous waiver allowing the purchase of oil from Russia and Iran while at sea would not be renewed. This move signals a tightening of economic pressure on Iran’s oil trade and related networks.

The decision is expected to further restrict Iran’s ability to conduct international oil transactions and increase economic strain on sectors connected to its energy exports, as reported by Al Jazeera.

US Vice President JD Vance faced intense protests while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia. The disruption began about ten minutes into his speech when several audience members shouted accusations about US support for violence in Gaza. Vance paused to address the protesters, partially agreeing with their statement that 'Jesus Christ does not support genocide,' while also defending the Trump administration’s policies.

Later in his remarks, Vance expressed sympathy toward critics of the Iran war and acknowledged that many young American voters disapprove of the country’s Middle East policy. He said he understood their concerns but insisted that the administration was working to resolve conflicts and prevent further wars. Vance also urged the audience to engage in politics rather than limit themselves to criticism.

The incident occurred amid growing dissatisfaction among Trump supporters over the administration’s war policies, with some prominent conservative figures openly voicing criticism.

U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be 'permanently open,' only hours after imposing a naval blockade on Iran. Trump said the decision followed a secret discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming China agreed to halt arms supplies to Iran. Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump stated that China was pleased with the move and that it served both nations and the world. He added that Xi would give him a 'warm embrace' at their upcoming meeting and that both countries were working well together.

Earlier, Trump had ordered the blockade to pressure Iran back into negotiations. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil routes, carrying about one-fifth of global crude supplies. Iran responded by disrupting shipping and pressuring oil tankers, triggering volatility in global energy markets and rising fuel prices in the United States. The U.S. military reportedly halted six oil tankers within 24 hours.

Beijing criticized the blockade as 'dangerous and irresponsible,' while a mid-May summit in Beijing is planned to address trade tariffs and critical minerals. It remains unclear whether Trump’s new declaration takes immediate effect or forms part of ongoing peace talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that China has agreed not to send weapons to Iran. According to the report, Trump had earlier sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging Beijing not to supply arms to Tehran. The claim follows a statement from a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who dismissed media reports that China was preparing to deliver a new air defense system to Iran as completely fabricated.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said China was pleased with his decision to permanently open the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as beneficial for both China and the world. He added that the United States and China were working together intelligently and effectively, emphasizing that cooperation was preferable to conflict.

The report, citing BBC as its source, did not include any official confirmation from Chinese or Iranian authorities beyond the spokesperson’s denial of the arms supply report.