US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States does not want any conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, he said Washington is taking necessary steps to ensure free and safe navigation in this vital maritime route. The US has launched an initiative called 'Operation Project Freedom' aimed at protecting international shipping lanes.

Hegseth clarified that the US effort to keep the Strait open does not require entering Iranian airspace or waters. He emphasized that the United States seeks neither tension nor confrontation. According to him, although Iran claims control over the Strait, it does not actually hold such control.

The Defense Secretary added that maintaining stability in this strategically important waterway remains the United States’ primary objective.

Elon Musk has agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to settle a lawsuit accusing him of failing to disclose his Twitter (now X) share purchases on time. The case, filed in January 2025 just before President Donald Trump took office, alleged that Musk misled investors by delaying disclosure of acquiring more than 5% of Twitter’s shares in 2022, before taking ownership of the social media platform. A filing on Monday revealed that a Musk trust will pay the fine, though Musk has not admitted any wrongdoing. The settlement will be finalized once approved by the court.

The SEC had initially sought more than $200 million in penalties, claiming that Musk’s delay deprived ordinary investors of over $150 million in potential gains. Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, described the fine as minor and said it resolves all issues related to filing delays during the Twitter acquisition. An SEC spokesperson noted that if approved, this would mark the largest penalty ever imposed by the agency for failure to disclose share ownership on time.

Despite the settlement, Musk still faces a separate class-action lawsuit from investors over the same issue.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched 'Operation Freedom'—also referred to as 'Project Freedom'—aimed at countering Iran’s influence and control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The operation seeks to escort commercial vessels under U.S. protection to test Iran’s blockade capacity. According to U.S. national security analyst Mark Fivel, the narrow waterway has become a chokepoint, and Washington is attempting to expand its influence by breaking Iran’s hold.

Analysts say the mission’s name was changed from 'Epic Fury' to 'Operation Freedom' to reassure hesitant allies and frame the campaign as a humanitarian effort. Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political and Military Affairs Mark Kimmitt told Al Jazeera that the rebranding signals a strategic shift, emphasizing the resumption of oil and fertilizer exports through the strait as a legitimate goal.

Behind the scenes, Pakistan is mediating indirect talks between Iran and the United States. Although Washington’s response to Iran’s 14-point proposal has been lukewarm, Kimmitt believes maintaining dialogue remains essential, especially if both sides focus on ensuring the flow of essential goods through the region.

US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, saying the country would be wiped off the map if it attacks American ships operating under 'Project Freedom' in the Strait of Hormuz. He made the remarks during an interview on Fox News, emphasizing that the United States would respond decisively to any aggression against its naval forces.

Trump stated that he believes Iran has become much more flexible in peace negotiations. He also highlighted the importance of increasing US military presence in the region, suggesting that American forces are well-equipped and ready to act if necessary.

According to Trump, the United States now possesses a vast arsenal of advanced weapons and ammunition, along with a global network of military bases filled with equipment. He reiterated that the US is prepared to use all available resources if required. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera.

A Muslim residential community named Epic City is being planned in Hunt and Collin counties, Texas, covering 402 acres. The project includes over a thousand residential plots, a faith-based K–12 school, commercial and retail centers, and a mosque. It will not be a new city and will remain under Texas state law. The development is envisioned as a central hub for Islam in the United States.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office launched an investigation to determine whether the project violated the Fair Housing Act or imposed discriminatory financial conditions requiring owners to subsidize religious facilities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have opposed the project, citing concerns about potential implementation of Sharia law, and Paxton has filed multiple lawsuits to halt it.

Last week, a Travis County district judge ruled that the Texas Workforce Commission must honor a settlement agreement and withdraw from the fair housing investigation. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Texas) supported the project, calling the opposition politically motivated and rooted in Islamophobia.

A United Airlines Boeing 767 arriving from Venice struck a lamppost and a delivery truck while landing in New Jersey, United States. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the aircraft, operating as Flight 169, made contact with a light post on the New Jersey Turnpike near Newark Liberty International Airport around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday. Despite the collision, the plane landed safely, and an investigation has been initiated.

According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, none of the 221 passengers or 10 crew members on board were injured. The truck driver sustained minor injuries, received treatment at a hospital, and was later released. The incident caused minor damage to the aircraft and to a southbound tractor-trailer. United Airlines stated that the involved crew members have been temporarily removed from duty as part of the investigation process.

Authorities said the FAA and other agencies will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the cause and ensure safety compliance.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that ongoing discussions with Iran are 'very positive' and aimed at finding a solution to the conflict. He announced that the United States will soon begin assisting ships trapped in the blocked Strait of Hormuz to exit safely. The announcement came as tensions remain high following recent military actions between the two nations. According to AFP, the initiative will start Monday morning under the name 'Project Freedom'.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said Tehran has offered a 14-point proposal to end the war, and Washington has responded through Pakistani mediators. A ceasefire has been in place since April 8, but no permanent peace agreement has been reached. The conflict began after a February 28 US-Israel strike in Iran that killed the country’s supreme leader, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran.

The US Central Command confirmed its participation in Project Freedom, deploying guided-missile destroyers, over 100 air and sea-based aircraft, unmanned platforms, and 15,000 troops. Admiral Brad Cooper described the mission as vital for regional security and global economic stability.

The United States military has transferred 22 crew members from the seized Iranian container ship MV Tuskar to Pakistan for repatriation to Iran. The ship was detained last month in the Gulf of Oman after allegedly attempting to breach a US naval blockade. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that the repatriation process was completed on Monday.

According to CENTCOM, the MV Tuskar was seized on April 20 during a US operation in the Gulf of Oman. Tehran has condemned the seizure, calling it an act of piracy. The US military stated that the vessel is now in the process of being returned to its previous ownership. In addition to the 22 crew members, six other passengers—believed to be family members of the sailors—were sent to a Middle Eastern country last week for repatriation.

The incident has added to ongoing maritime tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly over shipping routes in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly announced ‘Project Freedom’ in the Strait of Hormuz is not a military escort mission, according to major American media outlets. Reports from The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Axios stated that Trump emphasized using the term ‘guide’ instead of ‘escort’ to describe the operation. U.S. officials clarified that Navy warships will not directly escort commercial vessels through the strait but will help guide stranded ships.

CNN cited a U.S. official saying the mission involves showing the way rather than providing armed protection, while Axios reported that U.S. naval ships will remain nearby without direct escort duties. The initiative aims to assist commercial ships trapped in the strait amid rising tensions.

However, European diplomats and shipowners have expressed doubts about the plan’s effectiveness. A shipowner told The Wall Street Journal that traveling under Western guidance might increase the risk of Iranian attacks. CNN also noted that many questions about the project remain unresolved, and experts believe it is designed mainly to provide psychological reassurance to commercial operators.

Former US naval officer and Kilwynn Group chairman Harlan Ullman has warned that Donald Trump’s announced ‘Project Freedom’ to resolve the Hormuz Strait crisis could lead to a major disaster if not carefully planned. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ullman said the mission carries extremely high risks, particularly if Iran decides to resist the operation.

He noted that Iran possesses a large number of drones and small warships, which could make the mission highly challenging. Ullman cautioned that any attack on a US warship would leave Washington with no choice but to retaliate. He expressed hope that Trump’s declaration was part of a diplomatic initiative coordinated with Iran and mediators such as Pakistan, Oman, or Saudi Arabia.

According to Ullman, the only sustainable solution lies in reopening the Hormuz Strait and initiating long-term diplomatic talks on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He emphasized that the crisis should be resolved through negotiation rather than military escalation to protect the global economic system.

U.S. President Donald Trump has unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran for an indefinite period, despite Tehran not requesting an extension or sending any delegation to Pakistan for talks. The original 15-day ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, was set to expire on April 22. Trump also extended the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel by three weeks. Analysts interpret this move as a sign of Washington’s military and strategic limitations in sustaining prolonged tension with Iran.

The article argues that the indefinite extension reflects a U.S. strategic withdrawal rather than a peace initiative. Iran’s resilience, counter-response capability, and coordination with regional allies have increased the cost of conflict for the United States. Tehran has warned it will treat any renewed aggression as a joint U.S.-Israeli responsibility and remains prepared to defend control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

The report concludes that the extended ceasefire does not resolve the conflict but shifts it into diplomatic and economic arenas, exposing the declining effectiveness of Washington’s unilateral pressure tactics and highlighting Iran’s emergence as an active power reshaping regional dynamics.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced its support for a mission declared by Donald Trump to restore 'freedom of navigation' in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation begins today, with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stating on social media that the defensive mission is essential for regional security and the global economy. The US deployment includes guided missile destroyers, over a hundred air and sea-based combat aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 troops.

Last week, the US State Department introduced a separate initiative called the 'Maritime Freedom Construct' to enhance coordination among international partners for ensuring maritime security in the Hormuz Strait. The CENTCOM announcement comes amid warnings from Iranian officials, who have said that any US intervention in the area would be considered a violation of the ceasefire.

The mission underscores heightened tensions in the region as Washington moves to secure vital shipping routes while Tehran signals strong opposition to foreign military involvement.

Signs of easing tensions have emerged in the Hormuz Strait as U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the U.S. Navy will assist in safely moving stranded ships from the area. Trump described the move as a humanitarian effort, noting that many of the vessels have no connection to the ongoing conflict. The operation has been named 'Project Freedom.'

In his post, Trump revealed that his representatives are engaged in what he called 'very positive discussions' with Iran. However, it was not clear whether these talks are limited to ship rescue operations or part of a broader effort to resolve the conflict. The announcement suggests some level of cooperation or understanding between the U.S. and Iran in facilitating the safe passage of ships.

Analysts cited in the report indicated that this development could mark a potential path out of the current deadlock surrounding the Hormuz Strait conflict, which, along with nuclear issues, has been a major obstacle to renewed dialogue between the two sides.

The United States has significantly narrowed its war objectives toward the Hormuz Strait, according to retired US Marine Corps special operations expert Jonathan Hackett. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hackett said that over the past 60 days, Washington’s goals have shifted from seeking regime change in Iran and dismantling its nuclear and ballistic missile systems to focusing on economic outcomes centered on the strategic waterway. The change follows former president Donald Trump’s announcement of an escort mission, dubbed 'Project Freedom', to rescue ships stranded in the strait.

Hackett described the mission as potentially offering the US a more achievable objective and a dignified exit from the ongoing conflict. Trump has characterized the operation as a humanitarian effort. Hackett, however, noted that the situation also carries diplomatic dimensions, questioning how the US would treat stranded crews from countries with which it lacks friendly relations.

He warned that if Iran obstructs the mission, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, potentially depleting US military resources and forcing American forces into a defensive role, which could also raise new risks for insurance companies.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps special operations expert Jonathan Hackett has said the U.S. Navy does not have enough equipment to safely escort hundreds of stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hackett explained that only about 12 U.S. naval vessels are currently capable of providing protection, while before the conflict more than 100 ships passed through the strait daily. He described the task of securing such a large number of vessels as practically impossible.

Hackett identified two major threats: sea mines and Iran’s naval capabilities. He noted that the United States withdrew all its mine-sweeping ships last year, leaving only a few converted vessels for limited operations. He also disputed U.S. claims that Iran’s navy had been destroyed, saying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still possesses hundreds of small, fast attack boats capable of harassing or obstructing commercial ships.

Hackett further raised concerns about insurance companies’ willingness to cover ships in the area, suggesting that even if the route were deemed safe, many shipowners might avoid it due to high financial and safety risks.