NATO unites for Hormuz mission but Trump says ‘stay away’? POTUS again slams 'paper tiger' alliance

Trump addressed the Hormuz tensions by saying, 'We’re talking to them… and they can’t blackmail us,' warning Tehran not to use the waterway as leverage.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy warned that any vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz could be targeted, raising fears of disruption to global oil supplies.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned any ceasefire must be mutual, stating that there is no ceasefire from the side of the resistance only and that it must be from both sides.

Israel said it carried out strikes against what it described as a 'terrorist cell' in southern Lebanon.

Despite a 10-day truce, clashes have continued, with ongoing fighting cited in the report.

Antonio Guterres condemned an attack on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon that killed a French soldier and wounded three others. France blamed Hezbollah, though the group denied involvement and called for an investigation.

The Israeli military confirmed that Command Sergeant Barak Kalfon, 48, was killed in southern Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire had recently come into effect.

Iranian authorities reported that 3,468 people have been killed in the war involving the United States and Israel.

Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said negotiations with the United States had made some progress but were far from complete, noting that 'we are still far from the final discussion' and that 'there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain'.

US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social praising Israel as a 'great ally' of the United States, saying they are 'Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart' and that, unlike others who have shown their true colors in conflict, Israel fights hard and knows how to WIN. The post ends with 'President DJT.'

The two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States is set to end on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Speaking on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in Antalya, Khatibzadeh said Tehran is prioritising the finalisation of a 'framework of understanding' before committing to further talks.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date had been set for the next round of negotiations with the United States, and Tehran is prioritising finalising a framework of understanding before committing to further talks.

US President Donald Trump said there were 'very good conversations' with Iran but warned Tehran against trying to 'blackmail' the United States and stated that a long-term deal was needed before the ceasefire ends; he threatened to start dropping bombs again if not reached.

CNN reported that the next rounds of Iran-US talks were scheduled for Monday in Islamabad.

New Delhi summoned the Iranian ambassador and conveyed India's deep concern over the incident; India urged the resumption of safe passage for India-bound ships.

Two Indian-flagged vessels, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, were fired at by Iranian gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz; no injuries or damage were reported and they had to turn back.

The Revolutionary Guards warned that any effort to cross would be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel would be targeted.

Iran's central military command stated Hormuz was again under strict management and control of the armed forces in response to the US blockade.

The Iranian military declared the Strait of Hormuz was once again closed, a day after saying it was open, amid tensions over the ceasefire in talks with the United States.

In a televised address on Saturday, Ghalibaf said there are many gaps and that the two-week ceasefire is far from a final discussion.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation during the first round of talks in Pakistan in Islamabad.

Ghalibaf and Iran's delegation held closed-door talks in Islamabad with US Vice President JD Vance on April 11, the highest-level Iran-US contacts since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The Israeli army confirmed fresh strikes on threats south of the new 'yellow line' in Lebanon. A Beirut-based correspondent reported ongoing artillery and machine-gun fire on several villages, and that Israel launched two air strikes on Sunday (April 19, 2026), according to Al Jazeera.

Trump praised Israel, calling it a 'great ally' and using descriptors such as 'courageous, bold and smart.' He also took a swipe at NATO countries, suggesting they are 'Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart' while implying others have shown their true colors in conflict and stress, contrasting with Israel's drive to win.

Trump, at a White House event, told Iran it cannot 'blackmail' Washington by closing the Strait of Hormuz, saying, 'they can't blackmail us.'

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps navy stated the Strait of Hormuz was closed again after a brief reopening, warning that leaving anchorage or approaching the strait would be treated as cooperation with the enemy and could be targeted.

The U.S. State Department published the text of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal. Axios cited sources saying Netanyahu was reportedly stunned by a Trump social media post that allegedly prohibited Israel from launching strikes on Lebanon, described as contradicting the ceasefire text.

President Donald Trump reportedly escalated rhetoric toward Iran, describing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as 'nothing' and claiming Tehran 'got a little cute'.

The article's headline states that Iran's navy stands ready to defeat the United States, and that Mojtaba delivered his first explosive dare after a Hormuz shutdown.

Trump said at a White House event that the United States was talking to Iran, that Tehran 'wanted to close up the strait again' and that 'they can't blackmail us'. He added that there would be 'some information' about Iran later in the day and that 'we're taking a tough stand.'

The article states that Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was being closed again, just one day after its opening had been announced.

Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz had opened, a development noted as occurring one day before the reported closure.

The article reports that NATO has united for a mission in the Hormuz region. It also notes that President Trump advocates staying away from the mission and has criticized the alliance as a 'paper tiger'.