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Second ship reportedly fired upon near Iran
In what appears to be the second recent maritime incident in the region, a cargo ship has reportedly been fired upon near Iran, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre noted.
“UKMTO has received a report of an incident 8NM west of Iran. A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel,” the UKMTO warning notes.
A prior UKMTO notice had noted a report that a container ship was fired upon by an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gun boat near Oman.
“UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM northeast of OMAN. The Master of a Container Ship reported that the vessel was approached by 1 IRGC gun boat, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the vessel which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported. All Crew reported safe,” the UKMTO warning stated.
6 hours agoIran’s Revolutionary Guard fires on container ship in Strait of Hormuz
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said early Wednesday that Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard fired on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the UKMTO, an IRGC gunboat approached the vessel and opened fire, causing “heavy damage” to the ship.
The incident occurred about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, the UKMTO said.
The crew was reported safe, the British military said.
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
8 hours agoTrump says Iran ‘collapsing financially’ amid Strait of Hormuz blockade
President Donald Trump said Iran is “collapsing financially” as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate.
“They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day,” Trump said. “Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!
The comments echoed a similar post from Trump earlier Tuesday, when he said the Iranian regime is trying to “save face” over the closure of the strait.
“Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed; they want it open so they can make $500 million a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),” Trump wrote in the earlier post.
“They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” he added.
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
9 hours agoKellogg urges Trump to ‘finish the job’ on Iran, abandon talks
Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg urged President Donald Trump to escalate pressure on Iran and “finish the job,” arguing the U.S. should abandon further negotiations.
Kellogg also encouraged the president to “create more problems” for Iran, including targeting Kharg Island, a key oil hub.
“Now you’re creating a compounding problem for them to try to solve, and I don’t think they can solve it because they don’t have the leadership left that can figure this out. And you now control it,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
Kellogg advised Trump not to pursue additional talks with Iran.
“The president gave them ample opportunity,” he said. “It was very gracious in attempt to talk their way through it. Now, let’s just finish it out.”
He argued the U.S. still has leverage to escalate pressure.
“And I think we can finish it. We can strangle them economically. We’re doing that with the blockade,” Kellogg continued.
“Let’s compound the problem — not only do we have terrain, we’ve got the blockade as well. And instead of bombing, their power plants, bomb something that really hurts them — that’s their fuel industry or something like that, instead of going after things that hurt the people.”
“So I think we still have cards to play.”
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
9 hours agoFetterman criticizes fellow Democrats, media over Iran conflict response
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., took aim at fellow Democrats and the media over their reaction to the Iran conflict.
Fetterman’s comments came after Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote “awesome” in response to a report claiming that at least 26 Iranian shadow fleet vessels bypassed the U.S. blockade.
Murphy later said the post was “sarcasm” and criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict.
When asked Tuesday evening by Fox News’ Sean Hannity about Murphy’s remarks, Fetterman said the two are on the “opposite spectrum” on issues involving Iran and Israel.
“It’s almost as if, you know, we’ve forgotten — on the Democratic side — the real enemy, the real threat, the real danger is Iran,” he said.
Fetterman added, “Iran must be so excited by the American media and the Democratic Party.”
Posted by Michael Sinkewicz
11 hours agoKharg Island storage will fill, ‘oil wells shut in’ within days amid Economic Fury, warns Bessent
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday signaled an escalating U.S. economic offensive against Iran, warning the blockade and financial crackdown could impact the regime’s revenue streams “in a matter of days.”
“As @POTUS has made clear, the United States Navy will continue the blockade of Iranian ports,” Bessent said in a post shared on X.
“In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full, and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in. Constraining Iran’s maritime trade directly targets the regime’s primary revenue lifelines,” he added.
Bessent said the U.S. Treasury will also continue to apply “maximum pressure through Economic Fury to systematically degrade Tehran’s ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds.”
“Any person or vessel facilitating these flows — through covert trade and finance — risks exposure to U.S. sanctions,” he warned, adding that the U.S. would “continue to freeze the funds stolen by the corrupt leadership on behalf of the people of Iran.”
11 hours agoIran losing $500M daily, Trump says no deal unless US ‘blows up rest of their Country’
Iran is losing $500M a day with the Strait of Hormuz closed, President Donald Trump said Tuesday.
Trump also claimed the regime is simply wanting to “save face” over the closure before adding that there will never be a deal with Iran unless the US blows up “the rest of their Country.”
“Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed; they want it open so they can make $500 million a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.
“They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” he added.
“People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait immediately.’ But if we do that, there can never be a deal with Iran unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!” Trump added.
12 hours agoUN leaders back Trump’s ceasefire extension, creates ‘critical space for diplomacy’
UN leaders voiced their support for President Donald Trump’s announcement Tuesday of an extension of the ceasefire with Iran.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi told reporters that the effort to end the war is a “complex process,” according to the Associated Press.
“I think it’s very important that an opportunity for peace is given,” Grossi said.
He also warned both sides that any peace deal must include the IAEA from the start to enforce oversight over Iran’s nuclear program; otherwise, he said, “you will have an illusion of an agreement.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said Trump’s announcement would create “critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States,” according to his spokesman.
“We encourage all parties to build on this momentum, refrain from actions that could undermine the ceasefire, and engage constructively in negotiations to reach a sustainable and lasting resolution,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said.
The secretary-general “fully supports” Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate U.S.-Iran talks and hopes its efforts “will contribute to creating conditions conducive to a comprehensive and durable resolution to the conflict,” Dujarric said
12 hours agoUS forces ‘rearmed, retooled and ready’ amid Middle East tensions, CENTCOM says
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video Tuesday showcasing American military forces on high alert as tensions persist across the Middle East.
“U.S. Central Command forces remain ready…” the command said in a post on X accompanying the footage, which features a montage of aircraft, naval assets, and ground forces conducting operations and maneuvers.
On-screen captions in the video read: “Rearmed. Retooled. Ready.”
“We’re rearming, we’re retooling, and we’re adjusting our tactics, techniques, and procedures,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said during a recent briefing, with his remarks repeated in the video.
“There’s no military in the world that adjusts like we do, and that’s exactly what we’re doing right now during the ceasefire,” Cooper added.
13 hours agoChina ‘caught red-handed’ over alleged Iran missile-linked chemical shipment, says Scott
Sen. Rick Scott said Tuesday that China was “caught red-handed” allegedly sending dual-use chemicals to Iran that could be used in ballistic missile production, pointing to the interception of an Iranian-linked cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on on April 19.
Scott also described Beijing as an “imminent threat” to U.S. national security.
“COMMUNIST CHINA got caught red-handed, headed to Iran to provide them with dual-use chemicals used to create BALLISTIC MISSILES while our great military is fighting in the Gulf,” Scott said in a post shared on X.
“This is EXACTLY why they are our enemy, and an imminent threat to our national security.”
The MV Touska, had docked twice at Zhuhai, a port in southern China, in the six weeks leading up to its interception by U.S. forces, according to reports.
13 hours agoUK, France to lead talks as nations work to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Military planners from more than 30 countries will meet in London to chart a path toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the U.K. government announced Tuesday.
The Ministry of Defence said the talks, set for April 22, will focus on advancing military plans to restore access to the critical global waterway once conditions allow, following a sustainable ceasefire.
“The work is part of the U.K. and French-led multinational coalition to reopen the Strait,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The sessions will advance military plans to reopen the Strait as soon as conditions permit, following a sustainable ceasefire agreement,” it said.
U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey also said the goal is “to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire.”
“I am confident that, over the next two days, real progress can be made,” Healey added.
14 hours agoIran vows to break US blockade ‘by force’, keep Strait of Hormuz closed: IRGC-affiliated report
Iran has threatened to break the U.S. blockade of its ports “by force, if necessary,” after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire Tuesday, according to reports.
Citing Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG), Reuters reported that the outlet described the continuation of the naval blockade as “continued hostility.”
“As long as the blockade persists, Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and, if necessary, it will break the blockade by force,” Tasnim said, according to Reuters.
14 hours agoPakistan PM thanks Trump for supporting Iran ceasefire extension request
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Donald Trump Tuesday for extending the two-week ceasefire with Iran, saying it would give diplomacy more time to advance.
The deadline was April 22 at 8 p.m. ET.
“On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course,” Sharif said in a post shared on X.
“With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict,” he said.
Sharif went on to say he hoped both sides will “continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict,” Sharif added.
The talks between the Iranian and U.S. delegations were initially set for Tuesday and then delayed to Wednesday, but have now been postponed indefinitely.
15 hours agoUS Pakistan trip on hold as Trump awaits ‘unified’ Iran proposal, says White House
The White House confirmed the U.S. negotiating team would not be traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday as President Donald Trump awaits a “unified” proposal from Iran.
“In light of President Trump’s Truth Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today,” a White House official said.
“Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House,” the official added.
15 hours agoTrump ceasefire extension ‘ploy to buy time’ for surprise strike, says Iranian regime advisor
President Donald Trump’s ceasefire extension is a “ploy to buy time” for a surprise strike, an advisor to Iran’s parliament speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tuesday.
“Trump’s ceasefire extension means nothing. The losing side cannot dictate terms,” Iranian national security analyst Mahdi Mohammadi said in a post shared on X.
“The continuation of the siege is no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response,” he said.
“Moreover, Trump’s ceasefire extension is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike. The time for Iran to take the initiative has come,” Mohammadi added.
15 hours agoScam messages target tankers in Strait of Hormuz with fake crypto transit fees
Fraudulent messages offering ships safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for cryptocurrency have been sent to some shipping companies, according to Reuters.
Greek risk management firm MARISKS told the outlet that unknown actors posing as Iranian authorities had contacted companies whose vessels are stuck west of the strategic waterway.
They asked for transit fees in Bitcoin or Tether in return for “clearance.”
“These specific messages are a scam,” the firm said in an alert, adding the communications did not originate from Iranian authorities.
This comes as the United States blockade of Iranian ports continues, and Iran maintains restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.
MARISKS said it believed at least one ship that came under fire while trying to leave the strait may have been affected by the scam.
16 hours agoIsrael unveils game-changing artillery against Iran-backed Hezbollah amid fragile ceasefire
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have introduced a new self-propelled howitzer to combat Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon as a defensive weapon against Hezbollah attacks.
Ro’em, the Hebrew word for thunder, could play an important role if the 10-day fragile ceasefire breaks down between Israel and Hezbollah.
A second round of talks aimed at disarming Hezbollah between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel are slated for Thursday in Washington D.C. The ceasefire went into effect Thursday.
Ehud Bibi, Chief Artillery Officer for the IDF, told Fox News Digital that “The Ro’em brings a new capability to the Artillery Corps and the IDF as a whole, reshaping how firepower is employed on the battlefield.
This marks a historic milestone, introducing a new era of more precise, faster, and more flexible fire enabling us to support troops on the ground more effectively.”
According to the IDF statement, “During the activity, the troops conducted precise artillery fire on several Hezbollah anti-tank and surface-to-surface missile launch positions, from which attacks had been launched against IDF troops.
The firing was effective, achieving operational results and introducing new artillery capabilities, thereby reducing the threat posed to IDF troops and Israeli civilians.”
The IDF said the launches were purely defensive attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists during the truce. The howitzer can fire roughly 40 kilometers (about 25 miles). A team of three IDF soldiers operate the Ro’em.
Elbit Systems stated on its website that it’s “capable of automatic loading and laying of the gun system, rapid in-and-out action times and high rate of fire.
It offers a protected cabin for a crew of three.” Adding that, “Depending on the mission, SIGMA is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant and fuze and laying the gun to optimally engage targets.”
Also known as SIGMA, the Ro’em is produced by South Carolina-based subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America.
This is an excerpt from a report by Benjamin Weinthal.
Breaking News16 hours agoTrump extends Iran ceasefire, orders continued US blockade, says regime ‘seriously fractured’
The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports will continue, and the ceasefire with Iran will be extended, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, citing “serious fractures” within the Iranian regime.
“Based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so, and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said in a post shared on Truth Social.
“I have therefore directed our military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” he added.
16 hours agoUS hits Iran weapons suppliers with new sanctions
The U.S. sanctioned 14 individuals, companies and airplanes based in Iran, Turkey and the UAE for helping procure or transport weapons on behalf of the Iranian regime, the Treasury Department announced on Tuesday.
In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Iranian regime must be “held accountable for its extortion of global energy markets and indiscriminate targeting of civilians with missiles and drones.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury will continue to follow the money and target the Iranian regime’s recklessness and those who enable it,” Bessent added.
The Treasury Department also said Iran was looking to reconstitute its production capacity after being degraded amid Operation Epic Fury.
The statement said Iran was also relying on Shahed one-way attack drones to target the United States and its allies, including energy infrastructure in the region.
“These designations support Economic Fury in response to the Iranian regime’s continued threats to global security,” the Treasury said.
Sanctions on eight individuals and four entities were issued because of their involvement in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile programs and U.S.-designated Mahan Air, the Treasury said.
17 hours agoNetanyahu says Israel ‘stronger than ever,’ Iran’s ‘axis of evil fighting for survival’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel is “stronger than ever,” hailing its fight against “the forces of evil” in an Independence Day address in Jerusalem.
“Israel is stronger than ever, and together with the United States, we are leading the fight against the forces of evil in the world,” Netanyahu said.
He also said that enemies have risen up in every generation to try to destroy the Jewish people, but that in the “generation of revival,” he assured Israel rises up “against our enemies.”
“The Iranian axis of evil, which plotted to destroy us, is now fighting for its very survival. In the War of Revival, we smashed major parts of Iran’s axis,” Netanyahu added.
“We have launched two bold operations to remove an existential threat from above us,” he said, referring to the dangers of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Netanyahu also said the relationship between Israel and the U.S. was further strengthened as it had brought ties under President Donald Trump to “unprecedented heights.”
He said on the campaign against Iran that “in the War of Revival, in Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion, we made major achievements.”
17 hours agoIran calls US naval blockade ‘act of war,’ vows to ‘resist bullying’
Iran’s foreign minister on Tuesday condemned U.S. actions against Iranian ports as an “act of war,” escalating tension after Washington imposed the naval blockade following failed ceasefire talks.
“Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire,” Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a post shared on X.
“Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation,” he said.
“Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying,” Araghchi added.
The U.S. blockade was implemented April 13. On April 19, U.S. forces fired on, boarded and seized the Iranian-flagged tanker M/V Touska in the Strait of Hormuz, and also boarded another Iranian oil tanker earlier Tuesday.
18 hours agoIran arrests more than 3,600 over alleged ties to US-Israeli war, rights group says
Iranian authorities have arrested more than 3,600 people on charges related to the U.S.-Israeli war, an Iran Human Rights group has said.
The charges are said to range from sharing videos with overseas media outlets to using Starlink internet terminals.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said the figure was based on state media reports and its own research, but that the actual number of arrests was “likely much higher.”
It said at least 3,646 people had been arrested since the war broke out on Feb. 28.
The right’s group also said at least 767 of the cases were reported after the start of a ceasefire on April 8.
“The charges leveled against the detainees predominantly include espionage, communicating with foreign intelligence services, transmitting images or coordinates of sensitive locations to foreign-based media, and attempting to establish operational cells or conduct armed activities,” IHRNGO said.
18 hours agoHezbollah rocket fire continues in ‘blatant violation’ of ceasefire, IDF says
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Tuesday that Hezbollah is continuing to launch rockets toward IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon despite the 10-day ceasefire in place.
The rockets were launched “toward IDF soldiers operating south of the Forward Defense Line, in the area of Rab Thalathin in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said in a post shared on X.
In response, the IDF struck the launcher from which the rockets were fired.
“Contrary to the report of the false identification, and according to an additional inquiry, the sirens in the areas of Kfar Yuval and Ma’ayan Baruch were most likely sounded following the interception of a UAV launched from Lebanon prior to crossing into Israel,” the IDF added.
The launches constitute a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” it said.
18 hours agoUS forces ordered 28 ships to turn around, return to port during Iran blockade: CENTCOM
U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that 28 ships have now been directed by U.S. forces to “turn around or return to port” during the blockade of Iranian ports.
The blockade went into effect on April 13. It is primarily enforced by U.S. naval and air power in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
The strategic goal of the blockade is to intercept vessels after they clear the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping points.
An Iranian-flagged cargo ship, the Touska, was seized in the Gulf of Oman by U.S. forces as it was approaching Iranian waters Sunday.
“It tried to run the blockade, which seems like a particularly foolish thing to do … which would seem to indicate that there was something aboard that ship that they really perhaps needed in Iran,” said Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency initiative, told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
18 hours agoIran still undecided on ceasefire talks, Pakistan pushes ‘intensive’ mediation efforts
The Iranian government has not yet decided whether to join ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad, its Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Acccording to the Associated Press, Esmail Baghaei told state TV that Iran was upset about what he described as mixed messages from the United States.
“It is not out of indecisiveness, it is because we are facing contradictory messages and behaviors, and unacceptable actions from the American counterpart,” Baghaei said.
Baghaei also said that there had been “no final decision” made on whether to attend ceasefire talks.
This came as two Pakistani officials said their leaders were engaged in “intensive mediation” efforts late Tuesday to ensure the second round of ceasefire talks takes place in Islamabad.
The officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and the prime minister’s national security adviser were involved in the push.
The officials told the Associated Press that there was “overall optimism among decision-makers in Pakistan.”
18 hours agoVance trip to Pakistan on hold as ceasefire deadline looms
Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, for the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations is on hold after the Iranians refused to agree to America’s terms, according to reports from The New York Times and Axios.
Vance, who was supposed to take off for Pakistan on Tuesday, headed to the White House earlier for a meeting, a White House official told Fox News. The official said additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House of which the vice president will participate in.
Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar also said Tuesday that Pakistan was still awaiting confirmation that Iran will attend the expected peace talks.
A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire around 4:50 a.m. Wednesday morning in Pakistan, he added.
Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
19 hours agoIsrael accuses Hezbollah of ‘blatant’ ceasefire violation
The Israel Defense Forces accused the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah of violating the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on Tuesday.
“Hezbollah launched several rockets toward IDF soldiers operating south of the Forward Defense Line, in the area of Rab Thalathin in southern Lebanon. In response, the IDF struck the launcher from which the rockets were launched,” the IDF said.
“The launches constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” it added.
President Donald Trump had announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon last week.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
20 hours agoPakistan still waiting for Iran to confirm attendance for upcoming talks in Islamabad: official
Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar said Tuesday that Pakistan is still awaiting confirmation that Iran will attend expected peace talks with the U.S. in Islamabad.
“Formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited,” Tarar wrote on X, saying the current ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran expires Wednesday morning at 4:50 a.m. local time in Pakistan.
“Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two weeks ceasefire is critical,” he added. “Pakistan has made sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks and these efforts continue.”
Vice President JD Vance was supposed to depart for negotiations in Pakistan but has since gone to the White House on Tuesday for policy meetings. His planned departure is unclear.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
20 hours agoTrump says he expects ‘to be bombing’ as ceasefire deadline looms, US military ‘raring to go’
President Donald Trump said in a radio interview with CNBC on Tuesday morning that the U.S. was in a “very strong negotiating position” as the ceasefire deadline looms but expects to be bombing Iran again soon.
Asked whether he needs at least the prospects for a signed deal Tuesday or Wednesday or else he would resume bombing Iran, Trump responded, “Well, I expect to be bombing, because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with.”
“But, you know, we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go. They are absolutely incredible,” Trump said. “We have the most powerful military in the world, and everybody knows it.”
Trump said the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports has been a “tremendous success” regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal. They can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again, they have incredible people. But they seem to be bloodthirsty. They’re led by some very, very, unfortunately tough people,” Trump said. “And I don’t mean tough in a good way. I think it’s very negative for the country because we’re much tougher than they are. Like, not even close. But they have to use reason and they have to use common sense, and they can get themselves into a great position to make themselves into a great country, but a legitimate country, not a country based on death and horror.”
Trump told CNBC that the U.S. military has been restocking during the ceasefire.
“You know, they’re trying to move the missiles because we’ve obliterated most of their missiles and they’re trying to move their missiles around, even during the cease fire, which I think was a good thing because we’re totally loaded up. We have so much ammo, we have so much of everything that we’ve like — much, much more powerful than it was 4 or 5 weeks ago. So we’ve used this to restock, and they probably have done a little bit of restock,” he said.
“And we caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which wasn’t very nice. A gift from China, perhaps? I don’t know, but I was a little surprised,” Trump said about the capture of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Monday.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
20 hours agoSon of kidnapped CIA contractor alleges Iranian official tied to case attended US talks
The son of America’s longest-held hostage said an Iranian tied to his father’s kidnapping took part in the first round of peace talks.
Dan Levinson, son of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, argued it’s a “slap in the face” to his family to have the official involved in talks as the United States and Iran teeter on the edge of a fragile ceasefire.
“There’s only a few people in the world who know exactly what happened to my dad, who were involved in what happened to my dad. The FBI identified five of them,” Levinson said on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday.
“One of them was killed in the initial airstrikes at the start of this conflict. And another one is hiding in plain sight,” he added.
Robert Levinson is the longest-held hostage in U.S. history after vanishing in 2007 on Kish Island. He was working as a CIA contractor at the time of his disappearance. In 2020, U.S. officials announced they believed he had died in Iranian custody, though his remains were never recovered.
Dan Levinson is now calling out Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iran’s current ambassador to Pakistan, who took part in the first round of high-level talks in Islamabad. Levinson said Amiri Moghadam was one of several individuals identified as having a direct role in his father’s abduction nearly two decades ago.
“It’s a slap in the face to our family, slap in the face to the United States of America,” Levinson said, adding, “It hurts their [Pakistan’s] credibility as an independent intermediary between the two countries because they’re allowing this man to take part in all of this.”
Posted by Madison Colombo
21 hours agoVance’s Pakistan trip uncertain as VP heads to White House for policy meetings
Vice President JD Vance, who was supposed to take off for Islamabad, Pakistan, for the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, is now headed to the White House Tuesday for a meeting, a White House official told Fox News.
It’s unclear if and when Vance may be departing. The official said additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House of which the vice president will participate in.
The White House said over the weekend that Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to Pakistan, joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Trump earlier signaled the next round of face-to-face negotiations would begin late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Vance, Witkoff and Kushner last negotiated with an Iranian delegation in Pakistan on April 11, but no deal was reached. Iran suggested its delegation would not negotiate with the U.S. delegation this time around even if they came back to Islamabad.
Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
21 hours agoUS intel on ‘high alert’ over China, Russia potentially supplying Iran with military equipment
Fox News contributor and former CIA station chief Dan Hoffman told “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday that “The U.S. intelligence community is on high alert tracking the extent to which Russia and China might be providing Iran with military equipment.”
“China reportedly provided MANPADs and dual-use equipment for use in Iranian drones and ballistic missiles. So that is something we have to be keenly aware of, tracking and then seeking to stop with that blockade that we’ve imposed,” Hoffman said.
MANPADS are shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missiles designed to target low-flying aircraft. U.S. officials believe a similar type of weapon was likely used to bring down an American F-15E fighter jet over Iran earlier in April, marking the first loss of a manned U.S. aircraft in Iran in the conflict.
Hoffman also reacted to a post on X from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who wrote “awesome” in response to a report claiming that at least 26 Iranian shadow fleet vessels bypassed the U.S. blockade.
“We are in the war, I think we should be rooting for the home team,” Hoffman told “America’s Newsroom.”
Murphy later issued a statement saying the post was “sarcasm” and further criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict.
Fox News’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
22 hours agoWhite House rips Murphy’s ‘un-American’ X post on Iran: ‘Rooting against the United States Military’
White House principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly condemned “disgusting” and “anti-American” behavior from Sen. Chris Murphy on Tuesday after the Connecticut Democrat reacted to an Iranian propaganda report claiming that at least 26 Iranian shadow fleet vessels bypassed the U.S. blockade.
“Awesome,” Murphy wrote on X, responding to the report.
“Why is a Democrat Senator pushing (false) Iranian propaganda and rooting against the United States Military? Disgusting, anti-American behavior from a sitting Member of Congress,” Kelly said in response to Murphy’s post.
A spokesperson for Murphy later issued a statement claiming, “The tweet was sarcasm.”
“Chris obviously thinks it’s terrible that Donald Trump continues to mishandle every aspect of a war he started but clearly has no strategy to end,” the statement added.
Murphy himself later took to X and wrote, “Ok Twitter, I can’t believe I need to clarify this but obviously Trump’s bungled mismanagement of this war is not ‘awesome.’ As I have said a million times here, it’s a disaster and he should end the war immediately. My tweet was something called ‘sarcasm.'”
Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday morning that there is “no evidence” that Iranian shadow fleet vessels have made it through the U.S. blockade.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
22 hours agoHeightened security seen in Islamabad, Pakistan, ahead of expected US-Iran talks
An increased security presence is visible in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday ahead of the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, according to Fox News correspondent Matt Finn.
“Earlier today, I saw a police blockade where armed officers were screening every car that was passing through. There is a red zone that has been created to form a perimeter around the area where the high stakes talks are expected,” Finn told “America’s Newsroom.”
The White House said this weekend that Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to Pakistan, joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Iranian leadership has gone as far as to declare they won’t participate in the Islamabad peace talks with the U.S., Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Monday.
Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
22 hours agoTrump calls for release of Iranian women ahead of peace talks
President Donald Trump called for the release of eight Iranian women ahead of anticipated U.S.-Iran peace talks in Pakistan.
“To the Iranian leaders, who will soon be in negotiations with my representatives: I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. I am sure that they will respect the fact that you did so. Please do them no harm!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Would be a great start to our negotiations!!!” Trump added.
The women were identified in online posts as Bita Hemmati, Golnaz Naraghi, Venus Hossein Nejad, Panah Movahedi, Ensieh Nejati, Mahboubeh Shabani and Diana Taher Abadi.
Trump shared a screenshot of a post by UPenn alumnus Eyal Yakoby, an advocate against campus antisemitism who shared images of eight women he said the Islamic Republic was preparing to hang. “Not a word from the international community or so-called human rights organizations,” Yakoby wrote.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
23 hours agoTrump says he’s anticipating a ‘great deal’ with Iran
President Donald Trump said in an interview Tuesday that he thinks “we’re going to end up with a great deal” with Iran ahead of anticipated talks in Pakistan.
“I think they have no choice. We’ve taken out their navy. We’ve taken out their air force. We’ve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way. But these leaders are much more rational. It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I’ve done it, indirectly maybe, but I’ve done it,” Trump said in a phone call to CNBC.
“And I think we’re in a very strong negotiating position to do what other presidents should have done during a 47-year period. We have 47 years where these bloodthirsty people have been killing a lot of soldiers, a lot of our soldiers and a lot of other people,” Trump said about the Iranian regime.
“And the blockade has been a tremendous success. They said two days ago, ‘we will open the strait’. I said, ‘no, we’re not going to open the strait until we have a final deal,” Trump also said to CNBC. “We totally control the strait. Just so you understand, for all the fake news out there.”
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
April 21US-Iran standoff is entering a ‘critical stage,’ China says
Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Tuesday that the ongoing standoff between the U.S. and Iran “is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not.”
“In times like this, it is more imperative than ever that all sides show utmost sincerity, stick to the direction of political settlement, keep up the momentum for ceasefire and negotiation, and work for the early restoration of normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region,” Guo told reporters in a press briefing.
“Now that the window for peace has been opened, favorable conditions need to be created to end the war at an early date,” he also said.
Guo previously called the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports a “dangerous and irresponsible move.”
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
April 21Iran’s Revolutionary Guard sidelines president as military grip expands
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of the Iranian armed forces, has blocked President Masoud Pezeshkian’s presidential appointments and erected what sources described as a security cordon around Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a report published Tuesday by Iran International said.
The IRGC effectively has assumed control over key state functions, the report claimed.
“It was always a matter of when, not if, the IRGC was going to step forward even more than it has in the last three decades,” Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.
Pezeshkian has reached a “complete political deadlock” as tensions between his administration and the military leadership deepen, according to the report.
The reported shift could have major consequences far beyond Iran.
Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely would mean a more confrontational Iran, less willing to compromise in talks with Washington and more inclined to continue military escalation across the region. With U.S.-Iran negotiations already faltering and uncertainty growing over whether Tehran will even send negotiators to the next round of talks, the rise of the Revolutionary Guard raises fresh doubts about who actually is making decisions in Iran and whether any civilian official can still speak for the regime.
“But it’s a mistake to assume this is some sort of coup,” Ben Taleblu said. “This has been the process in Iran for years now, as the regime has chosen conflict over cooperation and emboldened its security forces at every juncture.”
April 21Trump accuses Iran of multiple ceasefire violations
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that “Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!”
Trump made the remark on Truth Social as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which went into effect on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday.
A U.S. delegation is expected to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan for another round of negotiations with Iran, a source familiar with the plans previously told Fox News Digital.
Iranian state television on Tuesday posted a message claiming “no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad… so far,” according to The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
April 21Democrat senator cheers report that Iranian ships made it past US blockade: ‘Awesome’
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., cheered on a report claiming that more than two dozen Iranian shadow fleet ships have made it past a U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports in the Middle East.
The report from Lloyd’s List states that “While the U.S. military says it has turned around over 20 vessels and ‘completely halted’ Iranian trade, Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows a steady flow of shadow fleet traffic in and out of the Middle East Gulf.”
“Awesome,” Murphy wrote on X in response to the report.
Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday morning that there is “no evidence” that Iranian shadow fleet vessels have made it through the U.S. blockade.
A spokesperson for Murphy clarified to Jewish Insider, “The tweet was sarcasm. Chris obviously thinks it’s terrible that Donald Trump continues to mishandle every aspect of a war he started but clearly has no strategy to end.”
A shadow fleet is comprised of ships used to evade international sanctions.
Murphy, a critic of President Donald Trump, told a crowd at the Global Progressive Mobilization conference over the weekend in Barcelona, Spain, that “Donald Trump and our country is trying to end our democracy.”
“We are not on the verge of a totalitarian takeover. We are in the middle of it,” Murphy said.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
April 21Iran threatens ‘new cards’ on battlefield as ceasefire wanes
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf threatened to “reveal new cards on the battlefield” in a Monday evening social media post just days before the agreed ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire.
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.
“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” he concluded.
Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation in Islamabad during April 11 peace talks with a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance. That meeting happened while a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, was in effect. The ceasefire, announced on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday.
Vance is now expected to land in Pakistan again Tuesday to lead a second round of talks ahead of the deadline, according to PBS.
While Vance will hope to reach a long-term peace deal, Iran has signaled intransigence. Ghalibaf’s warning came two days after the Islamic Republic announced Saturday it was reimposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, reversing a previously announced decision to open the key waterway up.
Posted by Robert McGreevy
April 21Trump says he’s ‘highly unlikely’ to extend fragile Iran ceasefire as clock ticks down
President Donald Trump said that it’s “highly unlikely” he will extend the current U.S.-Iran ceasefire, which is set to end on Wednesday.
The 2-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was reached on April 7, and went into effect the following day.
Trump told Bloomberg on Monday that the ceasefire expires “Wednesday evening Washington time” and it’s “highly unlikely that I’d extend it” if no deal is reached with Iran before then.
“I’m not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We’ve got all the time in the world,” Trump also told Bloomberg.
He said Iran “desperately” wants the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened, but “I’m not opening it until a deal is signed.”
A U.S. delegation planned to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday for another round of face-to-face peace talks with Iran, a source familiar with the plans told Fox News Digital.
The White House said this weekend that Vice President JD Vance will lead the delegation, joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Trump told Bloomberg that the negotiations will take place “either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.”
“There’s going to be a meeting. They want a meeting, and they should want a meeting. And it can work out well,” Trump also said to Bloomberg about Iran.
Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom and Pat Ward contributed to this report.
Posted by Greg Norman-Diamond
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