Iran has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz by seizing two commercial vessels, just as the United States pauses new strikes but keeps a naval blockade in place and peace talks remain in limbo.
The move came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was indefinitely suspending renewed military attacks on Iran and extending a shaky ceasefire so Washington could study an Iranian proposal to end the two month old conflict. However, Tehran has not confirmed any formal extension of the truce and has denounced the ongoing blockade of its maritime trade as an act of war.
Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said a full ceasefire would only be possible if the U.S. lifted its naval blockade and allowed normal traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that previously carried around one fifth of global oil supplies. He wrote that it was “unthinkable” to reopen the waterway under what he called a blatant violation of the ceasefire, insisting that only recognition of Iran’s rights would end the standoff.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had taken control of two ships, the Liberia flagged Epaminondas and the Panama flagged MSC Francesca, accusing them of sailing without proper authorisation and tampering with their navigation systems. A third vessel nearby was reportedly fired upon but escaped and continued its journey.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News the seizures did not technically breach the ceasefire because the ships were neither U.S. nor Israeli owned, but she still branded Iran’s move an act of “piracy.”
The U.S. military said it has ordered more than 30 ships to change course or return to port as part of its effort to enforce the blockade, including vessels redirected near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Brent crude stayed above 100 dollars a barrel in Asian trading on Thursday, having breached that level for the first time in two weeks amid fears of prolonged disruption in the Gulf.
The conflict was triggered on 28 February by coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and has already claimed thousands of lives across the Middle East, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, where Iran aligned Hezbollah is fighting Israel. Trump has repeatedly threatened to hit Iranian power infrastructure and other civilian targets, attacks the United Nations has warned would violate international humanitarian law, but in recent days has stepped back from those threats.
On the diplomatic front, Pakistan is trying to mediate between the two sides after both failed to attend planned talks in Islamabad on Tuesday, the day the original two week ceasefire was due to expire. Trump says the U.S. agreed to halt attacks at Pakistan’s request until Iranian leaders present a unified proposal, but no new deadline has been set.
An initial round of talks in Islamabad 11 days ago ended without a deal. Washington is demanding that Iran abandon highly enriched uranium and stop further enrichment to block any path to a nuclear weapon, while Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful and wants sanctions lifted, war damage compensated and its authority over the strait recognised.
Tehran has also made a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah a condition for any comprehensive truce. On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least five people, including journalist Amal Khalil, marking the deadliest day since a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced on 16 April.
About the author
Influencer culture impacting music quality in Nigeria, says Zlatan Ibile
Afrobeats star Zlatan Ibile says the rise of influencer culture is reshaping Nigeria’s entertainment industry and affecting the overall quality of music being released. Speaking on the Afrobeats Podcast hosted by Shopsydoo, he noted that making music is no longer the preserve of professional artists, as skit makers, pranksters, TikTok creators and other social media influencers now record songs that quickly go viral. According to him, musicians once dominated celebrity culture, but influencers and content creators now share the spotlight and can turn almost any track into a hit through their online reach. “It used to be that artists were the celebrities, but now TikTokers, influencers, and content creators are celebrities. That is why you can see an influencer or skit maker drop a song and it blows up,” Zlatan said. He stressed that this shift helps explain why songs […]
My family once threatened to drag me online over money – Peller
Streamer and content creator Peller has revealed that his family once threatened to call him out on social media over money, despite the financial support he says he regularly gives them. Peller shared the experience during a livestream while reacting to the controversy surrounding fellow content creator GehGeh, whose younger sister recently accused him online of neglecting his siblings despite his wealth. He said his own family drama could be worse, claiming his father had previously warned he might take their issues to the internet. According to Peller, he has given his father significant assistance, including buying him a car, while also opening multiple shops for his mother. “You see the way all GehGeh family are dragging him online, my own goes worse. And it might be my daddy because they have threatened me with it before. And I have […]
Trump orders US Navy to destroy boats laying mines in Hormuz
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the United States Navy to destroy any boats found laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating pressure on Iran over control of the vital waterway. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post cited by U.S. media. He added that there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the directive. Trump also said U.S. mine‑sweeping operations were already under way. “Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he stated, underscoring Washington’s determination to keep the strategic chokepoint open to international shipping. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to global markets, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, […]
Spain’s Lamine Yamal sidelined with hamstring injury but expected to be fit for World Cup
Spain winger Lamine Yamal has suffered a hamstring injury but is still expected to be fit in time for this summer’s 2026 World Cup, Barcelona have confirmed. “Tests have confirmed that first team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement on Thursday. Barca added that the teenager will undergo conservative treatment, will miss the rest of the season, but “is expected to be available for the World Cup,” which runs from 11 June to 19 July. Yamal picked up the injury in Barcelona’s 1–0 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday. The 18 year old won and converted the decisive penalty but immediately pulled up in pain after scoring past goalkeeper Ionut Radu, calling for treatment and lying on the turf while team mates celebrated. He was replaced by […]
Osimhen: Ex sporting director backs De Laurentiis over rejected €200m PSG offer
Former Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso says club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was right to reject a reported €200 million joint offer from Paris Saint Germain for Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2023. Speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Meluso explained that De Laurentiis did not want to weaken the squad immediately after winning the Scudetto and felt that selling both star forwards at once would have sent the wrong message to the dressing room and fans. “Should Osimhen and Kvara have been sold together to PSG immediately after their third Scudetto? At that point, De Laurentiis didn’t want to weaken Napoli,” he said, insisting the decision was taken for the good of the club rather than purely financial reasons. Meluso admitted that, with hindsight, some might argue the sale should have gone through, but maintained that offloading both […]
No FIFA plans to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup
FIFA has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup despite a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Paolo Zampolli. Speculation over Iran’s participation had grown because of the ongoing war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, but world football’s governing body has reaffirmed that Iran will take part as scheduled. Zampolli, an Italian‑American and long‑time Trump ally, told the Financial Times he had suggested to both Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that four‑time champions Italy be invited to take Iran’s place at the U.S.‑hosted tournament. “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli said, describing it as a “dream” to see the Azzurri at a World Cup staged in the United States. Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup […]
Related
Trump orders US Navy to destroy boats laying mines in Hormuz
President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the United States Navy to destroy any boats found laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating pressure on Iran over control of the vital waterway. “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote in a post cited by U.S. media. He added that there should be “no hesitation” in carrying out the directive. Trump also said U.S. mine‑sweeping operations were already under way. “Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now,” he stated, underscoring Washington’s determination to keep the strategic chokepoint open to international shipping. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to global markets, is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, […]
Deadly shooting shocks Mexico’s Teotihuacán site
Mexican authorities are investigating a deadly shooting at one of the country’s most iconic tourist sites, the Teotihuacán complex, where a gunman opened fire on visitors before taking his own life. The attack unfolded on Monday morning at the Pyramid of the Moon, a major landmark within the ancient site. Video footage shows the assailant firing at tourists, causing panic as visitors scrambled for safety among the historic structures. A 32-year-old Canadian woman was killed in the incident, while several others from countries including Russia, Colombia and Brazil were injured and treated in nearby hospitals. The gunman, identified as Julio César Jasso Ramírez, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to investigators, the attacker acted alone, with no evidence linking the incident to organized crime groups such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Authorities described the act as premeditated, noting […]
Ukraine resumes oil transit, unlocking EU loan
Ukraine has resumed the transit of Russian oil through a key pipeline supplying Hungary and Slovakia, ending a months-long standoff that had delayed crucial European Union financial support for Kyiv. Shortly after the restart, EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels gave preliminary approval to a €90bn loan package for Ukraine, along with a new round of sanctions targeting Russia. Final approval is expected imminently. The funding, initially agreed in December, had been blocked by Viktor Orbán in February. His veto came after oil flows were disrupted due to damage caused by Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Budapest had insisted that supplies be restored before any financial support could proceed. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that repairs had been completed and pumping resumed, with oil expected to reach Slovakia and Hungary within days. The pipeline in question is part of the Druzhba pipeline, a […]
UK PM Starmer vows not to resign over US envoy appointment scandal
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted he will not resign over the controversy surrounding his appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Starmer said allegations that he misled MPs about the appointment had been “put to bed” after evidence given by the Foreign Office’s former top civil servant, Olly Robbins. Robbins was fired last week over the row. Starmer has faced intense pressure after admitting it was an error of judgment to push ahead with Mandelson’s posting despite red flags raised during security vetting. He had previously told lawmakers that “all due process” was followed. The prime minister now argues he would not have allowed the appointment to proceed had he been told that independent vetting officials recommended denying Mandelson security clearance. He told MPs that Robbins answered “no” when […]
Ukraine restarts Russian oil pipeline to Europe
Ukraine has resumed pumping Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline after completing repairs on a section damaged in a Russian attack in January. The Soviet era pipeline has been at the centre of a standoff between Ukraine and the European Union on one side and Hungary and Slovakia on the other, as both EU members continue to import Russian crude via the route despite the ongoing war. Kyiv hopes that restoring flows will clear the final obstacle to unlocking tens of billions of euros in EU financial support that had been held up by Hungary’s outgoing nationalist leader Viktor Orban. An energy industry source in Ukraine told AFP that “oil transit was launched and pumping began” on Wednesday. Hungarian energy company MOL said it expects the first shipments to arrive in Hungary and Slovakia by Thursday […]
IDF jails soldiers over vandalised Jesus statue
The Israeli military has sanctioned two soldiers involved in damaging a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, following widespread outrage over the incident. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the soldier who struck the statue with a sledgehammer and another who documented the act will each serve 30 days in military detention. Both have also been removed from combat duties after an internal investigation. The IDF added that six other soldiers present at the scene failed to intervene or report the act and will face separate disciplinary measures. The incident took place in the village of Debel and drew strong condemnation after images circulated widely online. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the episode. In a statement, the military said the soldiers’ behaviour was a clear violation of its rules and values, expressing […]
Be the first to leave a comment