{"id":12075,"date":"2026-04-20T03:49:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/04\/20\/live-updates-iran-vows-swift-response-after-us-seizes-vessel-near-strait-of-hormuz-ap-news\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T03:49:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:49:42","slug":"live-updates-iran-vows-swift-response-after-us-seizes-vessel-near-strait-of-hormuz-ap-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/04\/20\/live-updates-iran-vows-swift-response-after-us-seizes-vessel-near-strait-of-hormuz-ap-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Live updates: Iran vows swift response after US seizes vessel near Strait of Hormuz &#8211; AP News"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-module data-gtm-region=\"Major developments we\u2019re following: The U.S. says it attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz that tried to pass its naval blockade. Iran\u2019s military headquarters says the attack and seizure marks a ceasefire violation. President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for another of talks with Iran. But several hours later, Iran had not confirmed it would attend. Trump threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if it doesn\u2019t take the deal that the U.S. is offering. The Strait of Hormuz is closed to shipping due to threats from Iran as the U.S. blockades Iranian ports. It remained unclear whether either side had shifted their stances on unresolved issues that derailed the last round of negotiations, including Iran's nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxies and control over the Strait of Hormuz. The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is due to expire by Wednesday. A 10-day ceasefire in Israel and Lebanon appears to be holding.\" data-align-center id=\"blogBody\">\n<p><b>Major developments we\u2019re following:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul id=\"rte-5c3b3182-3c41-11f1-b535-312117e96ef7\">\n<li>The <b>U.S. says it attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship<\/b> near the Strait of Hormuz that tried to pass its naval blockade. Iran\u2019s military headquarters says the attack and seizure <b>marks a ceasefire violation<\/b>.<\/li>\n<li>President Donald Trump said <b>U.S. negotiators <\/b><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/us-iran-war-israel-hormuz-19-april-2026-0a637f98d588930f195f61cffe07d4f3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>will be in Pakistan on Monday<\/b><\/a><\/span><b> for another of talks with Iran.<\/b> But several hours later, Iran had not confirmed it would attend. <b>Trump threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran<\/b> if it doesn\u2019t take the deal that the U.S. is offering.<\/li>\n<li><b>The Strait of Hormuz is closed<\/b> <b>to shipping<\/b> due to threats from Iran as the U.S. blockades Iranian ports. <\/li>\n<li><b>It remained unclear whether either side had shifted their stances on unresolved issues<\/b> that derailed the last round of negotiations, including Iran\u2019s nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxies and control over the Strait of Hormuz.<\/li>\n<li>The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is <b>due to expire by Wednesday<\/b>. A 10-day ceasefire in Israel and Lebanon appears to be holding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\">                      <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Tehran says restrictions on Iranian oil come with a price\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a80d-dd93-a5ff-f9cd315c0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776646211999\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a80d-dd93-a5ff-f9cd315c0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Tehran says restrictions on Iranian oil come with a price         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Iran\u2019s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, says global fuel prices could stabilize only if economic and military pressures on Iranian oil exports end.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne cannot restrict Iran\u2019s oil exports while expecting free security for others,\u201d Aref wrote on X. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Oil prices jump as Strait of Hormuz standoff escalates \" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a806-d660-a3ff-ab2e46300000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776640928141\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a806-d660-a3ff-ab2e46300000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Oil prices jump as Strait of Hormuz standoff escalates          <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Crude oil prices <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/oil-prices-crude-iran-war-4de9058b58ed944a4113dfb2cf6369c8\">rose in early trading Sunday<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>The price of U.S. crude oil jumped 6.4% to $87.88 per barrel after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. <\/p>\n<p>The price of Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 6.5% to $96.25 per barrel.<\/p>\n<p>The market reaction followed more than two days of rising hopes, and then dashed expectations, involving the strait. <\/p>\n<p>Sunday\u2019s early gains erase a portion of the losses seen Friday, when crude <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/stock-markets-trump-oil-iran-war-50e10bf2aa9b0b658c51e17db3eb3b13\">plunged more than 9%<\/a><\/span> after Iran\u2019s foreign minister said the strait had reopened to commercial tankers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"An Israeli soldier smashes a Jesus statue in Lebanon\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a801-d8f5-a19f-ef4728ac0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776640475681\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a801-d8f5-a19f-ef4728ac0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             An Israeli soldier smashes a Jesus statue in Lebanon         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Israeli military says it\u2019s verified a video on social media purporting to show an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to smash a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon. <\/p>\n<p>It says the behavior of the soldier, from the northern command, is completely \u201cinconsistent with the values expected of its troops.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>An investigation is underway.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iran\u2019s foreign minister says US is showing \u2018bad intentions and lack of seriousness in diplomacy\u2019\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7e4-d660-a3ff-afec6dd60000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776639935993\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7e4-d660-a3ff-afec6dd60000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iran\u2019s foreign minister says US is showing \u2018bad intentions and lack of seriousness in diplomacy\u2019         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Iran\u2019s top diplomat told his Pakistani counterpart that Washington\u2019s demands in negotiations and its threats to Iranian ships and ports mark \u201cclear signs\u201d of America\u2019s disingenuousness.<\/p>\n<p>Abbas Aragchi made the remarks to Pakistan\u2019s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, according to Iranian state media.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s another indication of how the Washington-Tehran standoff is sharpening as the ceasefire is to expire on Wednesday. It could also shake up plans for a new U.S.-Iran round of talks in Islamabad this week. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iran slams US seizure of its vessel, vows swift response\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7cb-d8f5-a19f-e7cfb67b0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776636748073\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7cb-d8f5-a19f-e7cfb67b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iran slams US seizure of its vessel, vows swift response         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Iran\u2019s military headquarters says the U.S. attack and seizure of an Iranian-flagged tanker marks a ceasefire violation. <\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s state broadcaster reported that the country\u2019s military denounced the U.S. action as \u201cmaritime piracy\u201d and said that \u201cIran will respond soon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. says it fired on the ship and seized it because it had crossed the blockade line after ignoring multiple warnings.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Iran vows a swift response to the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7c4-d8f5-a19f-e7c624d00000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776636636894\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7c4-d8f5-a19f-e7c624d00000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Iran vows a swift response to the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Israeli troops say they killed a militant in a battleground area in southern Lebanon\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7bb-d44a-a79d-ffff0c910000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776636140614\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7bb-d44a-a79d-ffff0c910000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Israeli troops say they killed a militant in a battleground area in southern Lebanon         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Israel\u2019s military says a militant was killed after crossing into an area in southern Lebanon that Israeli forces continue to occupy as a tense ceasefire holds in the Israel-Hezbollah war. <\/p>\n<p>The military did not elaborate or identify the killed person. Earlier Sunday, Israel\u2019s army released a map showing a \u201cforward defensive line\u201d behind which Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon. <\/p>\n<p>It said five divisions would remain in a miles-wide strip of Lebanese territory to protect citizens of northern Israel. <\/p>\n<p>The area includes dozens of small Lebanese villages largely devastated by the Israeli invasion. Israel also says its naval forces will remain in a strip of sea adjacent to southern Lebanon.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Gas prices have \u2018likely peaked\u2019 but might not go down before 2027\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7b0-dbb7-a79f-f7b6184b0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776635545489\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7b0-dbb7-a79f-f7b6184b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Gas prices have \u2018likely peaked\u2019 but might not go down before 2027         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Asked when he thought the price of gas would dip below $3 a gallon, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said it might not happen until next year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut prices have likely peaked, and they\u2019ll start going down,\u201d he told CNN\u2019s State of the Union on Sunday. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iranian state media suggest new talks won\u2019t take place\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7ab-d8f5-a19f-e7efed2a0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776634652005\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7ab-d8f5-a19f-e7efed2a0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iranian state media suggest new talks won\u2019t take place         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>There has been no comment from Iranian officials on U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s announcement of new talks in Pakistan this week. <\/p>\n<p>But Iranian state media, without citing anyone beyond unnamed sources, have issued brief reports on Sunday suggesting that the talks would not happen.<\/p>\n<p>The reports came before the U.S. announcement of its seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"The US describes seizure of the Iranian-flagged vessel\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a7a9-d660-a3ff-afa911db0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776634554452\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a7a9-d660-a3ff-afa911db0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             The US describes seizure of the Iranian-flagged vessel         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>U.S. Central Command says the Iranian-flagged Touska was headed to an Iranian port when it was targeted.<\/p>\n<p>It said the Touska was angling to dock at the port of Bandar Abbas. <\/p>\n<p>The military says the vessel did not heed multiple warnings the U.S. issued over six hours, and the U.S. forces then ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room.<\/p>\n<p>CENTCOM says USS Spruance then fired at the engine room, after which U.S. Mariners boarded and took hold of the ship. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAmerican forces acted in a deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance,\u201d it wrote on X.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Video released of the US firing on Iranian vessel Touska\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a797-d3c1-adfd-ffd752ac0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776634367258\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a797-d3c1-adfd-ffd752ac0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Video released of the US firing on Iranian vessel Touska         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>U.S. Central Command has posted a video on X showing a message sent by a U.S. mariner to the Iranian vessel. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cMotor vessel Touska, Motor vessel Touska. Vacate your engine room. Vacate your engine room. We are about to subject you to disabling fire,\u201d can be heard in the video.<\/p>\n<p>The military says it shows the moments before the U.S. seized the Iranian-flagged tanker, Touska, for its crossing the U.S.-imposed blockade line in the Gulf of Oman.<\/p>\n<p>Later in the video, three rounds are fired, leaving smoke in their wake. The U.S. said its fire targeted the vessel\u2019s engine room before forces seized the ship.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Netanyahu tries to push back his trial testimony for security reasons\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a792-daa9-a19f-a7bb551f0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776633160657\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a792-daa9-a19f-a7bb551f0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Netanyahu tries to push back his trial testimony for security reasons         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Israeli media are saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again requested to have his testimony postponed in his ongoing corruption trial. <\/p>\n<p>He cited security reasons for his request, which the reports say was rejected by the State Prosecutor\u2019s Office. <\/p>\n<p>Netanyahu has made the same request repeatedly since he began testifying in 2024, as Israel has been engaged in wars on multiple fronts from Gaza to Iran and Lebanon.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iranian ship seized by the US was carrying cargo from Malaysia\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a73f-db4a-a99d-efbf96ce0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776632876807\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a73f-db4a-a99d-efbf96ce0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iranian ship seized by the US was carrying cargo from Malaysia         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>According to <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"http:\/\/TankerTrackers.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TankerTrackers.com<\/a><\/span>, the ship, named Touska, is an Iranian-flagged carrier that was carrying cargo and had departed Port Klang in Malaysia. <\/p>\n<p>The monitoring group said on X that the Touska had passed the U.S. blockade line before the interception.<\/p>\n<p>The vessel was intercepted around 550 kilometers, or about 340 miles, east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Iran\u2019s president calls US blockade actions provocative and illegal<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a76c-d370-afff-f77c5c040000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776630641477&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a76c-d370-afff-f77c5c040000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Iran\u2019s president calls US blockade actions provocative and illegal<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Iranian judiciary\u2019s Mizan news agency has reported on President Masoud Pezeshkian\u2019s phone conversation with Pakistan\u2019s prime minister earlier today. The report says Pezeshkian alleged bullying and unreasonable behavior by the United States during negotiations and the ceasefire.<\/p>\n<p>The report says Pezeshkian warned that the U.S. actions and threatening rhetoric have led to increased suspicion among Iranian officials about the seriousness of the United States and the possibility that it will repeat previous patterns and \u201cbetray diplomacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The report did not say whether Iran\u2019s president commented on a second round of talks in Pakistan, or on Trump\u2019s announcement that U.S. forces had seized an Iranian-flagged ship.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"French shipping company says one of its ships was targeted\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a743-d934-a5bd-ff4b21f20000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776628767977\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a743-d934-a5bd-ff4b21f20000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             French shipping company says one of its ships was targeted         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>CMA CGM said Sunday that one of its vessels was the target of warning shots. Trump said Iran had fired on French and British ships in the Strait of Hormuz. <\/p>\n<p>The International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed that a French-flagged vessel was involved. The IMO, which regulates international shipping, said there have been 24 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and across the Middle East since March 1.<\/p>\n<p>The latest incident, on April 18, involved the CMA CGM Everglade, a container ship sailing under French flag. According to the IMO, the vessel was damaged north of Kumzar, Oman, though no pollution or injuries were reported.<\/p>\n<p>The IMO did not provide more details. France\u2019s foreign affairs ministry told the AP it had no information to share and CMA CGM declined to provide more details.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said Sunday on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Iran had \u201cfired bullets\u201d in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that \u201cmany of them were aimed at a French ship and a freighter from the United Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump said the US forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship Sunday that tried to get around its naval blockade\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a73a-d837-a3dd-afff08bc0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776627214939\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a73a-d837-a3dd-afff08bc0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump said the US forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship Sunday that tried to get around its naval blockade         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump, in a post on social media, said the ship was warned by a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman to stop but it did not.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n<p>He said U.S. Marines had custody of the cargo ship, named Touska, and were \u201cseeing what\u2019s on board!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The seizure escalates a back-and-forth with Iran over traffic in the strait and comes as the U.S. was preparing for a second round of in-person talks with Iran as a fragile ceasefire runs out in days.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Trump says US has forcibly seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship near Strait of Hormuz that tried to pass naval blockade\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a737-d837-a3dd-affff8ca0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776627090002\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a737-d837-a3dd-affff8ca0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Trump says US has forcibly seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship near Strait of Hormuz that tried to pass naval blockade         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"US energy secretary describes extending waiver on Russian oil sanctions as \u2018pragmatic\u2019\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a700-d8f5-a19f-e74670950000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776624014236\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a700-d8f5-a19f-e74670950000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             US energy secretary describes extending waiver on Russian oil sanctions as \u2018pragmatic\u2019         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The decision announced Friday at the Treasury Department came days after Secretary Scott Bessent had ruled out such a move, and Senate Democrats led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York called it \u201cshameful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPutin has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of President Trump\u2019s war against Iran, as Russia saw oil revenues nearly double in March,\u201d the Democrats\u2019 statement said. \u201cEnough is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Chris Wright said the Trump administration\u2019s reasoning was to ensure that India and other Asian countries receive oil that would have otherwise gone to China. He noted that India exports gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to Europe, where people are also concerned about fuel prices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are short term, pragmatic decisions to allow oil that was already flowing to flow a different direction, and they\u2019re temporary,\u201d Wright said on \u201cFox News Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Pakistan and Iran aren\u2019t confirming Round 2 of US-Iran talks\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a6f7-dbb7-a79f-f7f700ed0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776623315083\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a6f7-dbb7-a79f-f7f700ed0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Pakistan and Iran aren\u2019t confirming Round 2 of US-Iran talks         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Six hours have passed since U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiators would head to Pakistan on Monday for more talks with Iran, but neither Iran nor host Pakistan have confirmed it.<\/p>\n<p>Pakistan has kept up the diplomacy today, with its prime minister holding a 45-minute call with Iran\u2019s president and Pakistan\u2019s foreign minister speaking with his Iranian counterpart.<\/p>\n<p>But while authorities have begun tightening security in Islamabad, the only player that has openly committed to another round of talks is the Trump administration.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>British military says situation in Hormuz \u2018critical\u2019<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a6cb-df6c-a3bd-bfcb3c150000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776619947070&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a6cb-df6c-a3bd-bfcb3c150000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>British military says situation in Hormuz \u2018critical\u2019<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The British military has declared the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf to be \u201ccritical,\u201d its highest risk level.<\/p>\n<p>The military\u2019s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, UKMTO, cited \u201ca high level of activity by naval forces in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It said there is a \u201crisk of attack or miscalculation\u201d in the waterway.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian navy reimposed tight restrictions on transit through the strait as the U.S. military implements a blockade on Iranian ports and waters. The UKMTO also cited multiple attacks on Saturday by Iranian forces on vessels passing through the strait.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Israel reveals new \u2018forward defense line\u2019 in southern Lebanon after ceasefire\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a6b2-db4a-a99d-efb634fb0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776618374091\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a6b2-db4a-a99d-efb634fb0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Israel reveals new \u2018forward defense line\u2019 in southern Lebanon after ceasefire         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Israeli military says it has established the line and released a map showing troops operating south of it. <\/p>\n<p>The deployment has been described elsewhere as a \u201cYellow Line.\u201d It says five divisions are working to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. The line was not mentioned in ceasefire terms published by the United States.<\/p>\n<p>The map shows dozens of villages inside the zone, stretching several kilometers into Lebanon, whose residents would likely be prevented from returning.<\/p>\n<p>There was no immediate comment from Lebanese officials, but the move is likely to raise concerns in Lebanon about the scope and duration of Israel\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Pope Leo XIV sees a \u2018sign of hope\u2019 for peace in the Middle East\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a67b-d370-afff-f67bb93a0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776618187857\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a67b-d370-afff-f67bb93a0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Pope Leo XIV sees a \u2018sign of hope\u2019 for peace in the Middle East         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Celebrating Mass before an estimated 100,000 people outside the capital of Angola on Sunday, Leo praised the ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah as a \u201csign of hope\u201d that he prayed would bring peace permanently to the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/middle-east\">Middle East<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Leo mentioned the conflict as he called on Angolans to denounce the exploitation of their mineral-rich land and people, who still bear the scars of a brutal, post-independence civil war. \u201cWe wish to build a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing,\u201d Leo said.<\/p>\n<p>The American pope is on an African odyssey that will take him to an <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pope-leo-angola-africa-slavery-church-16df3604b4dd1a2722e43687b930b720\">epicenter of the African slave trade<\/a><\/span> with a history emblematic of the Catholic Church\u2019s role in forcing human bondage, and what some scholars say is the Holy See\u2019s continued refusal to <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/general-news-b57b7c946fe84e4892bf0f4b80b71b83\">fully acknowledge it and atone for it.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/pope-vatican-africa-race-082b240dc063e5e382a76bf278cb18e8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Israeli fire kills 1 Palestinian in central Gaza, health official says<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a676-d837-a3dd-aeff3e850000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776614618033&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a676-d837-a3dd-aeff3e850000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Israeli fire kills 1 Palestinian in central Gaza, health official says<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The strike on a group of people in central Gaza also wounded three others, according to a health official at Awda hospital, where the casualties arrived.<\/p>\n<p>The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident.<\/p>\n<p>Palestinians in Gaza have reported that Israeli strikes have intensified over the past few days across the enclave. Since a fragile ceasefire deal was reached in October, deadly Israeli strikes have been a near-daily threat in Gaza, and more than 775 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"UK police investigating if Iranian proxies are responsible for arson attacks on Jewish sites\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a663-d837-a3dd-aeef0e3b0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776614177866\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a663-d837-a3dd-aeef0e3b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             UK police investigating if Iranian proxies are responsible for arson attacks on Jewish sites         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Metropolitan Police force says counterterror officers are probing <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/britain-iran-persian-arson-arrests-b117a0fa6670bfbe7ab9f3b4ddb92efd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fires at synagogues and other Jewish targets<\/a><\/span>, as well as an attack on a <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/britain-iran-arson-persian-language-media-630aea146e4bbe42a8f6c4ddf61317ec\">Persian-language media organization<\/a><\/span> critical of Iran\u2019s government. No one has been injured in the blazes, the latest of which caused minor damage to a north London synagogue on Saturday night.<\/p>\n<p>Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said Sunday that the attacks had been claimed online by a group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia.<\/p>\n<p>Israel\u2019s government has described the group, whose name means the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, as recently founded with suspected links to \u201can Iranian proxy\u201d that has <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/rotterdam-synagogue-attack-terror-suspects-netherlands-bfeb59e918d0678848fc564da3b1df31\">also claimed responsibility for synagogue attacks<\/a><\/span> in Belgium and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/uk-arson-attack-jewish-community-london-9de2489a800725262177dd5c48236ec8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"What\u2019s happening with ships in the Persian Gulf\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a613-d3c1-adfd-ff57b7270000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776610005390\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a613-d3c1-adfd-ff57b7270000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             What\u2019s happening with ships in the Persian Gulf         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-2c0000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Asghar Besharati)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c0c8b27\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ff6%2F1c%2F96d580554f62b20e60c956fe066f%2Fap26108447289863.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Asghar Besharati)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>The sun rises behind tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Asghar Besharati)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>Vessels trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz have reversed course, according to the MarineTraffic shipping tracker.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian navy has reimposed tight restrictions on transit through the strait while the U.S. blockades Iran\u2019s ports and waters. The standoff has left hundreds of vessels waiting in both directions for clearance through the waterway where a fifth of the world\u2019s oil supplies normally passes.<\/p>\n<p>Kpler, a maritime data firm, said 19 vessels had passed through the strait on Friday after Iran and the U.S. announced the reopening of the strait late last week as part of understanding between the two governments.<\/p>\n<p>But on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said it had sent 23 ships back to Iran since its blockade began, and at least three vessels were attacked by Iran Saturday while attempting to cross the strait, bringing shipping to a standstill again and further straining the global energy market.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>US energy secretary says talks with Iranians over Strait of Hormuz are \u2018going well\u2019<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a62e-d8f5-a19f-e76e529b0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776609747531&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a62e-d8f5-a19f-e76e529b0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>US energy secretary says talks with Iranians over Strait of Hormuz are \u2018going well\u2019<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Chris Wright said the United States \u201cis not too far away from a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are negotiations with the Iranians going on, despite what you hear in the chatter in public, I think those are actually going well,\u201d Wright said on \u201cFox News Sunday.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Wright said Trump is \u201ca creative negotiator\u201d who uses \u201cpressure in different ways, uses uncertainty in different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019ll have a nice end of this conflict,\u201d Wright predicted, adding that restarting shipping \u201cwill take time but probably not too much time\u201d once the strait is reopened.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Waltz calls potential strikes on power plants and bridges \u2018an escalatory ladder\u2019<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a5fd-df6c-a3bd-bfff798a0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776608914086&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a5fd-df6c-a3bd-bfff798a0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Waltz calls potential strikes on power plants and bridges \u2018an escalatory ladder\u2019<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Trump is renewing his threat to \u201cknock out\u201d every Iranian power plant and bridge if Tehran doesn\u2019t agree to U.S. terms for ending the war.<\/p>\n<p>Some experts in military law have said <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/trump-iran-power-plants-civilian-war-crimes-88b8ca1bc8e5cc8adabaf6c34e93e597\">targeting civilian infrastructure can be a war crime<\/a><\/span>, an issue that could turn on whether the power plants are legitimate military targets, whether the attacks are proportional compared with what Iran has done and whether civilian casualties are minimized.<\/p>\n<p>When the war crimes question was posed to Trump\u2019s ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz said \u201cthat would be an escalatory ladder.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Iran and its proxies \u201chave a long history of actually deliberately hiding military infrastructure in hospitals, schools, neighborhoods and \u2026 and other civilian assets. \u2026 They have no ground to stand on,\u201d Waltz told ABC\u2019s \u201cThis Week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s perfectly acceptable in the rules of land warfare,\u201d Waltz added, noting that Iran has used drones and missiles to strike hotels, resorts and homes across the Gulf.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo this is just a ridiculous argument,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Iranian official says US blockade amounts to war crime<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a61d-d3c1-adfd-ff5de9300000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776608886394&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a61d-d3c1-adfd-ff5de9300000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Iranian official says US blockade amounts to war crime<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Iran\u2019s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Sunday that the U.S. blockade of Iran\u2019s ports and coastline is an act of aggression that violates the shaky Pakistani-mediated ceasefire between the two countries.<\/p>\n<p>By \u201cdeliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to war crime and crimes against humanity,\u201d Baghaei said on social media. <\/p>\n<p>Baghaei\u2019s comments came after Iran\u2019s renewed threats on shipping, in response to the U.S. blockade, fully reclosed the strategic Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Pakistan and Iran top diplomats speak ahead of new round of talks\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a5f1-d660-a3ff-aff917060000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776605929783\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a5f1-d660-a3ff-aff917060000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Pakistan and Iran top diplomats speak ahead of new round of talks         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart on Sunday, ahead of a new round of negotiations between the United States and Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The Pakistani foreign ministry said Dar discussed with Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi \u201cthe need for continued dialogue and engagement as essential to resolving the current issues as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to the ministry, Iran\u2019s president will speak by phone with Pakistan\u2019s prime minister later Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"US sending same team to second round of talks with Iran\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a5e4-daa9-a19f-a7edb8c30000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776605531756\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a5e4-daa9-a19f-a7edb8c30000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             US sending same team to second round of talks with Iran         <\/h2>\n<p>Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be traveling to Islamabad for the talks, according to the White House.<\/p>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Bahrain to review citizenship for those deemed threat to its security<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a5df-d44a-a79d-fdffebbb0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776604720931&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a5df-d44a-a79d-fdffebbb0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Bahrain to review citizenship for those deemed threat to its security<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Bahrain\u2019s king has ordered a review of citizenship of those deemed a threat to the island kingdom. <\/p>\n<p>The decision has come amid an intensified crackdown on dissent during the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>According to the state-run Bahrain News Agency, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ordered the government to immediately take measures against \u201cthose who have betrayed the nation or undermined its security and stability,\u201d including stripping Bahraini citizenship from those \u201cwho don\u2019t deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe situation is still delicate,\u201d the king was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n<p>Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy\u2019s 5th Fleet, has been one of the hardest hit by Iranian missile and drone attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities in the small Shiite-majority island, which is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, have detained many people over the course of the war.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Spain\u2019s leader wants the EU to end agreement with Israel\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a5d7-daa9-a19f-a7ff242d0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776604406505\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a5d7-daa9-a19f-a7ff242d0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Spain\u2019s leader wants the EU to end agreement with Israel         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez wants the 27-nation European Union to tear up its long-standing Association Agreement with Israel.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement, in force since 2000, sets out the legal and institutional framework within which the bloc and Israel conduct trade and cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have nothing against the people of Israel; quite the contrary,\u201d S\u00e1nchez said in a post on X on Sunday. \u201cBut a Government that violates international law and, therefore, the principles and values of the EU cannot be our partner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Spain will present a formal proposal at an EU foreign ministers\u2019 meeting on Tuesday to end the agreement with Israel, he said.<\/p>\n<p>S\u00e1nchez has been a vocal critic of the decision by the U.S. and Israel to attack Iran, drawing sharp public criticism from Trump.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Residents of hard-hit Israeli border town protest ceasefire outside US Embassy<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a5d3-d0c5-abff-e7dbe6950000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776603831784&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a5d3-d0c5-abff-e7dbe6950000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Residents of hard-hit Israeli border town protest ceasefire outside US Embassy<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>About 150 residents from Kiryat Shmona, located near Israel\u2019s northern border with Lebanon, traveled to Jerusalem on Sunday to demonstrate against the ceasefire with Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>The 10-day ceasefire announced by Trump began Friday. It is meant to shore up a broader ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Residents of northern Israel, whose communities were subject to round-the-clock barrages of Hezbollah rockets, have reacted angrily to the truce. They say Hezbollah remains a threat and has not been disarmed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s time to remove this threat from over the heads of the northern residents,\u201d said Kiryat Shmona\u2019s mayor, Avichai Stern.<\/p>\n<p>One of the protesters, Einat Dardari, said she\u2019s \u201cvery disappointed\u201d that the Israeli military was forced to halt its offensive against Hezbollah. \u201cWe want security, I want security at home, I want security for my children,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Iran rebuilds its stockpile of missiles and drones, commander says<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a5c0-df6c-a3bd-bfcb43980000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776602496790&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a5c0-df6c-a3bd-bfcb43980000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Iran rebuilds its stockpile of missiles and drones, commander says<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>A senior Iranian military official said Sunday that Iran has begun rebuilding its stockpile of weapons and munitions as the two-week ceasefire nears to expire, state media reported.<\/p>\n<p>Brig. Gen. Seyed Majid Mousavi, commander of the Revolutionary Guard\u2019s Aerospace Force, said they have repaired missiles and drone launchers during the ceasefire which started on April 8, according to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur speed in updating and refilling missile and drone launch platforms is even greater than before the war,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The broadcaster aired a two-minute video paired with uplifting music, showing missiles and drones in warehouses as well as mobile launches of missiles.<\/p>\n<p>The United States and Israel say they have degraded Iran\u2019s military capabilities over the course of the nearly six-week war.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Turkish foreign minister says Israel\u2019s \u2018fundamentalist government\u2019 is a global problem\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a5b9-d8f5-a19f-e7ffb6710000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776602264802\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a5b9-d8f5-a19f-e7ffb6710000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Turkish foreign minister says Israel\u2019s \u2018fundamentalist government\u2019 is a global problem         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Hakan Fidan was asked whether Turkey could replace Iran as Israel\u2019s main adversary, a question raised in both Turkish and Israeli media in recent weeks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a fundamentalist government. They are a problem for the whole world. This is not just a problem for Turkey,\u201d Fidan told a news conference at the close of a three-day diplomacy forum in southern Turkey.<\/p>\n<p>Turkish officials have described Israel\u2019s military operations in Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and Syria as an \u201cexpansionist\u201d threat to global stability. Fidan said stopping this threat is clearly on the international community\u2019s agenda. He also described the defense agreements signed between Israel, Greece and Cyprus in December last year as a \u201cmilitary alliance against the Muslim countries in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Trump said US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a5b2-daa9-a19f-a7bb29e40000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776601571830\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a5b2-daa9-a19f-a7bb29e40000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Trump said US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The president\u2019s post on social media Sunday did not detail which official the U.S. would be sending to a second round of in-person talks with Iran is Islamabad. <\/p>\n<p>The White House and the office of Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of talks, did not immediately respond to messages Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<p>Trump in his post accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement by firing bullets Saturday in the Strait of Hormuz, and threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if it does not take the deal the U.S. is offering.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf they don\u2019t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"JUST IN: Trump says US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a5a7-d8f5-a19f-e7e7cde80000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776601406482\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a5a7-d8f5-a19f-e7e7cde80000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             JUST IN: Trump says US negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran         <\/h2>\n<p>                                        <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Argentina\u2019s President Javier Milei arrives in Israel<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a582-d468-a3df-f5ce80a20000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776600116764&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a582-d468-a3df-f5ce80a20000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Argentina\u2019s President Javier Milei arrives in Israel<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The far-right South American leader landed on Sunday for a three-day visit, meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visiting the Western Wall of Jerusalem\u2019s Temple Mount. <\/p>\n<p>Milei is scheduled to sign new binational accords with Israel and receive a Presidential Medal from Israeli President Isaac Herzog celebrating his commitment to fighting anti-semitism, Herzog\u2019s office said. It is at least Milei\u2019s third visit to Jerusalem\u2019s Western Wall. <\/p>\n<p>He has backed the United States and Israel\u2019s decision to launch a war on Iran. Earlier this month Argentina expelled Iran\u2019s ambassador from Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n<p>Milei is among a small cohort of right-leaning leaders who have deepened ties with Netanyahu\u2019s government even as Israel faces diplomatic isolation over wartime conduct, including in Gaza and Lebanon. Some of Argentina\u2019s South American neighbors have cut diplomatic ties or withdrawn their ambassadors, and Netanyahu\u2019s closest European ally, Viktor Orban, was voted out of office in Hungary earlier this month.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Pope Leo XIV says the ceasefire in Lebanon is \u2018a reason for hope\u2019\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a57f-daa9-a19f-a7ff669e0000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776598284634\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a57f-daa9-a19f-a7ff669e0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Pope Leo XIV says the ceasefire in Lebanon is \u2018a reason for hope\u2019         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Speaking at the end of his Mass in Kilamba, Angola, Leo said the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was a \u201csign of relief for the Lebanese people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cI encourage those who have been committed to the search for a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks so that the end of hostilities throughout the Middle East becomes permanent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Leo said he prays for a permanent ending of hostilities in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>The pope is on an 11-day, four-nation African journey that has been characterized by repeated appeals for peace.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"<b>Preparations pick up in Islamabad ahead of possible ceasefire talks<\/b>&#8221; data-post-id=&#8221;0000019d-a577-d837-a3dd-afff452d0000&#8243; data-posted-date-timestamp=&#8221;1776598081166&#8243; data-seconds-delta-text=&#8221;sec ago&#8221; data-minutes-delta-text=&#8221;min ago&#8221; data-hours-delta-text=&#8221;h ago&#8221;>              <a id=\"0000019d-a577-d837-a3dd-afff452d0000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             <b>Preparations pick up in Islamabad ahead of possible ceasefire talks<\/b>         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Pakistani authorities have begun tightening security in the capital, Islamabad, ahead of a possible second round of ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities on Sunday deployed troops at roadside checkpoints, closed tourist sites and ordered major hotels to cancel bookings and keep facilities available.<\/p>\n<p>Islamabad\u2019s streets are largely deserted, as residents stayed home to avoid road closures seen earlier this month during the first round of talks.<br \/>While there were no formal announcements, Pakistani officials said arrangements are in place for talks in the coming days.<\/p>\n<p>A regional official involved in the mediation efforts said mediators were finalizing the preparations. He said U.S. advance security teams are already on the ground. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the preparations.<\/p>\n<p>Pakistan has led mediation efforts to end the war. Its military chief visited Tehran last week, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with regional leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander just before ceasefire\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a4e3-d468-a3df-f5effdd10000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776590704024\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a4e3-d468-a3df-f5effdd10000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Israel says it killed Hezbollah commander just before ceasefire         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The Israeli army says it carried out a series of strikes that killed more than 150 Hezbollah fighters.<\/p>\n<p>Among those killed was Ali Rida Abbas, which it said was Hezbollah\u2019s commander in Bint Jbeil. The southern Lebanese town and its surroundings were the site of intense clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants in the days leading up to the ceasefire.<\/p>\n<p>Israel gave no evidence to support its claims, and Hezbollah didn\u2019t immediately confirm the death of its commander.<\/p>\n<p>The ceasefire took effect early Friday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iran wants \u2018lasting peace\u2019\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a4d6-d8eb-addd-f4de3e800000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776587897064\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a4d6-d8eb-addd-f4de3e800000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iran wants \u2018lasting peace\u2019         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>Iran\u2019s chief negotiator says his country wants \u201ca lasting peace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comments in a televised interview, a few days before a ceasefire deadline is set to expire, according to Iranian state media.<\/p>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-c40000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo\/Bilal Hussein, File)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/350e7e7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/8640x5760+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F7e%2F56%2F4b2440a70a7b19a581ffc040c6bc%2F081df9f1a2034d4ab65dd96f1d7c5ed6\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>Iran\u2019s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo\/Bilal Hussein, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>Iran\u2019s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo\/Bilal Hussein, File)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>\u201cWhat is fundamental for us is distrust of the United States,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the same time, we have good intentions and seek a lasting peace \u2014 one that prevents the recurrence of war.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Lebanon\u2019s army reopens some roads in the south\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a4cb-d3c1-adfd-ffdf08d00000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776586518798\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a4cb-d3c1-adfd-ffdf08d00000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Lebanon\u2019s army reopens some roads in the south         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>The army says that it has reopened the Khardali road, which links the southern city of Nabatiyeh with the town of Marjayoun.<\/p>\n<p>The road that links the port city of Tyre with the village of Bourj Rahhal has also reopened. The army is also working on reopening other roads including a bridge on the Litani River in the village of Tayr Filsay.<\/p>\n<p>During Israel\u2019s invasion of southern Lebanon over the past few weeks, Israel\u2019s air force destroyed several bridges over the river.<\/p>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-b30000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lebanese army bulldozers reconstruct part of a destroyed bridge that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Qasmiyeh near Tyre city, south Lebanon, to facilitate the return of displaced people to their villages following a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mohammed Zaatari)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/9716728\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5000x3333+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fc8%2Fb6%2F434a29af0e84cde12141f5ae8e55%2Fd0f731de5ada409189dbdc3904b5e368\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>Lebanese army bulldozers reconstruct part of a destroyed bridge that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Qasmiyeh near Tyre city, south Lebanon, to facilitate the return of displaced people to their villages following a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mohammed Zaatari)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>Lebanese army bulldozers reconstruct part of a destroyed bridge that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Qasmiyeh near Tyre city, south Lebanon, to facilitate the return of displaced people to their villages following a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mohammed Zaatari)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>After a 10-day ceasefire was declared as of midnight Thursday, the Lebanese army and the Litani Authority have been working on putting up temporary bridges to replace the destroyed ones.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iran negotiator says strait will remain closed\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a471-d934-a5bd-fe79cde70000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776580998111\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a471-d934-a5bd-fe79cde70000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iran negotiator says strait will remain closed         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cIt is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot,\u201d Iran\u2019s parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf says.<\/p>\n<div data-align-center>                      <bsp-figure>     <\/p>\n<figure data-openoverlay>              <a id=\"image-800000\"><\/a>                                      <picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\"  ><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\"  ><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The sun rises behind a tanker anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Asghar Besharati)\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/eb8121a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Faa%2F9c%2F47eb91df5c409fcde3936fc9d655%2F89c190f0d4e3495893de19fee33dc629\" loading=\"lazy\"> <\/picture>\n<div><bsp-read-more data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption>\n<p>The sun rises behind a tanker anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Asghar Besharati)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>          <template data-bsp-figure-overlay-template>                  <\/p>\n<div data-slidenumber=\"0\" data-slidescount=\"1\">                         <bsp-carousel-read-more data-show-less data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-id data-less-id>                             <\/p>\n<p>The sun rises behind a tanker anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Asghar Besharati)<\/p>\n<p>                         <\/bsp-carousel-read-more>                     <\/div>\n<p>     <\/template>      <\/bsp-figure>                  <\/div>\n<p>Qalibaf, who is Iran\u2019s chief negotiator with the United States, says the strait is now under Iran\u2019s control, linking the choke point\u2019s reopening to Washington lifting of its naval blockade.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the U.S. does not lift the blockade, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz will definitely be restricted,\u201d he said in televised comments aired by Iranian semiofficial media.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"What consumers can do as the Iran war impacts the cost and availability of flights\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a457-d8eb-addd-f45f64d00000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776578857785\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a457-d8eb-addd-f45f64d00000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             What consumers can do as the Iran war impacts the cost and availability of flights         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p>As the U.S. and Israel\u2019s <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/us-iran-war-israel-hormuz-18-april-2026-ab475cb979825b956a10d60103026b37\">war with Iran<\/a><\/span> squeezes global oil supplies, travelers have valid reasons to worry about the cost and availability of flights as they plan their late spring and summer trips.<\/p>\n<p>The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that European countries could run low on jet fuel <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/iran-war-europe-jet-fuel-flight-cancellations-birol-6e67fafd493861b3858de5548aa77703\">within weeks<\/a><\/span>, forcing the continent\u2019s airlines and carriers that fly to Europe to significantly reduce flights. Many airlines have already raised checked bag fees or added fuel surcharges as the global price of <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/jet-fuel-shortage-iran-war-iea-travel-b77b3d7113e88d1862f90db433cb95af\">jet fuel<\/a><\/span> increased from about $99 per barrel at the end of February to as high as $209 a barrel at the beginning of April.<\/p>\n<p>In a sign of the conflict\u2019s ongoing repercussions for travel, <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/air-canada-jfk-fuel-iran-b44f4994f2af268cf6929c5f0f52080f\">Air Canada<\/a><\/span> said Friday it planned to suspend its service to New York\u2019s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June 1 until Oct. 25 to lower its fuel costs. Other airlines, ranging from U.S. carriers like United and Delta to Air France-KLM, SAS, Philippine Airlines and and Cathay Pacific in Europe and Asia, have reduced routes and either increased ticket prices or said they would hike them if the war keeps oil from passing through the <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/strait-of-hormuz\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/summer-travel-flights-prices-war-fuel-d88cd606531d816cbc4d7e1f6c16dc81\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post> <bsp-liveblog-post data-gtm-region=\"Iranian official says US \u2018maximalist\u2019 demands stall face-to-face talks\" data-post-id=\"0000019d-a41f-d370-afff-f63fae080000\" data-posted-date-timestamp=\"1776578682276\" data-seconds-delta-text=\"sec ago\" data-minutes-delta-text=\"min ago\" data-hours-delta-text=\"h ago\">              <a id=\"0000019d-a41f-d370-afff-f63fae080000\"><\/a>                          <\/p>\n<h2>             Iranian official says US \u2018maximalist\u2019 demands stall face-to-face talks         <\/h2>\n<div>\n<p><span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/iran\">Iran<\/a><\/span> is not yet ready to hold a new round of face-to-face talks with U.S. officials, a senior Iranian official said, citing Washington\u2019s refusal to abandon \u201cmaximalist\u201d demands on key issues.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview with The Associated Press on Saturday on the margins of a diplomacy forum in Turkey, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh also said his country will not hand over its enriched uranium to the United States, rejecting claims made by <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/donald-trump\">U.S. President Donald Trump.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to United States,\u201d Khatibzadeh said. \u201cThis is non-starter and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we\u2019re not going to accept things that are nonstarters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u25b6 <span><a data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/iran-deputy-foreign-minister-interview-40d8e43e3c7b5a23cda6783b064b9dbf\"><i>Read more<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>          <\/bsp-liveblog-post>               <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major developments we\u2019re following: The U.S. says it attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz that tried to pass its naval blockade. Iran\u2019s military headquarters says the attack and seizure marks a ceasefire violation. President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday for another of talks [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12075\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}