Composite image of Mojtaba Khamenei and Donald Trump over map of Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump on Monday, April 13, warned that any Iranian vessels approaching the newly enforced American naval blockade would be “immediately eliminated”, as sweeping maritime restrictions linked to the Strait of Hormuz came into effect at 7:30 pm IST.
The US Navy has established a blockade covering all Iranian ports and coastal areas, including the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation despite a ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran’s navy had been “completely obliterated”, stating that 158 vessels were destroyed. He said smaller “fast attack ships” had not been previously targeted as they were not considered a major threat, but warned they would now be struck if they approached US forces. He added that American forces would use tactics similar to those employed against maritime drug trafficking.
The death toll in Lebanon has risen to 2,089 people, including 166 children, according to the state-run National News Agency citing the country’s health ministry, the BBC reported.
An Iranian defence ministry spokesperson said US President Donald Trump would fail in any attempt to interfere militarily in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, according to Reuters.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Britain will soon host talks to create a “peaceful multinational mission” aimed at restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to AFP.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is “deeply damaging”, stressing that restoring global shipping is essential to ease cost of living pressures.
In a post on X, he said the UK has brought together more than 40 nations to restore freedom of navigation and will co-host a summit with France this week to develop a coordinated multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends.
The Indian-flagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11 carrying around 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG with 24 seafarers on board, and is expected to reach Kandla on April 14, officials said, adding that port operations across India remain normal.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has prepared layered defences, warning that the country’s geography would act as a “prison and quagmire” for any ground invasion following the US move to impose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Parliament that diplomacy remains the right path in addressing the Iran conflict, after declining to support the US move to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
He said he welcomed ongoing talks in Pakistan and confirmed plans to convene a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron later this week to address the escalating situation.
The head of the UN’s maritime agency said no country has the legal right to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions disrupt one of the world’s key trade routes.
International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that under international law, countries cannot restrict the right of innocent passage or freedom of navigation through international straits used for global transit.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he held talks with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, focusing on the regional situation and the well-being of the Indian community, in a post on X.
US President Donald Trump has shared an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, amid an extraordinary attack on the Pope that has drawn sharp reactions. The digitally created image shows Trump in a religious setting performing a healing gesture, against a backdrop featuring American symbols and military imagery.
The Iranian embassy in New Delhi said it has dispatched 45 tonnes of medicines in two consignments using funds donated by people in India, with a third shipment of 20 tonnes set to be sent on Monday via a special Mahan Air flight, sources told The Hindu.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned what he described as an insult to Pope Leo XIV, stating that the desecration of Jesus, whom he referred to as a prophet of peace and brotherhood, is unacceptable.
In a social media post, he expressed solidarity with the Pope and said such actions are rejected by all who value dignity and respect.
Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Indian tankers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz have not paid any tolls to Tehran, rejecting claims of such charges.
“In this difficult time, we have good relations. We believe Iran and India share common interests and a common fate,” Fathali told reporters at a press briefing in New Delhi.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington is holding so far, while confirming that Islamabad is working to overcome obstacles that emerged during recent negotiations.
He added that diplomatic efforts remain ongoing despite the talks ending without a final agreement, with Pakistan continuing its mediation role to help both sides return to the negotiating table.
The Israeli army said it had killed more than 250 Hezbollah fighters and commanders during its largest attack on Lebanon on April 8, marking a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israel must respond to calls to halt its aggression, asserting that successive wars against Lebanon have failed to achieve their objectives. He expressed hope that upcoming talks would result in a ceasefire agreement, paving the way for direct negotiations with Israel.
The Israeli army said eight soldiers were wounded after a booby-trapped drone targeted their position in southern Lebanon, marking a further escalation along the volatile border. The incident comes amid ongoing hostilities in the area, with cross-border exchanges intensifying in recent days.
Around 20,000 Indian sailors are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz in worsening humanitarian conditions, according to the Associated Press. The New York Times, citing the head of the International Maritime Organization, described the situation as “extremely worrying”, warning that thousands of seafarers face mounting risks.
Shipping activity in the region has been severely affected. German carrier Hapag-Lloyd told Reuters that navigating the Strait of Hormuz is currently “impossible” due to the threat of sea mines, adding that uncertainty remains over how US measures will unfold.
China’s COSCO has suspended the passage of at least five tankers that were scheduled to cross the strait, the Wall Street Journal reported, highlighting disruptions to global oil transport routes.
Russia warned of wider economic consequences, with the Kremlin stating that a US blockade of Iranian ports would negatively affect global markets.
Details from a US Navy memo, cited by Reuters, indicate that American forces will assert control across the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, monitoring the movement of all vessels regardless of flag.
Maritime control measures are expected to include inspections of neutral ships to detect smuggled goods, while humanitarian shipments—such as food, medical supplies and essential goods—will be permitted following checks.
US officials said passage through the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian destinations would not be obstructed. However, a US official told Al Jazeera that any vessel violating the blockade could be intercepted and detained in international waters.
US President Donald Trump had earlier announced that the US Navy would begin enforcing the blockade immediately after talks with Iran stalled, including intercepting ships that pay fees to Tehran. Axios reported that Trump is also considering resuming military strikes if the blockade fails to force Iran to change course.
The United Kingdom and France are set to host a summit this week to finalise a multinational plan aimed at protecting international shipping routes.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, discussed the crisis with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, stressing the importance of supporting mediation efforts, maintaining open sea lanes and avoiding their use as leverage. He warned that any closure could severely disrupt global energy and food supplies.
China’s foreign minister said that blockading the Strait of Hormuz does not serve the common interests of the international community.
Iranian officials reiterated their preparedness for escalation. Acting defence leadership said the armed forces are at the highest level of combat readiness and would respond firmly to any aggression.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek to infringe on the rights of other nations but would defend its own, criticising what he described as silence from some international institutions over attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any misstep by adversaries would trigger a “deadly spiral” in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the risk of rapid escalation. The Iranian Ministry of Defence also said military readiness continues to increase.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had launched missile strikes targeting Israeli forces near Shamran Hill and the Saf al-Hawa area in Bint Jbeil, signalling continued cross-border hostilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said fighting remains ongoing and backed the US decision to impose a naval blockade on Iran. He also warned that the ceasefire could collapse at any moment.
Netanyahu added that Israel and the US maintain unprecedented levels of coordination, and reiterated concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, stating that previous joint actions had prevented Tehran from nearing a nuclear weapon.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations authority said it had received reports of restrictions on access to Iranian ports and coastal areas.
Meanwhile, a senior US Navy operations official described the blockade as a “very difficult challenge”, noting that the presence or threat of sea mines presents an asymmetric risk in the Strait of Hormuz.
With military preparations intensifying, diplomatic efforts under strain and commercial shipping disrupted, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, carrying significant implications for global trade, energy security and regional stability.
This post was last modified on April 13, 2026 9:29 pm