U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian ships approaching ports in the Strait of Hormuz would be "immediately eliminated" on Monday, as the U.S. started its blockade.
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The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has thanked Pope Leo XIV for his position on the Middle East conflict in a post on social media, saying that the Pope's "leadership inspires millions."
Ghalibaf's praise comes after the Pope made several strong statements, understood by some as indirectly criticising the U.S. and Israel's military actions.
At the end of March, Pope Leo said that God rejects the prayers of leader who start wars and have "hands full of blood," amid the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran.
On Sunday (12 April), the Pope posted a statement on X saying he felt "closer than ever to the beloved people of Lebanon," amid continued Israeli attacks on the country.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's attacks on Pope Leo XIV, in a statement issued by her office.
"I find President Trump’s words regarding the Holy Father to be unacceptable. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal that he should call for peace and condemn all forms of war," she said.
Meloni's statement came after Trump launched a sweeping attack against the Pope on Sunday.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on crime, and terrible for foreign policy,” Trump said on his Truth Social media platform, also claiming the Catholic Church chose him to be Pope last May in order to manage ties with his administration.
“I don’t think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump later told reporters when asked why he had attacked the Pope.
"Leo should get his act together as Pope, use common sense, stop catering to the radical left, and focus on being a great Pope, not a politician," Trump wrote, claiming that the Pope's current trajectory "is hurting the Catholic Church."
Iran's Foreign Affairs Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei has questioned the logic of the U.S.'s blockade of Iranian ports in a post on social media.
"Can an illegal 'war of choice' be won through a 'revenge of choice' against the global economy?!" he asked in a post on X.
"Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!" he added.
Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem has called on the Lebanese government to cancel a meeting on Tuesday (14 April) between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington, describing the talks as pointless.
In a televised speech, Qassem said the Iran-backed armed group will continue to confront Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
Lebanon's Foreign Minister said Beirut would use Tuesday's face-to-face negotiations to press for a ceasefire in the war.
Tehran and Washington have continued communication since peace talks in Islamabad ended without success during the weekend, American broadcaster CBS News reported on Monday, citing officials.
One of the unamed officials was quoted saying there was "forward motion on trying to get an agreement."
Iran rejected an American proposal during peace talks in Islamabad that would have allowed Tehran to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. as a partner in the agreement, Iranian Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad said on Monday.
“Washington went so far as to say: let’s establish a legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz that includes the Americans as well," Nikzad told Iranian state television.
He added that Iran offered to dilute 430 kilograms of enriched uranium during the negotiations as a guarantee regarding its nuclear program and to demonstrate goodwill, but said Washington withdrew from the proposal.
The U.S. and Iran, which agreed on a two-week ceasefire last week, held direct talks on Saturday (11 April) in Islamabad, but the discussions ended early Sunday without an agreement.
Faith Birol, Head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said on Monday that the organisation was prepared to release oil stockpiles if energy shocks from the Iran war require it.
"We stand ready to act," he said, while stressing he hoped it wasn't needed.
Birol reiterated at an Atlantic Council think tank event that the war had resulted in the worst ever global energy disruption and said that more than 80 oil and gas facilities, including production terminals and refineries, had been damaged since the start of the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties in the Middle East conflict to respect the existing ceasefire and to comply with internatonal law, including maritime freedom of movement, a UN spokesman said.
"The Secretary-General stresses that all parties to this conflict must respect freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law," Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
"The ceasefire must absolutely be respected and all violations must cease," he added.
Dujarric said Antonio Guterres was pressing for talks between Iran and the U.S. to continue “constructively” in order to reach a lasting agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Pope Pope Leo XIV was “wrong” on law and order, escalating tensions between the two over crime and the Iran conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran is seeking a deal with Washington, but stressed that any agreement would strictly prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
A prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global agrifood catastrophe by disrupting fertiliser and energy exports, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned.
FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said poorer countries are especially vulnerable, as delays in key inputs could quickly reduce crop yields, drive up food prices and slow global growth.
China has described the current U.S.-Iran ceasefire as “very fragile” and called on the international community to oppose any actions that could undermine it or escalate tensions.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the comments during a phone call with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, according to China’s foreign ministry.
He said the priority must be to prevent a return to hostilities and preserve the “hard-won momentum” of the ceasefire, adding that China is willing to support efforts to stabilise the situation and encouraged Pakistan to play a greater role.
Donald Trump has warned that any Iranian ships approaching a declared blockade zone will be “immediately eliminated”, according to remarks reported on Monday.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency says it has been informed that maritime access restrictions are being enforced on Iranian ports and coastal areas.
According to the agency, the measures apply from 1400 UTC and cover locations across the Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz region.
It added that restrictions apply to vessels of any flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals or coastal facilities.
Qatar’s foreign minister has told his Iranian counterpart that key waterways must remain open and should not be used as a tool of pressure or bargaining, according to diplomatic sources.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has begun the final stage of evacuating personnel from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, its chief Alexei Likhachev said, according to Russian state media.
Likhachev said 108 Rosatom staff are set to leave the facility as part of the latest withdrawal phase, amid ongoing regional tensions affecting the site.
Pope Leo has sharply criticised “neocolonial” influence by major world powers in a brief but forceful address from the Vatican, calling for respect of sovereignty and an end to economic pressure on weaker states.
The remarks come just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized recent Vatican political messaging, escalating a growing public exchange between the two figures.
"Today, this is more urgent than ever in the face of continuous violations of international law and neocolonial tendencies," Leo said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed deep concern over attacks on medical workers in Lebanon following a strike on a Lebanese Red Cross centre in the south of the country and the killing of a volunteer.
The ICRC said the loss of aid workers was “gravely concerning” given the impact on civilians who depend on their services, according to its head of delegation in Lebanon, Agnes Dhur.
The U.S. military will enforce a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a note to seafarers seen by Reuters.
The guidance, issued by U.S. Central Command, says the measures will apply to all vessel traffic regardless of flag and will come into effect at 1400 GMT on Monday.
It warns that any vessel entering or leaving the blockaded area without authorisation may be intercepted, diverted or captured, while stating that neutral transit through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian destinations will not be impeded.
The U.S. military has said humanitarian shipments, including food, medical supplies and other essential goods, will be permitted under blockade conditions, subject to inspection, according to a note sent to seafarers.
The U.S. military has warned that any vessel entering or leaving a declared blockaded area without authorisation is subject to interception, diversion, and capture, according to a note sent to seafarers.
Iranian state TV says six railway facilities targeted in strikes last week have now been rebuilt, as authorities move quickly to restore damaged infrastructure.
Iran is in touch with India regarding the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian envoy has said, as concerns grow over disruption to key energy routes.
Tehran has indicated it is working to facilitate transit for Indian vessels amid ongoing tensions, highlighting the importance of bilateral ties and maritime access.
Türkiye has said NATO allies should use their July summit in Ankara to reset relations with U.S. President Donald Trump and prepare for a possible reduction in U.S. involvement.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said allies must plan for all scenarios, including a phased adjustment if Washington scales back its role, while stressing the need for a more “systematic” relationship.
His comments come amid renewed tensions within the alliance, as Trump again criticises NATO and raises the prospect of withdrawing U.S. support.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said U.S. Vice President JD Vance briefed him following the failure of weekend negotiations with Iran.
Netanyahu said Vance called him after leaving Islamabad, where talks aimed at reaching a deal ended without agreement after marathon discussions
Germany has said a reported U.S. move to blockade the Strait of Hormuz is a pressure tactic rather than the end of diplomacy, and expects negotiations to continue.
A government spokesperson said the “supposed blockade” does not mark the end of the diplomatic process, describing it instead as an effort to ramp up pressure following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The spokesperson added that U.S. Central Command referred to a blockade of Iranian ports rather than the Strait of Hormuz itself, calling it “a different approach”.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the European Commission will publish proposals on energy price measures on 22 April.
The move comes as Brussels seeks to respond to rising energy costs and market volatility, with pressure mounting for coordinated action across the bloc.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the bloc’s fossil fuel import bill has surged by €22 billion since the start of the Iran war, underlining Europe’s continued energy vulnerability.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that stability in the Middle East is impossible while Lebanon remains engulfed in crisis.
“There can be no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon is in flames,” she said, urging de-escalation and greater diplomatic efforts as concerns grow over regional spillover.
Two oil tankers linked to Iran exited the Gulf on Monday via the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a planned U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas, shipping data from Kpler and LSEG showed.
The tanker Auroura is laden with Iranian oil products while the New Future tanker is carrying diesel loaded from the Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates, Kpler data showed.
The Kremlin criticised an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that the U.S. would blockade the Strait of Hormuz, saying this would hurt global markets.
The U.S. military said it would block shipping traffic in and out of Iran's ports starting at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) on Monday, a move that would prevent roughly two million barrels of Iranian oil a day from entering the world's markets, further tightening global supply.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said many aspects of the proposal remained unclear.
Iran's and Saudi Arabia's foreign ministers discussed Iran-U.S. talks in Islamabad during a phone call, Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday.
The phone call comes after weekend talks failed to reach a deal to end the war, jeopardising a fragile two-week ceasefire.
Full operational control of the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil will be achieved within days, with Hezbollah militants limited in there ability to attack northern Israel from the area, an Israeli military official said.
"Only a small number of terrorists remains in the area of Bint Jbeil," the official said, adding that the military "eliminated terrorists as they were exiting the hospital in Bint Jbeil, as well as located numerous launchers and weapons."
Pope Leo said that he plans to continue speaking out against war after U.S. President Donald Trump's direct attack on the leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.
In comments aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where the first U.S. pope is starting a 10-day tour to four African countries, the pontiff also said the Christian message was being "abused".
"I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems," he said.
France will soon organise with Britain a conference aimed at restoring freedom of navigation on the Strait of Hormuz, President Emmanuel Macron said, adding that any such naval mission would be done on a strictly defensive basis only.
"With regards to the Strait of Hormuz, we will be organising in the coming days a conference with the United Kingdom and those countries willing to join us in a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait," Macron said on X.
Türkiye's foreign minister raised concerns about Iran and the U.S. proposing in their talks new regulations for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He said there are many difficulties around the idea of an international force overseeing re-opening the waterway.
According to Anadolu Agency, Minister Hakan Fidan, who is in close contact with the United States, Iran, and mediator Pakistan, said the Strait of Hormuz should be reopened through diplomacy following the failure of weekend U.S.-Iran talks to reach a peace deal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that whatever the pressure, Britain would not be dragged into the Iran war and was not supporting a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Starmer said it was vital to get the Strait reopened.
European stock futures tumbled more than 1% on Monday as optimism for a swift resolution to the Middle East conflict evaporated following the breakdown of crucial U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Investors are now bracing for the European Central Bank tilting towards raising rates in a sharp reversal from pre-war bets on rate cuts or a prolonged pause.
The tensions sent oil prices surging past the $100-per-barrel mark, reigniting inflation concerns that had only recently begun to subside.
Germany will reduce energy tax on diesel and petrol by approximately €0.17 ($0.20) per litre for two months to cushion the increase in prices due to the war in Iran, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
Merz also announced other measures agreed by coalition partners during the weekend, such as a draft law on statutory health insurance, which will be passed at the end of April.
China urges calm and restraint on all sides, a spokesperson for its foreign ministry said, when asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to launch a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran failed.
Keeping the key waterway safe, stable and unimpeded serves the common interest of the international community, the spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, told a regular press conference.
China stands ready to work with all sides to safeguard energy security and supply, he said.
U.S. restrictions on vessels are illegal and "amounts to piracy", says an Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson. He said Iran would implement a "permanent mechanism" if the blockade happens and no port Gulf of Oman would remain secure if Iranian ports were endangered.
Forty- three military operations by Hezbollah were carried out against Israel yesterday (12 April), according to Press TV. Hezbollah says they have a "duty to defend Lebanon and its people".
Drone strikes occured at a key communications hub in the Golan Heights and command sites/military infrastructure, according to state media.
Crude oil to China from the Gulf State is set to halve next month, say traders informed with the issue.
The U.S. military will blockade Iran's ports 10am ET (14:00 GTM, 15:00 BST), U.S. President Trump says.
Iran's leadership has rejected U.S. demands to stop funding, what America call terrorist, groups in the Middle East.
U.S. officials say Tehran also rejects the proposal to end creating uranium enrichment and dismantling of facilities carrying it.
Iranian media say agreement was made on many issues over the weekend at the Islamabad talks, however Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had "encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade" when just inches away from an "Islamabad MoU."
“Vladimir Putin emphasized his readiness to further facilitate the search for a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict, and to mediate efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East", says the Kremlin.
The Russian President called his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday.
Traffic has ground to a halt in the key waterway as a result of the U.S. blockade. Lloyd's List reports at least two tankers have turned away from exiting the Strait.
"I'm not a big fan", Trump says posting on his social media platform, after the Pope encouraged leaders to end the conflict in the Middle East on the weekend.
"Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!", said Pope Leo.
Masoud Pezeshkian has said "if the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found", on social media platform X.
He commended members of the negotiating team and said "God gives you strength".
اگر دولت آمریکا دست از تمامیتخواهی بردارد و به حقوق ملت ایران احترام بگذارد حتما راههایی برای دستیابی به توافق پیدا میشود.
به اعضای هیئت مذاکره کننده به ویژه برادر عزیزم آقای دکتر قالیباف خدا قوت میگویم. — Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 12, 2026
Informed sources have told The Wall Street Journal that Iran and the U.S. are both open to diplomacy, despite the harsh rhetoric from both sides.
Regional countries are eager for the U.S. and Iran to return to the table for talks and reduce tensions.
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The United States cast Israel-Lebanon talks held in Washington on Thursday as "productive and positive" and a State Department official said more discussions aimed at ending their conflict will continue on Friday.
European stock markets edged higher on Thursday (14 May) as technology shares boosted sentiment, although investors remained cautious over stalled U.S.-Iran talks and a closely watched summit between Washington and Beijing.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran as he left for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Tuesday, as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his motorcade to save fuel, a government source said on Wednesday, days after urging citizens to adopt austerity measures amid surging energy prices linked to the Iran war.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
The second semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place tonight in a rain-soaked Vienna, with the final 10 places in Saturday’s grand final still up for grabs.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
A high-powered lawyer representing Elon Musk attacked the personal and professional credibility of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Thursday, as a landmark federal trial in California nears its conclusion.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 45-day extension of a ceasefire that has reduced fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The agreement came as two days of Washington-facilitated talks concluded with a decision to hold further meetings in the coming weeks.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
An article published in The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, has warned that damage to Iran’s Pasteur Institute during the Israel–U.S. war on the Islamic Republic poses a “serious threat to regional health security.”
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