With the Islamabad talks ending without a deal, April 13 opened on a tense note in West Asia. The US unveiled fresh maritime action, Iran accused Washington of overreach, and the Strait of Hormuz again emerged as the immediate flashpoint.
The shift follows nearly 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad that ended without a breakthrough, with both sides blaming each other and the situation on the ground now moving faster than the diplomacy.
Live updates: US-Iran tensions escalate | April 13
Iran embassy hits out at Trump over remarks on Pope
Iran’s embassy in Ghana criticised US President Donald Trump after he called Pope Leo XIV “weak” for advocating peace.
The embassy accused Trump of hypocrisy and escalated rhetoric sharply in response to his remarks on social media.
Iran signals tighter control over vessel movement
Tehran reiterated that vessels linked to hostile entities would not be allowed through the strait, while others would be permitted under Iranian regulations.
It said enforcement of sovereignty in its territorial waters would continue “with determination.”
Tehran calls US restrictions ‘piracy’, vows control over Hormuz
Iran described US moves to restrict maritime traffic as “illegal” and amounting to “piracy”.
It said a long-term mechanism would be implemented to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, citing continued threats to national security.
Iran warns Gulf ports won’t be safe if its security is threatened
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said maritime security in the Persian Gulf cannot be selective.
“If the security of Iran’s ports is threatened… no port in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman will be safe,” the statement said.
IDF intensifies ground operations in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said its 98th Division has expanded ground operations in the Bint Jbeil region, targeting Hezbollah positions.
It claimed more than 100 Hezbollah operatives were killed and multiple infrastructure sites dismantled over the past week.
Israel minister calls for strikes on Lebanon’s civilian infrastructure
Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen called for expanding military operations to target Lebanon’s national infrastructure, including airports, ports and power stations.
“We must stop distinguishing between Lebanon and Hezbollah,” he said, arguing that pressure must be applied directly on the Lebanese state.
Strait of Hormuz becomes ‘super weapon’ for Iran
Sachdev described the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic “super weapon” for Tehran, warning the situation could turn more chaotic.
He said any disruption or toll regime could significantly impact India’s energy imports from Gulf nations.
Ships paying Hormuz ‘tolls’ may also face sanctions
He added that vessels exiting the Gulf, even from non-Iranian ports, could be penalised if found to have paid transit tolls to Iran.
The challenge, he noted, would be verifying such payments, which could be routed through currencies like yuan or cryptocurrency, raising risks of maritime inspections and diplomatic tensions.
‘Goal is to choke Iran’s oil revenue’: Analyst
Sachdev said the broader US objective is to curb Iran’s oil income, which he estimated at around 1.8 million barrels per day.
“At current prices, Iran is earning between $1.8 and $2 billion a day… Trump wants to turn off that spigot,” he said.
US sanctions to target ships loading Iranian oil, says expert
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said any ship loading oil from Iranian ports, especially Kharg Island, could face US sanctions under the emerging enforcement framework.
He said companies involved could see financial assets frozen, be cut off from dollar transactions, and face visa restrictions, similar to sanctions imposed in 2018.
Trump orders probe into ‘leak’ during rescue mission
Trump said the administration is investigating a suspected leak of sensitive information related to the rescue operation.
“We’re looking very hard to find that leaker,” he said, warning of possible legal action against the media outlet involved.
F-15 crew ejected after strike; rescue operation followed
The incident involved an F-15E Strike Eagle that was hit earlier this month, forcing both crew members to eject.
While the pilot was recovered quickly, a second crew member triggered a high-risk search and rescue operation.
Trump says rescued US airmen ‘in very good shape’
US President Donald Trump said American airmen rescued after being downed in Iran are safe.
“They are in very good shape, and we’re very proud of them,” he said.
Over 80% of countries vulnerable to energy shock
The IMF said most economies, particularly oil-importing nations, are exposed to rising energy costs and external imbalances.
It cautioned governments against export restrictions and urged coordinated policy responses to manage inflation and supply disruptions.
Key Gulf energy hub may take years to recover
Georgieva pointed to damage at Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex, a major LNG hub, saying it has been largely shut since early March.
She warned it could take three to five years to restore full capacity, worsening global supply constraints.
IMF warns of lasting global economic damage from conflict
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the war has triggered a major global economic shock with long-term consequences.
She described the crisis as a “classic negative supply shock,” warning of slower growth, higher inflation and prolonged disruption to energy markets.
Lebanon toll rises: Over 2,000 killed since March offensive
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least 2,055 people have been killed and 6,588 injured since Israel launched its offensive on March 2.
The figures underline the widening humanitarian impact of the conflict beyond Iran.
Hezbollah warns operations will continue amid ‘Israeli-American aggression’
The group said its operations would continue as long as what it described as Israeli and US aggression persists in the region.
“The Islamic Resistance is committed to defending its land and people,” it said, warning of further escalation if military activity continues.
Drone strikes, rocket fire target Israeli bases and troop clusters
Hezbollah said it used drones to hit a Merkava tank near a hospital in Mays al-Jabal and launched coordinated strikes on troop concentrations in areas such as Al-Bayyada, Yaroun and Kfar Yuval.
Rocket fire was also directed at cities including Kiryat Shmona and Nahariya, as well as Israeli military infrastructure like the Meron air surveillance base.
Hezbollah claims 43 attacks on Israeli positions in one day
Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance said it carried out 43 military operations against Israeli targets on Sunday, describing them as a response to alleged ceasefire violations.
According to Iranian state media Press TV, the strikes targeted Israeli troop positions along the border and deeper inside northern Israel and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The group claimed drone and rocket attacks on multiple locations, including a communications facility at Al-Alika barracks and Israeli troop gatherings in several border towns.
Iran dismisses Trump’s threats, warns of stronger response
Reiterating Tehran’s defiance, Qalibaf said recent warnings from US President Donald Trump would have “no effect” on the Iranian nation.
“They can test our will once again and we will teach them a greater lesson,” he said, underlining that Iran would not yield under pressure.
Tehran signals hardened stance: ‘goodwill begets goodwill’
Araghchi framed the outcome as a direct consequence of US approach, warning that continued hostility would invite similar responses.
“Good will begets goodwill. Enmity begets enmity,” he said, indicating Tehran’s next steps would mirror Washington’s posture.
Iran foreign minister says ‘zero lessons earned’ after talks collapse
Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi criticised the US stance, saying the breakdown came despite Iran negotiating “in good faith.”
“When just inches away from ‘Islamabad MoU’, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade. Zero lessons earned,” he said.
Tehran says talks were ‘intensive, serious’, claims progress despite deadlock
The Iranian speaker described the Islamabad negotiations as “intensive, serious and challenging,” saying Tehran had put forward “excellent initiatives” that led to some progress.
However, the discussions ultimately failed to produce an agreement.
Iran cites ‘77 years of distrust’, blames US actions during talks
Qalibaf said Iran’s lack of trust is rooted in decades of tensions, accusing the US of striking Iran even during negotiations.
“Our wall of distrust dates back to 77 years… in less than 12 months, they attacked us two times in the middle of negotiations,” he said, adding that it is Washington that must now “earn” Iran’s confidence.
US must ‘earn trust’ to exit crisis, says Iran parliament speaker
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Washington has no way out of the current situation unless it rebuilds trust with the Iranian people.
“The United States is indebted to Iranian people and needs to work hard to indemnify them,” he said while returning from talks in Islamabad.
He made it clear Tehran would match Washington’s approach: “If they fight, we will fight; and if they come forth with logic, we will react with logic. We will not surrender to any threat.”
US voices back blockade, warn of economic pressure strategy
Former US Ambassador Nikki Haley supported the blockade, calling the talks “not worth our time” and accusing Iran of using Hormuz to pressure the global economy.
She said the strategy was aimed at hitting Iran “where it hurts” economically.
Calls for diplomacy grow despite escalation
Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that battlefield gains could turn into a “strategic failure” without sustained diplomacy.
He urged restraint, saying negotiations — even if slow — remain the only viable path forward.
Strait of Hormuz emerges as central flashpoint
Iran said the strategic waterway “belongs to all countries” and expressed hope it would return to normal operations.
However, it acknowledged that only limited ship movement is currently possible amid heightened tensions.
IMF warns of ‘large’ global economic shock
The International Monetary Fund said the conflict has triggered a significant global economic disruption.
Around 13% of oil and 20% of gas flows have been affected, pushing up prices and hitting supply chains worldwide.
US political divide sharpens over Iran strategy
While some US leaders backed escalation, others warned of a prolonged conflict.
Senator Mark Warner cautioned the war could stretch on, while military experts said any operation to secure Iran’s nuclear material would be complex and resource-intensive.
Trump claims Iran ‘has no cards’, pushes maximal demands
Trump said Iran’s military capabilities had been largely destroyed and insisted on full concessions.
“I want everything… I don’t want 90 per cent… they have no cards,” he said, predicting Tehran would return with full compliance.
Israel says ‘war continues’, claims strategic gains
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said operations were ongoing and that Israel’s enemies were now “fighting for survival.”
He said a security zone in southern Lebanon had helped prevent cross-border threats but added that “there is more to do.”
Conflicting claims over US naval movement in Hormuz
US Central Command said American warships had transited the strait and begun mine-clearing operations.
Iranian authorities denied the claim, with state media calling it a “failed propaganda stunt.”
IRGC warns ‘deadly consequences’ for any ‘erroneous move’
The IRGC Navy reiterated that all activity in the strait is being monitored and controlled, warning that any hostile manoeuvre would be met with force.
It also said any military vessel approaching the strait could be treated as a ceasefire violation.
Iran warns of retaliation, says Hormuz ‘under full control’
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard issued a strong warning, saying any miscalculation in the Strait of Hormuz would have severe consequences.
The force said the waterway was “under full control” and cautioned that hostile moves would trap enemies in “deadly whirlpools.”
Trump backs blockade, says US ‘close to objectives’
US President Donald Trump indicated the move followed diplomatic deadlock and claimed Washington was nearing its military goals.
He suggested American naval strength in the region could exert “complete control” over the waterway.
US announces maritime blockade on Iran from April 13
In a major escalation, the United States military said it would begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran starting April 13.
US Central Command said the measure would apply to ships of all nationalities entering or exiting Iranian ports, while not restricting transit through the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian destinations.
‘Islamabad Talks’ described as ongoing diplomatic process
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan said the talks should be seen as part of a broader process rather than a one-off event.
“The Islamabad Talks is not an event but a process… that can create a sustainable framework if trust is strengthened,” he said.
Iran signals openness to future deal — with conditions
President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran remains open to reaching an agreement if the US “abandons its totalitarianism” and respects Iran’s rights.
“If the American government… respects the rights of the Iranian nation, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found,” he said.
Foreign minister blames ‘maximalism’ for breakdown
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the talks collapsed despite being close to a breakthrough.
“Just inches away from ‘Islamabad MoU’, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts and blockade,” he said, adding that “goodwill begets goodwill.”
Iran says US made ‘excessive demands’, refuses to compromise
Iranian representatives maintained that Tehran did not walk away from talks and remained open to dialogue, but would not accept what they described as “unlimited demands” from Washington.
“We are not going to sell our dignity… we are ready for negotiation, but based on rationality,” Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said.
Talks collapse after marathon Islamabad negotiations
High-level talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without a deal after nearly 21 hours of discussions.
US Vice President JD Vance said there were “substance agreements” but no final outcome, adding that the result was “bad news for Iran” more than for Washington.