As the US-Israel-Iran war intensifies, strong political messaging from the United States and hardline military steps by Iran are pushing the region into deeper uncertainty, with the Strait of Hormuz once again at the centre of global concern.
US President Donald Trump has voiced firm support for Israel, calling it one of America’s strongest allies during the ongoing conflict. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Israel as “a great ally” and praised its strength, loyalty, and ability to act decisively under pressure. He said the country had shown courage and clarity at a time when others had failed to stand firm.
Trump also suggested that Israel’s military approach sets it apart, saying it “knows how to win.” His remarks come as tensions remain high between the United States, Israel and Iran, with ongoing disagreements over ceasefire efforts and regional security.
At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears for global shipping. The IRGC announced that the strait has been closed after accusing the US of violating ceasefire terms by continuing a naval blockade. It said earlier access given to non-military ships through a controlled corridor has now been withdrawn. The force warned that no vessel should attempt to pass through the route and said any such move would be treated as hostile. By asserting full authority over the waterway, Iran has increased pressure on a route that carries a major share of the world’s oil supply, keeping energy markets and maritime traffic on edge.
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'Who is he to deny a nation its rights?': Iran’s Prez Pezeshkian hits out at Trump over nuclear curbs
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has questioned the United States’ authority to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme, challenging the legal basis of the United States stance amid ongoing tensions.
According to reports citing Iranian media, Pezeshkian said the US has no justification to restrict Iran’s technological rights and accused it of overreach. His remarks come as disagreements between Tehran and Washington continue over nuclear issues, with the Iranian leader directly criticizing Donald Trump for his position.
“Trump says Iran cannot make use of its nuclear rights, but doesn’t say for what crime. Who is he to deprive a nation of its rights?” he said.
Security tightened across Rawalpindi ahead of US-Iran talks
Security has been tightened across Rawalpindi ahead of the expected second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, with authorities deploying heavy police presence and enforcing strict movement controls in and around the city.
- Over 10,000 police personnel deployed for security duties
- More than 600 special pickets set up to monitor entry and exit points
- Additional security stationed along key highways
- Around 400 elite commandos, including 100 snipers, assigned for VVIP movement
- Security deployment began midnight on April 18 ahead of dignitaries’ arrival
- Foreign officials expected to land at Nur Khan Base, Chaklala, before heading to Islamabad
- Over 3,600 personnel in first shift, 3,500 in second shift on Sunday
- Roads from Chohan Chowk to Koral Chowk to remain closed
- Special Branch teams conducting search and sweeping operations in the area
USS Rushmore leading US blockade operations in Arabian Sea
The US Central Command has said that the dock landing ship USS Rushmore is carrying out blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.
Also, officials confirmed that the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney is patrolling regional waters in support of the operation. At the same time, the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans is monitoring maritime traffic in the area, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.
Houthis warn of shutting key Bab al-Mandeb Strait amid tensions with US
Hussein al-Ezzi, Deputy Foreign Minister in the internationally unrecognised Houthi government has issued a stark warning over the possible closure of the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, amid ongoing regional tensions and strained relations with the United States.
Hussein said the crucial maritime route could be blocked if US President Donald Trump and a “complicit world” fail to halt policies he claims are hindering peace efforts.
In a post on X, al-Ezzi asserted that any decision by Sana’a to shut the Bab al-Mandeb would be irreversible, declaring that “all of mankind and jinn” would be powerless to reopen it.
Hezbollah chief sets ceasefire terms, warns of response to 'violations'
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has outlined a series of steps required to achieve peace. He said the ongoing 10-day truce with Israel cannot continue unless it is respected by both sides, stressing that this would require a complete halt to air, land, and sea "aggression" against Lebanon.
Qassem also called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, according to Al Jazeera. He added that subsequent steps would include the release of prisoners and the return of residents to their homes in border areas. According to him, the final phase would involve a large-scale reconstruction effort with support from Arab countries.
Separately, Qassem reiterated that the truce cannot hold unless both sides adhere to it. "A ceasefire means a complete cessation of all hostilities," he said, warning that his fighters would respond to Israeli actions in Lebanon.
'All enemy plans failed': Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf
Iranian Parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the enemy has failed in multiple objectives, including attempts to weaken Iran's air force and missile capabilities, destroy its navy, launch a ground offensive, and open the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that none of these goals was achieved, Press TV reported.
The Iranian Parliament Speaker also said that while some areas of understanding have been reached with the United States, there remain "major differences" on several issues. "Trump did not achieve his goal of changing the regime and destroying our offensive and missile capabilities, and Iran is not Venezuela," he added.
Israel carries out fresh strikes in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire
The Israeli army has confirmed carrying out fresh strikes on what it described as threats south of the new "yellow line" in Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.
Along with ongoing artillery shelling and machinegun fire on several villages, Israel launched two air strikes on Sunday, as per a report by Al Jazeera. One of the strikes targeted a group of Hezbollah fighters who, according to Israel, were approaching the yellow line but had not crossed it. "So that actually indicates that they were to the north of it and not inside it," she noted, as per Al Jazeera. The second strike was aimed at an individual approaching a tunnel entrance south of the yellow line, according to Al Jazeera.
'Unconditional transit' in Hormuz is 'fiction' that 'sailed' after US-Israeli 'aggression': Iran slams EU
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei strongly criticised the European Union's stance on transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of double standards and "hypocrisy" on international law. Reacting to remarks by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Baghaei said, "Oh, that 'international law'?! The one that the EU dusts off to lecture others while quietly green-lighting a US-Israeli war of aggression and looking the other way on atrocities against Iranians?! Spare the sermons; Europe's chronic failure to practice what it preaches has turned its 'international law' talk into peak hypocrisy."
He asserted that Iran has the right to take measures in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "No rule of international law forbids Iran, the coastal State, from taking necessary measures to stop the Strait of Hormuz being used for waging military aggression against Iran."
Rejecting the idea of unrestricted passage, Baghaei added, "And 'unconditional transit passage' in Hormuz? That fiction sailed the moment US-Israeli aggression brought US military assets into the strait's backyard."