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2026 Iran War: 2026-04-13

Monday, April 13, 2026 35 updates Last updated 22:04 UTC
22:04 UTC

US Officials Say Engagement With Iran Continues Despite Blockade

A US official stated there is continued engagement between Washington and Tehran with forward motion toward an agreement, even as the naval blockade takes effect. The mixed signals suggest the Trump administration is pursuing maximum pressure while keeping diplomatic channels open.
22:04 UTC

Iran Threatens All Persian Gulf Ports If Its Own Are Targeted

IRGC spokesperson Ibrahim Zolfaqari declared that Iran will implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz, warning that if Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman are threatened, no port in the region will be safe. The statement came minutes before the US blockade took effect.
22:04 UTC

IDF Orders Heightened Readiness For Possible Resumption of Hostilities With Iran

The Israeli military Chief of Staff has ordered the IDF to enter a heightened state of readiness for a potential resumption of hostilities with Iran following the collapse of US-Iran negotiations. A temporary two-week ceasefire, negotiated by Pakistan, remains in place.
22:04 UTC

Trump Claims Iranian Navy Destroyed With 158 Ships Sunk

President Trump claimed the Iranian Navy has been completely destroyed, stating 158 ships were sunk while IRGC speedboats were spared as they posed no threat. He warned that speedboats approaching the US naval blockade would be destroyed. Independent verification of these claims is not yet available.
22:03 UTC Breaking

US Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports Begins Amid Rising Tensions

US Central Command has begun enforcing a naval blockade on all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports, while confirming that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to non-Iranian ports will not be affected. The blockade follows the collapse of US-Iran negotiations after Iran failed to meet ceasefire conditions.
20:00 UTC

Trump Claims 158 Iranian Navy Vessels Destroyed, Warns IRGC Speedboats

President Trump reiterated that the Iranian Navy has been completely destroyed, claiming 158 vessels were sunk. He said IRGC speedboats were spared because they were not considered a significant threat, but warned they would be destroyed if they approach the US naval blockade. Iran's armed forces have called the restrictions in international waters an illegal act amounting to piracy.
20:00 UTC

IDF Chief Orders Heightened Readiness for Possible Resumption of Iran Hostilities

The IDF Chief of Staff has ordered the military to enter a heightened state of readiness for a potential resumption of hostilities with Iran following the collapse of US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad. The order includes implementing structured combat protocols for a possible military confrontation. Netanyahu confirmed that a temporary two-week ceasefire negotiated by Pakistan remains in effect.
20:00 UTC

US Air Force Reactivates 68-Year-Old KC-135 Stratotanker Due to High Losses in Iran Campaign

The US Air Force has reactivated KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, originally designed in the 1950s, to bolster aerial refueling capabilities after sustaining significant losses during the Iran campaign. The move highlights the operational toll of sustained air operations over Iranian territory.
19:45 UTC

IDF Completes Encirclement of Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces announced the completion of the encirclement of Bint Jbeil, a major Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel aims to establish a comprehensive security belt in southern Lebanon rather than holding a limited number of positions, in order to eliminate the threat of a Hezbollah invasion and push back missile launch capabilities.
19:30 UTC

Sanctioned Tanker Elpis Passes Through Strait of Hormuz Despite US Naval Blockade

The Comoros-registered tanker Elpis, partially loaded and sanctioned by the US since 2025 for participating in Iran's shadow oil fleet, successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz after the blockade took effect. Other vessels reacted more cautiously — the Botswana-flagged Ostria turned back 41 minutes after the deadline, while two empty tankers returned to wait outside the strait. The incident demonstrates that the blockade is not yet fully stopping all maritime traffic through one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints.
18:05 UTC

Trump Considers Limited Military Strikes on Iran While Enforcing Hormuz Blockade

President Trump is reportedly considering limited military strikes against Iran to pressure Tehran into a nuclear deal, while simultaneously enforcing the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The approach aims to apply maximum pressure without escalating into a full-scale war, according to US officials.
18:05 UTC

Hezbollah Missile Strikes Nahariya, Large-Scale Drone Attack Targets Northern Israel

A Hezbollah missile achieved a direct hit in the Israeli city of Nahariya, wounding one person, while two interceptions were reported over Kiryat Shmona. A large-scale drone attack was also launched against northern Israel amid heightened regional tensions following the collapse of Iran nuclear negotiations.
18:05 UTC

Iran IRGC Declares Permanent Hormuz Control Mechanism, Threatens Regional Port Security

IRGC spokesperson Ibrahim Zolfaqari announced Iran will implement a permanent mechanism to control the Strait of Hormuz, stating that enemy-affiliated vessels will not be permitted to pass. He warned that security of ports in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman would be either for everyone or for no one, signaling potential escalation against Gulf states.
18:05 UTC

US Official Confirms Continued Engagement With Iran Despite Islamabad Talks Collapse

A US official stated there is continued engagement between the United States and Iran and forward motion on trying to reach an agreement, despite the collapse of negotiations in Islamabad. The statement suggests back-channel diplomacy may still be active even as military pressure escalates through the Hormuz blockade.
18:04 UTC Breaking

CENTCOM Begins Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports, Warns All Vessels Will Be Intercepted

US Central Command announced that forces have begun blocking all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting April 13 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Vessels entering or leaving the blockade zone without authorization will be subject to interception, redirection, and seizure, while traffic to non-Iranian ports will not be affected.
16:04 UTC

Oil Prices Surge Past $100 Per Barrel After US Declares Hormuz Blockade

US crude oil prices rose 8% to over $100 a barrel after Iran labeled the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as piracy. The blockade is expected to significantly restrict Iranian oil shipments and worsen existing global supply disruptions.
16:04 UTC

IDF Completes Encirclement of Bint Jbeil in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces announced the completion of the encirclement of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon. The operation is part of Israel's broader campaign to establish a security belt aimed at eliminating the threat of Hezbollah incursions and pushing back missile launch positions.
16:04 UTC

US Air Force Reactivates 68-Year-Old KC-135 Tankers Due to High Losses in Iran

The US Air Force has reactivated KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, some dating back 68 years, to bolster aerial refueling capabilities after sustaining high losses during operations related to the Iran conflict. The move highlights the operational strain on US air assets in the region.
16:04 UTC Breaking

IDF Chief of Staff Orders Heightened Readiness for Possible Resumption of Iran Hostilities

The IDF Chief of Staff has ordered the Israeli military to enter a heightened state of readiness for a potential resumption of hostilities with Iran following the collapse of US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad. A structured combat protocol has been implemented to prepare for possible military confrontation.
14:04 UTC

Trump Says US Ready to Finish Up Iran at Appropriate Moment After Islamabad Talks Fail

Following the collapse of negotiations in Islamabad, President Trump stated the United States is ready to finish up Iran at what he called the appropriate moment. The remarks came after Vice President JD Vance briefed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on the failed talks, which collapsed over Iran’s refusal to cease fire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
14:04 UTC

Trump Declares Hormuz Blockade Will Be All or None, No Passage Until Iran Relents

President Trump stated the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will be total, with no passage allowed for any ship until Iran agrees to US demands. The statement escalates the enforcement posture beyond CENTCOM’s earlier announcement which had specified non-Iranian traffic would not be interfered with.
14:04 UTC

Australia Joins UK in Refusing to Participate in US Naval Blockade of Iran

Australia announced it will not participate in the US-led naval blockade of Iran, stating it wishes to avoid destabilizing the region further. The UK made a similar announcement earlier the same day, leaving the US without two of its closest military allies in the enforcement of the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
12:08 UTC

Iran Warns No Gulf or Oman Port Will Be Safe if Its Ports Are Threatened

Iran declared that no port in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman would be safe if Iranian ports come under threat following the US declaration of a naval blockade. The statement significantly raises the stakes, implying potential Iranian retaliation against shipping infrastructure across the entire Gulf region.
12:07 UTC

Netanyahu Says Iran Violated Ceasefire Terms Before Islamabad Talks Collapsed

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting that Vice President JD Vance briefed him on the Islamabad negotiations, stating the talks collapsed because Iran blatantly violated the agreement to cease fire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu said the US focus remains on removing all enriched material from Iran and ensuring no enrichment for years, possibly decades.
12:06 UTC Breaking

CENTCOM Announces Blockade Enforcement Begins April 13 at 10:00 AM Eastern

US Central Command issued an official statement confirming that CENTCOM forces will begin blocking all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting April 13 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. The blockade applies to vessels from all countries entering or leaving Iranian ports, while traffic transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports will not be interfered with.
02:05 UTC

Iran Deploys Meraj-532 Combat Drones in Kurdistan Operations

According to Kurdish sources, Iran has deployed Meraj-532 combat drones in Kurdistan. These vehicle-launched drones have a 450km range and carry 50kg warheads, used by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units.
02:05 UTC

Iran Warns of Possible Retaliatory Strikes Against Gulf Ports

Analysts warn Iran may target UAE ports Fujairah and Yanbu, and Saudi port Jeddah in response to US naval blockade. There are also concerns about potential incidents in Bab Al-Mandab strait as tensions escalate.
02:05 UTC

Detailed Gaps Revealed in Iran-US Peace Negotiations

Senior American officials detailed main negotiation gaps with Iran: freezing uranium enrichment, removing enriched uranium from Iran, and dismantling main uranium enrichment facilities. These issues proved insurmountable during Islamabad talks.
02:05 UTC

Conflicting Reports on Senior US Officials Status After Islamabad Talks Collapse

Al Arabiya reports that US envoys Witkoff and Kushner remain in Islamabad to continue talks, while CBS Network claims no senior American officials remain in Pakistan. The conflicting accounts emerge after the collapse of Iran-US negotiations.
02:04 UTC Breaking

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Issues Final Ultimatum to US Warship in Strait of Hormuz

Iranian state television released footage reportedly showing Revolutionary Guard naval forces warning a US warship to depart from the Strait of Hormuz with threats to open fire. The confrontation comes amid escalating tensions following the collapse of diplomatic talks.
00:05 UTC

Iranian President Pezeshkian Says Agreement Still Possible if US Abandons Totalitarianism

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that if the United States abandons its totalitarianism, ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found. The statement came despite the collapse of Islamabad negotiations and Trump's blockade announcement.
00:04 UTC

Trump Says US Ready to Finish Up Iran at Appropriate Moment After No Deal Reached

President Trump stated the United States is prepared to 'finish up' Iran at an 'appropriate moment' following the failure of negotiations in Islamabad. The remark came alongside his announcement of a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz.
00:04 UTC

IRGC Commander Hassan Hassanzadeh Seen Alive After Israel Claimed His Assassination

Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, commander of the IRGC in Tehran Province, was seen riding a motorcycle during rallies, debunking Israeli claims of his assassination during the war. The appearance was documented in footage circulated on social media.
00:04 UTC

Iran-Pakistan Negotiations Collapse as Both Delegations Depart Islamabad

Diplomatic talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad have ended without agreement. Pakistani and Iranian sources confirmed that the Iranian delegation has left Pakistan, while reports conflict on whether Witkoff and Kushner remained. Iran's chief negotiator blamed the US for the failure of the talks.
00:03 UTC Breaking

US Central Command Announces Total Naval Blockade of All Iranian Ports Starting Tomorrow

US CENTCOM has declared a full naval blockade against all Iranian ports, effective April 14 at 10 AM Eastern Time. The blockade extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz to cover every Iranian port. CENTCOM clarified that vessels traveling to or from non-Iranian ports will not be affected. The announcement follows the collapse of negotiations in Islamabad.