Donald Trump said that Iran wants to make a deal but he will not come to any agreement that allows Tehran to have a nuclear weapon, as his "blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz began.
The US president said in a press conference that Iran had "called this morning" and that "they'd like to work a deal."
The US has begun a blockade of all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and Trump warned Iranian naval ships approaching it will be “eliminated”.
He posted on Truth Social: "Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
The US military had warned vessels entering east of the Strait of Hormuz that they will be subject to “interception, diversion and capture”.
This will apply to all vessel traffic, regardless of flag, according to a note sent from US Central Command, reported by Reuters on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military is pushing ahead with its air and ground offensive in southern Lebanon, engaging in fighting with Hezbollah militants over a strategic town while the group also fires rockets and drones at northern Israel.
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Key Points
- Trump says Iran wants to make deal as blockade begins
- Trump: 'We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world'
- US blockade of Iranian ports begins as Trump warns any ship that comes close will be eliminated
- Starmer criticises Trump's threats to Iranian civilians
- US blockade is 'revenge of choice' against global economy, says Iran
Recap: Trump and Starmer speak out on Strait of Hormuz
19:06 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump said that Iran wants to make a deal but he will not come to any agreement that allows Tehran to have a nuclear weapon, as his "blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports began.
The US president said in a press conference that Iran had "called this morning" and that "they'd like to work a deal."
"Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world."
The US has begun a blockade of all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and Trump warned Iranian naval ships approaching it will be “eliminated”.
"We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world because that's what they're doing," Trump said of Iran in a press conference on Monday afternoon.
Trump repeated his argument that safeguarding the strait is of greater concern to other parts of the globe than the United States.
The effective closure of the strait since the start of the war, however, impacts global oil prices — which has led to surging prices for motorists and rising inflation on other goods.
"We don't use this strait," Trump said. "We have our own oil and gas, much more than we need."
Earlier on Monday, he posted on Truth Social: "Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
Meanwhile, the UK and France are leading political and military planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but no mission will begin until hostilities between the US and Iran end, Sir Keir Starmer said.
The prime minister was speaking after Donald Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports came into effect, with the US president threatening to sink Tehran’s fast attack vessels if they come near American warships.
Sir Keir refused to back Mr Trump’s blockade and called for unfettered access to the strait, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.
In his Commons statement, Sir Keir:
– Said Mr Trump was “wrong” to threaten to wipe out Iran’s civilisation.
– Acknowledged the “significant” economic consequences of the Iran war “will last longer than the conflict itself”.
– Demanded an end to Israeli bombing of Lebanon, saying the attacks were having “devastating humanitarian consequences”.
What is the ‘Gate of Tears’? Key shipping route that could be attacked by Houthis and disrupt global economy
18:45 , Daniel Haygarth
What is the ‘Gate of Tears’? Key shipping route that could be attacked by Houthis
Tankers race to leave Hormuz ahead of blockade as US warns ships face ‘diversion and capture’
18:30 , Dan HaygarthIEA is ready to further tap global oil reserves if needed, chief says
18:29 , Dan HaygarthThe head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said on Monday he hopes another oil stockpile release is not needed but "we stand ready to act" if the energy shock resulting from the war with Iran requires it.
The 32-member IEA agreed last month to release 400 million barrels of oil from reserves, the largest coordinated release ever, in a bid to calm oil markets.
The US, the world's largest oil and gas producer, agreed to release 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
"I hope, very much hope, we don't need to do it but if it is needed we are ready to act," Birol said. Birol reiterated at an Atlantic Council event that the war has resulted in the worst global energy disruption ever and said that more than 80 oil and gas facilities including production, terminals and refineries across the Middle East have been damaged by war with Iran.
Benchmark oil prices are trading near $100 a barrel. Due to the vast extent of the production shut-ins and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the oil releases are "not a solution," Birol said, "it's just reducing the pain."
Trump’s blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
18:14 , Dan HaygarthTrump’s threats to the Strait of Hormuz will make America a pirate nation and risk conflict with China, making Beijing seem like the grown-ups, explains world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
Trump’s blockade threatens piracy and risks outright war against China
Trump claims offensive Jesus meme was him 'as a doctor' healing the sick
18:05 , Dan HaygarthTrump: 'We may stop by Cuba after we're finished with Iran'
18:02 , Dan Haygarth
Donald Trump that the US may "stop by" Cuba after its current focus on tensions with Iran concludes.
Trump doubles down on criticism of Pope
18:01 , Daniel HaygarthDonald Trump said on Monday that Pope Leo XIV was wrong on issues of law and order, continuing his criticism with the pontiff over crime, policing and views on US war with Iran.
He earlier branded Pope Leo XIV as “weak” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy, in a late-night Truth Social blitz which also saw him uploading an AI-generated image of himself dressed as Jesus, which has now been deleted.
Trump deletes post depicting him as Jesus Christ
17:56 , Dan HaygarthA picture depicting Donald Trump as Jesus Christ has been deleted from the president’s Truth Social account after a wave of backlash from religious right figures accusing him of blasphemy.
The image, posted to his account after he delivered a screed against Pope Leo XIV, depicts the president dressed in a white robe with a glowing hand on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed.
Read more:
Trump deletes post depicting him as Jesus Christ as MAGA base calls out ‘blasphemy’
Trump claims 34 ships went through Strait of Hormuz yesterday
17:48 , Daniel HaygarthIn another post on Truth Social, the US president said: “34 Ships went through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, which is by far the highest number since this foolish closure began.”
Trump: 'We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world'
17:47 , Daniel HaygarthThe US president is holding a press conference at the moment.
He says that Iran wants to make a deal and that he will not come to any agreement that allows Tehran to have a nuclear weapon.
"[The sticking point] was over nuclear, [...]Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
“And we agreed to a lot of things but they didn't agree to that. And I think they will agree to it, I'm almost sure of it. In fact I am sure of it, if they don't agree there's no deal, there will never be a deal.
“Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. And we'll get the dust back. We'll get it back either way; we'll get it back from them, or we'll take it."
He adds that he believes Iran is "really blackmailing the world".
"Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Trump tells reporters at the White House. "We can't let a country blackmail or extort the world."
Starmer defends King's US visit as Ed Davey calls Trump a 'dangerous and corrupt gangster'
17:45 , Dan HaygarthUS blockade is 'revenge of choice' against global economy, says Iran
17:43 , Daniel HaygarthEsmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, posted the short below statement on X.
Can an illegal “war of choice” be won through a “revenge of choice” against the global economy?!
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 13, 2026
Is it ever worthwhile to cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face?!
Protracted Hormuz crisis could trigger agrifood catastrophe, UN food agency says
17:25 , Daniel HaygarthA prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global agrifood catastrophe by disrupting fertiliser and energy exports, driving up food prices and squeezing crop yields, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Monday.
Chief economist Maximo Torero said poorer countries were most exposed because planting calendars meant delays in access to key inputs could quickly translate into lower output, higher inflation and slower global growth
Full story: US blockade of Iranian ports begins as Trump warns any ship that comes close will be eliminated
17:15 , Dan HaygarthThe US has begun a blockade of all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports after warning “all vessels” were at risk of diversion and capture.
Shortly after the blockade began at 2pm UTC, US president Donald Trump said on Truth Social: “If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED.”
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said earlier on Monday it would enforce a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz that would apply to all vessels, regardless of flag.
In a note to seafarers, they said that any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation would be “subject to interception, diversion and capture”.
"The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations,” it said.
US blockade of Iranian ports begins after failed peace talks
Full story: Starmer demands Trump ends his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
17:06 , Daniel Haygarth
Starmer demands Trump ends his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
Britain should offer to demine Oman's parts of the Strait, former head of the Royal Navy has said
17:00 , Dan HaygarthBritain should offer to demine parts of the Strait of Hormuz that fall within Oman’s territory, the former head of the Royal Navy has said.
Crossbench peer Lord West of Spithead asked the Government if it could use its mine hunting expertise within the Royal Navy to help clear the Gulf waterway.
Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord West said: “We must not let this war end with the Strait of Hormuz, a very important international waterway, being closed. It is in global interest, in our interest that that does not happen. We are very good at mine hunting, our very badly funded at the moment Navy is actually an expert at mine hunting and that is very important.
“The bulk of the deep water routes into and out of the Gulf actually go through Omani, not Iranian, waters. We are very close friends and allies with Oman, can we not go ahead with actually talking to the Omanis, and saying would they be happy for us to start making sure that the routes within their waters are clear? This is a step forward in the right direction, and we can start moving and using the mine hunting forces that the minister has mentioned.”
Defence minister Lord Coaker replied that the Government will co-host a summit with the French to work on a co-ordinated plan. He said: “No doubt that some of the points that my noble friend has made will be considered at that summit.”
Starmer criticises Trump's threats to Iranian civilians
16:48 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer said Donald Trump’s words that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” were “wrong” and that threatening Iranian civilians is “wrong”.
Speaking in the House of Commons Commons on Monday, Sir Keir said: “In relation to the language about destroying a civilisation, could I really be clear with this House: that was wrong.
“A threat to Iranian civilians in that way is wrong.
“These are civilians, let’s remember, who’ve suffered immeasurable harm by the regime in Iran for many, many, long years. And that’s why they’re words and phrases that I would never use on behalf of this Government, which is guided by our principles and our values throughout all this.”
Recap: Trump's latest threat
16:30 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump warned on Monday that any Iranian "fast-attack" ships that go near a US maritime blockade on Iran would be eliminated.
Trump made the threat shortly after the U.S. blockade on vessels entering and departing Iran had been due to come into effect at 3pm UK time on Monday.
Describing Iran's navy as "completely obliterated" during the six-week-long war, Trump posted on Truth Social: "What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, 'fast attack ships,' because we did not consider them much of a threat."
"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea. It is quick and brutal," Trump wrote.
Trump was referring to the dozens of U.S. strikes carried out against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September in a campaign that has killed at least 110 people.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off a vital waterway that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Iran's conventional navy has largely been destroyed but Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still have plenty of options including fast-attack craft, mini submarines, mines and even jet skis packed with explosives, said Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Navy commander, last month.
Starmer calls for ceasefire to include Lebanon
16:15 , Dan Haygarth
The prime minister has called for the ceasefire in the Middle East to include Lebanon as he branded Israel’s strikes “wrong”.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Whilst the ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran is undeniably welcome, it is also highly fragile.
“The region remains on edge, and a lot of work is required to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, to de-escalate the situation, leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
“In pursuit of that goal, we call for Lebanon to be included urgently in the ceasefire.
“Diplomacy is the right path, and I welcome the talks taking place this week. Hezbollah must disarm, but I’m equally clear Israel’s strikes are wrong. They are having devastating humanitarian consequences and pushing Lebanon into a crisis.”
Sir Keir also told MPs that he met with leaders and senior military representatives of allies in the Gulf, where he agreed “to deepen our engagement on both defence and economic resilience, because they all made it abundantly clear that the solidarity and strength of our partnership with them has been a comfort in these challenging times”.
UK will stay out of war, Starmer tsays
16:06 , Daniel HaygarthSir Keir Starmer told MPs that the UK will “continue to stay out of the war” with Iran, because it is in the national interest.
He said: “My guide from the start of this conflict has always been our national interest.
“That’s why we stayed out of the war, and why we continue to stay out of the war.
“And that is why we are working now to restore freedom of navigation in the Middle East, because that is squarely in our national interest.”
Watch: Starmer accuses Iran of holding world economy to ransom over Strait of Hormuz
16:02 , Dan HaygarthStarmer and Macron to hold summit to end conflict and help shipping through Strait
15:56 , Dan HaygarthSir Keir Starmer will host a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, focused on diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East and military planning to help shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK prime minister told the House of Commons: “I’ve met UK businesses in energy, shipping, insurance and finance, and they are clear that vessels will not be put through the strait until they are confident that it’s safe to do so.
“And that’s why we’re working around the clock on a credible plan to reopen the strait.
“And I can confirm today that, together with President Macron, I will convene a summit of leaders this week to drive forward the international effort we have built in recent weeks, bringing together dozens of countries to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The summit will be focused on two things. First, diplomatic efforts to bring pressure to bear for a negotiated end to the conflict and for the strait to be opened.
“Second, military planning to provide assurance to shipping as soon as a stable environment could be established.”
Live: Starmer makes statement on Iran as US warns of ship seizures in Gulf
15:39 , Dan HaygarthTrump: Any ships coming near to the blockade will be 'immediately eliminated'
15:38 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump has warned Iranian naval ships approaching the US blockade of the country’s ports will be “eliminated” using the same “quick and brutal” method to destroy drug dealers’ boats.
He wrote on Truth Social: “Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships.
“What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat. Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea.
“It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT”
Live: Vessel tracker shows traffic in Strait of Hormuz
15:35 , Dan HaygarthBreaking: US blockade of Iranian ports begins after warning ‘all vessels’ at risk of capture
15:23 , Maira ButtThe US has begun a blockade of all ships entering and exiting Iranian ports after warning “all vessels” were at risk of diversion and capture.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday it would enforce a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz that would apply to all vessels, regardless of flag.
In a note to seafarers, they said that any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorisation would be “subject to interception, diversion and capture”.
US blockade of Iranian ports begins after warning ‘all vessels’ at risk of capture
Neutral vessels within Iranian ports granted grace period, says UKMTO
15:00 , Maira ButtThe United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency has said that neutral vessels currently within Iranian ports have been granted a limited grace period to depart in a statement on Monday.
It said that transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations but is not reported to be impeded by these measures but vessels may encounter a military presence.
UKMTO says it was informed of maritime access restrictions being enforced on Iranian ports
14:50 , Maira ButtThe United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Monday it has been informed that effective from 1400 UTC today, maritime access restrictions are being enforced affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including locations along the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz.
“Access restrictions apply without distinction to vessels of any flag engaging with Iranian ports, oil terminals, or coastal facilities,” it added.
Aid groups condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanon
14:25 , Maira ButtMedical Aid for Palestinians has condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon in a statement to The Independent on Monday.
It comes after the International Committee of the Red Cross said it was deeply concerned about attacks on medical workers in Lebanon following a strike on a Lebanese Red Cross centre on Monday and the killing of a Lebanese Red Cross volunteer on Sunday.
“In Lebanon, the Israeli military is mirroring the playbook it has deployed in Gaza, from forced displacement to mass bombardment of civilian areas,” said Steve Cutts, CEO of MAP.
“More than 87 healthcare workers have already been reported killed, in a disturbing echo of the 1,700 Palestinian medical workers killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 2023.
“These widespread attacks are the grim result of continuing impunity for Israel’s military aggression and the global failure to enforce and uphold international humanitarian law.
“The international community, including the UK government, must not allow these atrocities to become normalised. Failure to act now and ensure accountability will have even more devastating consequences.”
Israel denies it is acting in breach of international law and has insisted it is aiming its attacks at Hezbollah and not civilians.
US warns ships could be captured near Strait of Hormuz as blockade imminent
14:05 , Maira ButtThe US military has warned vessels entering east of the Strait of Hormuz that they will be subject to “interception, diversion and capture” as an imminent blockade of the area looms.
This will apply to all vessel traffic, regardless of flag, according to a note sent from US Central Command, reported by Reuters on Monday.
All Iranian ports are to be blockaded by the US beginning Monday at 10am EDT, or 3pm in the UK and 5.30pm in Iran, after Islamabad negotiations collapsed over the weekend.
“The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations,” the note added.
In pictures: Exiled Iranian prince Reza Pahlavi visits Sweden
13:45 , Maira ButtReza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, visits the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen), following an official invitation from the parliamentary groups of the Sweden Democrats (SD) and the Christian Democrats (KD), in Stockholm on Monday 13 April.
Germany says US blockade of Hormuz is pressure tactic, not end of talks
13:25 , Maira ButtThe German government expects negotiations over a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to continue, a spokesperson said on Monday.
Iran and the US had indicated that a deadlocked had been reached with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi saying “zero lessons” were learned and JD Vance confirming that a deal had not been reached.
“The supposed blockade ... does not mark the end of this diplomatic process,” the spokesperson said, referring to an announcement by President Donald Trump.
“We see it as a move to ramp up the pressure.”
The spokesperson also cited a statement from U.S. Central Command, which he said “does not mention a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but rather a blockade of Iranian ports - that is a different approach.”
Pope Leo criticises 'neocolonial' powers hours after Trump attack
13:21 , James ReynoldsPope Leo criticised violations of international law by 'neocolonial' world powers in a forceful speech on Monday, after Donald Trump attacked him in a cutting post on social media.
The first U.S. pope urged leaders in Algeria on the first day of a four-nation tour to build a society based on principles of justice and solidarity.
"Today, this is more urgent than ever in the face of continuous violations of international law and neocolonial tendencies," Leo said.
- Context: Donald Trump erupted to condemn the Pope as “weak” after Leo criticised the war in the Middle East.
Israel will have full control of southern Lebanon within days, says official
13:05 , Maira ButtFull operational control of the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil will be achieved within dayss, an Israeli military official said on Monday.
“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.”
US military to enforce blockade from 2pm
13:00 , James ReynoldsThe US military will enforce a blockade in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea east of the Strait of Hormuz, from 2pm GMT on Monday, according to a note to seafarers.
The blockade will apply to all vessel traffic regardless of flag, the US Central Command said in the note seen by Reuters on Monday.
“Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture,” it read.
“The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”
Physical oil in Europe hits record near $150 a barrel
12:45 , Maira ButtEuropean crude oil prices have climbed to a record high, near $150 a barrel as the US threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz reverberated on Monday.
The outright price of North Sea Forties crude FOT-E reached $148.87 a barrel on Monday, LSEG data showed, exceeding its 2008 peak of $147 a barrel.
Mediators say 'door is not closed' despite US and Iran rhetoric on 'failed' peace talks
12:25 , Maira ButtSources involved in high-stakes negotiations between the US and Iran have suggested that discussions remain ongoing despite the US and Iran complaining that the historic talks in Islamabad had essentially failed.
“We are not in a complete deadlock,” a source told Axios. “The door is not closed yet. Both sides are bargaining. It's a bazaar.”
Mediators are reportedly hoping to gain ground before the 14-day ceasefire expires on 21 April.
'Zero lessons learned': Iranian foreign minister hits out after failed Islamabad talks
12:05 , Maira ButtIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a statement in the aftermath of collapsed negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan over the weekend.
“In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with US in good faith to end war,” he wrote in a post on X late on Sunday.
“But when just inches away from ;Islamabad MoU’, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.
“Zero lessons earned Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”
Watch: Pope Leo hits back at Donald Trump over Iran
11:45 , Maira ButtKeir Starmer says Strait of Hormuz blockade 'deeply damaging' as European nations to meet
11:25 , Maira ButtAfter insisting that the UK will not intervene in the Strait of Hormuz, prime minister Keir Starmer has called the chaos around the vital shipping route “deeply damaging” and has vowed to work to resolve the issue with European partners.
“The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is deeply damaging,” he wrote in a post on X on Monday.
“Getting global shipping moving is vital to ease cost of living pressures. The UK has convened more than 40 nations who share our aim to restore freedom of navigation.”
He added: “This week the UK and France will co-host a summit to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends.”
Why is the US threatening to blockade the Strait of Hormuz - and how could it work?
11:05 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after negotiations with Iran collapsed over the weekend and oil prices surged.
“We’re sweeping the strait,” he added in reference to the shipping route, and called negotiations “very deep”.
While the United States later backtracked and said it would “not impede” vessels sailing through the vital waterway, it said a blockade of Iran’s ports would continue to go ahead on Monday.
Why is the US threatening to blockade the Strait of Hormuz – and how could it work?
Nearly two-thirds of Israelis oppose ceasefire, according to new poll
10:45 , Maira ButtNearly two-thirds of Israelis are against a ceasefire with Iran and Lebanon according to a new poll conducted by Hebrew University’s Agam Labs.
More than 61 per cent of Israelis surveyed believe that a truce should not extend to fighting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a core demand by Iran.
The public were divided on whether Israel should respect a 14-day truce agreed between Israel and Iran, with 41 per cent saying that their country should respect the ceasefire and 19 per cent saying they weren’t sure.
Based on a sample of 1,312 Israelis, the poll was conducted between 9 and 10 April.
Oil prices jump back above $100 a barrel after Trump orders blockade of Strait of Hormuz
10:25 , Maira ButtThe price of oil has jumped again to above $100 a barrel after President Trump said the US would blockade the Strait of Hormuz from Monday.
The US president threatened to stop tankers from entering or leaving the key oil and gas shipping lane in response to the failure of talks with Iran.
The move caused global prices to spike on Monday morning, with the price of oil jumping around 7 per cent back up to $102, settling back just slightly lower by 9am BST.
The Independent’s business and money editor Karl Matchett reports:
Oil prices jump back above $100 a barrel after Trump orders Strait of Hormuz blockade
Watch: Iran navy warns US destroyer to turn back from Strait of Hormuz
10:05 , Maira ButtIran accuses US of 'piracy' and 'illegal' port blockade threats
09:45 , Maira ButtIran has accused the United States of piracy after it has threatened to impose a blockade on Iranian ports within hours.
The warnings came after Islamabad negotiations collapsed over the weekend.
Ebrahim Zolfagheri, the most visible spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces said on Monday that US restriction on vessels in international waters “amounts to piracy”.
“The restrictions imposed by criminal America on maritime navigation and transit in international waters are illegal and constitute an example of piracy,” he said in a statement on state media.
UK will not back blockade of Strait of Hormuz
09:30 , Maira ButtUK prime minister Keir Starmer has said that Britain will not back a blockade of the Strait.
"It is, in my view, vital that we get the Strait open and fully open, and that's where we've put all of our efforts in the last few and we'll continue to do so," Starmer told BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday.
US will 'not impede' ships passing through Strait of Hormuz after
08:59 , Maira ButtThe United States has backtracked from threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and said it will “not impede” the passage of vessels through the vital shipping route.
US Central Command announced that a blockade of Iranian ports would continue to go ahead on Monday starting from 10am EDT (3pm BST).
While Iranian ports will be cut off from transit, the US said it would not restrict the movement of vessels departing from non-Iranian ports.
Watch: The Independent's Millie Cooke analyses Iran war latest as Trump vows Strait of Hormuz blockade
08:32 , Maira ButtWarnings of UK fuel protests as Iran war sends price of diesel to £2 a litre
08:00 , Mike BediganFarmers are planning fuel protests in England after the Iran war sent fuel prices soaring to £2 per litre, it has been reported.
Ireland has already faced nationwide fuel protests from farming organisations this week over soaring petrol and diesel prices, which have caused significant disruption and threats to critical supplies throughout the country.
Read more here:
Warnings of UK fuel protests as Iran war sends price of diesel to £2 a litre
Opinion: Trump’s genocidal rant marked the end of the American century
07:30 , Mike BediganPresident Truman and JFK expressed that the US cared for the world’s poor, says Peter Frankopan, while the current administration seems only to care about the supposed glory of America, and destroying their enemies.
Read more here:
Trump’s genocidal rant marked the end of the American century
Oil jumps and Asian markets slide as US readies for Strait of Hormuz blockade
07:15 , Shweta SharmaOil prices resumed their climb and Asian markets mostly declined on Monday as the US military prepared to blockade ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, where most shipping has been stalled by Iran since the start of the war.
Oil prices have been rising as shipping through the strait has essentially stalled since late February. Brent crude oil, the international standard, has gone from roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February to more than $119 at times.
On Monday, benchmark US crude jumped 8.7 per cent to $104.95 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, rose $7.00, or 7.4 per cent, to $102.23 a barrel.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 1.0 per cent in morning trading to 56,357.40. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.5 per cent to 8,913.50.
South Korea's Kospi dipped 1.1 per cent to 5,795.15. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped nearly 1.5 per cent to 25,513.42, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.2 per cent to 3,976.57.
Catholic cardinal calls Trump's social media posts 'sickening'
07:00 , Mike BediganA U.S. Catholic Cardinal Blase Cupich has described the Trump administration’s social media posting around the Iran way as “sickening”
“We’re dehumanizing the victims of war by turning the suffering of people and the killing of children and our own soldiers into entertainment,” Cupich said, speaking during a 60 Minutes interview Sunday on CBS.
The official White House account has posted numerous clips interspersing action films and video games along with real footage from Operation Epic Fury.
“It is sickening. To splice together movie cuts with actual bombing and targeting of people for the purposes of entertainment is sickening,” Cupich added.
“This is not who we are. We’re better than this.”
UN says US war on Iran plunged more than 32 million people into poverty
06:47 , Shweta SharmaMore than 32 million people could be pushed into poverty as the economic fallout from the Iran war ripples across the global economy, with developing countries expected to bear the brunt.
In a new report, the United Nations Development Programme warned of a “triple shock” driven by rising energy costs, food insecurity, and slowing economic growth, even as a fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance.
The agency said the conflict is already reversing years of development progress, with poorer nations likely to suffer the most severe and lasting damage.
“This is development in reverse,” said Alexander De Croo, head of the UNDP.
“Even if the war stops, and a ceasefire is obviously very welcome, the impact is already there. You will see an enduring impact, especially in poorer countries, where people are pushed back into poverty.”
Energy prices have surged since the initial US–Israeli strikes on Tehran, while Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global oil and gas flows.
The knock-on effects on fertilisers and shipping have raised fears of a looming “food security timebomb” for the developing world.
Trump tells Fox he could take out Iran 'in one day'
06:45 , Mike BediganDonald Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo that he could “take Iran out in one day,” hours after his vice president emerged from talks in Islamabad without an agreement to end the war with Iran.
“I could take out Iran in one day... in one hour. I could have their entire energy, everything, every one of their power-generating plants, which is a big deal. I hate to do it, because if you do it, it takes ten years to build... they’ll never be able to rebuild it,” Trump added.
The president also said that he took out a bridge in Iran “just to how them because they came out with a statement.
Trump called into Fox from his resort in the Miami suburb of Doral, in Florida, where he reportedly played golf and discussed the talks with advisers.
Why the US-Iran peace talks failed after just one day – and what happens next
06:30 , Shweta SharmaHigh-stakes peace talks between the US and Iran have crumbled after just one day, as JD Vance blamed Tehran for being unwilling to accept American terms.
US and Iranian officials travelled to Pakistan on Saturday for what were hailed as “make or break” peace talks aimed at bringing an end to the bloody six-week war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. But less than 24 hours later, the teams departed Islamabad empty-handed.
An Iranian analyst close to the government told The New York Times the talks fell apart due to US demands for zero enrichment and the removal of nearly 900 pounds of stockpile uranium, as well as the Hormuz issue.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said the negotiations took place in an “atmosphere of mistrust”, adding it was unrealistic to expect a deal in a single round. They confirmed there are currently no plans in place for a resumption of talks.
Read more here.
Why the US-Iran peace talks failed after just one day – and what happens next
