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Following Easter, Trump issued a stark 12-hour ultimatum, warning Iran that a "civilization" would be destroyed if no deal was reached. Behind the scenes, aides, including Marco Rubio, viewed it as a pressure tactic to compel negotiations. Trump's objective, according to his advisors, was to intimidate Iran into ending the conflict.

Trump: Whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America. They are Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart and, unlike others that have shown their true colors in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard, and knows how to WIN!

While Trump continues to claim victory, only 15% of Americans believe his objectives regarding Iran have been met. An additional 25% think these goals will be achieved later. Approximately 40% state that he has not achieved them, will not achieve them, or that the goals are unclear. Only 38% support the strikes, with many considering the objectives to be unclear or in flux. (Source: Politico)

Trump stated: "I ended 8 wars, and if we add Iran and Lebanon, that will be 10 wars ended."

Trump: The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear “Dust,” created by our great B2 Bombers. No money will exchange hands. This deal is not subject to Lebanon, but the USA will separately work with Lebanon and deal with the Hezbollah situation. Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer — they are prohibited by the U.S.A. Enough is enough.

Turkish President Erdogan: While maintaining our goal of full membership in the European Union, we expect the Union to overcome its direction crisis and remain faithfully committed to the vision of its founding leaders.

President Erdoğan of Türkiye stated: Türkiye is an inseparable part of Europe. The shared challenges we face today have once again demonstrated the strategic value of our partnership with Europe.

The Strokes closed their Weekend 2 set at Coachella with a video condemning U.S. foreign policy and Israeli bombings in Gaza, including footage of bombings in Iran. Frontman Julian Casablancas emphasized the message with the refrain “What side you standing on?”

President Trump reacted angrily after a U.S. jet was shot down in Iran, at one point yelling at aides and referencing Jimmy Carter and the 1979 hostage crisis. During the high-risk mission to rescue a downed U.S. airman, advisers did not include President Trump in real-time operational discussions, instead updating him at key moments because they believed his impatience would not be helpful. Source: WSJ

Massive U.S.–Israeli strikes hitting hospitals in Iran, forcing staff to evacuate newborns during the active phase of the war. One hospital staff was seen carrying babies to safety.

Kamala Harris: Trump was drawn into a war by Bibi Netanyahu. Let’s be clear about that. He entered a war the American people do not want, putting U.S. service members at risk.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez: Shame on those who remain silent in the face of injustice. Shame on those who exploit workers, who criminalize those who are different, who turn rights into commodities, who defend elite privilege, who support war and violence in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, Lebanon, and the Middle East.

Following escalating tensions with Iran and new threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, then-President Trump convened a meeting with top national security officials in the Situation Room on Saturday. Behind the scenes, senior officials indicated that recent diplomatic efforts had yielded some progress on critical nuclear issues, such as uranium enrichment, though significant disparities persist.

"Enough!" Trump Stuns Zionist Supporters by Scolding Israel Over Lebanon. Trump shocked his Zionist allies on Friday, declaring he had "barred" Israel from bombing Lebanon after the ceasefire. "Enough is enough!", he further rebuked Israel. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he accepted the truce at the "request" of his "friend" Trump. READ MORE

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on networks recruiting Colombian mercenaries to fight for the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. These actions are fueling conflict and famine in a volatile region. Washington has also urged a three-month truce with no conditions.

A source told Tasnim that Iran was prepared to strike Israel at 20:00 last night if a Lebanon ceasefire wasn’t implemented, but held off after Trump announced a ceasefire.

Trump says Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, and will not receive any frozen funds from the U.S.

The Failing New York Times, FAKE NEWS CNN, and others, just don’t know what to do. They are desperately looking for a reason to criticize President Donald J. Trump on the Iran situation, but just can’t find it. Why don’t they just say, at the right time, JOB WELL DONE, MR. PRESIDENT, and start to gain back their credibility???

Trump: Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I told them to stay away, unless they just want to load up their ships with oil. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!

Trump to Israel: Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are prohibited by the U.S.A. Enough is enough.

The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until our transaction with Iran is 100% complete!

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels have initiated talks in Switzerland on April 14, agreeing to establish a monitoring mechanism with United Nations support amidst escalating fighting in South Kivu. The agreement is intended to monitor ceasefire violations, however, clashes persist, posing a risk to civilian lives.

The war in Iran is going along swimmingly. We can do whatever we want. It’s perfect. It should be ending pretty soon.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, "Israeli expansionism is not just Türkiye’s problem, nor only the region’s; we are talking about a security issue that has become a global concern, driven by a fundamentalist government there."

Two more oil tankers were forced to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran’s ongoing naval blockade.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated: "Israel is attempting to create a fait accompli regarding the situation in Lebanon; this must not be permitted."

Trump is privately grappling with the risk of sending troops into danger, knowing some won’t return. He has resisted plans to seize Kharg Island—despite assurances of success—because he fears the operation would lead to heavy U.S. casualties, warning soldiers would be “sitting ducks.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: We’ve got a feeble-minded, trigger-happy president who plunged us into a war where no threat was present, with no clear objectives and no exit plan. We need to call that what it is. That’s fascism—or at least it’s fascist-curious as they would be.

A senior U.S. official told Axios that without a breakthrough soon, the war could resume within days.

In the coming days, the U.S. military plans to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize ships in international waters.

At least three attacks on commercial ships were reported in the Strait of Hormuz. In one incident, a vessel was hit, but there were no injuries. One ship was cleared to enter the Strait, then fired upon, forcing it to turn back. Two targeted ships were Indian tankers, including one carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil.

Brazilian President Lula: Lebanon becomes the victim of every war Israel fights—the last shot always ends up in Lebanon.

French President Macron: Sergeant-Chef Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment from Montauban fell this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack against UNIFIL. Three of his brothers-in-arms are wounded and have been evacuated. Everything suggests that responsibility for this attack lies with Hezbollah.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right party National Rally: Trump’s war objectives are erratic, and good luck to anyone trying to find any coherence in them.

Iran has not yet agreed to the next round of talks with the U.S., citing U.S. pressure (including Trump

Burkina Faso Dissolves 118 Groups in Biggest NGO Purge Yet Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Traore's government dissolved 118 NGOs on Saturday, tightening control over civil society amid ongoing conflict and governance shifts. The move has drawn criticism from Amnesty International, calling it a flagrant attack on the "right to freedom of association."

Students Abducted in Armed Bus Ambush in Nigeria, Benue State Nigeria: Gunmen abducted students from a bus in Benue state Friday, officials said, as kidnappings surge nationwide. Data shows Nigeria's bandit violence is a worsening security crisis targeting civilians & students. READ MORE

Trump: We will get the nuclear dust with excavators from Iran and will take it back home to the USA.

Trump stated that a deal would "make Israel safe" and that "Israel is going to come out great." Concurrently, he is advocating for an end to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, asserting, "Israel has to stop. They can't continue to blow buildings up. I am not gonna allow it."

The U.S. and Iran have made progress on a three-page agreement aimed at ending the war.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz: The IDF holds and will continue to hold all the areas it has cleared and captured. The ground maneuver into Lebanon and the strikes against Hezbollah throughout Lebanon have achieved many accomplishments, but they are not yet complete.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated: "Syria has saved the region from the expansion of some regional countries. They were using Syria as a platform for launching attacks or destabilizing the region. The weapon was loose in Syria, and we started the process of controlling this weapon in a very large way."

Trump: We had to take a short trip to Iran. I did not want to do that, but we had to because we cannot allow them to possess a nuclear weapon.

U.S. Senator JD Vance is set to attend upcoming talks in Pakistan concerning Iran, accompanied by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to the White House. This development follows former President Trump's earlier denial of Vance's participation due to security concerns.

Iran will not send negotiators or hold talks with the U.S. as long as President Donald Trump's naval blockade remains.

Trump stated that negotiations regarding Iran would resume this week, coinciding with Steve Witkoff's travel to Pakistan. Jared Kushner is also expected to join these discussions. "Steve will be traveling there tomorrow night," Trump commented, indicating that the next round of talks is scheduled for Tuesday in Islamabad. JD Vance, who previously led negotiations, will not be participating.

IRGC Aerospace Commander Maj. Gen. Seyed Majid Mousavi: During the pause in hostilities, our speed in upgrading and refilling missile and drone launch platforms is even higher than before the war. We have information that the enemy is unable to create such conditions for itself and is forced to bring in munitions drip by drip from the other side of the world.

Senator Graham posted a lengthy statement regarding the potential for war with Iran and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

IRGC: We warn that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the violating vessel will be targeted.

Hezbollah states that the truce with Israel must be mutual, not one-sided. Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem stated, “A ceasefire means a complete cessation of all hostilities,” warning that fighters will “respond to violations accordingly.”

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): We have closed the Strait of Hormuz because the enemy did not lift the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ships and ports. Trump’s statements have no value, and ships should follow updates only from the official source of our naval forces.

Indian-flagged oil tanker Sanmar Herald was attacked while crossing the strait. Crew are reportedly safe. The incident follows a brief reopening during which at least 8 vessels crossed, after a 50-day blockade.

Trump: Has anybody looked at how badly the country of Spain is doing. Their financial numbers, despite contributing almost nothing to NATO and their military defense, are absolutely horrendous. Sad to watch!!!

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has entered the Red Sea, accompanied by two destroyers.

German Chancellor Merz stated: "Iran must end its nuclear program. It must stop attacking Israel and the Gulf states. And it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz reliably, permanently, and without any form of payment."

BIG: The U.S. Government (2021-2025) and Iran are in talks over a possible deal in which Washington would release about $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for Iran giving up its enriched uranium stockpile. Negotiations have made progress but key disagreements remain, including how the uranium would be handled and how long Iran would pause its nuclear program. Source: Axios

U.S. intelligence indicates that China contemplated providing Iran with advanced radar systems early in its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. These systems could enhance Iran's capacity to detect drones and missiles. It remains unclear whether any transfer occurred.

Despite heavy strikes, Iran still retains substantial military capability—about 40% of its attack drones, roughly 60% of its missile launchers, and potentially up to 70% of its missile stockpile.

China is pressuring Spain to push back against new EU measures designed to strengthen European companies. During a meeting in Beijing, Xi Jinping warned Pedro Sánchez that the EU is becoming too protectionist, which could hurt trade and political ties. Source: Bloomberg

The U.S. has quietly warned some European allies to expect delays in weapons deliveries because the Iran war is draining U.S. stockpiles. The Pentagon is prioritizing its own needs and ongoing operations.

Israel has appointed Micheal Lotum as its first ambassador to Somaliland, a breakaway region not recognized by any other country, deepening controversial ties after becoming the first state to acknowledge its independence months ago with plans for a military base in the Horn of Africa.

The United Arab Emirates is in early talks with the U.S. about securing emergency dollar access if the Iran conflict worsens. Officials discussed a possible currency swap line with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, though no formal request has been made.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei: The United States' so-called “blockade” of Iran’s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal. Moreover, by deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to war crime and crime against humanity.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated: "We are not like Israel. They formed a military alliance with Southern Cyprus against Muslim countries in the region. We are not doing what they do; we are looking for ways to extinguish conflicts in our region."

Iran has stated that vessels settling newly imposed security and safety fees will be prioritized for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while others could encounter delays.

The US quietly extended a short-term waiver allowing Russian oil that had already been shipped to be sold until May 16. This move reverses earlier signals that the waiver would not be renewed.

Iranian official to Reuters: No agreement has been reached on the details of the nuclear issues.

An Iranian military official stated that military vessels are not permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz. (Source: State TV)

Iran's Ghalibaf: The enemy failed in the various plans it had—destroying the air force and missile capabilities, destroying the navy, launching a ground attack, and opening the Strait of Hormuz. In all of these, they were unsuccessful.

Israeli security agencies are investigating a serious espionage case where Air Force soldiers allegedly worked with Iranian agents. They reportedly shared sensitive military information (bases, weapons, capabilities) and gathered intel on officials, including Bezalel Smotrich. Two main suspects have been detained for about a month, and indictments are expected soon.

BREAKING: A tanker approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman was approached by two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats, which opened fire without issuing a VHF warning. The vessel and crew are safe.

MarineTraffic states that the cruise ship Celestyal Discovery is the first passenger vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began.

Senior Iranian military official on the opening of Strait of Hormuz: Only non-military vessels can transit, through designated routes and with IRGC Navy approval. Civilian ships must follow routes set by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization.

Senator Graham: I do not trust the Lebanese military to disarm Hezbollah. The commander of the Lebanese military—I think his name is Haykal—I don’t trust, as far as I can throw him. He needs to be replaced before there’s a credible plan to disarm Hezbollah. No peace deal in Lebanon until there’s a credible pathway to disarm Hezbollah.