The U.S. Central Command reports that 21 ships have been turned back since the start of the blockade.
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April 18, 2026 (Saturday)
1.5 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announces that the Strait of Hormuz is closed again until the blockade ends.
A French soldier is killed and three are injured in a shooting against United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeepers in Deir Kifa, southern Lebanon. France has accused Hezbollah of being responsible, an allegation that the group has denied.
Iran says that a date for another round of talks with the United States has not been set, pending an agreement on a framework for negotiations.
The Gaza health ministry updates the total Palestinian casualties to 72,549 killed and 172,274 injured, including at least 773 killed and 2,171 injured since the October 2025 ceasefire.
International relations
Australia and Japan sign an agreement for the delivery of the first stealth ships under a AU$10 billion (US$7.2 billion) program to supply the Australian navy with a new fleet of warships.
India's external affairs ministry summons the ambassador of Iran after an Indian-flagged tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
Headed by Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez, left-wing presidents gather at the IV Meeting in Defense of Democracy and Progressive Global Mobilization in Barcelona. Participants included Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Colombia's Gustavo Petro, Kosovo's Albin Kurti, Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, and Uruguay's Yamandú Orsi.
Law and crime
Six people are killed and 15 others are injured, including a child, in a mass shooting in Holosiivskyi District, Kyiv, Ukraine. The gunman barricaded himself inside a supermarket and took hostages before being killed by police.
Rawalpindi shuts down cafés, restaurants, gyms, markets, and marriage halls in preparation of possible Iran–U.S. talks.
Sports
Finnish racing driver Juha Miettinen is killed in a seven-car pileup during a qualifying race for the 2026 24 Hours of NĂĽrburgring.
April 17, 2026 (Friday)
2.2 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
Ten Maute Group militants, including a leader, are killed in a shootout with soldiers during a raid in Marantao, Lanao del Sur, Phillippines.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announces that the Strait of Hormuz will be open for commercial traffic via a "coordinated route" with Iranian authorities while the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon is in effect.
An Iranian military official says that vessels must receive permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to pass.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz says that the military will hold all of its positions in southern Lebanon, and that disarming Hezbollah remains its main objective.
United States president Donald Trump says that the U.S. naval blockade will remain in effect until a peace agreement is reached with Iran.
Fars News Agency reports that the Iranian government considers the continuation of the blockade a violation of the ceasefire and would close the strait again if it is not lifted.
The Israeli military issues a statement telling residents from southern Lebanon to remain north of the Litani River during the ceasefire.
The Lebanese military says that there have been several Israeli attacks and artillery shelling incidents in violation of the ceasefire.
Maritime tracking data shows that only a few ships have moved through the strait after the announcement.
Business and economy
A South Korean tanker transports crude oil to the country via the Red Sea for the first time since disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, as the government implements alternative supply routes to secure energy imports.
China and Turkmenistan begin expansion works at the GalkynyĹź Gas Field, the world's second-largest gas field, to increase production amid the fuel crisis.
Oil prices, including Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate, drop to less than US$90 per barrel, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increases by over 1,000 points, following Iran's announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States issues a one-month sanctions waiver allowing the sale of Russian petroleum products already in transit to help stabilize global energy supply.
Disasters and accidents
Health and environment
France announces that its social security system will reimburse the cost of reusable menstrual products for individuals under 26 and those with low income.
Law and crime
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell announces that the U.S. Department of Defense has completed a key phase of its investigation into the withdrawal from Afghanistan by conducting a series of interviews with generals who executed the operation including former Marine Corps Commandmant David Berger, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley, and U.S. Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie.
Australian Army veteran and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith is granted bail with travel restrictions after his previous arrest for alleged war crimes while deployed to Afghanistan during the war.
Irish media reports that drug kingpin Daniel Kinahan is arrested by police in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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