President Trump says US Navy will begin blockade of Strait of Hormuz

PHOTO: A vessel passes through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 8, 2026.

2:54

Shady Alassar/Anadolu via Getty Images

US to blockade ships to and from Iran's ports

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military and government sites.

Trump set a deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face broad strikes on its critical infrastructure. Hours before the deadline expired, Trump said he had agreed to suspend planned bombing for two weeks if Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi then said that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported the ceasefire with Iran, but that Lebanon -- where intense Israeli strikes continued -- was not covered by the agreement, despite Iranian protests.

Apr 06, 2026 1:15 PM

Iran, Oman hold talks on 'procedure' for vessels' safe passage through Strait of Hormuz: Iran's foreign ministry

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said that Iran has been engaging in talks with Oman on examining "a procedure for the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz."

Baqaei said the talks with Oman have been held at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

"We think these talks will continue until coming to a conclusion," he added.

PHOTO: Fishing boats dot the sea as cargo ships, in the background, sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates, March 27, 2026.

Fishing boats dot the sea as cargo ships, in the background, sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates, March 27, 2026.

Referring to President Donald Trump's deadline threat, Baqaei said Iranians will not be "subjugated" by deadlines in defending their country.

Trump threatened to target Iran’s power plants and bridges unless the regime opens the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night.

Apr 06, 2026 12:35 PM

Israel confirms attacks on Iranian petrochemical plants

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel launched attacks on Iran's southern petrochemical infrastructure in the Persian Gulf port city of Asaluyeh.

"Two facilities, which together are responsible for about 85% of Iran's petrochemical exports, have been taken out of service and are not functioning," Katz said.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the Mobin and Damavand companies -- which supply electricity, water and oxygen to Asaluyeh's petrochemical facilities -- were hit.

The deputy governor of the southwestern Bushehr province told the state-run IRNA agency that no casualties had been reported from the attack.

Asaluyeh's facilities were previously targeted in U.S.-Israeli attacks last month.

Behrouz Mehri/AFP via Getty Images

An Iranian man walks near South Pars gas field facilities in the southern Iranian port of Asaluyeh on Jan. 22, 2014.

Behrouz Mehri/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News Somayeh Malekian and Dana Savir

Apr 06, 2026 12:10 PM

2 paramedics killed by Israeli strike in Lebanon, ministry says

Two paramedics were killed and a third was injured in an Israeli attack on an ambulance on Sunday night in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

At least 54 healthcare workers have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war began, while 71 healthcare vehicles have been targeted, according to the ministry.

Israel claims Hezbollah is using ambulances for military purposes.

Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images

Paramedics drink coffee on April 4, 2026 in Nabatieh, Lebanon.

Chris Mcgrath/Getty Images

-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz and Victoria Beaule

Apr 06, 2026 10:45 AM

6 people injured amid attacks on Kuwait, health ministry says

Six people were injured in the northwest of Kuwait by "projectiles and shrapnel falling in a residential area" amid ongoing Iranian attacks, the Kuwait Health Ministry said on Monday.

A spokesperson for the Iranian military said on Monday morning that Iran had targeted U.S. military forces in Bubiyan, in northwest Kuwait.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Apr 11, 2026 5:28 PM

Lebanon's death toll tops 2,000, health ministry says

Israeli forces have killed at least 2,020 people and wounded another 6,436 in Lebanon since March 2, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

Over the past 24 hours alone, 97 people were killed and 133 others were injured, the health ministry said Saturday.

Among those killed since March 2 were 165 children and 85 health care workers. Another 641 children and 188 health care workers were among the injured, according to the health ministry.