United States

Monday, April 20th 2026 - 06:13 UTC
US captures Iranian cargo ship that tried to evade Hormuz blockade as new round of talks is prepared

The US Navy fired on and boarded an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday in the Gulf of Oman, in the first naval seizure since Washington imposed a blockade on Iranian ports a week ago. Iran vowed retaliation, calling the operation an “act of piracy,” casting doubt on the second round of peace talks Trump announced for Monday in Islamabad.
Saturday, April 18th 2026 - 10:58 UTC
Iran closes Hormuz again after less than 24 hours as two ships report being fired upon

Iran's reopening of the Strait of Hormuz lasted less than 24 hours. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared on Saturday that it had reimposed “strict control” over the maritime corridor, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transits. At least two vessels reported being hit by gunfire while attempting to cross the strait, according to three maritime security sources cited by Reuters. It has not been confirmed whether the shots caused damage.
Friday, April 17th 2026 - 21:42 UTC
Iran declares Hormuz “fully open” until ceasefire ends; Trump insists on keeping Iranian port blockade

Iran announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain “fully open” to merchant shipping until the ceasefire with the United States expires next Wednesday. The decision, linked to the start of the 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon announced by Trump on Thursday, triggered an immediate drop in oil prices of nearly 10% and strong relief across global markets.
Friday, April 17th 2026 - 00:03 UTC
Trump says US “very close” to Iran deal and announces Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington is “very close” to reaching a deal with Iran and announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, in a day that combined diplomatic overtures with explicit threats to resume hostilities if Tehran does not accept American terms.
Wednesday, April 15th 2026 - 22:12 UTC
Trump says he will fire Powell if he stays past May as Senate stalls successor's confirmation

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not leave when his term expires on May 15. “Well then, I'll have to fire him,” Trump said in an interview on Fox Business. “I've held back firing him. I've wanted to fire him, but I hate to be controversial. I want to be uncontroversial, but he will be fired.”
Wednesday, April 15th 2026 - 01:06 UTC
Trump turns on Meloni, his top European ally, as Italy suspends defense deal with Israel

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday turned on Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, until recently his closest ally in Europe, in a phone interview with the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera. “I thought she had courage, but I was wrong,” Trump said, criticizing Meloni for refusing to involve Italy in the war against Iran and for calling his attacks on Pope Leo XIV “unacceptable.”
Wednesday, April 15th 2026 - 00:59 UTC
US lifts sanctions on Venezuela's Central Bank and backs its return to the IMF

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday lifted financial sanctions on Venezuela's Central Bank and three other state-owned banking institutions, in the most significant easing of the punitive regime in place since 2017. On the same day, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly endorsed efforts by the International Monetary Fund to reintegrate Venezuela into the international financial system.
Monday, April 13th 2026 - 21:52 UTC
Tankers turn back at Hormuz as crude jumps over 4% on US blockade

Two oil tankers reversed course as they approached the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, just hours after the US naval blockade against Iranian ports took effect, according to maritime tracking platform MarineTraffic. Brent crude for June delivery closed up 4.4% at $99.36 per barrel, while US benchmark WTI rose 2.6% to $99.08, according to Bloomberg.
Monday, April 13th 2026 - 21:37 UTC
Venezuela expands Chevron operations in Orinoco Belt following hydrocarbon reform

Venezuela's government on Monday signed an agreement expanding US oil company Chevron's operations in the country, weeks after a hydrocarbon reform opened the sector to private and foreign investment. The signing ceremony took place at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas.
Monday, April 13th 2026 - 21:33 UTC
Trump deletes image of himself as Jesus Christ amid backlash as clash with Pope escalates

US President Donald Trump on Monday deleted from his Truth Social account an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus Christ healing a sick person. The post, which remained visible for more than 12 hours, drew sharp criticism from Catholic organizations, conservative figures and members of his own party, who called it blasphemous.