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Iranian ship turned back while attempting to evade blockade - CENTCOM

Apr 15, 2026, 23:59 GMT+1

The US military said on Wednesday an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel was turned back after attempting to evade a US-imposed blockade on Iran’s ports, according to US Central Command.

CENTCOM said the ship on Tuesday left Bandar Abbas, exited the Strait of Hormuz, and was intercepted by the USS Spruance before being redirected back toward Iran.

"Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran," CENTCOM posted on X.

"Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on Monday," the post added.

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Saudi Arabia urges US to scale back Iran war - Telegraph

Apr 15, 2026, 23:29 GMT+1

Saudi Arabia is pressing the United States to reduce its military pressure on Iran and return to negotiations, fearing possible retaliation that could disrupt shipping through the Red Sea, according to Gulf diplomats cited by the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.

The report said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Washington to lift its naval restrictions on Iranian ports amid concerns over regional escalation.

"The Saudi lobbying reflects concerns in Riyadh that Tehran would retaliate against the US blockade by instructing its Houthi allies in Yemen to seal the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a Red Sea chokepoint through which much of the kingdom’s oil supplies pass," the report added.

US lawmaker Yassamin Ansari files impeachment articles over Iran conflict

Apr 15, 2026, 22:18 GMT+1

US House Democratic Representative from Arizona Yassamin Ansari on Wednesday introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating his oath of office, endangering US servicemembers, and authorizing unlawful military actions during the conflict with Iran.

"I’ve introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran. Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal," Ansari posted on X.

Ghalibaf says Iran and allies act as one, urges US to step back

Apr 15, 2026, 21:51 GMT+1

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday Iran and what he called the “resistance” are “one entity” in both war and ceasefire, adding that the United States must step back from what he described as Israel’s “first mistake.”

"The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the steadfastness and struggle of the esteemed Hezbollah and its heroism, as well as the unity of the Axis of Resistance," Ghalibaf posted on X.

"The United States must commit to the agreement. The resistance and Iran are one and the same entity, whether in war or in a ceasefire. America must back away from Israel's first mistake," he added.

Araghchi thanks Pakistan for hosting dialogue as army chief visits Tehran

Apr 15, 2026, 21:02 GMT+1

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was “delighted” to welcome Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Tehran and thanked Islamabad for hosting talks aimed at easing regional tensions.

In a post on X, Araghchi said the discussions reflected the two countries' shared commitment to diplomacy.

“Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship,” he wrote.

US sanctions oil network tied to Iranian tycoon Shamkhani

Apr 15, 2026, 20:20 GMT+1

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a network of companies, ships and individuals tied to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, an Iranian oil trader whose business empire has become a major conduit for Iran’s sanctioned petroleum exports.

Shamkhani is the son of the late Ali Shamkhani, a longtime senior security official who served for years as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and remained an influential figure in the country’s leadership.

The Treasury Department said the measures target a sprawling web of shipping and logistics firms that it says help move Iranian oil around international sanctions, generating billions of dollars in revenue for Tehran while enriching figures linked to Iran’s political elite.

“Treasury is moving aggressively with Economic Fury by targeting regime elites like the Shamkhani family that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

American officials said the network relied on front companies across several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, India and the Marshall Islands, along with a fleet of oil and gas tankers used to transport Iranian and Russian petroleum products.

The measures also targeted a separate financial network tied to Seyed Naiemaei Badroddin Moosavi, an Iranian national whom US officials accuse of helping facilitate oil smuggling and gold transfers linked to Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

The action comes at a delicate moment in the long-running standoff between Washington and Tehran.

American and Iranian officials are currently exploring ways to extend a fragile ceasefire after weeks of conflict, and diplomats from several regional countries have been quietly pushing both sides toward a broader agreement.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said that any deal would have to include relief from US sanctions that have battered the country’s economy.

Despite those diplomatic efforts, the new sanctions underscore Washington’s continued reliance on economic pressure against Iranian networks involved in oil sales and financing activities tied to the government and its allies.