US-Israel-Iran conflict: Trump announces US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz from 6 PM, calls Pope Leo XIV 'WEAK'; Latest updates

Iran’s Araghchi says deal was close before US maximalism derailed Islamabad talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran engaged in the highest-level talks with the US in 47 years “in good faith to end war,” but that when the two sides were “just inches away” from an agreement, they “encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.”

He said Washington learned “zero lessons” and warned that “good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.”

In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war.

But when just inches away from "Islamabad MoU", we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.

Zero lessons earned

Good will begets good will.
Enmity begets enmity.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 12, 2026

ADNOC chief says 800 vessels stranded and 20,000 seafarers at risk from Iran’s Hormuz closure

ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber said that since February 28, at least 22 ships have been attacked, 10 crew members killed, around 20,000 seafarers are unable to transit safely, and an estimated 800 commercial vessels are stranded, including nearly 400 tankers.

He said the Strait of Hormuz “has never been Iran’s to close or restrict,” calling any such attempt “illegal, dangerous, and unacceptable” and a direct threat to global energy, food, and health security.

He warned that “the world simply cannot afford it and must not allow it.”

Since February 28:

* At least 22 ships have been attacked
* 10 crew members have been killed
* Around 20,000 seafarers are unable to transit safely
* An estimated 800 commercial vessels are stranded, including almost 400 tankers

The Strait of Hormuz has never been Iran’s to…
— Dr. Sultan Al Jaber (@SultanAlJaber) April 12, 2026

Trump announces US naval blockade of Iranian ports to begin April 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET

President Donald Trump confirmed the United States will begin blockading all ships entering or exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET (6 P.M. GST).

Trump attacks Pope Leo over Iran nuclear stance and criticism of US foreign policy

President Donald Trump sharply criticised Pope Leo, calling him “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” via a post on Truth Social.

Trump objected to the Pope’s reported comments about fear of his administration, his stance on Iran’s nuclear program, and his criticism of US actions in Venezuela. He said “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.”

Trump claimed the Pope was selected specifically because he is American and “they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump,” adding “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”

He also criticised the Pope for meeting with “Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod” and said he preferred the Pope’s brother Louis, “because Louis is all MAGA.”

Trump urged the Pope to “get his act together, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician,” warning that his approach is “hurting the Catholic Church.”