Browsing Tag
JD Vance
61 posts
Pentagon removes Navy Secretary John Phelan with no explanation as Iran blockade enters critical phase
US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan was removed on April 22, 2026, as the Navy enforces an active blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz, with Hung Cao named acting Secretary.
Trump blinks on ceasefire: Open-ended extension after Iran refuses Islamabad talks and Vance stays home
Trump extended the US-Iran ceasefire indefinitely on 21 April 2026 at Pakistan's request, as Iran refused to send negotiators to Islamabad and Vance's peace talks trip was cancelled.
Trump: Ceasefire ends Wednesday, bombs start if no deal — Vance flies to Islamabad as Iran says it won’t show
Trump says the US-Iran ceasefire ends Wednesday and extension is highly unlikely, as the Touska seizure and nuclear impasse threaten a second round of Islamabad talks on 21 April 2026.
Pope Leo shuts down Trump feud talk as Vatican tries to pull Africa tour back from Washington drama
Pope Leo says debating Donald Trump is not his priority. Read what the Vatican clarified and why the Africa tour still carries wider diplomatic weight.
Second chance for peace: US-Iran negotiations set for Monday as 22 April ceasefire deadline looms
A second round of United States-Iran peace talks is expected in Islamabad on 20 April 2026 as the two-week ceasefire nears its 22 April expiry with nuclear and Hormuz disputes unresolved.
Iran reverses Hormuz opening within 24 hours — IRGC fires on tankers as blockade standoff deepens
Iran reimposed Strait of Hormuz restrictions on 18 April 2026 and IRGC gunboats fired on a transiting tanker, reversing a short-lived opening declared hours earlier by Iran's foreign minister.
Strait of Hormuz declared open as Israel-Lebanon truce holds; Trump says Iran deal ‘very close’
Iran's foreign minister declares the Strait of Hormuz fully open for commercial vessels during the ceasefire, as a 10-day Israel-Lebanon truce takes effect on 17 April 2026.
Nearly 400 US troops wounded and counting as Iran blockade, sanctions escalation deepen conflict
US confirms 399 service members wounded in Iran war as naval blockade of Iranian ports enters force and Treasury reinstates oil sanctions after Islamabad talks collapse.
Blockade day one: Iran shadow fleet defies United States order, Starmer rallies 40 nations and prices near $100
The US Iran port blockade began April 13 with a sanctioned shadow tanker transiting Hormuz unchallenged as oil neared $100 and Starmer convened 40 nations.
UK and France split from US over Iran blockade as Brent crude surges past $102 and April 22 ceasefire deadline looms
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports took effect April 13 as oil hit $102, Iran threatened Gulf ports, and the UK and France launched a rival navigation plan.