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

The U.S. and Iran failed to reach a peace deal after 21 hours of negotiations.

ByDavid Brennan, Jon Haworth, Nadine El-Bawab, and Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: April 12, 2026, 10:22 PM EDT

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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Apr 09, 2026, 2:58 AM EDT

IDF says it 'expanded' ground operations in south Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday that paratroopers from its 98th Division "have expanded their targeted ground operations into additional areas of southern Lebanon" over the past week.

"The brigade's troops have established operational control of the area and continue to strike Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites in order to reinforce the forward defensive area and remove threats to the residents of northern Israel," the IDF said in a post to X.

The IDF claimed to have "eliminated dozens of Hezbollah terrorists and located a range of weapons."

A photograph taken from the southern Lebanese city of Tyre shows smoke induced by Israeli military activities as it rises from the area of Naqoura on April 6, 2026.
Kawnat Haju/AFP via Getty Images
Apr 08, 2026, 7:55 PM EDT

Trump blasts NATO after Rutte's White House visit

Hours after he met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, President Donald Trump posted on social media Wednesday that the organization "wasn't there" when the U.S. needed it and that the allies "won't be there" if needed again.

Trump has repeatedly complained that NATO allies didn't heed his calls for help throughout the conflict in Iran, especially in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte meets Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Department of State in Washington, April 8, 2026.
Anna Rose Layden/Reuters

Trump posted on Wednesday: "Remember Greenland" -- in reference to NATO countries' staunch opposition to his desire to take the island late last year.

Rutte was at the White House for over two hours on Wednesday, but the visit was not open to the press.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Apr 08, 2026, 6:14 PM EDT

At least 182 killed in Lebanon on Wednesday, health ministry says

The preliminary toll from Israeli attacks across Lebanon on Wednesday is at least 182 people killed and 890 others wounded, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

Earlier Wednesday, Lebanese Civil Defense spokesperson Elie Khairallah told ABC News that at least 254 people have been killed and another 1,165 have been injured in attacks across Lebanon.

Israeli soldiers drive an Israeli armoured personnel carrier and other heavy military vehicles, as they leave southern Lebanon and enter Israel, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, April 8, 2026.
Ayal Margolin/Reuters
Apr 08, 2026, 5:42 PM EDT

UAE 'seeking further clarification' on ceasefire

The United Arab Emirates said it is "seeking further clarification" on the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

The UAE said in a statement Wednesday that it wants more clarity regarding the "provisions to ensure Iran’s full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities in the region and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz."

UAE officials also said they want to ensure that Iran is "held accountable and fully liable for damages and reparations" for attacks on the country's energy facilities and infrastructure.

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