Trump says US Navy attacked and seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship

"U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel," Trump said.

ByDavid Brennan, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, and Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: April 19, 2026, 10:21 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.

After initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan failed to reach a peace deal, Trump announced Sunday, April 19, that U.S. negotiators would head back to Islamabad Monday for a new round.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance would accompany special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, to Islamabad for the talks.

Iran's continuing blockage of the Strait of Hormuz and their alleged refusal to abandon their nuclear program remain key sticking points in negotiations, according to Trump.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Apr 15, 2026, 2:43 PM EDT

Leavitt denies US requested ceasefire extension

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied reports that the U.S. has formally request an extension of the ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday.

"At this moment, we remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks," Leavitt said during a press briefing.

Leavitt said the White House feels good about the prospects of reaching a deal with Iran.

Leavitt also said future negotiations can be expected to take place in Islamabad again, and she praised the Pakistanis for their role in serving as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran.

“They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time, yes,” she said.

Apr 15, 2026, 11:27 AM EDT

9 vessels turned around at the Strait, CENTCOM says

Nine vessels have been turned around at the Strait of Hormuz during the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade, complying with U.S. orders, according to U.S. Central Command.

"During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces," according to CENTCOM.

A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer is among the assets executing a blockade mission impacting Iranian ports.
U.S. Central Command/X
Apr 15, 2026, 11:24 AM EDT

Pakistani delegation led by its army chief arrives in Tehran

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday leading a Pakistani delegation, the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

He was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian state TV IRIB reported that a high-ranking political and security delegation from Pakistan would arrive in Tehran carrying a new message from Washington. The report added that the delegation is expected to discuss upcoming talks with Iranian officials.

Apr 15, 2026, 9:48 AM EDT

Sanctioned ships cross Strait of Hormuz toward Iran

Overnight, ship tracking firms and analysts observed sanctioned crude oil tanker Alicia cross the Strait of Hormuz inbound, from the Gulf of Oman into the Persian Gulf.

Michelle Wiese Bockmann, analyst with shipping analytics company Windward, said the ship is falsely flagged, not currently carrying cargo.

Alicia's crossing was made westward into the Persian Gulf, and the tanker was already in the Gulf of Oman before the blockade came into effect earlier this week. The ship is also listing a destination of "for order" rather than a specific port destination.

Another ship, the Iranian-flagged RHN, appears to be making the same journey across the Strait right now, according to Marine Traffic. It was also already in the Gulf of Oman when the blockade began.


-ABC News' Victoria Beaulé

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