HIGH ALERT: Hormuz, Lebanon, and a Ceasefire About to Break

Vice President Vance delivered the final U.S. offer to Iran's delegation in Islamabad. The red lines were explicit:

The talks in Islamabad lasted roughly 21 hours before collapsing. Iran refused the nuclear demands. "The only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not" agreed to, Trump said. Reuters reported Iranian sources claim the U.S. agreed to unfreeze some assets, including up to $6 billion held in Qatar, as a goodwill step tied to Hormuz access. A U.S. official denied any deal was reached. Axios reported a remaining gap on how much frozen Iranian funds would be released.

Vance returned to the U.S. yesterday (April 12). Trump issued an official White House statement: "The United States to Blockade Ships Entering or Exiting Iranian Ports on April 13 at 10:00 A.M. ET." German Chancellor Merz said he was not surprised by the collapse. "From the beginning, I did not have the impression that they were really well prepared."

Trump Announces Complete Blockade of Strait of Hormuz

President Trump announced a complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz via Truth Social yesterday (April 12). "Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz." He called Iran's tolling of the Strait "WORLD EXTORTION" and ordered the Navy to "seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran."

Trump warned: "Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!" He said the U.S. will begin destroying mines Iran laid in the Strait. "Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft and Radar are useless." He closed: "We are fully 'LOCKED AND LOADED,' and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran!"

Trump expanded on the blockade in a phone interview on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. Effective 10 a.m. ET today (April 13). No partial access, no exceptions for allies or friends.

"Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear. We are fully LOCKED AND LOADED."

— President Trump, Truth Social

CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command) confirmed the blockade covers all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations. Vessels heading to non-Iranian destinations through the Strait can still pass. The Navy will interdict any vessel that paid Iran a toll and begin clearing mines. The UK is sending minesweepers.

Trump called Iran's control of the strait "world extortion." The Strait is critical for global energy: Japan gets roughly 93% of its oil through it, South Korea about 45%. Trump called them out for not helping despite the U.S. stationing 45,000 troops in Japan and 50,000 in South Korea. "When we ask for a little help in return, they don't help us."

Trump made the military threat explicit. "I could take out Iran in one day. One hour." He pointed to electric generating plants, power infrastructure, desalinization plants, and energy facilities. "In one half of a day, they wouldn't have ONE bridge standing. They wouldn't have ONE electric generating plant standing. And they're back in the stone ages." He said he'd "rather not do that" but called it "very easy."

Iran's military is degraded. "158 ships are gone. Their whole Navy is underwater." He added: "They have no anti-aircraft. We fly over there at will, can take out anything we want." He recalled Iran firing 101 missiles at U.S. forces. "All 101 were shot down like nothing." He also compared it to Venezuela but "at a higher level."

Trump expressed confidence Iran will return to the table. "They haven't left the bargaining table. I predict they come back and they give us everything we want. I want everything. I don't want 90%, I don't want 95%. I told my people I want everything!" He said his social media post about wiping out Iranian civilization is what brought Iran to the table in the first place.

On gas prices, Bartiromo asked if prices would be lower before the midterm elections. Trump hedged. "I hope so. I mean, I think so. It could be the same or maybe a little bit higher." He added: "Gas hasn't gone up as much as I thought. But regardless, even if it did, we have to stop this group of people." Bartiromo appeared visibly surprised by the hedging.

Trump blasted NATO allies. "Think of it, after we've spent $350 billion, they make that statement. We have to reexamine NATO. They weren't there for us, and they won't be there for us." He warned that if China supplies military aid to Iran, the U.S. will impose 50% tariffs on Chinese goods. "A staggering amount."

Iran Threatens to Strike U.S. Ships and Shut Bab el-Mandeb

Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation in Islamabad, fired back: "Americans must decide whether they are ready to earn Iran's trust or not." He called Trump's threats ineffective and taunted: "Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called 'blockade', soon you'll be nostalgic for $4-$5 gas." He added: "If they test our will again, we will teach them a bigger lesson."

The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) warned that military vessels nearing the Strait of Hormuz will be deemed a ceasefire violation and handled with "severe response." The IRGC Navy said the Strait remains open for civilian vessels under "smart control" but military ships are a red line. Via PressTV, the IRGC threatened that if Trump moves on Hormuz, Iran will respond by taking control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait through the Houthis, targeting Gulf port traffic.

Iran's Navy Commander called Trump's blockade threats "ridiculous" and said forces are monitoring all U.S. movements in the region. Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker called the Strait Iran's "atomic bomb." An advisor to the supreme leader declared the "key to the Strait of Hormuz" remains in Iran's hands. The Iranian Ministry of Defense stated the enemy has not been able to take control of the Strait.

IRGC Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani invoked the Houthis: "The U.S. and Israel should remember how they fled from Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. Now, they will leave the region without achieving anything."

Iran's FM Aragchi claimed Iran engaged in "intensive talks at the highest level in 47 years" in good faith but encountered "maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade." Iran's President Pezeshkian said agreement is possible if the U.S. "abandons its totalitarianism." He called Putin beforehand to signal readiness for a "balanced and fair" deal. The Kremlin confirmed Russia's offer to take in Iran's enriched uranium "remains on the table" but has not been taken up.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tehran still holds the capability to build a nuclear bomb. Middle Eastern states are rushing to revive negotiations. A second round could come within days. Iran's ambassador to Pakistan called the Islamabad talks "not an event but a process."

Iranian National Security Committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei called Trump "bluffing" about blocking the Strait. Iran's judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i warned: "Our military forces have their fingers on the trigger. The temporary ceasefire has not weakened or slowed these fighters."

A military source warned the IRGC could respond as early as tonight, including potential strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets tied to the Strait of Hormuz developments. The IDF is bracing for escalation and a possible ceasefire collapse, updating its target bank and intensifying monitoring inside Iran. "Ground crews and technical teams are working around the clock to bring all Air Force platforms to peak readiness. We are reviewing targets, orders, and operational plans."

N12 News reported Netanyahu says the Iran ceasefire could end very soon. At today's cabinet meeting, Netanyahu confirmed he spoke with Vance, who called from Islamabad to make clear the U.S. stands with Israel. "Since Iran violated the rules, Trump decided to impose a blockade." He added: "The ceasefire is like a coin. It can flip very quickly."

The UK announced it will not participate in the U.S.-led blockade but is working with France and other partners to create a coalition to protect freedom of navigation. Germany said it is assuming a blockade of Iranian ports, not of the Strait itself. The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) passed eastbound through the Strait of Gibraltar, a fourth carrier heading toward the region. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the DOJ will "vigorously prosecute anyone who buys or sells sanctioned Iranian oil." Axios reported Trump is considering resuming strikes if the blockade fails.

IDF Takes Control of Bint Jbeil

IDF forces have taken control of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, including the stadium where Nasrallah delivered his infamous 2000 "spider web" speech. IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adra'i posted in Arabic: "Glory is not built on speeches, but on the pace of the soldiers' steps. Control over the Bint Jbeil stadium is the shattering of a symbol of arrogance. They thought we were weaker than a spider's web."

PM Netanyahu visited southern Lebanon yesterday (April 12) with IDF Chief of Staff Zamir for a joint situational assessment. "The war continues, including inside the security zone in Lebanon. Our enemies, Iran and the axis of evil, came to destroy us, and now they are fighting for their survival."

Hezbollah launched 19 rocket and drone attacks targeting northern Israel yesterday, estimating over 50 projectiles total. Four rockets hit the Karmiel area. Two intercepted, two in open areas. No injuries. Several drones targeting the Galilee were also intercepted. Hezbollah's southern liaison chief Mohammad Maaniyeh died from wounds sustained in an Israeli strike in Saida days ago.

Historic Lebanon-Israel Talks Set for Washington

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam called for unity and warned against another civil war in a speech marking 51 years since the Lebanese civil war. Beirut is preparing to engage Israel in direct negotiations in Washington this week.

Salam admitted Lebanon has failed since 1991 to implement the Taif Agreement, which calls for extending state authority over all territories and a monopoly on bearing arms. EU Commission President von der Leyen stated "there can be no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon is in flames."

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said countries that collaborate with Iran by paying strait tolls should be excluded from access. "They feel superior, superior to the U.S., to the Gulf countries, to Israel. You cannot fool President Trump."

Israel is on high alert. The IDF is updating its target bank and bringing all Air Force platforms to peak readiness. Netanyahu says the ceasefire "is like a coin. It can flip very quickly." A military source warns the IRGC could strike U.S. and Israeli targets as early as tonight. The naval blockade goes live at 10 a.m. ET today. A fourth carrier is heading east through Gibraltar. The ceasefire could end at any moment.

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