Iran, USA: corridor opened in Hormuz for free transit. South Korean ship on fire

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted that there is 'more tension in international alliances than there should be', referring, as Sky News points out, to the difficulties in relations with Washington after President Donald Trump's harsh criticism against him. "We cannot deny that some of the alliances we have relied on are not in the position we would like them to be," Starmer added, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan. He went on to emphasise that "we need a stronger European component in NATO"

- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that no commercial ships or oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last few hours. This was reported by the Iranian Tasnim news agency. The Revolutionary Guards rejected the statements attributed to US officials, calling them 'baseless and complete lies'.

Israel raided a missile launch base belonging to the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Sky News writes. According to the IDF, troops from the Givati Brigade Reconnaissance Unit found dozens of rockets and other weapons at the base. Rocket launchers were also found, which according to the IFD were aimed at troops in southern Lebanon and Israel.

A South Korean ship is 'on fire' after an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz. This was announced by the South Korean authorities.

- The Iranian navy 'fired warning shots with cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones' near US destroyers crossing the Strait of Hormuz, according to state television reports. "Following the contempt shown by the US Zionist destroyers for an initial warning, the navy launched warning shots by firing cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones around the enemy ships." Meanwhile, the US military declared that two missile-launching destroyers had entered the Gulf.

The Iranian navy 'fired warning shots with cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones' near US destroyers crossing the Strait of Hormuz, according to state television reports. "Following the contempt shown by the US Zionist destroyers for an initial warning, the navy launched warning shots by firing cruise missiles, rockets and combat drones around the enemy ships." Meanwhile, the US military declared that two missile-launching destroyers had entered the Gulf.

"US Navy ships equipped with guided missiles are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf, having crossed the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom." Centcom states that. "US forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping," Centcom added.

'We have full control' of the Strait of Hormuz: we are 'opening it'. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this in an interview with Fox, reiterating that Iran's economy is in 'free fall'.

Two US-flagged merchant ships have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz. This was announced by Centcom on X.

The United Arab Emirates denounce and strongly condemn a drone attack that targeted an oil tanker linked to Adnoc (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) in the Strait of Hormuz. And they point the finger at Iran. No injuries are reported, reports the Emirates agency Wam. In a note, the Foreign Ministry states that 'targeting commercial vessels and using the Strait of Hormuz as a means of economic coercion or blackmail constitutes an act of piracy by the Guardians of the Revolution', the Iranian Pasdaran, and represents a 'direct threat to stability in the region, its population and global energy security'. The Emirates insist that 'Iran must stop these unprovoked attacks, pledge its commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities' and the 'full and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz'.

No US Navy ships were hit, the US Central Command said on Monday, after Iran claimed it had forced a US warship to turn back.

A senior US official denied that an American ship was hit by Iranian missiles in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the Fars news agency. This was reported on X by Axios journalist Barak Ravid.

Iran claimed to have prevented a US warship from entering the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian news agency Fars, two missiles hit the warship near the island of Jask after it ignored Iranian warnings. The news agency, citing local sources, said that the warship moved away from the area. Moreover, according to state TV, the Iranian navy said it had prevented US warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz.

"Following a firm and swift warning from the Navy, enemy US destroyers have been prevented from entering the Strait of Hormuz." This was announced by the Iranian military, Press TV reported, following President Donald Trump's announcement on the start of Operation Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz.

- The Joint Maritime Information Centre said the US has established a 'heightened security zone' near the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz, as part of 'Project Freedom' announced by US President Donald Trump. He urged mariners to coordinate closely with the Omani authorities 'due to the high volume of traffic expected'. He also warned that passing close to the usual routes, known as the traffic separation scheme, 'should be considered extremely dangerous due to the presence of mines that have not been fully detected and neutralised'.

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Extreme attempts to revive negotiations between the US and Iran

26 April 2026

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the country's armed forces know how to respond to US threats after President Donald Trump announced 'Project Freedom' to help ships in trouble in the Strait of Hormuz. "The Islamic Republic has shown that it considers itself the guardian and protector of the Strait of Hormuz," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, adding that the US continues to make excessive and unlimited demands in its relations with Tehran. "The US habit of making excessive and unlimited demands shows no sign of ending," he said. Iran International reports.

There is also a frigate among the means prepared by the Defence, currently in port in Italia, davailable to be sent in the event of a possible reclamation operation with two minehunters and a logistics ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

For the deployment to take place - which will take place only in safety - three conditions will be necessary: a truce, then the cessation of hostilities in the same area, an international mandate and finally the authorisation of parliament. But what are the characteristics and strengths of the Italian minesweepers? Some information provided by the Marina Militare can help answer this question. Modern search sensors, wire-guided vehicles capable of laying an explosive device suitable for destroying the mine in the vicinity, and a team of specially trained underwater operators form the backbone of the minesweeper component.

The US continues to pursue 'maximalist' demands and is responsible for the slow diplomatic efforts to end the war. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei.

'Yes there was some disappointment on the part of the United States but the Europeans listened'. So said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, arriving at the Epc Summit in Yerevan, on US President Trump's failure to engage European states on US intervention in Iran. European countries have 'got the message' from Trump, Rutte added, and are 'making sure that agreements on the use of US military bases are respected'. Rutte also said that 'more and more' European nations are pre-positioning assets such as mine destroyers and minesweepers near the Gulf to be ready for a 'next phase'.

The price of Brent oil, the European benchmark, fell by about 0.8% around 8.10 a.m. this morning, settling slightly above USD 107 per barrel before the opening of the European stock exchanges, compared to USD 72 before the US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February. Meanwhile, the price of US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (Wti) oil fell 0.9% to $101 a barrel.

Emmanuel Macron called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz 'agreed upon by Iran and the United States' on his arrival in Armenia for the 8th summit of the European Political Community. The French president was sceptical about the new operation launched by Donald Trump to unblock this important strategic route, stressing the existence of a framework deemed 'unclear'.

"Considering what is happening in the Middle East, everyone is trying to diversify trade routes and reduce the risks associated with closing a single route. That is why connectivity and these routes are extremely important." This was said by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, arriving at the EPC summit in Yerevan.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar had a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi last night, during which both sides discussed the regional situation and Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic efforts. This was announced by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

The Project Freedom announced by US President Donald Trump to get ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz out would not necessarily require the direct escort of US navy units to the merchant ships. This was reported by Axios citing two US officials.

Trump had earlier announced Operation Freedom to free ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, scheduled to begin this morning, Middle East time. The US Central Command, Centcom, has indicated that US military support for the operation in the strait will include destroyers, aircraft and 15,000 military personnel.

A senior Iranian official has warned that Tehran will consider any US attempt to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz a ceasefire violation, Afp reported. "Any US interference in the new maritime regime in the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a ceasefire violation," Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee, wrote on X. The comment came after US President Donald Trump announced a plan for US forces to escort ships through the currently blockaded Strait of Hormuz starting Monday.

US President Donald Trump announced 'Project Freedom' to help ships leave the Strait of Hormuz, starting today. The project aims to assist 'neutral and innocent' countries affected by the war with Iran. Trump also stated that ongoing talks with Iran could lead to positive results. Two ships near the strait were attacked on Sunday, the British military reported. Meanwhile, Tehran is considering the US response to its proposal to end the war and says nuclear issues are not included.