Edited By BRIDGET BROWN, LORIAN BELANGER, HRVOJE HRANJSKI, MIKE HARRISON, MICHAEL WARREN, LUENA RODRIGUEZ-FEO VILEIRA, DREW CALLISTER, and NELL CLARK
April 13, 2026
Major developments we’re following:
President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. military has begun a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, tempering the president’s earlier vow to entirely block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The move sets the stage for a showdown as Iran responded with threats on ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Shortly after the blockade was set to begin, Trump warned on social media that Iranian warships that come “anywhere close” to the U.S. blockade will be destroyed by a “quick and brutal” strike. Hours later, though, Trump said he had spoken to “the other side,” suggesting he was still willing to engage with Iran.
Ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran ended in the early hours of Sunday without an agreement, raising questions about what happens when the current two-week truce expires on April 22. As the talks wrapped up in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, both sides blamed each other for the failure. The White House was not responsive to queries about whether new talks were being weighed.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, is pushing ahead with its air and ground offensive in southern Lebanon, engaging in fierce fighting with Hezbollah militants over a strategic town, while the group fires rockets and drones at northern Israel.
U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on Trump’s broadside against him over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.
8:32 p.m. PDT
China’s exports grew 2.5% in March from a year ago, significantly slowing from the previous two months as uncertainties rose from the Iran war and its impact on energy prices and global demand.
The March export data released by China’s customs agency Tuesday missed analysts’ estimates and was sharply down from the 21.8% export growth recorded for January and February.
Technology-related exports including a jump in shipments of semiconductors from China on the global artificial intelligence boom have powered its robust exports in early 2026, but economists say impacts from the prolonged Iran war could affect overall global demand for Chinese exports this year.
8:25 p.m. PDT
Israel’s military said a reserve soldier was killed and three others wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon.
The military said late Monday that the reservist killed was a firefighting vehicle driver.
The death brought the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the current war in Lebanon to 13.
7:02 p.m. PDT
Pakistan has proposed hosting a second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad in the coming days, before the end of the ceasefire, two Pakistani officials said.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the press, said the proposal would depend on whether the parties request a different location.
One of the officials said that, despite ending without an agreement, the first talks were part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort.
5:36 p.m. PDT
Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with FOX News Channel’s “Special Report” that negotiations “did make some progress” in the Islamabad talks on the U.S. insistence on the removal of nuclear material from Iran as well as a mechanism to ensure uranium cannot be enriched in the future.
“They moved in our direction,” Vance said in the interview. He said he thought Iranian negotiators were “unable to cut a deal” and needed to get approval from others in Tehran.
Vance also said that U.S. negotiators made clear that Trump “would be very happy if Iran was treated like a normal country, if it had a normal economy,” but he did not go into details about what he meant.
“There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here. But, it’s up to the Iranians, I think, to take the next step,” Vance said.
5:34 p.m. PDT
The White House was not responsive to queries about whether new talks were being weighed.
“President Trump, Vice President Vance and the negotiating team have made the U.S. red lines very clear. The Iranians desperation for a deal will only increase with President Trump’s highly effective Naval blockade now in effect,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
5:06 p.m. PDT
The sides are weighing new in-person negotiations in a bid to reach a deal aimed at ending their six-week war before the ceasefire expires next week, two U.S. officials and person familiar with the development said.
The three said discussions were still underway about a new round of talks, while a diplomat from one of the mediating countries went further to say Tehran and Washington have agreed to it.
All four spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic negotiations.
It’s unclear if the same level of delegation would be expected to attend, the diplomat and U.S. officials said.
The diplomat and U.S. officials said Islamabad, Pakistan, was once again being discussed as the host location. The U.S. officials also said Geneva was a possibility, and that while the venue and timing had not been decided, the talks could happen Thursday.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Trump told reporters earlier Monday that “we’ve been called by the other side” and “they want to work a deal.”
3:35 p.m. PDT
Iran’s representative to the United Nations has demanded compensation from countries it says participated in the U.S. and Israeli war effort against Iran.
Iran’s state media report the nations include Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, said that the U.N. representative, Amir-Saeid Iravani, claimed the countries had violated international law and had to “make full compensation for the damages caused to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including payment of compensation for all material and moral damages resulting from their international violations.”
3:24 p.m. PDT
A majority of U.S. Catholic voters supported Trump in his 2024 presidential victory.
Yet across the broad Catholic political spectrum – even among conservative-leaning bishops – there is dismay over Trump’s unprecedented verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead their church.
Leo says he is sharing a Gospel message and not directly attacking Trump or anyone else with his appeals for peace and criticism of attitudes fueling the Iran war.
Criticism of Trump came from Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and from Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron, who only a few days ago was applauding Trump as an Easter guest at the White House.
Barron called the president’s remarks “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” and urged him to apologize.
April 13, 2026
Major developments we’re following:
President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. military has begun a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, tempering the president’s earlier vow to entirely block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The move sets the stage for a showdown as Iran responded with threats on ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Shortly after the blockade was set to begin, Trump warned on social media that Iranian warships that come “anywhere close” to the U.S. blockade will be destroyed by a “quick and brutal” strike. Hours later, though, Trump said he had spoken to “the other side,” suggesting he was still willing to engage with Iran.
Ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran ended in the early hours of Sunday without an agreement, raising questions about what happens when the current two-week truce expires on April 22. As the talks wrapped up in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, both sides blamed each other for the failure. The White House was not responsive to queries about whether new talks were being weighed.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, is pushing ahead with its air and ground offensive in southern Lebanon, engaging in fierce fighting with Hezbollah militants over a strategic town, while the group fires rockets and drones at northern Israel.
U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on Trump’s broadside against him over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.
8:32 p.m. PDT
China’s export growth slows as war raises uncertainty
By CHAN HO-HIMChina’s exports grew 2.5% in March from a year ago, significantly slowing from the previous two months as uncertainties rose from the Iran war and its impact on energy prices and global demand.
The March export data released by China’s customs agency Tuesday missed analysts’ estimates and was sharply down from the 21.8% export growth recorded for January and February.
Technology-related exports including a jump in shipments of semiconductors from China on the global artificial intelligence boom have powered its robust exports in early 2026, but economists say impacts from the prolonged Iran war could affect overall global demand for Chinese exports this year.
8:25 p.m. PDT
Israeli military says soldier killed in Lebanon
By JULIA FRANKELIsrael’s military said a reserve soldier was killed and three others wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon.
The military said late Monday that the reservist killed was a firefighting vehicle driver.
The death brought the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the current war in Lebanon to 13.
7:02 p.m. PDT
Pakistan proposes a second round of talks in Islamabad
By MUNIR AHMEDPakistan has proposed hosting a second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad in the coming days, before the end of the ceasefire, two Pakistani officials said.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the press, said the proposal would depend on whether the parties request a different location.
One of the officials said that, despite ending without an agreement, the first talks were part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort.
5:36 p.m. PDT
Vance says Iranians made ‘some progress’ in talks on nuclear issues
By MICHELLE PRICEVice President JD Vance said in an interview with FOX News Channel’s “Special Report” that negotiations “did make some progress” in the Islamabad talks on the U.S. insistence on the removal of nuclear material from Iran as well as a mechanism to ensure uranium cannot be enriched in the future.
“They moved in our direction,” Vance said in the interview. He said he thought Iranian negotiators were “unable to cut a deal” and needed to get approval from others in Tehran.
Vance also said that U.S. negotiators made clear that Trump “would be very happy if Iran was treated like a normal country, if it had a normal economy,” but he did not go into details about what he meant.
“There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here. But, it’s up to the Iranians, I think, to take the next step,” Vance said.
5:34 p.m. PDT
The White House won’t say if talks are in the works
By AAMER MADHANIThe White House was not responsive to queries about whether new talks were being weighed.
“President Trump, Vice President Vance and the negotiating team have made the U.S. red lines very clear. The Iranians desperation for a deal will only increase with President Trump’s highly effective Naval blockade now in effect,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
5:06 p.m. PDT
US and Iran could be headed toward a second round of talks, AP sources say
By FARNOUSH AMIRI, AAMER MADHANI, MATTHEW LEEThe sides are weighing new in-person negotiations in a bid to reach a deal aimed at ending their six-week war before the ceasefire expires next week, two U.S. officials and person familiar with the development said.
The three said discussions were still underway about a new round of talks, while a diplomat from one of the mediating countries went further to say Tehran and Washington have agreed to it.
All four spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic negotiations.
It’s unclear if the same level of delegation would be expected to attend, the diplomat and U.S. officials said.
The diplomat and U.S. officials said Islamabad, Pakistan, was once again being discussed as the host location. The U.S. officials also said Geneva was a possibility, and that while the venue and timing had not been decided, the talks could happen Thursday.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Trump told reporters earlier Monday that “we’ve been called by the other side” and “they want to work a deal.”
3:35 p.m. PDT
Official says Iran is seeking compensation from 5 Middle East countries
By JULIA FRANKELIran’s representative to the United Nations has demanded compensation from countries it says participated in the U.S. and Israeli war effort against Iran.
Iran’s state media report the nations include Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, said that the U.N. representative, Amir-Saeid Iravani, claimed the countries had violated international law and had to “make full compensation for the damages caused to the Islamic Republic of Iran, including payment of compensation for all material and moral damages resulting from their international violations.”
3:24 p.m. PDT
Many US Catholics dismayed by Trump’s verbal attack on Pope Leo
By DAVID CRARY, PETER SMITH, STEVE PEOPLESA majority of U.S. Catholic voters supported Trump in his 2024 presidential victory.
Yet across the broad Catholic political spectrum – even among conservative-leaning bishops – there is dismay over Trump’s unprecedented verbal assault on Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead their church.
Leo says he is sharing a Gospel message and not directly attacking Trump or anyone else with his appeals for peace and criticism of attitudes fueling the Iran war.
Criticism of Trump came from Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and from Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron, who only a few days ago was applauding Trump as an Easter guest at the White House.
Barron called the president’s remarks “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” and urged him to apologize.
3:18 p.m. PDT
Egypt’s foreign minister speaks with head of the International Atomic Energy Agency
By JULIA FRANKEL
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke Monday to Rafael Grossi, director general of the IAEA, according to a ministry post on X.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said the U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks stalled after Iran refused to accept American terms on refraining from developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. But it has pushed forward with steps that could give it the ability to build a nuclear weapon, including enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels and developing long-range missiles potentially capable of delivering a bomb.
IAEA inspectors have not been able to verify the near weapons-grade uranium since June 2025, when Israeli and American strikes greatly weakened Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program.
Monday’s post on X said Abdelatty also spoke with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
2:51 p.m. PDT
Abbas Araghchi says on Telegram he spoke by phone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty Monday.
He says they discussed the recent talks between Iran and the U.S., which ended without an agreement.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke Monday to Rafael Grossi, director general of the IAEA, according to a ministry post on X.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said the U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks stalled after Iran refused to accept American terms on refraining from developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful. But it has pushed forward with steps that could give it the ability to build a nuclear weapon, including enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels and developing long-range missiles potentially capable of delivering a bomb.
IAEA inspectors have not been able to verify the near weapons-grade uranium since June 2025, when Israeli and American strikes greatly weakened Iran’s air defenses, military leadership and nuclear program.
Monday’s post on X said Abdelatty also spoke with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
2:51 p.m. PDT
Iran’s foreign minister says he spoke with Egyptian counterpart
By JULIA FRANKELAbbas Araghchi says on Telegram he spoke by phone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty Monday.
He says they discussed the recent talks between Iran and the U.S., which ended without an agreement.
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