AFP – April 18, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump said the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain and attacks will resume if no agreement is reached with Iran, after Tehran said it had fully reopened the strait to commercial vessels but threatened to close it again over the U.S. blockade.
Asked by a reporter Friday night what he will do if there’s no deal when a ceasefire with Iran expires next week, Trump said, “I don’t know. Maybe I won’t extend it, but the blockade is going to remain. But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.”
However, Trump also told reporters accompanying him aboard Air Force One to Washington that, “I think it’s going to happen,” referring to a deal.
Questions lingered Saturday about how much freedom ships actually had to transit the waterway as Tehran maintained its grip on the strait and who got through, and threatened to close it again if the U.S. kept in place its blockade of Iranian ships and ports.
Iran’s Friday announcement about the opening of the crucial body of water, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil is shipped, came as a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon appeared to hold.
The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, nearly 2,300 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.
Iranian lawmaker clarifies conditions for transit through Hormuz
A senior Iranian lawmaker said only commercial vessels authorized by the Revolutionary Guard are allowed to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission, said in a social media post late Friday that commercial vessels must pay “required tolls” before transiting the strait, using a route set by Iran last month.
“The time has come to comply with the new Maritime Regime of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “These regulations are determined by Iran, not by social media posts!”
He warned that the mechanism could change “if the U.S. attempts to create any disturbance for Iranian ships.”
Strait of Hormuz only open during ceasefire, Iranian military official says
Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson said the Strait of Hormuz is only open during a ceasefire and conditionally, two Iranian semiofficial news agencies reported.
Brig. Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik said “military vessels and those linked to hostile forces have no right” of transit, according to the ISNA and Mehr news agencies.
Pakistani army chief leaves Tehran after meeting senior Iranian leaders
Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded a visit to Tehran, where he met senior Iranian leaders in an effort to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, the Pakistani military said Saturday.
It said the visit reflects Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and a negotiated settlement to regional conflicts.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accompanied Munir.
The delegation met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and held talks with Parliament Speaker Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior military officials.
Discussions focused on regional security, ongoing diplomatic efforts and steps to promote lasting peace.
Munir emphasized dialogue, de-escalation and resolving disputes through sustained engagement.
He also conveyed goodwill messages from Pakistan’s leadership and reaffirmed Islamabad’s desire to strengthen longstanding ties with Iran.
Trump rejects notion of tolls by Iran on Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump flatly rejected the idea when a reporter asked about the prospect of restrictions or tolls managed by Iran on the Strait of Hormuz.
“Nope. No way. No. Nope,” Trump said. He said there can’t be tolls along with restrictions. “No, they’re not going to be tolls.”
Rural communities out in force to fight Labour building homes for migrants on green belt
Story by Steve Bird • 14
Thousands of people across the country took part in a day of protests over Labour’s plans to build migrant homes on the green belt.
Campaigners assembled at around 180 locations to demonstrate against the Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes in what critics have described as “over-development” .The national day of action was described as the largest ever mass demonstration in support of the UK’s natural habitat.
The Community Planning Alliance, which organised the protest, claims that analysis of official figures shows that 14,700 acres of green belt land – equivalent to 14,700 football pitches – is at immediate risk of development.
However, a recent survey found 86 per cent of Britons support The national day of action was described as the largest ever mass demonstration in support of the UK’s natural habitat.
However, a recent survey found 86 per cent of Britons want the green belt fully protected, with three quarters of people wanting greater safeguards put in place for specific areas and habitats.
The protests were backed by Chris Packham, the BBC presenter and campaigner, alongside a coalition of leading nature groups, including the Woodland Trust and the National Federation of Parks.
A series of human chains was created at some sites earmarked for new building projects.
A survey found 88 per cent of Britons want the green belt fully protected – John Mclellan
The protests were timed to coincide with the local elections on May 7, in hopes of placing the environment and the countryside at the heart of political debate.
Labour was accused of dropping green belt protection after it reversed a 2014 government commitment to ensure local authorities – rather than planning inspectors – had the final say on any proposed changes to such land.
In November, it was announced that planning inspectors could now approve green belt development to help meet Labour’s target to build 1.5 million homes in the UK by 2029.
Starmer must say no to migrants expelled by israel being allowed into the UK
Lets not forget the illustration on the Economist earlier this year…
The Cargo ship, depicted with dropped sides on the containers, with heavy armoured guns exposed.
WAR ships in disguise.
They’ll be operational soon.
All part of the PLAN.
The i Paper
197.5K Followers
I use Motability – changes are a direct attack on disabled people
Story by Alice Lilley
The changes to the Motability scheme are a “direct attack” on disabled people and “nothing short of ridiculous”,
benefits claimants have said.
The Motability scheme leases vehicles to disabled people on some mobility benefits, including the highest level of personal independence payment (PIP). With rising numbers of people becoming eligible in recent years, Motability now supports more than 890,000 people.
Winston Churchill was a big believer in Euigenics, and beleived handicapped and severely ill should be euthanised
the belief that the handicapped were ” useless eaters” was commonplace in the Great depression
At the end of W W 2 Churchil instigated 1000 bomber raids on the ruins of Germany, he said it is better to bomb and burn them in their homes that have to feed and house refugees
Churchill also labelled injured British soldiers ” battle hardened troops ” and had them laced up with pain killing drugs and put into the front line
He was instrumental in cutting back drastically the number of mens pensions who were badly injured in hois wars
It’s strange how most of America’s hard-core war hawks were once its hard-core draft dodgers.
America the spoiled brat want Hormuz; all of it. Iran says no, Iran wants it and Iran is prepared to fight for it. Somebody had better tell America, putting the world into a major depression for America to have it might not be such a good idea…
Is the U.S. going to murder millions and destroy Iran so it can own Hormuz?
Anyway China is not going to let it happen.
Russia too.
Expect the Dow Jones to take a massive hit.
Wishful thinking has raised it to new highs lately.
Of course the cuntry begging to be attacked and utterly obliterated is the satanic cesspit israel, aka Mordor, which fully deserves to get carpet bombed, then nuked, then fire bombed, then thorough;y fumigated as every criminally insane chabadnik psychopath, satanic talmudist, wicked kabbalist, and deranged & dumber than dog shit christian zionist everywhere get chased through the streets, vigorously beaten, and imprisoned for the rest of their stinking lives or outright liquidated.
Shlomo and the Tribe from Way Down Under have been given chance after chance over a couple thousand years to amend their utterly evil ways, yet those demonic scum have only gotten worse. It is way past time to give the eternal victims something to scream about…as they get their tongues cut out as they are led to the gallows…
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce35qwk9k5do
Arson attacks ‘gathering momentum’, Chief Rabbi says
Attacks on the Jewish community are “gathering momentum”, the Chief Rabbi says, after another arson attack was reported at a north-west London synagogue.
The warning comes after Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow was attacked overnight, the latest in a series of arson attacks on Jewish properties this month.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether they are linked to a group with possible ties to Iran, with officers warning those involved will face serious prosecution under national security laws.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the latest attack as “cowardly” while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was appalled and that “visible policing” would be increased.
At a press briefing outside Kenton United Synagogue on Sunday, deputy assistant commissioner Vicki Evans said the incidents were similar in nature and had been claimed online by a group called Ashab al‑Yamin, which had also claimed attacks on Jewish targets across Europe.
“We are aware of public reporting that suggests this group may have links to Iran – as you would expect we will continue to explore that question as our investigation evolves,” she said.
“I’ve spoken previously about the Iranian regime’s use of criminal proxies, and we’re considering whether this tactic is being used here in London.
“This is recruiting violence as a service, and the people who conduct that violence often have little or no allegiance to the cause and are taking quick cash for their crimes.”
Evans added anyone who was identified could be prosecuted under the National Security Act, which carried “significant sentences and lifetime restrictions”.
The Met said counter-terrorism officers were investigating the latest attack as well as one at Finchley Reform Synagogue, another at a building used by a Jewish charity in Hendon, and ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity set alight in Golders Green last month.
An arson attack at a Persian language media organisation is also being investigated.
At Kenton synagogue, the Met said officers on “deterrence and reassurance patrols” noticed damage to a window overnight.
“On further inspection they saw smoke inside a room and evidence that a bottle with some sort of accelerant had been thrown through the window,” the force said.
“The London Fire Brigade was called and firefighters searched the building to confirm that there was no further fire risk.”
No-one was injured and minor smoke damage was reported.
Yehuda Black, the synagogue’s rabbi, said the item was thrown into the medical room.
“I was very upset to hear about what happened. Our synagogue is a beautiful synagogue,” he said.
“It’s so unfortunate that it has been damaged in such a way.”
The synagogue was closed following the attack but there were hopes it would reopen in a few days.
Sir Ephraim wrote on social media: “Last night yet another synagogue, this time in Kenton, was targeted in a cowardly arson attack.”
He added: “A sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum.
“This sustained attack on our community’s ability to worship and live in safety is an attack on the values that bind us all together.
“Thank God, no lives have been lost, but we cannot, and must not, wait for that to change before we understand just how dangerous this moment is for all of our society.”
On social media, Sir Keir wrote: “This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain.
“We are increasing visible policing and those responsible will be found and brought to justice. We will not rest in the pursuit of perpetrators.”
Sir Sadiq Khan said “history shows that we will never back down against terrorists”.
In a statement, the mayor of London added: “There can never be any justification for attacking our Jewish friends, neighbours and colleagues. Those responsible are seeking to promote fear, hatred and division.
“They can’t stand what our city represents – an open, diverse, pluralistic society that embraces and celebrates our differences.”
The Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation which provides security for Jewish people, said thanked the police and London Fire Brigade for responding quickly.
“We are supporting the affected location and are working closely with the police as they investigate and seek to identify those responsible,” a spokesperson added.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said this was now “terrifyingly becoming a spate of daily arson attacks on the Jewish community”.
United Synagogue, an organisation that Kenton synagogue is a part of, said: “A synagogue is not just a building, it is a place of worship, community and – theoretically – safety.
“To target it in this way is a deeply disturbing act that strikes at the heart of Jewish life.”
The organisation’s president, Saul Taylor, added: “The prime minister should declare publicly what the Jewish community has known for some time, this is an epidemic of anti-Jewish hate.”
On Saturday evening the Met Police said it was increasing patrols across north‑west London, with more officers, stop and search powers, and armed and counter‑terrorism units deployed to protect communities and deter further incidents.
_____________________________________________
British authorities want you to believe an element of the ‘Iranian regime’ are behind these attacks.
Oh boy…
Trump (and associates and sons) are playing the market.
Each Friday they make peace, stocks go higher.
Come Monday war back on, stocks dump.
Trump = biggest grifter of all time
Trump is using the presidency to make billions