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Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Trump says US Navy to interdict vessels linked to Iranian toll system as Tehran deploys special forces along southern coast

Gareth van Zyl
Gareth van Zyl

12 April, 2026

Trump announces US blockade of Strait of Hormuz
Image: Getty Images

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Article Summary
Following failed nuclear talks with Iran, US President Trump announced a blockade of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, instructing the Navy to intercept ships paying tolls to Iran. He threatened further military action. Iran has responded by deploying special forces to its southern coastline. These events escalate tensions and risk disruption to global oil shipments.

US President Donald Trump has said the US will begin blockading vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad over the weekend.

In a series of remarks on Truth Social later on Sunday, Trump said negotiations had made progress on several fronts but ultimately failed on what he described as the key issue.

“Most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not,” he said.

The escalation comes just five days after the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire, underscoring the volatility of the situation around one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

Trump said he had instructed the US Navy to take direct action against vessels linked to Iran’s controversial toll system in the Strait.

“I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran,” he said. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.”

He added that “other countries” would be involved in the effort, though he did not provide further details.

In a further warning, Trump said that “at an appropriate moment” the US military would “finish up the little that is left of Iran!”, signalling the potential for renewed military escalation despite the recent ceasefire.

Iran steps up military posture

Meanwhile, Iran has moved to strengthen its defensive position along its southern coastline.

State media reported that navy special forces have been deployed to coastal areas, with the stated aim of countering any potential incursion.

According to Iran’s Student News Network, troops have been positioned near key areas “to counter any possible enemy infiltration into the country’s territory,” accompanied by images of soldiers in camouflage along sandy coastal zones.

The latest developments raise the risk of further disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas shipments that has already seen traffic drop more than 90 per cent in recent weeks.

Saudi restores key East–West pipeline flows after attacks, Khurais recovery ongoing

The ministry said operational efforts had reinstated the East–West pipeline’s capacity to around 7 million barrels per day

Neesha Salian
Neesha Salian

12 April, 2026

Saudi restores key East–West pipeline flows after attacks, Khurais recovery ongoing
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes

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Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said it has restored full pumping capacity on a major crude pipeline and recovered part of its oil output following recent attacks on energy facilities, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The ministry said operational efforts had reinstated the East–West pipeline’s capacity to around 7 million barrels per day, after earlier disruptions cut about 700,000 barrels per day of pumping capability.

It added that production at the Manifa field had been fully restored, recovering roughly 300,000 barrels per day

Work is still underway to bring output at the Khurais field back to full capacity after a disruption of about 300,000 barrels per day, with further updates to be announced once completed.

Swift recovery mark of resilience: Saudi Ministry of Energy

The swift recovery highlights the resilience of Saudi Aramco and the kingdom’s broader energy infrastructure, the ministry said, adding that supply reliability to domestic and global markets had been maintained.

The disruptions were disclosed in a statement issued on April 9, when the ministry outlined the impact of attacks on parts of the kingdom’s energy sector.

Europe risks jet fuel shortages if Hormuz disruption persists, airports body warns

In a letter to European commissioners on April 9, ACI Europe said the region relies heavily on Gulf supplies, which account for about half of its jet fuel imports, leaving it vulnerable to prolonged disruption

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

12 April, 2026

Europe risks jet fuel shortages if Hormuz disruption persists, airports body warns
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes

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Airports Council International Europe has warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages within weeks if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is not restored, raising concerns over airport operations and summer travel demand.

In a letter to European commissioners on April 9, ACI Europe said the region relies heavily on Gulf supplies, which account for about half of its jet fuel imports, leaving it vulnerable to prolonged disruption.

Director-general Olivier Jankovec said tightening supplies could disrupt airport operations and connectivity, with wider economic consequences.

He added that unless stable transit through Hormuz resumes within roughly three weeks, widespread shortages across the European Union could emerge.

The warning comes as airports report growing concern over fuel availability ahead of the peak summer season, with smaller hubs particularly exposed.

Carriers are raising fares to counter rising fuel prices

Airlines have already begun adjusting operations, cutting some flights and raising fares as fuel markets tighten.

Benchmark European jet fuel prices surged to a record $1,838 per tonne last week, more than double pre-conflict levels.

ACI Europe urged policymakers to intervene, calling for coordinated fuel purchasing and the temporary easing of import restrictions.

It also said the crisis should accelerate efforts to scale up sustainable aviation fuel, while warning conventional fuel prices may remain elevated over the medium term.

Air transport contributes around EUR851bn annually to Europe’s economy and supports about 14 million jobs, according to ACI Europe.

UAE weather: Rain, gusty winds today as temperatures dip

National Centre of Meteorology forecasts scattered rainfall, reduced visibility and rough seas in the Arabian Gulf as a low-pressure system moves across the country

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

12 April, 2026

UAE weather: Rain, gusty winds today as temperatures dip
NCM weather radar shows rainy conditions for Sunday, 12 April, 2026. (Rain.ae)

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Article Summary
The UAE faces unsettled weather on Sunday. The National Centre of Meteorology forecasts partly cloudy conditions with scattered rainfall due to low pressure. Temperatures will dip slightly, but winds may become strong, causing dust and reduced visibility. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf could be rough. Residents are advised to exercise caution, especially while driving.

Rain is expected across parts of the UAE on Sunday, as unsettled weather conditions take hold due to a surface low-pressure system, according to the National Centre of Meteorology.

The weather is forecast to be partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with convective cloud formation bringing a chance of rainfall over scattered areas. Temperatures are set to dip slightly, offering a brief reprieve from recent warmer conditions.

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Winds are expected to be light to moderate, becoming fresh to strong at times — particularly with cloud activity — which could raise dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility in exposed areas.

Wind speeds will range between 15 and 25km/h, with gusts reaching up to 45km/h, blowing from the southeast to northeast.

Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are expected to be moderate, turning rough at times with cloud build-up, while the Oman Sea will remain slight to moderate.

Temperatures will vary across the country, with highs of around 26°C in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, rising to 34°C in Fujairah. Overnight lows could drop to 17°C in inland areas such as Al Ain and Ruwais.

Humidity levels are forecast to reach up to 85 per cent in coastal regions, adding to the unsettled conditions.

Authorities typically advise residents to exercise caution during periods of reduced visibility and strong winds, particularly when driving.

GDRFA, Dubai Land Department move to streamline real estate residency services

The initiative will also strengthen data exchange and system integration between the two entities, aligning procedures with higher standards of quality and operational readiness

Neesha Salian
Neesha Salian

12 April, 2026

GDRFA, Dubai Land Department move to streamline real estate residency services
Image: Dubai Media Office

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The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) and Dubai Land Department (DLD) have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate and streamline real estate-linked residency services, the two government bodies said on Sunday.

The agreement, signed by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director-general of GDRFA Dubai, and Omar Hamad Bu Shehab, director-general of DLD, aims to unify efforts and enhance institutional coordination in delivering residency services tied to property ownership.

Under the MoU, three key services — Golden Residency, Retiree Residency and Property Residency — will be transferred and integrated into GDRFA Dubai’s system.

The move is expected to provide customers with a single access point, improving processing speed and overall service efficiency.

The move aims to enhance services linked to the real estate sector

The initiative will also strengthen data exchange and system integration between the two entities, aligning procedures with higher standards of quality and operational readiness.

Al Marri said the agreement reflects GDRFA Dubai’s focus on delivering seamless, customer-centric services within a flexible government framework, while Bu Shehab described it as a milestone in advancing integration across government entities and enhancing services linked to the real estate sector.

The partnership will further support the adoption of digital solutions to improve service delivery, boost investment appeal and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for living and business, in line with the emirate’s Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Two US warships entered the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s what happened next

A tense confrontation unfolded as Iranian forces warned US destroyers attempting to transit the Strait, highlighting the fragile ceasefire and rising stakes around control of the global shipping route

Gareth van Zyl
Gareth van Zyl

12 April, 2026

Two US warships entered the Strait of Hormuz. Here’s what happened next
US Navy destroyers, like the one pictured, entered the Strait of Hormuz on 11 April. (File image: Getty)

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Article Summary
US Navy destroyers faced Iranian opposition entering the Strait of Hormuz amidst tense negotiations. The IRGC Navy issued warnings, but US ships proceeded, asserting freedom of passage under international law. The US Central Command framed the operation as a signal against Iranian control, initiating waterway clearance, while Iranian media claimed the ships retreated.

Two US Navy destroyers attempted to enter the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, triggering a tense confrontation with Iranian forces at a critical moment in high-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

The incident, which took place on Saturday, marked the first known attempt by US warships to transit the strategic waterway since the conflict began in late February, underlining the growing stakes around control of one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

According to accounts of the exchange reported by The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy challenged the US vessels as they approached the strait, where traffic has remained heavily restricted despite a recent ceasefire.

“This is the last warning. This is the last warning,” Iranian forces said over radio to one of the destroyers, according to a recording cited in the report.

A US ship responded: “Passage in accordance with international law. No challenge is intended to you, and I intend to abide by rules of our government’s cease-fire.”

The US Central Command later said the destroyers operated in the Gulf and departed as planned without incident, describing the mission as a signal that Washington does not accept Iran’s control over the strait.

The command added that the operation also marked the start of a broader effort to secure the waterway, including the deployment of underwater drones to detect and clear naval mines.

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz,” US President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Saturday.

Iranian semi-official media, however, offered a different account, saying its forces coordinated their response with negotiators in Islamabad and that the US destroyers turned back after being confronted.

The standoff comes as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions face mounting pressure. Talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan — the first direct negotiations in more than a decade — ended without a breakthrough, with disagreements over nuclear commitments and control of the strait remaining unresolved.

Read more: US-Iran talks break down in Islamabad, Vance cites nuclear dispute

Iran has continued to restrict access through Hormuz, imposing conditions on passage that have disrupted global shipping and energy flows. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, making it one of the most critical chokepoints in global trade.

It comes as traffic through the Strait has collapsed, with more than 600 vessels effectively stranded in the Gulf and daily transits down by as much as 90 per cent from normal levels.

Read more: Over 600 ships stranded in Gulf as Strait of Hormuz disruption continues

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