Latest news on the Middle East conflict
Read the latest news stories as they are published.
US seizes sanctioned VLCC in Indian Ocean
US seizes sanctioned VLCC in Indian Ocean
London, 21 April (Argus) — US forces have boarded and seized a laden very large crude carrier (VLCC) in the Indian Ocean that was carrying Iranian crude in defiance of US sanctions, marking the latest enforcement action against the dark fleet moving Iranian supply to Asia-Pacific. The 2mn bl capacity Tifani had loaded at Iran's Kharg Island terminal on 5 April and was intercepted south of the Bay of Bengal, probably on route to Malaysian waters where it had called previously. These are a regular staging area for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of sanctioned crude. The tanker discharged at two Chinese ports last year. "Overnight, US forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific Command) area of responsibility," US Central Command said. "International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels," CENTCOM said, adding that the US Department of War "will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of manoeuvre in the maritime domain." Tifani is registered to a business in Suriname and is part of the 'dark fleet' moving sanctioned crude from Iran, Russia and Venezuela to foreign markets. The tanker is using a false flag, according to the International Maritime Organization's database at the time of interdiction. Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters off the east coast of Johor have emerged as a key hub for STS transfers of Iranian crude, with dark fleet tankers frequently used to obscure the origin of cargoes before onward delivery to Chinese independent refiners. By Harry Heath Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Iran’s parliament speaker rejects talks amid US threats
Iran’s parliament speaker rejects talks amid US threats
Dubai, 21 April (Argus) — Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has downplayed the prospects of a new round of peace talks with the US in Islamabad and reiterated Tehran's readiness to return to armed conflict if the current two-week ceasefire expires without a deal this week. Iran does "not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats", Ghalibaf said on Tuesday in a post on social media platform X. Ghalibaf was referring to a possible second round of Pakistani-mediated talks that both sides had suggested could take place this week in Islamabad. He has emerged as one of the key figures in Iran's wartime leadership structure. A first round of talks took place on 11 April, just days after a two-week ceasefire was agreed late on 7 April. Those negotiations, which lasted 21 hours, failed to produce any agreement. The ceasefire is due to expire on 22 April. US president Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would send his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad for a new round of talks this week. US vice-president JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round, will not take part because of security concerns, Trump said. Tehran has since suggested it would not send a delegation to the Pakistani capital, citing "excessive US demands" and the ongoing US naval blockade on Iranian ports, which it has described as a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Ghalibaf reiterated that position today, saying Trump was seeking to "turn this negotiating table… into a table of surrender, or the basis on which to justify renewed warmongering". Over the weekend, Trump repeated his threat to attack Iranian infrastrcture, saying Washington was offering Iran "a very fair and reasonable DEAL" and warning that if Tehran refused, "the US is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge in Iran". Ghalibaf appeared to respond to that rhetoric, saying Iran is "prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield" if the ceasefire expires and the US and Israel resume attacks on Iran. By Nader Itayim Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Vessels attacked as Iran reasserts control of Hormuz
Vessels attacked as Iran reasserts control of Hormuz
Singapore, 18 April (Argus) — Two vessels came under attack in the Mideast Gulf on Saturday, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the Royal Navy-operated shipping security authority. The incidents followed Iran's decision to reassert control over shipping through the strait of Hormuz. Tehran said on Friday that the waterway would be open for the duration of the current US-Iran ceasefire. But the country's military leadership has since said passage has returned to the strict control of Iran's armed forces , citing the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports. In one incident, the master of a tanker reported being fired upon by the Iranian navy about 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman. Two Iranian navy gunboats opened fire on the unnamed tanker without prior warning over radio communications, according to the master's report. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe, UKMTO said. Separately, a container vessel reported being hit by an unidentified projectile about 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The ship, which was not identified, reported damage to containers but no fire. The latest incidents add to a list of attacks on commercial shipping in the Mideast Gulf since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran on 28 February. By Sean Lui Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Ships abort Hormuz transit attempts
Ships abort Hormuz transit attempts
Singapore, 18 April (Argus) — At least 21 vessels that attempted to leave the Mideast Gulf following a brief reopening of the strait of Hormuz were forced to turn back, vessel tracking data show, after Tehran reimposed transit restrictions in response to the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Tracking data indicate that at least 15 of the vessels were tankers across all size classes. Most of the ships had been trapped in the region since the US-Iran war began on 28 February. They appear to have moved after a short-lived opening was signalled on Friday, when Iranian foreign minister Seyed Araghchi announced that the strait would be open. US president Donald Trump said shortly afterwards that the waterway was completely open. But Iran has since reversed course , saying Hormuz would not remain open while the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place and that transit had returned to strict military control. The rapid change in the status of Hormuz transits has raised questions about US president Donald Trump's comment on Friday that Washington was "very close" to a full deal with Tehran. By Sean Lui Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
