President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal. On Tuesday, Trump announced he was extending the ceasefire and continuing the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."
IRGC attacked container ship in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre reported an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The unnamed vessel was approached by an IRGC gunboat and fired upon without any preceding challenge, UKMTO said. The IRGC fire "caused heavy damage to the bridge" but there were no casualties or environmental impacts reported, the alert said.
The incident occurred around 15 nautical miles northeast of the Omani coast in the eastern portion of the Strait of Hormuz, the UKMTO said.
3:06 AM EDT
Trump says Iran is 'starving for cash' amid Strait of Hormuz disruption
President Donald Trump doubled down on his claim that Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz opened in a post to social media on Tuesday, shortly after he announced an open-ended extension of the ceasefire with Tehran.
"Iran is collapsing financially!" Trump wrote. "They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately -- Starving for cash!"
In an earlier social media post, Trump insisted that Iran is "losing" because of the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The president also claimed that Iran only wants to close the Strait in order to "save face."
President Donald Trump departs after speaking at an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House, on April 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Alex Brandon/AP
Without specifying who, Trump also claimed that "people" told him "four days ago" that Iran wants to reopen the Strait, but he declined to lift the blockade because he says this is the U.S.' leverage point to secure a deal.
"But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!" Trump wrote.
The president also again extolled recent American military achievements in Iran. "Their entire Navy is at the bottom of the Sea, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft and Radar is wiped out, their Nuclear Labs and Storage Areas were OBLITERATED late one dark June evening by our Great B-2 Bombers, their leaders are DEAD," Trump wrote.
-ABC News' Meghan Mistry and Emily Chang
Apr 21, 2026, 6:09 PM EDT
Pakistan commends continued ceasefire
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire "to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course."
He called on both sides to continue to observe the ceasefire and said Pakistan will "continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict."
Apr 21, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT
White House confirms Vance not traveling to Pakistan
According to a White House official, Vice President JD Vance won't be traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday.
"In light of President Trump's TRUTH Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today," the official said. "Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House."
