Iran live updates: US blockade of Iran's Strait of Hormuz ports to begin Monday

CENTCOM said it will block all traffic 'entering and exiting Iranian ports.'

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Last updated: Monday, April 13, 2026 6:12PM GMT
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President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military and government sites.

Trump set a deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face broad strikes on its critical infrastructure. Hours before the deadline expired, Trump said he had agreed to suspend planned bombing for two weeks if Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi then said that "safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported the ceasefire with Iran, but that Lebanon -- where intense Israeli strikes continued -- was not covered by the agreement, despite Iranian protests.

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Apr 08, 2026, 10:53 AM GMT

Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon despite ceasefire

The Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday that it was continuing "combat and ground operations" against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while at least one Israeli airstrike was reported in the southern city of Tyre.

Smoke and debris rise after a building is hit by an Israeli airstrike in the area of Abbasiyeh, on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, on April 8, 2026.
Smoke and debris rise after a building is hit by an Israeli airstrike in the area of Abbasiyeh, on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, on April 8, 2026.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said overnight that the two-week ceasefire with Iran "does not include Lebanon," though Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country was covered by the ceasefire announced on Tuesday.

The IDF issued multiple evacuation warnings in Lebanon on Wednesday morning, including in the city of Tyre and for all residents of Beirut's southern suburbs.

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Apr 08, 2026, 5:34 AM GMT

Trump says US 'will be helping with the traffic buildup' in Strait of Hormuz

In a late- night social media post following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire deal, President Donald Trump called it "a big day for World Peace!" and claimed that the U.S. "will be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz."

"There will be lots of positive action! Big money will be made. Iran can start the reconstruction process. We'll be loading up with supplies of all kinds, and just 'hangin' around' in order to make sure that everything goes well. I feel confident that it will," Trump said in the post.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump said that a two-week ceasefire with Iran was contingent on agreeing to "the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz."

It's unclear when that will happen, and what role the U.S. might play in reopening the critical waterway.

-ABC News' Meg Mistry

Apr 08, 2026, 5:25 AM GMT

Netanyahu supports Trump's decision to suspend strikes, says ceasefire does not include Lebanon

A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel supports President Donald Trump's decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks subject to Iran immediately opening the Strait of Hormuz.

The two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon, the prime minister's office said.

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Apr 08, 2026, 5:22 AM GMT

Leavitt says ceasefire deal is 'victory' for US

Following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated the development.

"This is a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen," Leavitt said in a social media post. "From the very beginning of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump estimated this would be a 4-6 week operation."

The post went on: "The success of our military created maximum leverage, allowing President Trump and the team to engage in tough negotiations that have now created an opening for a diplomatic solution and long-term peace."

Leavitt also credited Trump, saying he "got the Strait of Hormuz reopened."

Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said in a statement the two-week deal includes "safe passage" through the strait "via coordination with Iran's Armed Forces."