President Trump says US Navy will begin blockade of Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. and Iran failed to reach a peace deal after 21 hours of negotiations.

Last Updated: April 12, 2026, 10:22 PM EDT

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.

Apr 11, 2026, 3:49 PM EDT

Iran denies claims that US vessels entered Strait of Hormuz

A spokesperson for Iran's joint military command denied a claim by the United States that two Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz, saying "the initiative for the passage and movement of any vessel is in the hands of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

-ABC News' Morgan Winsor

Apr 11, 2026, 2:10 PM EDT

Trilateral meetings 'ongoing,' White House says

The White House confirmed that trilateral meetings between the U.S., Iran and Pakistan are ongoing on Saturday.

"Trilateral in-person negotiations are ongoing," a senior White House official said in a statement to ABC News.

-ABC News' Emily Chang

Apr 11, 2026, 1:18 PM EDT

Lebanon's death toll tops 2,000, health ministry says

Israeli forces have killed at least 2,020 people and wounded another 6,436 in Lebanon since March 2, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

Over the past 24 hours alone, 97 people were killed and 133 others were injured, the health ministry said Saturday.

Among those killed since March 2 were 165 children and 85 health care workers. Another 641 children and 188 health care workers were among the injured, according to the health ministry.

A resident walks near charred cars, at the site of Wednesday's Israeli airstrike, in Beirut, Lebanon, April 10, 2026.
Emilio Morenatti/AP

-ABC News' Ghazi Balkiz

Apr 11, 2026, 1:16 PM EDT

2 US Navy destroyers transit Strait of Hormuz as mine-clearing operations begin: US CENTCOM

Two U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday in what appears to be a first since the war began, according to U.S. Central Command.

CENTCOM confirmed President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S. military had begun mine-clearing operations to ensure safe passage through the strait.

The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy "conducted operations" as part of "a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps," according to the statement. Additional U.S. forces -- including underwater drones -- will join mine-clearing operations "in the coming days," according to CENTCOM.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transits the Arabian Sea, Feb. 1, 2026.
Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jonteil Johnson/U.S. Navy

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.

USS Michael Murphy spotted off the coast of Oman on MarineTraffic.
MarineTraffic

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the ships' movement in a post on X.

"USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps," Hegseth wrote.

Sponsored Content by Taboola