Trump says US Navy attacked and seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship

"U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel," Trump said.

Last Updated: April 19, 2026, 10:21 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.

After initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan failed to reach a peace deal, Trump announced Sunday, April 19, that U.S. negotiators would head back to Islamabad Monday for a new round.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance would accompany special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, to Islamabad for the talks.

Iran's continuing blockage of the Strait of Hormuz and their alleged refusal to abandon their nuclear program remain key sticking points in negotiations, according to Trump.

Apr 13, 2026, 5:41 AM EDT

Oil prices rise, again topping $100 per barrel, ahead of US blockade

The price of oil again climbed on Monday, after the United States said it would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The blockade -- which was expected to begin at 10 a.m. ET, according to U.S. Central Command -- appeared poised to continue the disruption of the vital maritime passageway off the southern Iranian coast, through which some 20% of the world’s oil supply is shipped.

In this file photo, oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Altaf Qadri/AP

Brent crude oil prices, a benchmark for global trading, climbed about 8% by 5 a.m. ET on Monday. It traded at more than $102 a barrel for deliveries in June.

U.S. crude prices for May contracts also advanced about 8% in early trading, climbing to about $103 per barrel.

Apr 13, 2026, 5:17 AM EDT

China urges combatants to 'strictly' observe ceasefire

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters on Monday that Beijing hopes all warring parties "maintain calm and restraint" following the apparent collapse of U.S.-Iran peace talks over the weekend.

"China hopes that the relevant parties will strictly observe the temporary ceasefire arrangements, adhere to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic channels, avoid a resumption of hostilities and create conditions for the early restoration of peace and tranquility in the Gulf region," Guo said.

"The root cause of any disruption to navigation in the Strait lies in the conflict involving Iran, Guo said. "The way to resolve this issue is to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible; all parties involved must maintain calm and restraint. China stands ready to continue playing a positive and constructive role."

Asked about reports that China is allowing Chinese weapons firms to send arms to Iran, Guo replied, "China has consistently adopted a prudent and responsible attitude toward arms exports, implementing strict controls in accordance with its domestic export control laws and regulations, as well as its international obligations. We oppose baseless smears and malicious insinuations."

-ABC News' Karson Yiu

Apr 13, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT

Iran says 'no port' will be safe if Iranian ports are threatened

The spokesperson for Iran's joint military command at Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Monday that if the security of Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is threatened, "no port in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be safe."

"Enemy-affiliated" vessels will not have the right to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while other vessels will continue to be allowed transit "in accordance with the regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces," the spokesperson said, as quoted by Iran's state television Telegram channel.

"Given the continued threats," he said, the Islamic Republic will also implement "a permanent mechanism" to control the Strait of Hormuz, even after the war.

This file photo shows a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman's Musandam province, on April 12, 2026.
Stringer/Reuters

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

Apr 13, 2026, 3:14 AM EDT

US and Iran 'inches away' from understanding in Islamabad, Araghchi says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post to X on Sunday night that the U.S. and Iran were "inches away" from a memorandum of understanding in talks in Islamabad at the weekend.

Talks collapsed after Iran "encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts and blockade," Araghchi alleged. "Zero lessons learned," he added.

"In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war," the foreign minister wrote. "Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appears on ABC News' "This Week" on March 1, 2026
ABC News

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