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

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

ByDavid Brennan, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, and Kevin Shalvey
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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Apr 14, 2026, 11:38 AM EDT

Next round of US-Iran talks could happen before next week

It appears likely that the U.S. and Iran will participate in another round of in-person negotiations before the two-week ceasefire between the countries is set to expire on April 22 -- and that those talks could take place before the start of next week, according to a U.S. official and another source with knowledge of the situation.

As of Tuesday morning, neither the U.S. nor Iran has officially committed to another meeting.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Apr 14, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT

No ships have made it through blockade on day 1: CENTCOM

In the first 24 hours of the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, no ships have made it through and six merchant vessels were directed to turn around, according to U.S. Central Command.

More than 10,000 U.S. sailors, marines, and airmen, along with over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft, are executing the blockade against vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, according to CENTCOM.

"U.S. forces are supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports," CENTCOM said.

Apr 14, 2026, 10:51 AM EDT

Trump urges the UK to drill North Sea oil as energy prices surge

As energy prices surge, President Donald Trump is urging the United Kingdom to drill oil from the North Sea.

Trump wrote on social media on Monday, “Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World.”

President Donald Trump speaks to the press outside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, April 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

“Norway sells its North Sea Oil to the U.K. at double the price. They are making a fortune,” Trump wrote. “U.K., which is better situated on the North Sea for purposes of energy than Norway, should, DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!!”

-ABC News’ Isabella Murray

Apr 14, 2026, 6:38 AM EDT

Iran president says 'lack of US will' prevented Islamabad deal

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, according to a readout published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to continue talks solely within the framework of international laws and regulations and with the aim of protecting the rights of the Iranian people," Pezeshkian told Macron, according to the readout.

Pezeshkian blamed the failure to reach an agreement during weekend talks with the U.S. in Pakistan on "the exaggeration and lack of political will of senior U.S. officials."

"Approaches based on threats, pressure and military action not only do not solve the problem, but also add to the complexity of the issues and will exacerbate the self-created problems of the American side," Pezeshkian said.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Zoe Magee

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