Day 218 | Trump claims Iran war will end "right after the election" or sooner

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Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said the country’s military forces are in a stronger condition than during previous wars.

In a post on X, Mohseni-Ejei claimed Iran’s military is better prepared than it was during both the 12-day war in June 2025 and the wider US-‘Israel’ war that began on February 28, 2026.

His comments come amid continued tensions between Iran, the US and ‘Israel’ following months of military confrontation.

Iraq’s Oil Tankers Company transported 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude aboard a very large crude carrier (VLCC) through the Strait of Hormuz, the company’s director general said.

The official described the operation as the company’s first such voyage through the strategic waterway in decades.

The move comes amid heightened tensions and disruptions affecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.

Iranian state television reported an explosion aboard an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

The tanker had reportedly switched off its tracking system while entering the strait. No further details were immediately available on the cause of the explosion or any casualties.

Iranian air defenses shot down a hostile drone over Qeshm Island in southern Iran, the Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran will resume air services with Iraq starting Sunday, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said.

The official said both Iranian and Iraqi airlines will operate flights between the two countries as air connections are restored.

France has circulated a new draft UN Security Council resolution addressing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported, citing diplomatic sources.

The draft reportedly reaffirms the right of ships to navigate freely through the strait and recognizes member states’ right to defend their vessels.

It also supports efforts toward a lasting, comprehensive diplomatic solution to regional disputes and encourages voluntary efforts by countries to clear mines and provide defensive escorts for ships.

Yemeni government forces have taken control of Samaa Fort southeast of Taiz following heavy clashes with Houthi fighters, the government-run Saba news agency reported.

A military source told Saba that government forces, supported by local popular resistance fighters from Samaa district, captured the fort after what it described as “violent battles.”

The source claimed that dozens of Houthi fighters were killed or wounded, while others fled the area.

Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported Saturday that an explosion was heard from the direction of the Strait of Hormuz on Qeshm Island in southern Iran.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Axios that the United States has facilitated the passage of 1.1 billion barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz while preventing Iran from exporting oil through the waterway.

Bessent said that, for the first time since Iran began exporting oil, Tehran would have no oil passing through the Strait by sea this week.

He described the US campaign as an unprecedented effort to isolate Iran economically. The comments come as Washington continues to tighten sanctions and maritime pressure on Tehran, including measures targeting Iran’s oil trade and shipping networks.

• AFP correspondents in Sanaa report hearing several powerful explosions
• Smoke was seen rising over parts of the Yemeni capital
• Houthi-affiliated media reported Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa

AFP correspondents in Yemen’s capital Sanaa reported hearing powerful explosions accompanied by rising smoke on Saturday, as Houthi-affiliated media reported Saudi airstrikes targeting the city.

One AFP correspondent heard at least five strikes in different parts of Sanaa, while another saw two warplanes firing missiles at targets in the capital.

The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television channel described the incident as a “Saudi aggression on the capital Sanaa” but provided no further details.

The escalation follows Saudi-led coalition accusations that the Houthis targeted a power distribution station in Medina that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque, an allegation the Houthis denied.

• Claims that King Khalid International Airport has closed remain unsubstantiated by flight-tracking data.
• No official confirmation or claim of responsibility has been issued.
• The developments come amid a recent escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Satellite imagery appears to show plumes of smoke over the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday, while footage circulated by Houthi and Iranian media also shows smoke rising and fires near Aramco.

A separate claim that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been closed to flights appears to be unsubstantiated by flight-tracking data.

There has been no official confirmation of the reported incidents, and no party has claimed responsibility for any attack.

The developments come amid a sharp escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. On Thursday, the Saudi-led coalition accused the Houthis of attacking a power distribution station in Medina, while Saudi forces reportedly carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. 

The CEO of the Iranian shipping company operating the Touska says legal action will be pursued in international courts over the attack and seizure of the vessel in the Sea of Oman on April 19.

The businessman stated that the vessel was carrying medicines intended for the Iranian Red Crescent Society and dialysis patients. That cargo claim has not been independently confirmed by the United Nations.

He said attacking a commercial vessel exercising freedom of navigation during a ceasefire constitutes a war crime under international rules.

Iranian media reports that the death sentence of Siavash Jamshidi, whom it described as a “Level 1” offender from Shahrekord, was carried out this morning.

The report says Jamshidi had a criminal record that included fraud, threats, theft, possession and carrying of an illegal military-grade weapon, complicity in kidnapping, brandishing a weapon to intimidate others, intentional bodily harm, firearm threats and firing a handgun in front of the Shahrekord Seminary.

Iranian media also accuses the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a US-based human rights organization that monitors human rights issues in Iran, of publishing an image of Jamshidi with the weapon allegedly removed and of not mentioning his criminal record or the reported weapons offenses.

The Iranian report accuses HRANA and other outlets critical of the Iranian government of presenting what it describes as selective or incomplete accounts of executions in Iran. It also claims that reports from such organizations are cited by UN human rights experts in their work on Iran.

Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni says the country’s Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA) represents “authority and intelligence,” while also embodying compassion and selfless service to the public, Iranian state media IRNA reports.

Momeni made the remarks in a message marking Iran’s Law Enforcement Command Week, saying the Interior Ministry would continue to provide comprehensive support to the force.

• The session was chaired by Vice President JD Vance alongside key foreign policy, defense, and intelligence leaders.
• The meeting comes as Trump evaluates resuming major military operations against Iran amid stalled diplomatic negotiations.
• Officials weighed Saudi requests for US participation and airstrikes in a planned offensive against Houthi forces in Yemen.

Top cabinet officials in US President Donald Trump's administration convened secretly at the presidential retreat at Camp David on Friday for hours of high-stakes discussions on the war in Iran and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen, three US officials disclosed to Axios.

The highly unusual gathering was not announced by the White House.

According to Axios, the last time a similar unannounced session occurred was in June 2025, just days before 'Israel' entered into direct conflict with Iran.

The White House declined to comment when asked about the meeting.

Vice President chairs meeting 

US officials told Axios that Vice President JD Vance chaired the unannounced session.

Key national security leaders attending the conference included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Reflecting on the deliberations regarding the ongoing regional crises, one US official remarked to Axios that "things were decided or at least deeply discussed" during the hours-long talks.

Trump weighs major combat 

The secret meeting comes as formal diplomatic negotiations remain stalled, prompting US President Trump to evaluate whether to launch renewed major combat operations against Tehran.

"Now I have to make a decision: either Iran signs the deal, or it won't exist any longer," US President Trump stated on Thursday, signaling a potential escalation in the seven-month-long confrontation.

Concurrently, Riyadh has requested US military participation in a planned Saudi offensive targeting Houthi forces in Yemen.

Saudi officials have urged US President Trump to authorize US airstrikes against Houthi positions.

While Trump has reportedly leaned against deep military intervention in Yemen, US officials indicated to Axios that his stance could shift depending on developments.

On Friday afternoon, while his senior national security team remained assembled at Camp David, reporters questioned US President Trump regarding his imminent moves concerning Iran.

"If I told you, you would have a major story," Trump replied. "But you will see. It is working out very well. Iran is not doing well."

A crude oil tanker was struck on its port side by an unknown projectile while navigating 4 nautical miles east of Oman, according to a maritime advisory released by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The official UKMTO notice (Warning 149-26) confirmed that the report was filed directly by the vessel's master following the impact.

"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 4nm east of Oman. The Master of a crude oil tanker has reported being struck by an unknown projectile on the port side," the UKMTO advisory stated.

Crew unharmed

Despite the direct hit on the tanker's port structure, the vessel's master reported that all crew members were safe and accounted for following the strike.

Initial assessments at the scene confirmed that no fuel or oil leaks occurred as a result of the impact, avoiding immediate environmental harm to the surrounding waters.

UKMTO stated that maritime security authorities have launched an investigation into the attack to identify the nature and source of the projectile.

Vessels navigating near the Gulf of Oman and surrounding strategic transit corridors have been urged to maintain heightened vigilance and immediately report any suspicious behavior or threats.

This is a developing story.

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