Day 45 of the WarMonday, April 13, 2026

Day 45: US Naval Blockade of Iran Begins — 15+ Warships Enforce, Allies Refuse to Join

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Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi delivers speech at Swedish Parliament in what is described as a state visit — first of its kind for the Iranian opposition. Massive crowd gathers in Stockholm. Key messages: 'The people of Iran don't want other countries to fight their revolution for them — they want support.' 'Whatever the outcome of military operations, Iran's fate will not be decided by foreign armies.' 'If the Islamic Revolution hadn't occurred, Iran would have been a force for peace.'source
Pahlavi: 'What is happening in Iran is not rivalry among regime factions — it is a war between the regime and its people.' Called out regime propaganda using lobbyist Trita Parsi on Tehran billboards. Iranians gathered across Stockholm in support. Wife of death-row researcher Ahmadreza Jalali, Vida Mehrannia, appeals during the visit. Iran-linked spy caught building explosives in Haifa — planned bus bombing.source

Joint report by 'Together Against the Death Penalty' and 'Iran Human Rights': Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025 — highest since 1989 and 68% increase over 2024. Judiciary chief Mohseni-Eje'i: 'Our military forces have fingers on the trigger. Suspected spies handled under wartime rules.' Government employees in Lorestan arrested for 'treason.' Nasrin Sotoudeh, lawyer and human rights activist, status unknown 12 days after arrest.source
Internet blackout enters Day 45 — 1,000+ hours. War and blackout have placed Iranian households' livelihoods under extreme pressure. Firefighter Nasser Shirazi Karameh, 44, with 22 years of service, killed in war. Iran-linked hacking group Handala claims cyberattacks targeting Saudi industrial infrastructure. Iran rushing to restore bridges and railways destroyed in strikes — claims some already operational. 19-year-old Saghar Gholami's arrest highlighted by Visegrad 24.source

US naval blockade of Iran officially begins at 5:00 PM Tehran time (10:00 AM ET). WSJ: More than 15 US warships deployed to enforce the blockade across Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM statement confirms all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports is blocked, but third-party Hormuz transit lanes remain open. Trump: '34 ships went through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday — highest number since the blockade began.' Ship traffic halted again after formal enforcement begins.source
Iran responds with maximum defiance. IRGC Khatam al-Anbiya command: 'No Gulf port will be safe if Iran's ports are threatened.' Iranian military warns 'enemy vessels will not have safe passage.' IRGC spokesman warns Iran will unveil military capabilities 'the enemy has no knowledge of.' Military sources warn IRGC could respond as early as tonight with strikes on US and Israeli targets. Iranian officials call blockade an 'act of war.'source

Trump at White House: 'The right people from Iran called us this morning — they desperately want to make a deal.' Says Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon: 'We're going to get the dust back.' Axios: Trump considering launching limited strikes if blockade fails to shift Iran's position. WSJ: Trump and advisors agreed a blockade was the next step, with B-2 bombers being prepared as escalation option.source
Trump: 'Iran is doing absolutely no business. Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone.' Promises to 'stop by Cuba' after finishing with Iran. US official tells Axios there is 'continued engagement and forward motion' toward a potential agreement. Washington Post: Limited goodwill built at Islamabad, leading to possible second round. Pakistan pushing to bring both sides back to table.source

UK PM Starmer: 'Britain will not be dragged into' US blockade of Hormuz. Australia PM Albanese also refuses to join. NATO allies formally inform Washington they will NOT participate in the US blockade. UK dispatches two military planners to CENTCOM to 'explore options' independently. France and UK announce joint conference to form a 'multinational peaceful mission' ensuring freedom of navigation.source
Germany clarifies: 'US is blockading Iranian ports, not the Strait itself.' German Chancellor Merz: 'From the start, I didn't get the impression talks were real negotiations.' Merz announces diesel tax cuts to ease economic pressure. EU Commission President von der Leyen: fossil fuel costs for the EU have increased dramatically. European crude oil hits record $150/barrel. Shipping giants say Hormuz unpassable anyway due to Iranian mines.source

Netanyahu at cabinet meeting: 'The ceasefire is like a coin — it can flip very quickly.' Says he supports Trump's blockade and Vance told him 'America could not tolerate Iran.' IDF struck approximately 150 Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon in 24 hours — rocket launchers, weapons depots, military infrastructure. Heavy airstrikes in Nabatieh, Bazouriyeh, Meifadoun, Marjayoun, Khiam. IDF releases FPV drone strike video eliminating Hezbollah operative in Bint Jbeil.source
Russia's Defense Ministry announces resumption of military operations following end of ceasefire — Ukrainian war restarts. Russia's Kremlin offers to take Iran's enriched uranium as part of a future US-Iran peace deal, but says offer 'has not been taken up.' Turkish FM Fidan: 'Both sides sincerely need a ceasefire, but nuclear enrichment is the main obstacle.' Lebanon hopes Washington talks tomorrow will produce ceasefire. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper arrives in Israel.source

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