On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Navy intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman; the ship was damaged after refusing to stop, and U.S. Marines took custody of the vessel.
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on X that the economic siege on the Islamic Republic has weakened it, and he called for continued pressure including control of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent any agreements like the JCPOA during Donald Trump's term. Graham also stated that the IRGC's attacks on international shipping indicate desperation and compared the Islamic Republic to al-Qaeda in denying it the right to enrichment.
A ceasefire violation in the Strait of Hormuz has been reported following comments by former U.S. President Trump regarding Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacks on ships, amid ongoing negotiations. The strait remains blocked, and Iran's ports are under siege.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif conveyed perspectives from recent discussions with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye to his Iranian counterpart Pezeshkian.
U.S. authorities arrested Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian national and resident of Los Angeles, at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of smuggling weapons, including bombs, drones, and ammunition, on behalf of the Islamic Republic to Sudan in coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
On Sunday, Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, had a "warm and constructive" 45-minute conversation with Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, discussing regional peace and security. Sharif thanked Pezeshkian for sending a high-level delegation to Pakistan for talks with the United States last week, and the U.S. President announced that the second round of talks will take place on Monday evening U.S. time, Tuesday morning Iran time in Islamabad.
Britain's Maritime Operations Company announced that the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea is "critical." The company reported that on April 16, two ships; on April 17, ten ships; and on April 18, nineteen ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz, significantly below the historical average of 138 ships per day.
Former President Trump viewed the IRGC's attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of the ceasefire. Negotiations continue in Pakistan, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and siege of Iran's ports are set to persist until the ceasefire ends.
The article by Mahyar Tousi asserts that there are no moderates within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and claims that the IRGC has been enriching uranium in secret underground facilities, contrary to the perception that such activities were banned.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan announced that Shehbaz Sharif held a 45-minute telephone conversation with Masoud Pezeshkian, discussing the "current situation in the region" and expressing appreciation for a delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran visiting Islamabad. During the call, Sharif reported on his consultations with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey to build consensus on negotiations and diplomacy for sustainable peace.
President Donald Trump of the United States has stated that if the Islamic Republic of Iran rejects Washington's proposed agreement, critical infrastructure in Iran will be targeted for attack, as the temporary ceasefire between the two countries is set to expire.
Sen. Lindsey Graham calls on President Trump to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the blockade is economically damaging Iran and that the IRGC's attacks on international shipping indicate desperation. Graham also states that Iran, like al Qaeda, has no right to enrich uranium and rejects any deal similar to the JCPOA during Trump's presidency.
The British military has raised its top alert level for the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, citing "critical" conditions due to heavy naval activity and increased risks of attack or miscalculation as Iran tightens transit rules and the U.S. enforces a blockade.
Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, announced that the speed of updating and reconstructing missile and drone launch platforms during the ceasefire period has exceeded pre-war levels. State media released a new video showcasing the IRGC's missile and drone reserves to support this claim.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a warm and constructive conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, discussing regional stability and recent high-level talks between their countries. Sharif also mentioned discussions with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to facilitating peace in the region.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, stated that the global economy cannot withstand further instability and the Strait of Hormuz must operate without threats. He also said that charging money for the safe passage of ships through the Strait is akin to extortion.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a 45-minute conversation with Iranian President Pezeshkian this evening, during which they discussed the current regional situation, according to Sharif's office.
A news agency affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran has threatened to expand the conflict to regional vital points including Bab al-Mandab, Saudi Aramco facilities, and the Yanbu and Fujairah regions in the UAE, warning of severe attacks on energy infrastructure in the next round of confrontations.
An Iranian woman who immigrated to the United States in 2016 was arrested for procuring weapons for the regime in Iran.
The Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the IRGC, reported that the Islamic Republic is prepared for renewed conflict, with potential hostilities targeting Bab al-Mandab, Aramco, Yanbu, and Fujairah. The agency noted monitoring of U.S. military movements including warship repositioning, air bridge establishment, and reconnaissance drone flights over islands in the region.
