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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that the United Kingdom will not participate in the United States’ proposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, distancing London from President Donald Trump’s latest escalation against Iran.Speaking on BBC Radio, Starmer said, "We are not supporting the blockade," and added that the UK will not be "dragged into the US‑Israel war on Iran."The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which about 20 % of the world’s oil supplies transit in peacetime. Starmer stressed that reopening the waterway is vital for global energy security and that the UK’s diplomatic efforts over recent weeks have focused on that goal.Meanwhile, the US Central Command announced it would block all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports from 14:00 GMT, though it provided few details on how the blockade would be enforced. The statement claimed the action would be applied impartially to vessels of all nations, yet it also noted that ships bound for non‑Iranian ports would not be impeded.President Trump, in a lengthy social‑media post, framed the operation as a mission to clear mines and prevent Iran from profiting from control of the strait.In a parallel diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron said France and the United Kingdom will convene a conference in the coming days aimed at restoring freedom of navigation, reaffirming that “no diplomatic effort will be spared” to end the US‑Israel conflict over Iran.Nicole Grajewski, an assistant professor at Sciences Po, warned that the US blockade constitutes “more than a minor coercive signal” and effectively marks a resumption of hostilities.Other allies echoed criticism: Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles called the plan “makes no sense,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged “negotiations with Iran and the swift reopening of the strait,” and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun emphasized that the strait’s security is “in the common interest of the international community.”Starmer’s stance reflects a careful balancing act—maintaining NATO solidarity while refusing to endorse direct military pressure on Iran—highlighting the complex geopolitics surrounding one of the world’s most crucial maritime corridors.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has led to a sharp increase in crude prices, driving up fuel costs and placing strain on households worldwide. In the six weeks since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, oil prices have risen sharply, with the main international benchmark surging more than 8 percent to top $103 a barrel.However, the price of oil is more complicated than any one figure and depends on where you look. The oil trade can be broadly divided into two distinct markets: physical sales and contracts for future oil deliveries, known as futures.Since the start of the war and Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, prices in these markets have diverged substantially – reflecting what analysts say is a growing mismatch between perceptions of supply and the reality on the ground. Dated Brent hit an all-time high of more than $144 a barrel – about $35 above the price of Brent futures.The principal benchmark for spot prices is Dated Brent, a basket of four grades of oil produced in the North Sea and one produced in the US. It reflects the per-barrel price of oil scheduled for shipment in the next 10 to 30 days. On the other hand, Brent futures are financial derivatives that reflect the price of oil due to be loaded months or even years from now.The futures price is the price most commonly found in news reports and search engine results. However, the gap between spot and futures prices has widened well beyond what is typical since the conflict began, indicating that oil supplies are becoming increasingly scarce on the ground.Analysts say traders have been betting on a resolution to the crisis down the track, with the return of price stability depending on Iran easing its control over the strait and shipping companies gaining confidence that it is safe to transit. The global economy is still facing a daily shortfall of about 8 million barrels of oil, according to a recent estimate by market intelligence provider Kpler.

The U.S. military announced that, starting at 14:00 GMT on Monday, it will enforce a blockade of every Iranian port, a step taken after President Donald Trump ordered a naval closure of the Strait of Hormuz—the waterway through which roughly one‑fifth of global crude oil normally flows. The blockade comes on the heels of stalled peace negotiations in Islamabad, where talks between Washington and Tehran collapsed without an agreement despite a prior cease‑fire pledge. Trump’s escalation has already driven crude prices above $100 per barrel and unsettled Asian equity markets, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.84%, the Topix slipping 0.42% and South Korea’s Kospi falling 1.83%. Iran’s response is equally forceful. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any vessel entering the strait would be deemed a breach of the cease‑fire and dealt with “harshly and decisively,” insisting it has “full control” and threatening a “deadly vortex” for any misstep. Navy chief Shahram Irani dismissed Trump’s threat as “ridiculous and funny,” while state television said Iranian forces are closely monitoring U.S. movements. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lamented “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade” that undermined a near‑final Islamabad memorandum, quoting, “Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity.” Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pledged resistance and mocked U.S. gasoline prices, posting a map of Washington‑area pump prices and predicting nostalgia for $4‑$5 gas. U.S. Central Command clarified that the blockade will stop all vessels bound for or from Iran, while traffic to non‑Iranian ports will continue unhindered. Trump also warned that any ship that has paid an “illegal toll” to Iran will be intercepted on the high seas, and he publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV for urging an end to the conflict. In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least five people, bringing the country’s overall death toll to 2,055. Hezbollah retaliated with a rocket barrage aimed at northern Israeli towns, citing violations of a cease‑fire. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that an Israeli tank rammed peace‑keeping vehicles twice in the south. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops on the Lebanese border, claiming that Hezbollah’s invasion threat has been neutralized, though he acknowledged that hostilities continue within the security zone. On the energy front, shipping through the Hormuz corridor has “immediately halted,” according to Lloyd’s List, with several vessels turning back after the blockade announcement, further tightening global oil supplies.

Pope Leo XIV touched down in Algiers on Monday morning, becoming the first pontiff ever to set foot in Algeria, a nation of roughly 48 million people where Catholics number fewer than 10,000. The United‑States‑born pontiff, now 70, arrived at about 09:00 GMT aboard his papal aircraft, according to an AFP journalist on the scene. The historic landing opens a 11‑day, four‑country African itinerary that will see Leo travel to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea after two days in Algeria. Over the course of the tour he will cover nearly 18,000 km on 18 flights, addressing audiences in Italian, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. During his stay in Algeria, the pope will pay homage to the victims of the 1954‑1962 war of independence from France and will visit both the Great Mosque of Algiers – home to the world’s tallest minaret – and the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa overlooking the Bay of Algiers. He will also pray privately at a chapel dedicated to the 19 clergy murdered during Algeria’s 1992‑2002 civil war, though he will not visit the Tibhirine monastery, site of the 1996 monk kidnapping. The Vatican has scheduled 25 speeches for the 11‑day journey, covering topics such as natural‑resource exploitation, Catholic‑Muslim dialogue, and the dangers of political corruption. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni highlighted that the four nations face a “diverse set of challenges,” from authoritarian rule to human‑rights concerns. One of the tour’s marquee events is expected in Cameroon’s coastal city of Douala, where the Vatican anticipates a crowd of roughly 600,000 for a mass on Friday. Both Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea have long‑standing presidents who have faced accusations of rights abuses, underscoring the diplomatic nuance of Leo’s visit. According to recent Vatican statistics, Africa supplied more than half of the 15.8 million new Catholics baptized worldwide in 2023 – that’s 8.3 million new African Catholics. The continent also increasingly exports clergy, with Angola and Cameroon consistently ranking among the top producers of seminarians. Archbishop Jean‑Paul Vesco, head of the Algiers archdiocese, framed the trip as an effort to “build bridges between the Christian and Muslim worlds.” The pope’s broader African outreach follows a limited overseas record since his May 2025 election, which includes trips to Turkey, Lebanon and Monaco. By embarking on this unprecedented journey, Pope Leo XIV seeks to reinforce the Vatican’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, highlight Africa’s growing influence within the global Catholic Church, and encourage political leaders across the continent to address corruption and promote peace.

President Donald Trump has signaled that the U.S. Navy will enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, targeting any vessel that has paid a toll to Iran. The announcement sent oil futures soaring past $100 per barrel on Monday, reviving fears of a deeper global energy crisis. U.S. Central Command later clarified that the operation would focus on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, a narrower scope than the initial threat to shut the entire strait. Nonetheless, experts say the move would still choke a critical chokepoint in world oil supply. "Anything that removes oil from the market pushes prices higher, which in turn lifts gasoline costs," explained Trita Parsi, co‑founder of the Quincy Institute. He warned that if Iran’s allies, notably the Houthis in Yemen, retaliate by closing the Bab al‑Mandeb strait, oil could surge above $150 a barrel. Bab al‑Mandeb serves as an alternative route for Gulf oil to reach the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Its closure would compound the disruption already caused by the Hormuz threat. Since the start of the U.S.–Israeli conflict on February 28, Iran has limited traffic through Hormuz, allowing only a handful of vetted ships. Windward estimates that about 3,200 vessels were stranded west of the strait as of Saturday. Former chief economist Anas Alhajji of NGP Energy Capital Management expects non‑Iranian carriers to avoid the strait regardless of U.S. assurances, citing rising insurance premiums and the risk of Iranian retaliation. "The Trump blockade of Iranian ports is effectively a blockade of the Hormuz Strait," he told Al Jazeera. The ripple effects extend beyond fuel. Higher oil and gas prices will lift the cost of chemicals, fertilizers and plastics feedstocks, analysts say. Cameron Johnson, senior partner at Tidalwave Solutions, predicts a rapid increase in raw‑material prices if the blockade persists into late April or early May. "The wild card is the timeframe," Johnson noted. "If it’s a short‑term negotiating tactic, the market may absorb it, but a prolonged blockade will spike global commodity prices." Supply‑chain experts warn of broader repercussions. Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation highlighted that rising fabric costs and packaging shortages could strain food production and consumer goods later in the year. Industry observer Chad Norville of Rigzone said the mere threat erodes confidence in the strait’s stability, likely driving up insurance costs and reducing daily trade volumes. In sum, a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would mark a stark reversal of recent policy, which had briefly eased sanctions to alleviate the energy crunch. The potential escalation underscores how geopolitical moves can quickly translate into higher energy bills and broader economic strain worldwide.

The United States military confirmed that, beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (14:00 GMT) on April 13, all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports will be blocked. The directive, issued by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), targets vessels of every nation operating in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, but explicitly excludes ships merely transiting the Strait of Hormuz to non‑Iranian ports, marking a narrower scope than former President Donald Trump’s broader strait‑wide threat. This decisive action follows the abrupt end of marathon peace talks in Islamabad, where negotiators failed to secure a memorandum of understanding with Tehran. The stalemate has revived fears of renewed hostilities, prompting the U.S. to leverage maritime pressure as a bargaining chip. Financial markets reacted sharply: U.S. crude oil prices surged 8 % to $104.24 per barrel, while the benchmark Brent crude rose 7 % to $102.29. The spikes reflect investor anxiety over potential disruptions to the flow of oil and liquefied natural gas that currently passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint responsible for roughly one‑fifth of global energy shipments. Since the February 28 launch of a joint U.S.–Israel operation against Iran, the strait’s traffic has dwindled to a trickle. Iran continues to navigate its own vessels and has allowed limited passage for foreign ships, while discussing a post‑conflict toll system for the waterway. In response to the blockade threat, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any U.S. warship attempting to enforce the measure would breach the existing U.S.–Iran ceasefire—set to expire on April 22—and would be "dealt with severely." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the United States for the diplomatic failure, accusing U.S. negotiators of "shifting the goalposts" when a deal was "just inches away." Academic commentary echoed regional concerns. Zohreh Kharazmi, an associate professor at the University of Tehran, asserted that the United States "is not in a position to dictate" Iranian maritime movements and warned that a prolonged standoff would quickly reveal which side—"the resilience of the Islamic Republic or the resilience of global markets"—would suffer first. While the blockade targets Iranian ports, CENTCOM emphasized that it will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels merely passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a subtle but significant concession aimed at avoiding a full‑scale maritime confrontation.

Effective 10:00 a.m. ET (14:00 GMT) today, the United States military will block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that marks a significant escalation in regional tensions. The directive, announced by U.S. defense officials, aims to prevent any vessel—commercial or otherwise—from using the narrow waterway that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. By sealing off the strait, Washington seeks to exert pressure on Tehran amid ongoing diplomatic disputes. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning: any military vessel that approaches the strait will be deemed a breach of the cease‑fire and will be "dealt with severely". The IRGC’s statement underscores the risk of a rapid military confrontation should either side perceive a violation. Analysts note that the Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil shipments, so a full blockade could disrupt international energy markets and amplify economic uncertainty worldwide. The action also raises questions about the legal basis for such a blockade under international maritime law. Both the United States and Iran have signaled that the situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as diplomatic channels attempt to defuse the standoff.

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has taken a turn for the worse, with President Trump's decision to escalate rather than negotiate turning this into a global problem. Europe, which had initially adopted a stance of non-involvement, is now facing the consequences of Trump's actions. The US naval blockade of Iran aims to prevent the country from shipping oil to market unless it allows free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, this move has caused oil prices to rise and stocks to fall, with the global economy feeling the pinch. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington has turned into a crisis summit, with global growth forecasts being revised down due to the expected prolonged energy shock. The conflict has also raised concerns about shortages of essential goods such as medicines, fertilizers, and helium, which could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. The article suggests that Trump's threats to stop tankers reaching Iranian ports and seize any ship paying Iran a toll for safe passage risk spiraling the war out of control. In this context, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suggestion that Europe should help the US get out of the mess it has created has some merit. The article argues that Europe needs to find a way to help Trump retreat without losing face, and that diplomacy and negotiation are crucial to resolving the crisis. The article concludes that Trump's war aims are unpredictable and that the US needs NATO's diplomats and ideas to resolve the crisis, rather than just brute force. Europe must find a way to work with the US to end the conflict and prevent further economic damage.

World Aquatics, the governing body for swimming, diving, and water polo, has lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their own flag and anthem for the first time since 2022. This decision has been met with outrage in Ukraine and joy in Russia, adding momentum to Russia's bid to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Ukrainian athletes have expressed their disappointment and anger over the decision. Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton star, described the move as 'unacceptable and disgraceful', highlighting the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its impact on Ukrainian athletes and sports facilities. The decision by World Aquatics follows a similar move by judo last year and comes as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international events. The IOC recommended allowing Russians to compete under national flags in December, while the International Paralympic Committee has already permitted Russians to compete under their own flag and anthem. Russia has welcomed the decision, with Dmitry Mazepin, head of the Russian Aquatics Federation, stating that competing as a neutral athlete was 'an insult'. This development has significant implications for international sports and the participation of Russian athletes in future competitions.