President Donald Trump says the U.S. seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to get around its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz

Iran balked at President Trump's demands for a peace deal amid a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, as fear the war could reignite hits oil and energy markets.

With peace talks between the U.S. and Iran at an impasse, the clash for control of the crucial Strait of Hormuz intensified last week as Iran seized at least two cargo ships in the trade corridor in retaliation for a U.S. naval blockade of its ports.

Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview that China should take a more active role in resolving a standoff over the strait. By Anton Troianovski Reporting from Beijing President Trump wants China to do more to persuade Iran to reopen ...

Kuwait accused Iran of launching a failed attack earlier this month on an island where China is helping build a port in the Middle East nation.

Trump pauses new Iran strikes. Kalshi and Polymarket keep skirting India’s betting ban. And Pope Leo is stepping into the AI debate with a new encyclical. Listen to the day’s top stories.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about research into mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2026. REU

Russia's Putin will travel to Beijing next week to meet China's Xi. The announcement came one day after President Trump returned from his own summit with the Chinese leader.