Trump unstable, desperate for off-ramp, threatens to 'blow up whole country'; 2nd carrier fire - IRAN WAR NEWS - 19-Apr-2026 (update 2)

UPDATE 2

Hilarious! Iran to ships in the Strait of Hormuz: "Strait of Hormuz is still closed. We will open it by the order of our leader Imam Khamenei, not by the tweets of some idiot."

Trump's Erratic Behavior May Tank Negotiations, Iran Says, Warning of "Significantly Greater Costs" to the U.S. if War Resumes

Ahead of a potential new round of negotiations in Islamabad, Iran believes there is a significant chance that President Donald Trump-urged on by Israel-will resume military attacks if a deal is not reached soon, a senior Iranian official told Drop Site. Tehran, the official said, is preparing for a prolonged war during which Iran would cut off all talks with the U.S.

While the official said Iran prefers to make a comprehensive deal with the U.S. that would address nuclear enrichment, offer sanctions relief, and establish a long-term non-aggression framework, Tehran believes the window for an agreement is rapidly closing as a result of maximalist U.S. demands and Trump's erratic behavior.

"Our assessment is that Trump effectively lacks both a coherent plan and the capacity to secure even a temporary agreement," the official said. "His decision-making appears to be grounded in Israeli political and security assessments, conveyed to him on a daily basis."

Trump announces new Iran talks, warns 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' - RT World News

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump accused Tehran of violating the temporary ceasefire - set to expire on Wednesday - with reported attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz amid a renewed blockade of the waterway.

"Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz - a total violation of our ceasefire agreement! That wasn't nice, was it?" he wrote, claiming French and British vessels were targeted. Before declaring that his "Representatives are going to Islamabad...for negotiations."

He warned that there would be "No more MR. Nice Guy," if Tehran didn't take his "fair and reasonable deal." Adding that Washington would "knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran."

Iran Rejects Second Round of Talks With US - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iran has refused to participate in the second round of negotiations with the United States, Iran's IRNA news agency reported Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Donald Trump said his representatives were heading to Islamabad to take part in a new round of negotiations on Iran.

Separately, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said talks between the US and Iran would resume in the next 24 hours.

Also on Sunday, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran would not resume talks with Washington until it lifted its maritime blockade of Iranian ports. The blockade prompted Iran to close the Hormuz Strait.

Russia's Intelligence Warning: U.S. Ground Operation in Iran May Be Next

• 0:00:00 Introduction - Iran War, Hormuz Blockade & Trump's China Play
• 0:01:00 Ceasefire Status & Ongoing Iranian Control of Hormuz
• 0:01:59 Russian Security Council Analysis: Iran Situation Stable, War May Resume
• 0:03:13 US Military Buildup & Possible Ground Operations
• 0:05:07 Was the Ceasefire Real? Both Sides Prepare for Next Round
• 0:06:30 China's Deepening Involvement & Diplomatic Push
• 0:08:24 Risk of Superpower Standoff - Cuban Missile Crisis Parallels
• 0:12:15 Why Uranium Enrichment Is a Red Herring - The Real Obstacle Is Regime Change
• 0:16:12 Two Possible Paths Forward: US Split from Israel or China-Led Gulf Deal
• 0:21:41 Ground Operation Risks & Implications of a US Military Failure

Brace for Impact! In 3 Days EVERYTHING Could Change | Redacted w Clayton Morris

The ceasefire is cracking, the Strait of Hormuz was never truly reopened, and the world may be just days away from another major escalation in the Iran war. We break down the latest Trump threats, Iran's response, the stalled negotiations, the danger to global shipping, and the suspicious oil trades that hit just before the market-moving Hormuz headline. This is what the mainstream media is missing about the Iran war, Trump, Hormuz, oil prices, and what could happen next.

Trump says US seized ship trying to breach Iran blockade | Middle East Eye

US President Donald Trump says American forces intercepted a vessel attempting to bypass the blockade on Iranian ports.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said US Marines took control of the ship after it tried to pass through restricted waters.

He added that forces disabled the vessel by blowing a hole in its engine room, forcing it to stop.

Iran denies ship capture, says US operation 'failed' | Middle East Eye

Iran has rejected claims that one of its vessels was seized, with senior officials describing the reported US operation as unsuccessful.

According to the semi-official Iranian media outlet Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian forces repelled the attack.

"By the grace of God, in the Isfahan operation, the enemy was so desperate and surprised that it was forced to bomb its own units and flee the area."

He added that "the enemy did not believe it would receive such a strong blow from the commandos."

The remarks directly contradict claims from US Preident Trump.

IRGC forces US troops to leave Hormuz Strait after attack on Iranian ship: Report 

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has forced US forces stationed in the Sea of Oman to retreat and leave the area after they fired at an Iranian merchant ship, a report said.

According to a report by Mehr news agency on Sunday, US terrorist forces stationed in the waters surrounding the Sea of Oman fired at an Iranian merchant ship to force it to return to the Iranian territorial waters.

It added that the US move was in response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the return of Indian and British merchant ships as well as the control measures by the IRGC.

However, it emphasized, the Americans were forced to retreat and leave the area following the "timely presence and rapid response" of the IRGC naval units in support of the Iranian ship.

IDF Ground Forces Fight Like It's 1970 - Hezbollah Like 2026

In this video we see the invading Israelis in Southern Lebanon gathered on Lebanese soil in a makeshift base. The Israelis have no drone offense or defense. A Hezbollah drone flies in like a crow and drops a substantial ordinance on the base. Note how not only is the drone not detected, but no ground fire is shot at it either. There were no drones in 1970.

Spain urges EU to end Israel agreement over human right violations | Middle East Eye

Spain is stepping up pressure on Israel, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announcing plans to ask the European Union to suspend its association agreement with Israel over breaches of international law.

Speaking at a rally, Sanchez said Madrid would formally present the proposal to EU partners, arguing that Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon make it an unsuitable partner. He said the country "violates international law" and therefore "cannot be a partner of the European Union... it's as simple as that".

Activists in San Francisco raise huge banner demanding end to US aid to "Israel" - Yemen Press Agency

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19 (YPA) - Dozens of activists in San Francisco raised a giant 120-foot banner on Twin Peaks hills, reading "End US Aid to Israel," in a protest move designed to be visible from across the city.

In an official statement, protesters condemned the continued US military funding of the Israeli occupation, holding it responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 people in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran.

The activists also called for a halt to arms shipments originating from the San Francisco Bay Area, urging support for a grassroots campaign in Oakland aimed at blocking military goods to "Israel" from passing through local ports in protest of what they described as "genocide" and the ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip.

12bytes: They're about 120,000 short on their death toll.

Unknown Traders Bet $760m on Oil Prices Dropping Minutes Before Hormuz Reopened - Global Research

On 17 April, unknown traders placed roughly $760 million in bets on falling oil prices minutes before Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over high-volume insider trading related to wartime events.

UPDATE 1

Irans LEGO animations crush enemy war narratives

Iranian youth are showcasing their creativity and artistic sensibility in depicting the realities of the war imposed on the country by the US and Israel.

LEGO animations created by these youngsters have crushed the narratives of the enemies. Our correspondent Moeen Amini has a report.

Iran war: What is happening on day 51 of the US-Israeli conflict? | Explainer News | Al Jazeera

The current two-week ceasefire will expire on Wednesday unless it is extended.

Here is what we know:

In Iran

• US President Donald Trump has no justification to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, the Iranian Students' News Agency quoted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as saying on Sunday as Washington and Tehran continue to disagree on nuclear issues.
• Iran's "valiant navy" is "ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemies", Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a series of X posts on Saturday.
• Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said a framework of understanding must be agreed with the US first before more talks are held, saying, "There was significant progress made actually," but dismissed US "maximalist" demands on Iran's nuclear programme.
• "There is now a certain sense of frustration and uncertainty when it comes to the road ahead," Al Jazeera's Tohid Asadi reported from Tehran. "We know that Iranians are very much worried, not only about the shadow of the war, but also about the element of surprise, even during this ceasefire."
• Minister of Education Alireza Kazemi said Iran's government does not have plans to resume in-person education at the moment.
• The Iranian Ministry of Science announced that 180 members of the academic community have been killed in the war, including 18 female students and one female university professor.
• The semiofficial Tasnim News Agency, quoting the deputy director of Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, said the country's airspace would be reopened with flights from east to west established gradually.
• The aviation authority said Iran will resume international flights on Monday from Mashhad airport in the country's northeast.
• Iran is replenishing its missile and drone launchers at a higher speed than before the war started, Majid Mousavi, the IRGC's Aerospace Force commander, said.
• Iran's armed forces turned back two tankers trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz after issuing warnings, Tasnim reported.

Trump feared US troops would become 'sitting ducks' if they invaded Iran's Kharg island: Report

US President Donald Trump resisted sending troops to seize the Iranian Island of Kharg, despite being told the mission could succeed, citing concerns over potential casualties, saying the American troops would be "sitting ducks" for Iranian armed forces, a report says.

According to the report by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Trump made the decision after Iran shot down an F-15 fighter jet over its sky and stranded its pilots.

After being informed that an American jet had been shot down with two airmen missing, Trump "screamed at aides for hours" and repeatedly said, "The Europeans are not helping."

Trump Renews Threat of Strikes on Iran Infrastructure

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Donald Trump has again threatened to strike Iran's bridges and power plants if Tehran refuses a deal with Washington on unresolved disputes.

[...]

"My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan - They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations," Trump said on Truth Social.

Trump threatens to 'blow up whole country' if Iran does not sign deal | Middle East Eye

In a 20-minute conversation with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said: "If they don't sign the deal, then the whole country is going to get blown up."

Yingst added that Trump said his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will lead on peace talks in Islamabad this week.

The United States is extending the naval blockade of Iran to the Indo-Pacific region

Washington is expanding its campaign against Iran far beyond the Middle East, making it clear that it will pursue ships allegedly linked to Tehran throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This was stated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, General Dan Kane.

Israel preparing to strike energy facilities if Iran truce collapses: Report - Middle East Monitor

Israel, along with its ally the US, is preparing for a possible collapse of the ceasefire with Iran, with energy facilities could be potential targets, local media reported on Sunday, Anadolu reports.

"There is close coordination between the two sides, and if fighting resumes, the targets will also include Iranian energy facilities," the Israeli newspaper Maariv said, citing a senior unnamed Israeli military official.

Trump seeks 'off-ramp' to war on Iran as Iran holds leverage over Hormuz Strait, Scott Ritter argues - YouTube

In his interview for Al Mayadeen, Scott Ritter argued that the current dynamics around the Strait of Hormuz expose a political dilemma for the United States, with Iran effectively holding the "on switch and the off switch," making it difficult for President Donald Trump to claim control.

Ritter said Trump is now searching for an "off-ramp", attempting to frame the reopening of the Strait as a result of his own "strong stance", even though "it looks too much like Iran is in charge."

He described this as a calculated narrative aimed at domestic audiences, stressing that "this isn't about Iranian security" but rather "Donald Trump's ego" and how it plays into US politics.

According to Ritter, Trump's strategy is to reshape perception by claiming that Iran acted in bad faith and that only his pressure forced a better deal, allowing him to eventually "declare victory" and lift the blockade, even if the reality on the ground proves otherwise.

'Myth of US stealth fighters over': Iranian hunter of US F-35 jet declares

The senior Iranian officer, who downed an intruding American F-35 fighter jet, says the myth of warplanes that are designed to evade radar detection is over.

Speaking on Sunday, the officer described as "truly indescribable" the excitement of his colleagues when they hit the F-35.

"We completely destroyed a Lockheed Martin technology," he added. "The myth of stealth fighters is over."

He also noted that his colleagues are present on the battlefield round-the-clock, hunting down enemy targets.

IRGC speeds up missile, drone rebuild during ceasefire - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, April 19 (YPA) - The commander of the Air Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Majid Mousavi, said Sunday that his forces are rapidly rebuilding missile and drone stockpiles during the current ceasefire, at a pace exceeding pre-war levels.

[...]

He stated that Iran's rearmament efforts during the truce have accelerated significantly, adding that adversaries are unable to match such conditions and rely on importing munitions from distant locations.

Iranian armed forces turn back two oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz: Report

Iran's armed forces intercepted the two oil tankers attempting to navigate through the Strait on Sunday, forcing them to alter their routes and retreat from the region, Tasnim news agency reported.

The latest development comes a day after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy said it was closing the strategic waterway after the United States chose to maintain its illegal blockade of Iranian ports in violation of the terms of a ceasefire.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC Navy noted the Islamic Republic had decided to allow non-military vessels to transit through the Strait along a certain corridor designated by Tehran after the ceasefire was announced.

"However, due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions, and as the American adversary has not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed as of this evening until this blockade is removed," the Corps said.

SUNDAY WIRE EP 591 - By Way of Deception - 21st Century Wire

This week on SUNDAY WIRE returns with host Patrick Henningsen, covering the biggest stories in the US and internationally. This week we cover Trump & Netanyahu's latest deception-their bait & switch, beyond the fake ceasefires and pantomime of negotiations, as the signals become clear of their plan to resume their war on Iran. Later in the Overdrive segment, we're joined by teammates Bryan "Hesher" McClain and Adam "Ruckus" Clark, for deeper comment and analysis on this week's earth-shaking geopolitical development. All this and more on this week's show.

More than 1,000 Tel Aviv homes left uninhabitable by Iran war: Mayor - Middle East Monitor

Israeli Channel 12 quoted Ron Huldai, who said that "more than 1,000 apartments in Tel Aviv are no longer fit for living" because of damage caused by Iranian missiles and drones.

12bytes: Gee, i'm just all broke up over this. In typical Israeli fashion, they don't bother to provide any detail regarding the "homes" that were destroyed, so allow me to fill in the likely gaps: 1) Iran doesn't target civilians or their homes. 2) many of these structures surely were not targeted at all, but were instead damaged by flying debris, including debris from Israeli interceptors and what few Iranian missiles/drones they successfully intercepted. 3) How many of these "homes" may have been used for military purposes?

IN OTHER NEWS...

Ryan D! Melania Zampolli & Epstein Trump Iran War Scam Exposed! AU - YouTube

The head of the NSDC proposed legalizing weapons for the civilian population of Ukraine

Andrei Kovalenko commented on the shooting in Kiev, which killed six people.

"Civilians should have weapons for self-defense. The legalization of "short-barreled guns" has long been necessary. This is my personal opinion," the head of the NSDC wrote on his Telegram channel.

His idea provoked a negative reaction from Ukrainians, who criticized the proposal in the comments to the publication, calling it dangerous and a threat to society.

END UPDATES

WSJ: Aides kept Trump out of Iran war room fearing 'impatience wouldn't help' | Middle East Eye

Aides kept US President Donald Trump out of the room during minute-by-minute updates on operations involving Iran, instead briefing him at key moments because they believed his impatience would not be helpful, a senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal.

After being informed that an American jet had been shot down with two airmen missing, Trump "screamed at aides for hours" and repeatedly said, "The Europeans aren't helping," according to the report.

It said he also referred to the Iran hostage crisis, warning, "If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter... it cost them the election."

The report said Trump demanded immediate action but faced logistical challenges as US forces have not operated on the ground in Iran since 1979.

It added that he resisted sending troops to seize Kharg Island, which handles most of Iran's oil exports, despite being told the mission could succeed. "They'll be sitting ducks," Trump said, citing concerns over potential casualties.

Trumps post prohibiting Israeli strikes on Lebanon leaves Netanyahu stunned, alarmed: Report

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally "stunned and alarmed" by a social media post by US President Donald Trump, in which the latter said the Israeli regime was "PROHIBITED" from attacking Lebanon, a report says.

[...]

The post published earlier in the day saw Trump assert, "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!"

Iran, US still 'far' from breakthrough amid Strait of Hormuz impasse | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera

"Trump says Iran cannot make use of its nuclear rights, but doesn't say for what crime. Who is he to deprive a nation of its rights?" Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by the Iranian Student News Agency.

The future of Iran's nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz are key sticking points in the negotiations.

The latest comments from the political leadership came after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, less than 24 hours after reopening it. The reversal, it said, was due to the continuing naval blockade of Iranian ports by the US.

Ghalibaf, one of Iran's top negotiators, called Washington's blockade "ignorant" and "foolish", saying Tehran would not allow others to transit the strait if its own ships were blocked.

He also said Iranian forces are "fully prepared" for the US to resume hostilities at any moment.

No enriched material to be shipped to US; maximalist demands preventing fresh talks: Official

An Iranian deputy foreign minister categorically rules out transfer of any enriched nuclear material from the Islamic Republic to the United States following controversial remarks made on the issue by President Donald Trump.

"I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to United States," Saeed Khatibzadeh told the Associated Press in an interview on Saturday.

"This is [a] non-starter and I can assure you that, while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we're not going to accept things that are nonstarters," he added.

Earlier, Trump had claimed that the US would go into Iran and "get all the nuclear dust," with some interpreting the remarks to be referring to Iran's highly-enriched uranium.

Second carrier burns as US fleet crumbles under grind of Iran war

Eight sailors were injured on April 14 when a fire broke out aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during scheduled maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia.

The US Navy confirmed the incident, saying the fire's cause remains under investigation.

The Eisenhower, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has been docked at the Virginia shipyard for 16 months undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period.

The incident follows a far more serious fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford - the Navy's largest and most advanced supercarrier - just one month earlier.

That fire reportedly took nearly 30 hours to contain, left more than 600 sailors without beds, and forced the $13 billion vessel to retreat to Souda Bay, Greece for repairs.

The timing of these incidents is significant. Both carriers were operating in or near the West Asia theater amid the US-Israeli joint terrorist war against Iran.

The Pentagon initially downplayed the Ford incident as a "non-combat-related fire in the ship's main laundry area," a characterization the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) dismissed as "absurd."

"The presence of the aircraft carrier in the Red Sea made it a legitimate target for the Iranian armed forces," the IRGC stated following the Ford's withdrawal, suggesting the vessel's retreat was combat-related rather than accidental.

US reverses on pledge not to renew Russian oil waiver - RT World News

The US has renewed a sanctions exemption allowing Russian crude and petroleum products already loaded onto tankers to be delivered and sold freely, the US Treasury Department has announced. The move came despite a pledge by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made two days prior that the waiver would not be extended.

The Consequences of Incompetence - Real Scott Ritter

The US lost the first round of the war with Iran decisively. If Trump decides to go a second round, the results will be disastrous for American and its allies.

For nearly 40 days, Israel and the United States carried out an extensive aerial campaign against Iran designed to topple the government and suppress Iran's ability to defend itself. This campaign failed to achieve any of its stated objectives. Instead, it devolved into a numbers game where inflated outcomes were sold to an unquestioning public by military professionals and politicians alike. The Iranian government not only withstood the efforts at decapitation-induced regime change, but actually strengthened its hold on power when the people of Iran, instead of turning on the Islamic Republic, rallied to its cause. Moreover, rather than suppressing Iran's ability to launch ballistic missiles and drones against US military bases, critical infrastructure in the Gulf Arab States, and Israel, Iran not only sustained its ability to strike, but deployed new generations of weapons that readily defeated all missile defense systems while, using intelligence information that permitted accurate targeting, destroyed critical military infrastructure worth tens of billions of dollars.

Seyed M. Marandi: Iran Just Put the Strait of Hormuz on LIMITED MODE - Signs Point MAJOR Escalation

Escalating Middle East tensions as Iran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz amid ceasefire violations. Analysis covers US-Iran negotiations, Israeli military actions in Lebanon, and warnings of a potential global economic crisis within weeks. Examines Iran's strategic leverage through energy routes, shifting regional power dynamics, and criticism of Western media narratives. Despite diplomatic efforts, renewed conflict risks remain high as economic pressures intensify. Gulf states reassess alliances while resistance movements demonstrate resilience. Control of critical shipping lanes marks a geopolitical turning point, with nuclear talks continuing amid deep distrust. The conversation highlights how ordinary populations bear the consequences of elite miscalculations, while the balance of power in West Asia undergoes significant transformation amid uncertainty over future negotiations and potential escalation.

Patrick Henningsen: Indian Ships FORCED to Turn Back Near Hormuz - Iran's Chilling Message to Trump

Analysis of escalating US-Iran tensions amid reports of joint US-Israel strike preparations on Iranian infrastructure. Examines Strait of Hormuz control, wartime international law, and global energy geopolitics. Critiques diplomacy as performative while analyzing Gulf states' positioning, US LNG strategy, and petrodollar dynamics. Explores risks of conflict expansion, tactical nuclear concerns, and shifting regional deterrence. With narrowing attack corridors and emerging European diplomatic efforts, questions sustainability of military escalation in an increasingly volatile Middle East.

LEGO - Style Revolution: How Iran Broke Out of an Information Blockade

Despite US efforts to suppress Iranian perspectives since 2021, Iran has challenged Washington's information blockade by using innovative communication tactics to present its narrative worldwide during the ongoing conflict.