Trump reports progress with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz…

Trump reports progress with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Pope denies personal attack

18.04.2026 10:00 HotInfo

US President Donald Trump declared that the United States is very close to concluding a peace deal with Iran, saying that no major points of contention remain between the parties. Trump claims that Iran has agreed to an unlimited suspension of its nuclear program and will not receive its frozen funds back from the US. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirms that the strategic Strait of Hormuz is being opened to all commercial vessels during the Middle East ceasefire. The head of the United Nations welcomes the opening of the strait and the easing of tensions in the region. SITA ↗

At the same time, however, Trump declared that without a peace deal, the United States will continue to block Iranian ports and may not extend the ceasefire past Wednesday. The president also declared a firm intention to confiscate Iranian uranium, suggesting that the US will "go in with a lot of excavators" and help Tehran dig up the material and transport it to the United States. Trump also criticized NATO for its alleged unwillingness to help the US in the war with Iran, calling the allies "cowards" and stating that their approach is a great disappointment to the United States. svet.sme.sk ↗

The Trump administration extended the waiver that allows countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil loaded on tankers for approximately one more month, a move meant to dampen price increases following the war with Iran. The Pentagon is quietly intensifying preparations for possible military operations against Cuba. Trump warned Cuba, suggesting that after Iran, the United States may also turn its attention to the Caribbean. According to available information, Cuba attempted to deliver a secret letter to the American president outside standard diplomatic channels, which was apparently meant to bypass the Secretary of State. However, the plan failed from the outset. ta3.com ↗

Diplomatic disputes further escalated. During his trip through Africa, Pope Leo XIV faced criticism from Trump over his statements regarding wartime conflicts. Five days after Trump's criticism, the Pope addressed the recent controversies, describing his remark about tyrants as a general warning against war. The Pope denies that it was a personal attack on Trump. Trump also got into a sharp conflict with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over views on world affairs and peace. aktuality.sk ↗

Talks between the US and Iran are set to continue. Europe has begun addressing the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, with Slovakia also offering help in monitoring the strait. Israel received an order from the US to stop bombing Lebanon in connection with the ceasefire agreement in the region. svet.sme.sk ↗