Lavrov tells Iran conflict has ‘no military solution’ Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that the conflict has “no military solution” and urged efforts to prevent any renewed escalation, Russia’s foreign ministry said. Lavrov also reaffirmed Moscow’s “unwavering readiness” to help resolve the crisis diplomatically. The ministry said Araghchi briefed him on recent US.
Video: Trump says AI Jesus image meant to show him as doctor US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure was intended to depict him as a doctor. Hours after posting the image, Trump deleted it, drawing widespread criticism, even from some religious conservatives who typically support him. “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor.
Vance says talks with Iran made progress, defends shipping blockade US Vice President JD Vance said recent talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad marked “a lot of progress,” while defending the administration’s decision to block Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “I wouldn’t just say that things went wrong… we made a lot of progress,” Vance told Fox News, adding the talks clarified areas of flexibility and US red lines. He described the meeting as a historic milestone, saying it was among the highest-level engagements between the two sides in years.
Iran demands compensation from five regional countries over war damage Iran demanded compensation from five regional countries over damage caused during the war, state news agency IRNA reported, quoting Tehran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani. Iravani said Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan had “breached their obligations” toward Iran under international law and should pay compensation for losses incurred during the conflict.
US and Iran keep talking as Trump's blockade takes effect US President Donald Trump said Iran “badly” wants to make a deal with his administration as his blockade against the Islamic Republic took effect on Monday and a fragile ceasefire held. "I can tell you that we've been called by the other side. They'd like to make a deal.
US energy chief: Oil prices likely to rise until 'meaningful' traffic resumes through Hormuz Oil prices are likely to continue rising until "meaningful" ship traffic resumes through the Strait of Hormuz, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Monday. Wright told the Semafor World Economy forum in Washington that despite previous comments he made that oil prices would likely come down soon, they are likely to stay high or even rise until a substantial flow of traffic resumes through the Strait of Hormuz.
US and Iran keep talking as Trump's blockade takes effect Submitted by Sean Mathews on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 21:41 US aircraft carrier makes circuitous journey around Africa to avoid Red Sea as Trump boasts about blockade US President Donald Trump receives a DoorDash delivery of McDonald's from Sharon Simmons before he speaks to the press during an event outside the Oval Office of the White House, on 13 April 2026 in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP) Off US President Donald Trump said Iran “badly” wants to make a deal with his administration as his blockade against the Islamic Republic took effect on Monday and a fragile ceasefire held. "I can tell you that we've been called by the other side. They'd like to make a deal.
Swift backlash from loyalists and adversaries after Trump depicts himself as Christ Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 19:21 The US president said he meant to show himself as a doctor 'making people better' A composite image shows US President Donald Trump alongside the AI-generated picture he posted on his Truth Social platform, depicting himself as Jesus Christ, after criticizing Pope Leo XIV (Mandel Ngan/AFP) Off The US president's feud with the first American pope appears to have led Donald Trump to declare himself to be Jesus Christ, in an AI-generated image on Sunday, which drew so much backlash that he deleted it by Monday. "I thought it was me as a doctor, and had to do with the Red Cross," Trump later told reporters at the White House. "It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better.
First US-Iran talks in decades end without deal but dialogue ‘still alive’ Iranian and US officials ended their highest-level talks in decades in Islamabad on Monday without a breakthrough; however, sources familiar with the negotiations said dialogue was still alive, Reuters reported. Among the slew of issues at stake was the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked, but the US has vowed to reopen, as well as Iran's nuclear programme and international sanctions on Tehran. A US source said the Iranians did not properly understand that the core US aim was to have a deal that ensured Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Israeli army bulldozes buildings in south Lebanon: Report The Israeli army bulldozed several buildings and landmarks in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, in the Tyre district, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency is reporting. The Israeli army has been launching attacks on southern Lebanon as it pushes on with a ground invasion.
J Street says Israel should pay out-of-pocket if it wants US weapons Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 18:09 The pro-Israel advocacy group likely changed its tune after widespread popular opposition to taxpayer-funded weapons Relatives of 23-year-old Ali Majed Hamadneh, who was shot dead by the Israeli military, gather during his funeral in the village of Deir Jarir, northeast of the city of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank, on 13 April 2026 (Zain Jaafar/AFP) Off The pro-Israel advocacy group J Street is now calling for an end to "direct" US military support to Israel, per a new policy document published on Monday. The group had previously backed Washington's continued provision of defensive weapons systems, such as the replenishment of Israel's Iron Dome, at no cost to Israelis . Now, it says the US "should continue to sell" short-range air and ballistic missile defence capabilities to Israel, but Israel should use its own money to pay for them.
There is 'continued engagement with Iran', US official says A US official said on Monday that “there was continued engagement between the United States and Iran an forward motion on trying to get to an agreement”, Reuters reported. Earlier on Monday, the US military began a blockade of ships leaving Iran's ports, President Donald Trump said, and Tehran threatened to retaliate against its Gulf neighbours' ports after weekend talks in Islamabad on ending the war broke down.
Hezbollah chief urges Lebanese government to cancel US-Israel talks Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Monday called on the Lebanese government to cancel a Tuesday meeting between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington DC, Reuters is reporting. In a televised speech, Qassem said Hezbollah will continue to confront Israeli attacks on Lebanon and described the talks as “pointless”. Lebanon's foreign minister said Beirut would use Tuesday's face-to-face negotiations to press for a ceasefire in the war.
How Orban's loss could damage the British right Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 14:36 The outgoing Hungarian prime minister set up a trans-national right-wing network centred on Budapest, but with his ousting the future of such institutions is unclear Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at a photoshoot to publicise a slogan ahead of the local elections in May, London, 10 April 2026 (AFP) Off In recent years, Hungary has emerged as a rallying point for European and American conservatives. Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has overseen the creation of a constellation of right-wing think tanks, publications and fellowships set up to support right-wing parties and movements across Europe and the US - and increase Hungarian soft power. Orban's network has had a particularly strong impact in Britain, attracting significant support from prominent figures in Reform UK, the British right-wing party currently dominating in the polls.
YouTube removes pro-Iran channel producing anti-Trump videos Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 15:45 Explosive Media's account suspended for violating 'Spam, deceptive practices and scams policies', YouTube says A screenshot from a video produced by Explosive Media, also known as Akhbar Enfejari (Screenshot/Explosive Media/Reddit) Off Google, the owners of YouTube, has removed a channel on the platform belonging to a pro- Iran group producing Lego-themed videos mocking Donald Trump. "Upon review, we’ve terminated the channel for violating our Spam, deceptive practices and scams policies," a YouTube spokesperson told Middle East Eye. "YouTube doesn’t allow spam, scams, or other deceptive practices that take advantage of the YouTube community.
Trump is returning to a war with Iran that offers no easy victory for anyone Submitted by David Hearst on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 12:07 With Iran, Trump now finds himself in much the same position that Netanyahu found himself in after the Gaza genocide US President Donald Trump looks on after disembarking Air Force One as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on 12 April, 2026 (Reuters) On It is entirely in keeping with the way he has managed this war that US President Donald Trump’s first reaction to the collapse of talks in Islamabad was to announce a measure that helps Iran more than it hurts it. Announcing his own blockade of the strait of Hormuz and vowing to hunt down the tankers that have got through would have the immediate effect of stopping Kuwait , the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia from exporting their oil. Three tankers from these countries passed through the strait during the ceasefire.
Video: Trump says he isn't 'a big fan' of Pope Leo Speaking to reporters on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said he wasn’t “a big fan” of Pope Leo, accusing him of being okay with Iran having a nuclear weapon. pic. twitter.
Trump says Iranian ships that come close to US blockade will be eliminated US President Donald Trump has warned that Iranian ships that come close to the US blockade of Iranian ports will be "immediately eliminated. " "Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated - 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, “fast attack ships,” because we did not consider them much of a threat," Trump said on Truth Social.
US blockade of Iran ports begins The Monday deadline set by US President Donald Trump for a naval blockade of Iranian ports has passed. Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after weekend peace talks with Tehran ended without an agreement. The US military announced Sunday it will begin blockading all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday at 1400 GMT, but will allow ships not coming or going to Iran to pass through the strait.
UK: Six Palestine Action activists stand trial over Elbit Systems break-in Submitted by Katherine Hearst on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 14:03 Defendants face criminal damage charges in connection with factory owned by Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer The defendants from left to right: Jordan Devlin, Leona Kamio, Charlotte Head, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Samuel Corner (Screengrab/X) Off Six defendants appeared in a UK court on Monday to stand trial on charges in connection with a Palestine Action raid on an Israeli -owned arms factory. Defendants Charlotte Head, 29, Jordan Devlin, 31, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, Samuel Corner, 23, and Leona Kamio, 30, face charges of criminal damage in connection with a break-in to a factory owned by Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems near Bristol in August 2024. Corner additionally faces a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for allegedly striking a police officer with a sledgehammer.
