President Trump Addresses Key Issues Facing the Nation in

Exclusive CNBC Interview

 

The White House | April 21, 2026

 

 

This morning, President Donald J. Trump joined CNBC’s Squawk Box for an exclusive interview, delivering candid, wide-ranging remarks on some of the most pressing issues facing the country.

Click here to watch the full interview

Here’s what you missed:



• President Trump highlighted America’s powerful negotiating position with Iran: “What I think is that we’re going to end up with a great deal. I think they have no choice… We’re in a very strong negotiating position to do what other Presidents should’ve done during a 47-year period — we’ve had 47 years with these bloodthirsty people.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump outlined the benefits of a responsible agreement for the Iranian people: “Iran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal. They can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again. They have incredible people, but they seem to be bloodthirsty. They’re led by some very, very unfortunately tough people — and I don’t mean tough in a good way… They have to use reason and they have to use common sense, and they can get themselves into a great position to make themselves into a great country — but a legitimate country, not a country based on death and horror.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump stressed the U.S. remains prepared to take decisive action if negotiations fail: “I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with — but we’re ready to go.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump criticized Radical Left Democrats for undermining America’s interests: “I watch this Low IQ guy, Hakeem Jeffries— he’s a totally Low IQ person — and he’s always ranting and raving, ‘Oh, this war is so terrible.’ They shouldn’t be saying that when we’re in the midst of a negotiation because it does hurt us somewhat. It gives the other side some hope, and I don’t want them to have hope.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump warned of the catastrophic consequences of failing to confront the Iranian threat: “Do you want to see a bad stock market? Try blowing up the Middle East, and then Europe, and then they come for us. We’re not going to let that happen.”  (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump reaffirmed American strength and independence: “NATO said to me, ‘No, we’ll send somebody as soon as it’s over’… We don’t need them. We’ll never need them. Actually, they’ll need us — they need us desperately because they’re a paper tiger.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump voiced strong support for his nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh: “I want Kevin. I think Kevin’s great. He’s central casting in a true sense. I think he’s going to do a great job.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump discussed his views on interest rates: “I’ve been in favor of interest rates rate rises to stop inflation. I think it sort of is effective. But there’s one thing and nobody ever talks about it but me, unfortunately… We should have the lowest interest rate in the world.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump addressed challenges facing the airline industry: “Spirit is in trouble and I’d love somebody to buy Spirit. It’s 14,000 jobs… But with American, it’s doing fine, and United is doing very well… I don’t like having them merge.” (Watch)
  
  
• President Trump criticized the impact of NIL policies and court decisions on college sports: “Look what happened with NIL — they destroyed college sports, the courts… They had such a great system. It was a scholarship system. You get free college if you’re a good athlete, you get this, you get that, and it took care of every sport — fencing, not only football. Now, it’s all football, and the football is bringing down colleges because they’re losing [money]… The court system — a person that never had anything to do with sports, very liberal leaning, Democrat, liberal — she decided that the sports system that was in place for 150 years is no good… And because of that, college sports is a disaster right now.” (Watch)
  
  

Click here to watch the full interview.

 

FACT SHEET:

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

RESTORES MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON IRAN

FEBRUARY 4, 2025
 

RESTORING MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON IRAN: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) restoring maximum pressure on the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, denying Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon, and countering Iran’s malign influence abroad.

• The NSPM establishes that:
• Iran should be denied a nuclear weapon and intercontinental ballistic missiles;
• Iran’s terrorist network should be neutralized; and
• Iran’s aggressive development of missiles, as well as other asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities, should be countered.
• The NSPM directs the Secretary of the Treasury to impose maximum economic pressure on the Government of Iran, including by sanctioning or imposing enforcement mechanisms on those acting in violation of existing sanctions.
• The Treasury Secretary will also issue guidance for all relevant business sectors – including shipping, insurance, and port operators – about the risks to any person that knowingly violates U.S. sanctions with respect to Iran or an Iranian terror proxy.
• The Secretary of State will also modify or rescind existing sanctions waivers and cooperate with the Secretary of Treasury to implement a campaign aimed at driving Iran’s oil exports to zero.
• The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations will work with key allies to complete the snapback of international sanctions and restrictions on Iran.

PROTECTING THE HOMELAND FROM IRAN: The previous Administration’s tolerance of Iran’s threats to American citizens and companies ends now.

• The Attorney General will pursue all available legal steps to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute financial and logistical networks, operatives, or front groups inside the United States that are sponsored by Iran or an Iranian terror proxy.
• The Attorney General will prosecute leaders and members of Iranian-funded terrorist groups that have captured, harmed, or killed American citizens and seek their arrest and extradition to the United States.

TAKING IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM OFF THE TABLE: President Trump will not tolerate Iran possessing a nuclear weapons capability, nor will he stand for their sustained sponsorship of terrorism, especially against U.S. interests.

• In 2020, President Trump declared that “as long as [he is] President of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.”
• Today’s NSPM fulfills the President’s 2020 vow to contend with Iran’s pernicious influence across the globe:
• “For far too long — all the way back to 1979, to be exact — nations have tolerated Iran’s destructive and destabilizing behavior in the Middle East and beyond.  Those days are over.  Iran has been the leading sponsor of terrorism, and their pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens the civilized world.  We will never let that happen.”

Tensions between the US and Iran have sharply escalated after Washington seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, the ‘Touska,’ in the Gulf of Oman. The US Navy’s USS Spruance opened fire to disable the ship after it allegedly attempted to breach a naval blockade. Iran has condemned the move as ‘armed piracy,’ warned of imminent retaliation, and claims it has already responded with drone attacks targeting US military assets. The Strait of Hormuz remains on edge, with two Indian-flagged vessels forced to turn back following a firing incident. India has raised concerns over maritime safety, while oil prices surge amid fears of disruption. Meanwhile, US-Iran talks hang in uncertainty, with Tehran signaling it may skip the next round.

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USA and Iran Negotiation Result:   The talks concluded on 12 April 2026.  The negotiations lasted about 21 hours and ended with the United States and Iranian delegations leaving Islamabad without reaching a deal.  The main unresolved issues reportedly included Iran's nuclear program and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.  Other issues included sanctions relief and frozen assets. While the US side insisted on a phased relief linked to compliance, Iran demanded comprehensive lifting of sanctions and release of assets, including $6 billion in frozen assets, as a precondition to a meaningful deal.  Iranian officials said they had not expected an agreement to be reached in a single round of talks and that contacts were expected to continue.  Pakistani officials described the talks as part of an effort to preserve the ceasefire and encourage further diplomacy between the parties.   Iran's minister of foreign affairs Abbas Araghchi claimed that they were "inches away from an MoU" and accused the US delegation of moving the goalposts and maximizing.  More broadly, the Iranian delegation believed that Washington had to do more to earn their trust.  According to an analysis in Iran International, Iran's diplomacy following the failure of the talks has been to express defiance towards American pressure while leaving the possibility of future diplomacy still open.   USA President Trump claimed that Iran had "knowingly failed" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and USA Vice President Vance said that Iran had refused the possibility of not developing nuclear weapons.   According to a senior Pakistani government official cited by CBS News, Pakistan subsequently intensified diplomatic efforts to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table. Reports also indicated that Pakistani authorities began referring to the negotiations as part of a broader "Islamabad process", suggesting an effort to frame the engagement as an ongoing diplomatic track rather than a single round of talks. Pakistan remained in contact with both Washington and Tehran following the talks, urging a resumption of dialogue and seeking to facilitate a second round of negotiations before the expiration of the ceasefire in April 2026.   On 14 April, it was reported that USA and Iranian teams could be returning to Islamabad for talks to take place later in the week. USA President Donald J,. Trump said on the same day that "we're more inclined to go there [Islamabad]" and that talks in Islamabad were "more likely".     However, as of 20 April, it remains unclear if the Iranian side is planning to participate in the next round of talks. ---------- 10 POINT   Iran crafted its 10-point proposal in response to the 15-point plan the US administration submitted to Tehran through Pakistani intermediaries. The points, as reported by Iranian state media, are:   1- Complete halt to all aggression: Iran wants a permanent end to attacks, not just a temporary truce, and crucially wants protection extended to its network of proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis.   2- US military withdrawal from the region: Iran is calling for the withdrawal of US combat forces from the Middle East and a prohibition on attacks from regional military bases.   3- Recognition of Iran's right to nuclear enrichment: Iran wants Washington to formally recognise its right to enrich uranium on its own territory, which has consistently been the central US and Israeli concern in negotiations.   4- Lifting of all primary US sanctions: Iran is seeking the complete removal of primary sanctions, which bar US entities from doing business with Iran and form the backbone of Washington's economic pressure campaign.   5- Removal of all secondary sanctions: This would end sanctions against foreign entities that do business with Iranian institutions.   6- End of all UN Security Council resolutions: Iran is seeking the termination of all UN Security Council resolutions against it.   7- End of all IAEA resolutions on Iran's nuclear programme: Iran is seeking the removal of International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions criticising its nuclear activity, which is fundamentally incompatible with US non-proliferation policy.   8- US non-aggression guarantee: Iran is seeking a binding pledge that the US will never attack or threaten military force against the country.   9- Recognised control over the Strait of Hormuz: Iran is seeking controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in co-ordination with Iranian armed forces, which would mean Iran retains its leverage over the waterway.   10- Reparations and reconstruction: Iran is seeking compensation for damage caused during the conflict, something the US does not typically provide to adversarial governments for wartime damage.-

Ref: The National   {USA President Trump's 15-point plan}   The full US plan has not been officially published, but its key elements have been reported through US and Israeli media. it has also been leaked through mediators.   The plan is believed to mainly include Iran committing to no nuclear weapons, handing over its highly enriched uranium, limits on Tehran's defense capabilities, an end to regional proxy groups, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an acknowledgement of Israel's right to exist.   More specifically, reported points include:   1- Complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.   2- A permanent commitment from Iran to never develop nuclear weapons.   3- Handover of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium to the IAEA, with Iran no longer permitted to enrich uranium domestically.   4- A commitment to allow the IAEA to monitor all elements of Iran's remaining nuclear infrastructure.   5- Limits on Tehran's ballistic missile programme, including reportedly restrictions on both the range and number of missiles Iran can possess.   6- Cessation of support to militant groups in the region including Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.   7-The Strait of Hormuz would be declared a free maritime zone and remain permanently open.   8- An acknowledgement of Israel's right to exist – one of the most politically explosive demands given Iran's long-standing position.   9- The plan included an initial 30-day ceasefire during which the two sides would negotiate the terms of a broader deal.   10- Extensive sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for compliance with the above demands.   11- US support for electricity generation at Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant – a civilian carrot to soften the blow of dismantling military nuclear capabilities.   Iran had initially rejected the 15-point plan, with one official describing the demands as "largely excessive, unrealistic and unreasonable", despite US President Donald Trump claiming in late March that Tehran had agreed to "most of" the points.

 

On April 7 the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire to begin the next day. Later that day, Israel launched massive airstrikes on Lebanon. Iranian officials and Pakistani mediators said that the ceasefire was to include Lebanon, and Iran said it would end the ceasefire if Israel continued its attacks. Iranian national security adviser Mahdi Mohammadi said, "Without fully restraining America's rabid dog in Lebanon, there will be no ceasefire or negotiations, and the missiles are ready to launch".  Israel said the ceasefire did not include Lebanon.

 

On April 9, Israel agreed to hold direct talks with the Lebanese government under US pressure, but claimed that the ceasefire did not apply to Lebanon.

 

USA President Trump claimed that the Iranians were "agreeing to all the things that they have to agree to".  However, the strait did not reopen. The US began a minie-clearing operation.

 

On April 11, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner arrived in Islamabad for peace talks. The Iranian delegation included Araghchi and Ghalibar.  

 

On April 12, USA Vice President Vance left, saying that the negotiations produced no agreement.  Baghaei said that the talks ended with gaps on major issues. Ghalibaf stated that trust had not been established.

 

USA President Trump announced a US naval blockade of Iranian ports from April 13. On April 14, it was reported that US and Iranian teams were returning to Islamabad for talks to take place later in the week.

 

On 15 April, Trump said that he wants end the war with Iran end swiftly.  However, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said that Trump had a red line to not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, it has been always has been conerns and issues by the world and U.S.A to resolve the nuclear issues and it will use the force if necessary to accomplish that.  

 

As of April 20, it remains unclear if the Iranian side is planning to participate in the next round of talks.

 

President Trump’s Powerful Leadership Highlights American Strength as Energy Dominance Delivers Global Stability
 

White House | April 14, 2026

 

President Donald J. Trump has directed a bold and decisive U.S. naval blockade to counter Iranian aggression and restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz — a masterstroke of American leadership that showcases a level of power and strength the world has never before witnessed.

 

As this historic action unfolds, America’s record-breaking energy production is providing a critical lifeline to the world. Thanks to President Trump’s American energy dominance agenda, the U.S. stands as the world’s top energy producer and exporter — ready to supply reliable, abundant energy to nations cut off from Middle Eastern crude.

 

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• As of yesterday, 167 crude tankers had declared U.S. destinations, with 103 empty vessels heading to American ports to load U.S. crude.
• Of those, 54 were Very Large Crude Carriers, each capable of carrying approximately two million barrels.
• Many had recently unloaded elsewhere and are now steaming to the Gulf of America — including 20 empty tankers under European flags and 20 under Asian flags.
  
  

President Trump’s energy policies have shattered records and secured America’s position as the undisputed global energy leader:



• U.S. natural gas production hit a record 118.5 billion cubic feet per day, with new record highs forecasted in both 2026 and 2027.
• America became the first nation in history to export more than 100 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a single year — reversing years of Biden-era restrictions.
• Crude oil production reached an all-time high of 13.6 million barrels per day.
• U.S. offshore oil production also set a new record.
• The Trump Administration opened vast new areas for oil, gas, and coal development, approved nearly 6,000 drilling permits on federal and Native American lands (a 55% increase over the prior year), and advanced multiple new LNG export terminals.

Today, the United States produces more oil than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined and more natural gas than Russia, Iran, and China combined—securing its role as the undisputed global energy leader.

President Trump’s energy dominance agenda is more than policy; it is American strength. While adversaries weaponize energy, America delivers it.

 

US Navy Destroyers Finished Mine Clearance in Strait of Hormuz - What Made This Possible?


April 19, 2026



 

 

 

 

April 11 Epic Naval break down the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis — where naval mines shut down nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply, leaving over 150 tankers stranded and global markets in shock.

 

From Cold War-era contact mines to advanced influence systems like the Maham-2 and rocket-propelled threats like the EM-52, this isn’t just about weapons — it’s about how something so simple can defeat something so powerful.

 

You’ll see why even total naval dominance wasn’t enough… how just a few mines created global chaos… and why clearing 90% of a minefield still means failure.

 







 

Mine warfare has been an integral part of Iran’s naval strategy since the Tanker War.

Iran has an estimated inventory of more IRAN MILITARY POWER Ensuring Regime Survival and Securing Regional Dominance than 5,000 naval mines, which include contact and influence mines. Both navies have devised strategies to rapidly deploy mines while improving force survivability. Iran has a variety of vessels that can lay mines, but the IRGCN has integrated its doctrine of using smaller, faster vessels into its mine-laying strategy. Iran has equipped many of its Ashoora small boats with mine rails capable of holding at least one mine.

 Iran also maintains an estimated inventory of more than 5,000 naval mines, including contact and influence mines, which it can rapidly deploy in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz using high-speed small boats equipped as minelayers.190,191,192 [For more details on Iran’s naval

forces, Ref:  DIA: see Appendix B.

 

 

Iran’s naval programs are primarily aimed at deterring adversaries from operating close to Iranian territorial waters. As such, Tehran’s naval modernization efforts focus on providing

the IRAN and IRGCN with increasingly lethal platforms and weapons—including advanced mines and torpedoes, small submarines,

fast attack craft, and ship- and shore-based ASCMs—that further complicate freedom of navigation throughout Iran’s littoral.

 

Iran also produces a variety of naval weapon systems, including ASCMs, mines, and torpe DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 85 does. Iran’s domestically produced ASCMs are based on the Chinese C704 and C802. AIO produces the 35-kilom eter-range C704 as the Nasr and the 120-kilometer-range C802 as the Noor.

It has also developed extended-range variants of the C802/Noor.

 

 Iran’s naval forces will field increasingly capable platforms and weap

ons, including improved naval mines, faster and more lethal surface platforms, more-advanced ASCMs, larger and more-sophisticated submarines, and new ASBMs.

 

(The IRGCN is geographically divided into five NDs, with the central IRGCN headquarters at Bandar Abbas.

• 1st ND: Headquartered at Bandar Abbas (Shahid Bahonar); responsible for the Strait of Hormuz

• 2nd ND: Headquartered at Bushehr; responsible for the north-central Persian Gulf

 

• 3rd ND: Headquartered at Bandar Mahshahr; responsible for the northern Persian Gulf

• 4th ND: Headquartered at Asaluyeh; responsible for the central Persian Gulf

 

• 5th ND: Headquartered at Bandar Lengeh; responsible for the southern Persian Gulf, including the disputed islands of Lesser Tunb, Greater Tunb, and Abu Musa291

 

Huthi forces hold and defend territory in northern Yemen, disrupt Saudi-led coalition movement and supply efforts, and conduct

retaliatory and offensive strikes against the coalition. Huthi fighters are armed with small arms, artillery, and tanks from preconflict Yemeni stockpiles.331 Iranian-supported Huthi missile forces have conducted multiple ballistic missile attacks against Saudi Arabia—with

targets including the capital, Riyadh, and a Saudi oil refinery—using Iranian SRBMs. Huthi maritime forces have ASCMs, naval mines, manned and unmanned explosive boats, and other small boats used for smallAustralian HMAS Darwin interdicts a dhow in the Gulf of Oman with Iranian armsintended for the Huthis.Image Source: Commonwealth of Australiaarms attacks.332,333 The Huthis possess most of the surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) from Yemen’s prewar stockpiles and have modified air-to-air missiles (AAMs) for use as SAMs.

 

In 2018, Saudi-led coalition forces also seized advanced Iranian SAMs en route to the Huthis during countersmuggling operations.334 The Huthishave also used Iranian UAVs to attack Saudi-led coalition Patriot batteries

Iranian mine warfare

 

On 1988:  

Apr: USS Samuel B. Roberts mined; Operation PRAYING MANTIS

 

On 14 April 1988, the USS Samuel B. Roberts was struck by an Iranian naval mine. In response 4 days later, the United States launched Operation PRAYING MANTIS against Iranian naval forces, sinking several Iranian vessels.

 

Jul: Iran Air Flight 655 shot down by USS Vincennes; Iran accepts UN ceasefire

 

Aug: War ends

 

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To achieve its goals, Iran continues to rely on its unconventional warfare elements and asymmetric capabilities—

intended to exploit the perceived weaknesses of a superior adversary—to provide deterrence and project power.

This combination of lethal conventional capabilities and proxy forces poses a persistent threat. The Islamic

Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force leads Iranian power projection through a complex network of state and

nonstate partners and militant proxies. Iran’s conventional military emphasizes niche capabilities and guerilla

style tactics against its technologically advanced adversaries. Its substantial arsenal of ballistic missiles is

designed to overwhelm U.S. forces and our partners in the region. Its swarms of small boats, large inventory of

naval mines, and arsenal of antiship missiles can severely disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz—a

strategic chokepoint critical to global trade. Each of these forces are becoming increasingly survivable, precise,

 

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Naval mines are essentially a defensive weapon employed for access denial where their operator is seeking to manipulate the movement of enemy forces by restricting access to critical spaces. Mine warfare plays a crucial part in the Iranian A2/AD strategy. By deploying mines, the Iranians intend to slow and disrupt the movement of maritime forces operating in the Strait’s relatively restricted waters, making ships easier to target.

 

Iran is believed to possess around 6000 mines.  It is one of two dozen nations that can manufacture mines domestically. Naval mines can be adapted for use against specific target sets – different types of naval mine are defined according to their actuation triggers. Different types are defined according to their actuation triggers and the position in the water they are designed to be laid. Iran possesses or produces bottom-moored contact mines (which were used extensively during the Tanker War), moored and bottom-influence mines incorporating magnetic, acoustic, and pressure fuses, limpet mines, drifting mines, and remotely controlled mines.

 

Iran might deploy its less sophisticated mines from a variety of surface vessels, while it reserves its submarine force to lay influence mines covertly. The primary goal is to deny passage and force foreign forces to engage in prolonged mine countermeasure operations while under threat from Iranian shore-based attacks.  The ability of Iranian forces to rapidly deploy mines depends in variables related to its minelaying platforms. For the types of mines, Iran possesses, submarines represent the best mine-laying platforms using high-speed small boats.  Besides small speedboats and submarines, nondescript civilian vessels manned by military crews to covertly mine shipping corridors and harbor entrances, would additionally be used as minelaying platforms.

 

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Anti-ship cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz

 

Iran possesses a large number of shore-, ship-based, and air-launched anti-ship missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles. These assets include shore batteries of anti-ship cruise missiles near the Strait, along its coast and on its islands in the Gulf, many of which are on mobile launchers. Many of Iran’s missiles can be deployed on the smaller, harder to detect, and more expendable ships and boats, some could be remotely targeted by maritime patrol aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles. While many of its missiles are relatively short-ranged, the Strait of Hormuz is only 40 km wide at its narrowest point, and Iran has many islands near the shipping channels. Smaller ships and boats are harder to detect by radar, and Iran might mount some missiles on commercial ships – a tactic it has practised with other types of missiles. Iran’s primary naval platforms for delivering anti-ship cruise missiles are its fast missile boats. Nevertheless, Iran may have put some of its missiles on relatively vulnerable platforms such as inland truck-mounted batteries. The maximum effective range of Iran’s anti-ship cruise missiles may be limited more by their target acquisition radars than their onboard fuel capacity. This suggests that, in keeping with its asymmetric maritime strategy, Iran could use target data from submarines, small military and civilian vessels, and unmanned aerial vehicles, under the condition that these platforms have precision navigation and the ability to communicate with shore-based anti-ship cruise missile batteries.  Iran would deploy its land-based ASCM from camouflaged and hardened sites to firing positions along its coastline and on Iranian-occupied islands in the Strait of Hormuz while placing decoys at false firing positions to complicate countermeasures.  Although Iran’s long-range coastal artillery and shore-based anti-ship missiles can provide some level of area denial over substantial parts of the Strait, surface vessels are required to control the Gulf.  However, significant uncertainties exist regarding the types, numbers, and performance characteristics of missiles in Iran’s inventory; how many mobile launchers; how they are located across naval versus land-based or air-based platforms.

 

The A2/AD threat in the Strait of Hormuz

 

A decisive factor in A2/AD strategies is geography. However, a specific geography is not a necessary component of an A2/AD strategy, it can prove helpful for particular operations on land and sea as geographical chokepoints and difficult terrain provide favorable opportunities for A2/AD operations. Maritime chokepoints lend themselves well into anti-access measures and make it easier to implement area denial strategies.

An anti- access strategy is easiest to implement when there are limited ways to reach the target under the best circumstances. In littoral areas within a few hundred miles of the coast, like the Strait of Hormuz, there are a number of A2/AD capabilities forces could make use of. For instance, Krepinevich concept of A2/AD is to describe the threat posed by long-range missile systems, precision munitions, and satellite technology that will make military operations in the littoral areas challenging for naval forces. Demonstrated or available A2/AD systems include over-the- horizon targeting systems, long-range strike aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles and in some way ballistic missiles, submarines and missile-firing surface combatants, swarming fast attack craft, mines, and coastal defense artillery. Additionally, integrated air defenses seek to prevent naval strike aircraft, aerial delivery platforms, and land-attack cruise missiles.

 

Iran holds an advantageous geographic position at the Strait of Hormuz that allows it to control the northern shore of the maritime chokepoint. Iran’s enviable geographic position astride the Strait gives it a range of options for delaying movements through the Strait. The geographical features of the Persian Gulf region combined with Iran’s weakness in a direct military competition with a considerably stronger force suggests that Iran will pursue an asymmetric hybrid A2/AD strategy that mixes advanced technology with guerilla tactics to deny the foreign forces access and freedom of maneuver.

 

The Iranian military complex includes a variety of weapons that could be used to deny access to the Persian Gulf. It includes ballistic missiles that can reach targets across the Persian Gulf region, anti-ship cruise missiles, a variety of mines, fast attack craft, and other advanced weaponry to exert their control over the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Iran might pursue an A2/AD strategy suited to its relatively modest resources and geographic and geostrategic attributes of the region. Teheran would seek to impose costs on a foreign force by using a layered approach that begins with offensive strikes over long ranges and culminates with defenses that increase in intensity with a foreign forces approach. An Iranian military campaign, attempting to sabotage or block the passage would depend on its ability to coordinate the use of mines, anti-ship cruise missiles, and air defense to create a littoral trap for any intervening force. Iran would start by laying minefields in and around the Strait's shipping channels, as well as using anti-ship cruise missiles against merchant traffic and any foreign force mine countermeasure and convoy vessels.  

 

The geography of the waterway plays an important role for the Iranian Navy and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy to exploit its features for their A2/AD strategy. The Strait provides a very narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf. It is approximately 180-kilometer- long and at its narrowest point 40 kilometers wide and probably no more than 60 meters at its deepest. It contains two shipping lanes for large vessels, each 3.2 km wide, with a 3.2-kilometer- wide buffer zone between them. The northern channel is within only a few dozen kilometers of the Iranian coast.[8]

 

For Teheran’s navies that means that they would benefit from very short lines of communications. The proximity of the Strait of Hormuz to major Iranian port facilities, such as Bandar Abbas, would permit Iran’s large inventory of small boats, fast attack craft, and fast inshore attack craft equipped with naval mines to rapidly engage or disengage from maritime exclusion operations. Iran has developed a guerilla warfare strategy intended to exploit the perceived weaknesses of traditional naval forces that rely on large vessels. Furthermore, the geography of the waterway enables Iran to use smart mines, small boats swarming attacks, short-range unmanned aerial vehicles, and shore-based anti-ship missiles to deny military and civilian vessels safe passage. The Gulf's acoustic conditions and relative shallowness may also degrade anti-submarine warfare.

 

Iran's anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy in the Strait of Hormuz mixes advanced technology with guerilla tactics to deny, deter or delay foreign forces access and maritime freedom of maneuver. The regular attempt by adversaries to deny one another freedom of movement on the battlefield can be observed throughout history . What makes anti-access/area-denial nowadays different from the past is the rapid improvement in military and communication technology in recent decades and new ways of implementing these strategies that such technology creates. Most scholarly attention seems to have gone to Chinese anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, most likely because modern military technology is required to uphold A2/AD, it is almost always exclusively practiced by advanced regional powers like China. The A2/AD portfolio leverages diplomatic, information, military, and economic (DIME) activities. The focus of the Iranian A2/AD threat in the Strait of Hormuz is limited to the military dimension.

 

Historically, A2/AD strategies have been employed by several different actors over time but they are particularly attractive when geography and/or political circumstances support them.  Most often, the force implementing A2/AD strategies is the strategically weaker force. That is, when implementing this strategy, one does not have to be the strongest force, just strong enough to prevent the other force from gaining access to the theater of operations they seek to conquer.  A2/AD concepts have been presented interchangeably as asymmetric defensive and offensive measures restricting military freedom of movement of forces already into theatre, thereby utilizing attack aircraft, warships, and specialized ballistic and cruise missiles designed to strike key targets, which is anti-access, and denying the freedom of movement of forces already there, employing more defensive means, that is area denial.  Conceptualizations vary in their scope or their focus either on the strategic or operational level.

 

 

Iran–United States Nuclear negotiations Failed


April 11, 2026

 

 

 

On April 11, U.S. Vice President JD Vance with President U.S. 45th and 47th President Donald J. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived in Islamabad for peace talks with Iranian officials. The Iranian delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the speaker of Iran’s Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived there earlier.  On April 12, U.S Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan, saying that the negotiations had not led to an agreement.  

 

Following the failure of negotiations, President Trump addressed  a "full naval blockade" during the Fox interview with Maria Bartiromo  on Fox News Live "Sunday Morning Futures" Interview.

Secretary Hegseth and Chairman Caine hold
a press briefing on
Operation Epic Fury - 04/08/2026Wh

 

Admiral Brad Cooper Announces Success of
Operation Epic Fury Victory in Iran

Peace Through Strength: Operation Epic Fury Crushes
Iranian Threat as Ceasefire Takes Hold

White House | April 06, 2026

President Donald J. Trump laid out clear objectives in Operation Epic Fury — and in just 38 days, the greatest fighting force the world has ever known has met those objectives with overwhelming strength and lethal precision. Iran has now agreed to a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz as the Trump Administration negotiates a broader peace agreement — once more proving Peace Through Strength victorious.

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: “From the strike that took out Qasem Soleimani to tearing up the disastrous Obama Iran deal, to the precision campaign that obliterated Iran’s nuclear sites in Operation Midnight Hammer to the decisive military victory we just achieved in Operation Epic Fury, no other President has shown the courage and resolve of this Commander-in-Chief. President Trump forged this moment. Iran begged for this ceasefire — and we all know it.”
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine: “On February 28, the President of the United States ordered the Joint Force to execute Operation Epic Fury with the direction to accomplish three distinct military objectives: destroy Iran’s ballistic missile and drone capabilities, destroy the Iranian navy, and destroy their defense industrial base to ensure that Iran cannot reconstitute the ability to project power outside their borders. Over the course of 38 days of major combat operation, the joint force achieved the military objectives as defined by the President.”
• White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “This is a victory for the United States of America that the President and our incredible military made happen. From the very beginning of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump stated this would be a four-to-six-week military operation to dismantle the military threat posed by the radical Islamic Iranian regime. Thanks to the unbelievable capabilities of America’s warfighters, the United States has achieved and exceeded those core military objectives in just 38 days.”
  
  

A Showcase of American Military Superiority:

• Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capacity has been razed. More than 85% of the regime’s defense industrial base, including the majority of its ballistic missiles, launcher vehicles, and long-range attack drones, has been destroyed — eliminating its ability to project power and use these capabilities as a shield around their ultimate pursuit of nuclear weapons.
• Iran’s air forces have been functionally neutered. Before Operation Epic Fury, the Iranian air force would fly between 30 to 100 flights each day; today, that number is zero.
• Iran’s navy has been obliterated. 150 warships across 16 classes have been destroyed, every submarine has been sunk, and 97% of its once-massive inventory of naval mines have been eliminated.
• Iran can no longer arm terrorist proxies. The majority of the regime’s offensive weapons are destroyed and the regime can no longer manufacture new terror weapons like ballistic missiles and long-range drones.
• Iran’s once-vaunted space program has been devastated. 70% of its launch facilities and ground control stations have been destroyed or degraded, preventing the regime from using space for military purposes.
• What’s left of the Iranian regime is desperate, dejected, and in denial. Iran’s command and control structures have been shattered by more than 2,000 strikes, triggering leadership losses, paralysis, and military desertions.
  
  

Operation Epic Fury by the Numbers:

• Over 10,200 total air sorties flown
• Over 13,000 targets struck, including:
• More than 2,000 command and control targets
• More than 1,450 defense and industrial base targets
• More than 1,500 air defense targets
• More than 700 mine systems
• Approximately 800 attack drone targets
• More than 600 naval targets
• More than 450 ballistic missile targets
• Over 1,000 incoming attack drone threats intercepted
• Over 700 ballistic missile threats intercepted

The overwhelming might and fury of the American military gave President Trump maximum leverage. As the Trump Administration enters this next phase of negotiations, it is clear that America stands stronger, our enemies weaker, and the world safer.

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV Urges Leaders to
Choose Peace Over Domination,
Announces Prayer Vigil

By RVA News

April 06, 2026

VATICAN News 4-06-26: Pope Leo XIV on Easter Sunday called on world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose dialogue over domination, warning against growing in difference to violence and suffering.

In his traditional Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) message delivered to tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope urged those in positions of power to pursue peace rooted in encounter and reconciliation.

“Let those who have weapons lay them down,” he said, according to Vatican News. He stressed that true peace must not be “imposed by force,” but built through genuine human encounter.

The Pope warned that the world is becoming increasingly desensitized to violence. “We are growing accustomed to violence,” he said, noting a rising indifference not only to the loss of life but also to the hatred, division, and wider social and economic consequences caused by war.

Echoing a phrase often used by Pope Francis, he cautioned against what he described as a “globalization of indifference.”

“We cannot continue to be indifferent,” he said. “We cannot resign ourselves to evil.”

As a concrete response, the Pope announced that he will lead a prayer vigil for peace on April 11 at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Reflecting on the meaning of Easter, Pope Leo said Christ’s Resurrection signifies victory over death and evil. However, he emphasized that this victory was achieved not through force, but through nonviolence and self-giving love.

According to Vatican News, the Pope described this love as the “true strength” that builds peace, fosters relationships, and renews both individuals and societies.

He concluded by noting that Easter peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but an inner transformation of the human heart.

“Let us allow ourselves to be transformed by the peace of Christ,” he said, entrusting to God all those who suffer and long for lasting peace.

The Urbi et Orbi blessing, one of the most significant papal messages of the year, traditionally addresses both the city of Rome and the wider world, offering a global call to reflection and renewal.

U.S. special forces executed a daring rescue of the F-15E Strike Eagle Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) shot down over Iran on Day 37 of Operation Epic Fury, deep in the rugged Zagros Mountains near Dehdasht. Watch the full breakdown of this high-risk combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission involving Night Stalkers Little Birds, Air Force PJs, DEVGRU operators, A-10 Warthogs, MQ-9 Reapers, and the secretive 427th Special Operations Squadron’s C-295W, as they battled through a massive firefight to extract the downed colonel. President Trump announced “WE GOT HIM!” — no Americans killed in one of the boldest behind-enemy-lines rescues in modern U.S. military history. Leave no one behind!

April 3rd , 2026

A US-manned F-15E Strike Eagle (example pictured)  was shot down over Iran

Iranian drones hit the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait and set it on fire in multiple locations.



 



Explosions were reported in many places across Iran, including Alborz, Bushehr, Fars, Isfahan, Khuzestan, and Tehran.

 

Kuwait authorities reported Iranian drones damaged a desalination plant.

 

Abu Dhabi media office reported debris from an interception caused a fire in the Habshan gas facility.

 

An Egyptian citizen was killed and four other foreign nationals were injured by interception debris.

 

Iranian forces shot down a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over the country, prompting a search and rescue mission by U.S. helicopters. One of the crew members was rescued by US forces.

 

Iranian cluster munitions caused extensive damage in Kiryat Ata and injured one person.

 

The Israeli government extended operational reserve duty for current and future reservists to approximately nine weeks.

 

Emirates Global Aluminium reported that an Iranian attack on its plant in Abu Dhabi caused significant damage and may take up to a year to restore its full production.

 

A US A-10 Warthog crashed into the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz. The pilot was rescued.

During the 2026 Iran War, ballistic missiles were used to target US bases as well as targets in neighboring Arab states, as well as Israel. The IDF and the US began a campaign of airstrikes targeting the ballistic missile launchers to limit the ability of Iran to launch missiles.  As a result the number of daily ballistic missile launches was reduced by 86%.

 

Iran reportedly fired missiles towards the UK-US base on Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, which is around 4,000km (2,500 miles) from Iran. However, an Iranian official later denied the claim.

 

Iran's ballistic missile arsenal is estimated to include over 3,000 missiles. This large inventory comprises a diverse array of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), with a range of 300–1000 km, and medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) with a range of 1000–3000 km.  According to a statement made by Iranian Parliament member of the Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, Amir Hayat Moghadam, all of Europe, and in particular Britain, France and Germany are in range of Iranian MRBMs, while major US cities such as Washington and New York, beyond range at approximately 10,000 km away, may be targeted by missiles launched from the sea.

Iran has numerous ballistic-missile bases spread across the country, with many underground, including:

1. Khorramabad Underground Missile Base: Located in Lorestan province, this base is known to have the most missile silos in the country.
2. Imam Ali Missile Base: One of two Iranian silo missile bases, large enough to store and deploy Shahab-3 missiles as well as mobile erector-launchers. The base consists of a storage facility and a missile launch facility, and is heavily guarded.
3. Tabriz Missile Base: Iran's second silo missile base, located in northwestern Iran, potentially threatens parts of Eastern and Central Europe, with an approximate launch area of approximately 50,000 km square.  According to various reports, the site contains hardened silos and transporter erector launchers (TEL) for the Shahab-1, Shahab-2 and potentially Shahab-3 missiles. The site was damaged during the June 2025 airstrikes, though its operational status is unknown.
4. Kenesht Canyon Underground Base: Situated in Kermanshah province.
5. Panj Pelleh Underground Base: Also located in Kermanshah province.
6. Bakhtaran Missile Base: Located in western Iran, this base is strategically positioned for potential launches against targets in Israel, the Gulf States, and Europe.  It houses an underground facility, two missile storage areas and two launch pads.
7. Haji Abad Missile Base: A suspected new hardened launch site near Haji Abad, though its exact location is not disclosed.
8. Undisclosed Gulf Location: On January 18, 2025, the IRGC navy unveiled an underground naval missile base at an undisclosed location in the Gulf region34.
9. Southern Iran Coastal Areas: On February 2, 2025, the IRGC navy unveiled another underground missile base in the coastal areas of southern Iran.

Iran has missile bases in all provinces and cities throughout the country, with many at depths of 500 meters underground.  The locations of many of these bases remain classified for security reasons. Iran continues to expand its missile production capabilities, with recent unveilings of underground "missile cities" showing its growing arsenal.

 

 

Mar 31, 2026, Sky News Australia

Hundreds of Iranian protesters gathered in Washington, DC, to “thank” US President Donald Trump’s war with Iran.

 

On Sunday, Iranian supporters were seen waving the American and Israeli flags as the conflict in the Middle East entered its second month.

 

The gathering of pro-Trump Iranian supporters came the same day several ‘No Kings’ demonstrators gathered to protest Trump.

 

Iranian supporters of Trump gathered in the thousands to chant “thank you, thank you, President Trump”.

 

 

CBN News, April 2nd, FULL SPEECH: Reza Pahlavi's Powerful Message to Liberty University Students on the Truth from Iran

Mar 6, 2026

BREAKING: Reza Pahlavi 'Accepts' Transitional Leadership of Iran

 CBN’s Raj Nair is joined by Nicole Jansezian, a Jerusalem-based journalist, to find out the breaking details.

CBN News

.The Fifth week:   28 March – present

The Houthis joined the war on 28 March conducting a ballistic missile attack towards Israel and triggering air raid sirens in Beersheba.  The Houthis said that they had launched ballistic missiles targeting "sensitive" military sites in Israel, and vowed to continue the attacks "until the aggression on all resistance fronts stops." The missile was intercepted and no casualties were reported.  The Houthis subsequently launched a second missile at Eilat.  In response, the internationally recognized Yemeni government condemned Iran's "frequent attempts to drag Yemen" into conflict "through its terrorist militias."  On the same day, 2,500 U.S. marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Middle East. They are intended to be part of the effort to open the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command stated that it had struck over 11,000 targets in Iran since the beginning of the war. On 28 March, joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes severely damaged several residential and civilian facilities, including the Iran University of Science and Technology. In response, Iran threatened to attack Israeli and American colleges across the Middle East.  Airstrikes also struck a 10,000-cubic-meter water reservoir in Haftkel, in Khuzestan province.

On 29 March, joint U.S.–Israeli strikes bombed the port city of Bandar Khamir in southern Iran, killing at least five people.  An Iranian missile struck a chemical plant in the Ne'ot Hovav industrial zone, injuring one person and causing fears of a hazardous leak. A convoy of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces was seen entering Khorramshahr in southwestern Iran.  11-years-old child soldier Alireza Jafari died following an Israeli drone strike.

On 30 March, President Trump said on Truth Social that if a deal was not reached soon and the Strait of Hormuz reopened, the US would conclude the war by destroying all of Iran's power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and possibly all its desalinization plants.  On the same day Turkey and NATO intercepted the fourth missile directed towards Turkish territory. Iran denied firing a missile at Turkey, claiming that it was a false flag attack.  The U.S. began flying B-52 bombers over Iranian territory for the first time. The U.S. used bombers to target an ammunition depot and air base in Isfahan, causing vast explosions.