Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to U.S. naval blockade

The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.

In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.

The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.

The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.

Iran had tightened control over the strait since Feb. 28, when it barred passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States after the two countries' joint strikes on Iranian territory. The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterway after peace negotiations with Iran in Pakistan's Islamabad collapsed.

Iranian deputy FM says no date set for next round of Iran-U.S. talks -- report

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Saturday that no date has been set yet for the second round of peace talks between Tehran and Washington, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Although progress has been made in reaching an agreement in negotiations with the United States, obstacles still remain, he told reporters on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which kicked off in the Turkish city of Antalya on Friday.

Hezbollah leader vows to retaliate against Israeli ceasefire violations, seeks fresh start with Lebanese gov't

Hezbollah's leader Naim Qassem said on Saturday the ceasefire with Israel must mean a complete halt to aggression, warning the group will retaliate against Israeli violations in southern Lebanon.

"There is no ceasefire from one side only," Qassem said in a statement, adding that Hezbollah fighters "will respond to violations of aggression accordingly."

He outlined five key steps: a permanent halt to hostilities across Lebanon, a full Israeli withdrawal, detainee releases, the return of displaced residents, and reconstruction with Arab and international support.

Hezbollah had not been defeated and would continue to pursue Lebanon's liberation and independence, he added.

Qassem also said Hezbollah is open to "a new page" of cooperation with the Lebanese government, stressing readiness to work with state institutions to strengthen national unity and safeguard sovereignty.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time (2100 GMT), following an earlier announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. military prepares to board Iran-linked ships in int'l waters: report

The U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.

The U.S. "will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran," Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday.

The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.

The operation would be carried out in part by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to Caine.

It marks a new phase of the U.S. pressure campaign against Tehran, dubbed "Economic Fury" by the Trump administration, aiming to maximize economic pressure on the Middle Eastern country as a temporary ceasefire between the two sides is set to expire next week.

Floods affect over 73,000 people across Afghanistan: UN

More than 73,000 people have been affected by recent floods across 31 provinces in Afghanistan over the past 12 days, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said, according to local media Tolo news on Saturday.

According to the report, the floods have caused extensive damage, destroying thousands of homes, agricultural land, and key infrastructure, including roads. Displaced families, particularly women and girls, are facing serious challenges in accessing healthcare services. Immediate needs include food, shelter, cash assistance, and psychosocial support.

Humanitarian agencies have called for increased assistance to address the growing needs and prevent further deterioration of living conditions.■