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Most Israelis oppose Iran ceasefire, reject talks: Poll

The Cradle | April 13, 2026

A majority of Israelis are against the ceasefire with Iran and anticipate that it will collapse within the coming year, according to a poll carried out by Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies.

The survey was carried out between 9 and 10 April.

According to the results, 61 percent of Israelis oppose the cessation of hostilities with the Islamic Republic.

Seventy-three percent said Tel Aviv will have to resume the war, while 76 percent said that talks will not achieve Israeli objectives.

Additionally, 69 percent say Israel must continue the indiscriminate strikes on Lebanon and military operations against Hezbollah. Only 23 percent believe Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire.

The new poll also reveals that 62 percent are not convinced that the war against Lebanon will bring security and stability to Israelis.

Just 20 percent of supporters of the ruling coalition said they backed the truce, while only 31 percent of opposition voters expressed the same view. … continue

Trump’s desperate bombasts amount to war crimes

By William J. Watkins Jr. | The Libertarian Institute | April 13, 2026

President Donald Trump owes the Pakistanis for securing a fourteen-day ceasefire with Iran. He now has a chance to extricate the United States from the biggest blunder of his second term. Tensions, however, remain high. “It is emphasized that this does not signify the termination of the war,” the Iranian government said in a formal statement. “Our hands remain upon the trigger, and should the slightest error be committed by the enemy, it shall be met with full force.”

One must worry that Trump does not appreciate the ceasefire off-ramp as good luck or an unmerited gift; instead, he likely will credit his threats to destroy “a whole civilization…never to be brought back again.” If the ceasefire breaks down, Trump could fulfill his commitment to “rain Hell” on Iran.

While typing away on Truth Social, Trump is oblivious that he is giving an anticipatory confession to war crimes. In addition to the posts quoted above, the president has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants, oil wells, and desalinization facilities if certain demands are rejected. Civilizational devastation, Trump raved, “will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regime’s 47 year ‘Reign of Terror.’”

Trump’s promises violate fundamental tenets of the laws and customs of armed conflict (also known as international humanitarian law, “IHL”) which yields individual criminal responsibility under international law. This area of IHL is clear and not subject to different spins. … continue

Iran to charge ships from ‘hostile’ nations to cross Hormuz – security chief

RT | April 13, 2026

Iran will levy tolls on ships from ‘hostile’ countries crossing the Strait of Hormuz as compensation for damage caused by sanctions and US-Israeli strikes, Ebrahim Azizi, the head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has said.

Speaking to RT on Sunday following US-Iran talks in Islamabad that ended in an impasse, Azizi said Washington should accept Tehran’s terms because it needs a deal “more than we do,” and that many Iranians are unhappy that Tehran even entered into negotiations.

“When they need it, they should accept both the conditions and the prerequisites. If they don’t, we’ll do our work and go our own way. Nothing will change,” he added. … continue

Iran warns Trump: Security for all ports in the Gulf or for none

Al Mayadeen | April 13, 2026

Security in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman will be enforced on a reciprocal basis, following the United States’ announcement of a naval blockade targeting Iran, the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari, stated.

Zolfaghari said Iran considers the defense of its territorial waters a “natural and lawful duty,” stressing that the presence of foreign-aligned vessels in key maritime corridors will not be permitted.

“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran explicitly and decisively declare that the security of ports in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is either for everyone or for no one,” the spokesperson said, warning that any threat to Iranian maritime security would result in broader regional consequences.

The statement reaffirmed Tehran’s position that it will continue to regulate passage through the Strait of Hormuz under a “permanent regime” implemented by its armed forces. It also stated that vessels affiliated with adversaries “do not have and will not have the right to pass” through the strategic waterway, while other ships would be allowed transit under Iranian regulations.

Iran emphasized that US restrictions on maritime navigation are “illegal” and an act of “maritime piracy”. … Full article

The Day After Islamabad: When U.S. Power Meets Its Future in the Narrow Strait of Hormuz

21st Century Wire | April 13, 2026

… China saw the failed talks through the lens of trade, energy, and maritime hierarchy. Beijing’s position was not a simple sentiment for Tehran. It was resistance to an outcome in which Washington turns failed diplomacy into a U.S.‑controlled maritime order and leaves Asian importers dependent on American gatekeeping over Gulf energy flows.

That is why China’s posture looks restrained on the surface but sharp underneath. Preserve trade. Avoid war. Refuse subordination. Beijing wants Hormuz open, but it does not want it reopened under a blockade logic that leaves Chinese shipping moving only through an American permissions structure.

China’s likely course after Islamabad is therefore clear enough. It will keep opposing military escalation, defend continued commercial access, back arrangements that deny Washington monopoly control over the waterway, and quietly support a wider shift toward non‑dollar and non‑Western mechanisms of exchange if the United States keeps trying to weaponize passage itself.

Russia read the same collapse more bluntly. Moscow’s most plausible support to Iran runs through the Caspian, the Volga, and the North–South corridor with its $1.6B railway that bypasses U.S. sanctions, because those routes are inland, harder for the United States to interdict, and already embedded in commercial traffic. That is what gives Russia real weight after Islamabad. It can help keep Iran’s strategic rear open even if Washington tries to harden pressure at the Gulf end.

Many experts agree that Russia does not need a dramatic Gulf deployment to matter. It only needs to deepen logistics, intelligence sharing, diplomatic cover, and corridor resilience so that Iran cannot be isolated simply because Washington wants to turn Hormuz into an American test of will.

The reported Pezeshkian–Putin contact reinforced that trajectory. Moscow moved quickly to tighten strategic coordination after the talks collapsed, which is exactly what one would expect from a power that sees U.S. coercion in Hormuz as part of a larger contest over regional order and over the viability of non‑Western corridors linking Russia, Iran, India, and Asia. … Full article

Netherlands refuses to join US Strait of Hormuz blockade

Al Mayadeen | April 13, 2026

The Netherlands has said it will not support a proposed United States-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, distancing itself from Washington’s latest escalation following failed talks with Iran.

Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius stated on Monday that Amsterdam does not intend to participate in any blockade of the strategic waterway.

“We are not dealing with this issue now. It is a new circumstance, isn’t it? Sometimes the US blocks it, sometimes Iran, it is very hard to understand who is doing what … But I do not see us participating in a blockade,” the minister told NPO Radio 1.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said he had instructed the US Navy to seek out and interdict vessels paying tolls to Iran in exchange for passage through the key maritime route, a move that could significantly escalate tensions internationally.

Despite his threats, Yesilgoz-Zegerius added that the Netherlands remains in close coordination with its allies, focusing on the next phase of efforts to ensure the safety and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping through Hormuz stalls

Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz has declined to minimal levels, according to maritime tracking data cited by RIA Novosti, as concerns intensify over the potential enforcement of a US naval blockade following the collapse of negotiations with Iran. … Full article

UK, Spain reject Trump’s new scheme to blockade Hormuz Strait

The Cradle | April 13, 2026

The UK and others have rejected Washington’s plan to impose a blockade on Iranian ports and target ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz in collaboration with the Islamic Republic.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “we are not supporting the blockade” in an interview with BBC Radio on 13 April.

Starmer added that the UK is not “getting dragged in” to the US-Israeli war against Iran. He emphasized the priority is reopening the strait, noting it is “vital that we get the strait open and fully open.”

Turkiye opposed the blockade and called for renewed diplomacy, while China warned against escalation and urged both sides to maintain stability.

The Spanish government has also condemned the US move. “It’s just another episode in this downward spiral we’ve slipped into,” Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Monday, adding that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “want to impose rules on the international community, which is illogical.” … continue

Russian frigate ‘resurfaces’, chases off NATO pirates days after Kiev ‘sank’ it

By Drago Bosnic | April 13, 2026

On April 6, the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) of the Kiev regime posted a video of the alleged “attack” on the Russian Navy’s (VMF) “Admiral Grigorovich” frigate in the port of Novorossiysk. According to Ukrinform, Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of the USF, also posted the video on his Telegram channel. He claims that “on the night of April 6, the USF ‘birds’ struck the frigate ‘Admiral Grigorovich’ in the port of Novorossiysk and delivered some blessed fire to the Sivash drilling rig”. The supposed “attack” was carried out by the 1st Separate Center of the USF. The Neo-Nazi junta sources report that it was planned and coordinated by the SBU (effectively a terrorist organization at this point) and that “the extent of the damage is being assessed by intelligence”.

“The air defense missile launches were carried out directly from the frigate’s deck while approaching the target, which did not prevent us from pecking at the floating scab,” Brovdi stated, adding: “The Sivash floating drilling rig was targeted by the birds of the 413th Raid Separate Battalion in cooperation with the deep-strike forces of the Ukrainian Navy.”

This must be a great success for the Kiev regime, right? There’s “video evidence of the incident”, so the supposed “attack” undoubtedly happened, right? Well, there’s a “tiny” consistency problem with this entire story. Namely, the aforementioned “Admiral Grigorovich” frigate “magically resurfaced” in the English Channel just two days after it was “destroyed”. The vessel was sent to escort oil tankers after multiple incidents where NATO pirates hijacked Russian ships in international waters. This was also confirmed by the endemically and pathologically Russophobic United Kingdom, which sent its naval forces to track Russian warships. The British HMS “Mersey” was sent to “enforce sanctions” on Moscow’s oil tankers, but was forced to turn back after detecting naval escorts. … continue

Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ makes mockery of UK naval power

By Ian Proud | Resposible Statecraft | April 13, 2026

Few things provoke British politicians into fits of rage more than mention of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” Yet last week’s impotent tracking of Russian tankers in the English Channel illustrates that Britain doesn’t have the means to do much about it. … continue

Ukraine Targets Russian Merchant Fleet With NATO Intel Support – Presidential Aide

Sputnik – 13.04.2026

MOSCOW – The Ukrainian special services are targeting the Russian merchant fleet with coordination and intelligence support of NATO, Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Russian Marine Board Nikolai Patrushev said on Monday.

“The risks of illegal actions and terrorist attacks against ships sailing from or towards Russian ports are increasing. The Ukrainian special services, with the coordination and intelligence support of NATO countries, are targeting the non-military maritime infrastructure and the merchant fleet of our country,” Patrushev told Russian media.

The Baltic states and Finland’s provision of airspace for attack drones means that NATO members directly participate in the attacks on Russia, the official said, adding that neighboring countries are complicit in Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian ports in the Baltic. … continue

Ukraine plans to attack Russian ships with Norwegian support

By Ahmed Adel | April 13, 2026

At a time when the world is distracted by the Iran War, Ukraine and Norway are reportedly planning to attack Russian commercial ships. If Norway, which shares a nearly 200-kilometer border with Russia, implements the plan, it would make the Nordic country directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict and could therefore drag all of NATO into the conflict.

“The criminal Kiev regime, with the assistance of military specialists from the Norwegian Navy, is preparing to carry out terrorist attacks against Russian vessels traveling through the Barents and Norwegian Seas to and from the port of Murmansk,” TASS quoted a military-diplomatic source as saying on April 9. … continue

Lavrov to Visit China on April 14-15 to Discuss Ukraine, Mideast – Russian MFA

Sputnik – 13.04.2026

MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a visit to China on April 14-15, where he will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on a number of issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

“On April 14-15, the official visit of Russian oferign Miinster Sergey Lavrov to China will take place, within the framework of which negotiations with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are planned,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministers will discuss a wide range of topics of bilateral cooperation and a number of international issues, including the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Middle East.

China issues rules on countermeasures against foreign states’ unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction

Xinhua – April 13, 2026

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council to publish a new set of rules on countering foreign states’ unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction measures.

The regulations, consisting of 20 articles, take effect upon publication.

According to the rules, such extraterritorial jurisdiction measures refer to actions taken by a foreign country that violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations and that harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, or the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and organizations.

The rules also stipulate that the Chinese government has the authority to take countermeasures in response to such actions.

They also state that the Chinese government has the authority to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction over relevant conduct if a sufficient nexus exists. … continue

US’s ‘Very Foolish’ Double Blockade of Hormuz Strait Makes Absolutely No Sense: Here’s Why

Sputnik – 13.04.2026

Every step Washington has taken in the conflict with Iran to date has worsened its own strategic position, and the blockade of Iranian oil exports is no exception, says Center for Contemporary Iranian Studies director Rajab Safarov.

“This is a very foolish move on the part of the United States. With each passing day and every step,” Washington is “worsening” its own position, and that of many countries around the world for whom Hormuz is the lifeline to their economic existence, Safarov told Sputnik. … continue

Tomorrow’s naval blockade showdown

How will China react?

Ashes of Pompeii | April 12, 2026

Apparently tomorrow morning, April 13, at 10 a.m. ET the blockade of Iran’s ports by the US will begin. Make no mistake, this is primarily pointed at Iran’s trade with China. The Trump team seem to still think they can kill two birds with one stone – bring down the Islamic Republic and also economically weaken China. In this article I will focus on China, in particular, one aspect of the US/China relationship that gets little attention but which can be a “nuclear bomb” for China. Much discussion in the US about the boom in data center construction, but far less discussion of the total reliance on Chiina for these builds.

It has been estimated by multiple sources that literally all of the US growth in the past year has been due to the AI boom, specifically, due to AI data center builds. Without this ,US growth would be flat, potentially even negative. Even without the Iran war and rising energy costs, data center construction in the U.S. is currently facing significant headwinds, resulting in delays and escalating costs. The primary driver is the strained supply chain, impacting the availability of critical components like switchgear, generators, and specialized cooling equipment. Lead times for these items have stretched considerably, pushing project timelines back by months, if not quarters. … continue

JP Sears Administers IQ Test to Alex Jones

London police arrest 523 protesters over Palestine Action ban

Press TV – April 12, 2026

London police say they have arrested 523 people at ‌a protest opposing Britain’s ban on Palestine Action.

In a post published on X on Saturday, London’s Metropolitan Police said they had arrested people at ‌a protest in London’s Trafalgar Square for ⁠showing support for a “proscribed organization.”

The gathering was the first since London’s High Court ruled in February that a ban designating the pro-Palestinian group as a terrorist organization was unlawful.

The British Minister of Interior Affairs Shabana Mahmood has been granted approval to appeal the ruling. … Full article

Global Sumud Flotilla Sets Sail from Barcelona in Largest Civilian Mission to Challenge Gaza Blockade

teleSUR – April 12, 2026

Barcelona — The Global Sumud Flotilla is departing today from the Port of Barcelona in what organizers describe as the largest civilian-led maritime initiative in history aimed at breaking Israel’s long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Comprising more than 70 boats and over 3,000 participants from more than 100 countries, the fleet includes a dedicated medical contingent of 1,000 healthcare professionals carrying essential supplies for Gaza’s devastated health system.

Saif Abukeshek, the Palestinian activist based in Barcelona and spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, has emphasized that this is a peaceful civilian action responding to ongoing aggressions against Palestinian and Lebanese populations.

Over 70 vessels and thousands of international volunteers are sailing to pressure governments worldwide.

The mission combines sea and land components, including solidarity convoys from Asia and North Africa. … Full article

Israeli forces attack Christian worshipers during Holy Saturday in occupied al-Quds

Press TV – April 12, 2026

Israeli police forces have attacked Christian worshipers in occupied al-Quds during Holy Saturday, one of the most important Christian holidays marking the final day before Easter.

During the assault, the occupation forces pushed people, beat several individuals, and detained a number of participants.

Israeli police had already set up checkpoints and inspected IDs of those attending the religious ceremony.

They had also deployed barriers and iron barricades across key routes leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of al-Quds.

The restrictions came one day after the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in al-Quds called on Christians to attend Holy Saturday rituals following a 40-day closure of the church amid the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran. … Full article

Army Critically Injures Two Brothers, Abduct Children, In Hebron

IMEMC | April 12, 2026

Two Palestinian brothers from the village of al‑Surra, south of Doura in the Hebron district in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, were critically wounded at dawn after Israeli forces shot them with “dum‑dum” expanding bullets near the village of Beit Marsam.

Witnesses said the two young men were left bleeding on the ground for more than an hour due to restrictions by the invading Israeli soldiers, before ambulances from the Doura Municipality and Palestinian Red Crescent were finally permitted to reach them and transfer them to hospital, where their conditions were described as life‑threatening. … continue

Army Shoots Five Palestinians, Abduct Many, Across West Bank

IMEMC | April 12, 2026

Israeli forces carried out extensive invasions across the occupied West Bank on Sunday, shooting and injuring five Palestinians, breaking into homes, and abducting numerous residents in multiple districts.

In Nablus in the northern West Bank, Israeli forces abducted a woman and her son after invading several neighborhoods in the city.

Soldiers broke into a residential building on Sufian Street, searched an apartment, and abducted Yahia Nasser al‑Qoqa and his mother.

The forces also invaded the town of Salem east of Nablus, searched several homes, and withdrew without reporting additional abductions.

In Jenin, in the northern West Bank, the soldiers invaded Beit Qad village, east of the city, stormed and ransacked homes before abducting Maher Hikmat Zidan.

In Tulkarem, in the northwestern West Bank, the soldiers invaded at-Ttil town, north of the city, searched homes and abducted Mohammad Hamza Al-Ali.

In occupied Jerusalem, the soldiers abducted the head of the sanitation department at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Raed Zghayyar, after the army accompanied dozens of colonizers into the courtyards of the holy site.

North of Jerusalem, Israeli forces invaded the town of ar‑Ram, where soldiers shot three Palestinians and abducted six others. … continue

Palestinian killed by Israeli gunfire in southern Gaza

Palestinian Information Center – April 12, 2026

GAZA – A Palestinian civilian was martyred by Israeli gunfire on Sunday in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, amid ceasefire violations persisting for the 183rd consecutive day.

Local sources identified the martyr as Yehya al-Agha, 48, saying he was shot dead near the intersection of Street 5 and Salahuddin road in Khan Yunis.

Since dawn, new violations were recorded, including the demolition of residential buildings in both northern and southern Gaza, among them homes east of Khan Yunis and in northern Gaza City.

Israeli tanks also opened heavy fire towards eastern Khan Yunis and areas east of Jabalia refugee camp in the north, amid ongoing military activity in different areas of the coastal enclave.

Domicide in Lebanon: ‘Israel’ demolishes entire southern villages

Al Mayadeen | April 12, 2026

The Israeli occupation has demolished entire villages in southern Lebanon as part of its ongoing border offensive, using remotely triggered explosives to level homes in mass detonations that have left residents describing their communities as erased.

Videos reviewed by The Guardian show Israeli forces carrying out controlled explosions in the villages of al-Taybeh, Naqoura, and Deir Seryan along the Lebanon-Palestinian border. Lebanese media have reported additional detonations in nearby border towns, though satellite verification was not always available.

The destruction followed statements by “Israel’s” War Minister, Israel Katz, who called for the demolition of “all houses” in border villages, referencing what he described as the “model used in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza” to prevent threats to northern “Israel”. In Gaza, Israeli operations have previously destroyed an estimated 90% of homes in Rafah.

Rights groups and legal experts have described the tactic as part of a broader pattern of “domicide”, the systematic destruction of civilian housing that renders entire areas uninhabitable.

Israeli occupation forces keep framing attacks on civilian infrastructure and residences as targeting “Hezbollah infrastructure”, including tunnels and military facilities allegedly embedded within civilian areas and homes. This falls into the repeated fashion of their false claims in Gaza and how all of Gaza’s buildings, including hospitals, are “Hamas headquarters”. … continue

New Israeli strike on south Lebanon kills infant girl during father’s funeral

Press TV – April 12, 2026

A new Israeli strike has killed the infant sister of a seven-year-old girl who barely survived an Israeli aerial attack on her family home in southern Lebanon last week.

Aline Saeed, wrapped in bloodied bandages, had come to bury her father. Instead, a fresh strike on Sunday killed her infant sister and several other relatives.

On April 12, Aline’s 64-year-old grandfather, Nasser Saeed—who also survived the initial attack—joined other family members in the southern port city of Tyre to collect the bodies, which were wrapped in green cloth.

One of the bundles, noticeably smaller than the rest, contained his granddaughter Taleen, Aline’s sister. She had not yet turned two.

With bandages on his head and right hand, and scratches across his face, Nasser described the moment: “They said it was a ceasefire. Like all these people, we went up to the village. We went to the casket to read the prayers and walk home… suddenly we felt like a storm was landing right on us.” … Full article

Hezbollah resists Israeli forces besieging south Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil

The Cradle | April 12, 2026

Hezbollah is reportedly fiercely resisting the Israeli army’s attempts to take control of the town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, which Tel Aviv has been besieging and bombarding heavily.

A correspondent for Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported on 12 April that “Israeli occupation forces are still trying to infiltrate and take control of the remaining neighborhoods in the city of Bint Jbeil, where fierce clashes are taking place.”

“The Israeli enemy is suffering heavy losses,” the correspondent went on to say, adding that Israel is “shelling the outskirts of the city, its entrances, and the outskirts of a number of neighboring villages.”

Hezbollah has announced numerous military operations targeting Israeli forces in Bint Jbeil in recent hours, including several anti-tank missile operations against Merkava tanks.

The Lebanese resistance also continues to confront Israeli troops in Khiam and Taybeh, according to its official statements.

According to Israeli media, Bint Jbeil has been encircled by Israeli troops, and hundreds of resistance fighters have been killed as heavy airstrikes hit the city.

A Lebanese security source told Al Jazeera on Sunday that Israeli forces have closed all main access routes to the city and are targeting it with fighter jets, artillery, and phosphorus munitions, but have not been able to reach its main landmarks. Heavy fighting is ongoing, the source said. … Full article

Israeli attacks kill over 24 in South Lebanon since dawn, ongoing on Bekaa

Al Mayadeen | April 12, 2026

Israeli airstrikes struck multiple towns in southern Lebanon, killing civilians and causing extensive damage, especially in Qana and Maaroub.

Israeli airstrikes intensified across multiple villages and towns in the Lebanese South and Bekaa on Sunday, killing more than 24 civilians on Sunday, including six in Maaroub and five in Qana, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent.

Six civilians were martyred and others were injured after an Israeli strike targeted the town of Maaroub early Sunday morning. Hours earlier, Israeli warplanes launched a violent bombardment on the al-Khashneh area in Qana, striking homes and infrastructure, killing five people and wounding 25.

A separate strike on Mashghara in the western Bekaa resulted in casualties, with at least one martyr and one wounded reported.

The damage to the town of Mashghara can be seen in this video… continue

‘Israel’ attacks civilians to hide its embarrassing military failures & out of pure sadism

By Robert Inlakesh | Al Mayadeen | April 12, 2026

Proving itself incapable of winning on any front, despite such vast power imbalances, the Zionist regime has developed various collective punishment doctrines over the years. This time, after getting battered by Iranian missiles and failing to achieve any strategic goal, it takes out its frustration on Lebanon and Gaza.

When the US-Israeli alliance launched its war of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, the Zionist regime’s Premier Benjamin Netanyahu openly gloated about getting what he had wanted for over 40 years. However, the moment he had been pushing for decades to reach failed to render the results the Israeli leader had hoped for. … continue

Any Foreign Military Vessel Approaching Hormuz Under Any Pretext ‘Will Be Dealt With Severely’: IRGC

Sputnik – 12.04.2026

The Strait of Hormuz is “under reasonable control and management” and open to passage by civilian vessels “in compliance with specific regulations,” the IRGC’s public relations department has announced.

This provision does not apply to military vessels, whose approach of the Strait “under any pretext will be considered a ceasefire violation and will be dealt with severely,” the IRGC warned.

The announcement comes on the heels of President Trump’s declaration on Sunday of a naval blockade of “any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” and threats to “blow” any Iranian forces that fire at US warships “to hell!”

UK will not join US blockade of Strait of Hormuz

MEMO | April 12, 2026

The UK will not participate in a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to local media, following US President Donald Trump’s remarks about blockading the critical shipping route, Anadolu reports.

“We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home,” said a government spokesperson, according to Sky News. […]

Trump had earlier said that the UK was sending minesweepers to help clear the strait. – Full article

Trump announces ‘Hormuz blockade’ after Iran talks collapse

Al Mayadeen | April 12, 2026

… This approach carries inherent contradictions. While Washington accuses Iran of disrupting maritime traffic, imposing a blockade risks further militarizing the corridor rather than stabilizing it. Iran’s strategy has relied on relatively low-cost, asymmetric tools, such as the threat of mines and targeted disruptions, which have already proven sufficient to deter shipping. By contrast, enforcing a blockade requires sustained military deployment and exposes US forces to direct confrontation in a domain where Iran has already demonstrated its ability to impose costs.

The move also carries immediate economic and geopolitical consequences. Any disruption to flows through the Strait typically drives up global energy prices, increasing fuel and transport costs worldwide. … Full article

Trump Says US Naval Blockade in Strait of Hormuz Will Begin Shortly

Sputnik – 12.04.2026

MOSCOW – US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States would soon start the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from using what he described as “extortion.”

“The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The US Navy will be blockading “any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” until all are allowed to go in and out, he wrote.

“I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump also said. … continue

Pezeshkian, Putin discuss ways to restore regional peace after US talks fail

Press TV – April 12, 2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have held a phone call hours after Pakistan-mediated negotiations between Iran and the United States ended without an agreement to permanently end the US-Israeli aggression on Iran.

The Iranian Presidency Office said in a statement that Pezeshkian and Putin had discussed their viewpoints about how to boost security and stability in the West Asia region.

The statement said the two also reviewed the latest developments regarding a two-week ceasefire announced last week between Iran and the US.

The president reiterated that Iran is fully prepared to reach a balanced and fair agreement that would guarantee lasting peace and security in the region.

“If America is committed to the frameworks of international law, a deal not unreachable,” he said.

Putin, in turn, strongly criticized the West’s double standard approach and stressed the need to respect Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Russian president said he supported Iran’s demand for guarantees that no act of aggression is launched against the country in the future and also for reparations for damage sustained during the war.

The Kremlin also issued its readout of the phone call, saying Putin and Pezeshkian discussed efforts to bring about peace in the region.

It said Putin had declared his readiness to help facilitate such efforts.

“Vladimir Putin emphasized his readiness to further facilitate the search for a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict, and to mediate efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,” the statement said. … Full article

Diplomats slam US negotiators’ performance in Iran talks

Al Mayadeen | April 12, 2026

Former United States State Department advisor and veteran West Asia negotiator Aaron David Miller sharply criticized Washington’s assumptions about the pace and substance of talks with Iran, arguing that the US misjudged Iran’s position.

“If Administration believed after only 21 hours of negotiations, Iran would give up enrichment which is what Vance implied, they totally misread the moment and the Iranian dominated IRGC,” Miller posted on X.

Gerard Araud, a high-ranking retired French diplomat who served as the Ambassador to the United States and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, also pointed to the prowess of Iranian negotiators.

“The agreement we reached with Iran in 2015 was the result of hundreds of hours of negotiations with the support of experts of nuclear energy,” Araud explained.

“Negotiating with the Iranians is the equivalent of a diplomatic trenches war. Line by line, word by word.” he posted on X.

“From an Iranian point of view, the negotiations are not starting from scratch but after an agreement endorsed by the UNSC,” he added in another post.

“Any new negotiations have to take into account this precedent: words have already a significance and proposals a history,” he said. … continue

US-Iran talks: Russian diplomat criticizes JD Vance for not knowing ‘ABC of diplomacy’

Press TV – April 12, 2026

Russia’s representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, has questioned whether US Vice President JD Vance genuinely believed that a resolution with Iran could be attained in a mere few hours, stressing that multi-layered discussions are essential for meaningful outcomes.

Ulyanov made the remarks in a post on X on Sunday, after Vance announced that Washington “has not reached an agreement” with Iran in the latest round of talks mediated by Pakistan.

“Did the vice president really expect to reach a deal on such a complicated multifaceted topic within a few hours?” he said.

Ulyanov went on to say that that would be possible if one side was prepared to capitulate “which is not the case in point.”

He also noted that substantial progress in negotiations typically requires time, commitment, and a willingness for compromise.

“If the US side is looking for a deal, it must be prepared for a number of rounds of negotiations accompanied by multiple meetings at expert level,” he said, emphasizing that “This is ABC of diplomacy.” … Full article

US, Iran end 21-hour talks without agreement

By M. K. BHADRAKUMAR | Indian Punchline | April 12, 2026 

… the negotiations have moved beyond general issues, and in some cases entered technical discussions. Iranian media reported that “specialists from both sides are now reviewing detailed aspects of unresolved matters, including the implementation of regional de-escalation measures and the assessment of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon.”

The talks are very important for Vance himself as he personally sought this role from Trump. Another reason for Trump’s selection was the deep mistrust between Tehran and Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff following the US and Israeli attacks after two previous rounds of negotiations. Nevertheless, Witkoff and Kushner, both Jews with close ties to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied Vance.

At any rate, finalising an agreement may take weeks or months and will likely require extending the current two-week ceasefire. That requires patience and fortitude. Whereas, an inventory of the war highlights only Trump’s fickle-minded temperament and Netanyahu’s tenacity bordering on obsession. Netanyahu has admitted that the US-Israeli attacks on Iran were “something I’ve longed to do for 40 years.” … Read full article

Trump Refuses Exit Ramp, War with Iran will Continue

By Larry C. Johnson | SONAR21 | April 11, 2026

As I expected, the negotiation between the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement. Although JD Vance headed the US team, he was never in control… I have heard from someone who was directly involved with this circus in Islamabad that Israeli agents — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — made certain that JD Vance would not follow his instincts and accept the deal that Iran had laid on the table. Israel’s role in sabotaging the US delegation was evident in Vance’s statement announcing the failure of the negotiations, when he falsely accused Iran of refusing to give up its alleged quest for a nuclear weapon. This is just a rehashed piece of Zionist propaganda. … continue

Talks with the US end without a deal over excessive US demands: Iran

Al Mayadeen | April 12, 2026

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported on Sunday morning that US-Iran talks ended with no agreement due to “excessive US demands” that prevented the formation of a common framework.

The agency said Washington sought to secure concessions it had failed to achieve through military escalation, including demands related to Iran’s enriched materials and control over the Strait of Hormuz. According to Tasnim, the Iranian delegation attempted to advance toward a joint negotiating framework, but US demands ultimately stalled progress. … continue

‘Nobody Told Me’: Former Mental Health Patient Calls Out Dangerous Side Effects of Psychiatric Drugs

By Jill Erzen | The Defender | April 1, 2026

The mental health system is failing children by treating everyday struggles as “chronic illness requiring lifelong pharmaceutical treatment,” former psychiatric patient Laura Delano told lawmakers this week.

“What we are calling a mental health crisis is, in large part, a crisis of overmedicalization,” she said at a March 26 roundtable held by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services.

Delano said many challenges people face are “rooted in nutrition, sleep, stress, trauma, substance use, relationships, vocation, environment, economics, meaning, faith and purpose.” Yet the system often reduces those issues to medical diagnoses, she said.

Drawing on her own 14 years in the mental health system, Delano told lawmakers her experience reflects a broader trend.

Now the founder of Inner Compass Initiative and author of “Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance,” Delano said more Americans are seeking mental healthcare than ever, but outcomes — including suicide rates among young people — continue to worsen. … continue

Feeling Better, Getting Worse: How Psychiatric Drugs Create the Illusion They Cure

An Essay on Short-Term Improvement, Long-Term Dependence, and the Evidence Patients Never See

Lies are Unbekoming | April 9, 2026

Of 18,426 patients enrolled in 71 antidepressant trials — 67,319 pages of clinical data, a stack seven metres high, obtained from drug regulators and read for the first time by Peter Gøtzsche’s research group — 12 percent more dropped out while taking the drug than while taking placebo.¹

The psychiatrists’ position is that these drugs do more good than harm. The patients, through their behaviour, delivered the opposite verdict. They preferred the sugar pill.

Nobody who takes a psychiatric drug and reports feeling better is lying. The experience is real. But what produced it, what it is made of, and what it costs — none of this is what the patient was told. Six mechanisms account for almost everything people attribute to their medication. None of them require the drug to be treating a disease. … continue

Don’t Use Antidepressants During Pregnancy or for Children

By Peter C. Gøtzsche | Brownstone Institute | April 8, 2026

… Official statements that antidepressants are safe to take during pregnancy should be distrusted. No drug is safe. If drugs were safe, they would not be the leading cause of death, ahead of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In this article, I shall explain why it is wrong to recommend or take antidepressants during pregnancy.

SSRIs stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which is a misnomer. They are not selective at all. They have multiple effects throughout the body and are not directed against any chemical abnormality. People do not become depressed because they have too little serotonin in the body but mainly because they live depressing lives.

Serotonin plays a very important role for many processes in the body, also in many primitive organisms. It is usually a very bad idea to change the blood level of a chemical that has proved so useful during evolution.

Foetal development is a delicate process that can easily go wrong, which is why we tell pregnant women to avoid alcohol. A priori, we would expect any substance that affects serotonin levels to be harmful because serotonin is essential for foetal development. This is basic biology, but we live in a world dominated by financial interests, which is why many pregnant women take antidepressants during pregnancy. … Read full article

Meningitis B Vaccine Contains Chimeric Bioengineered Bacterial Proteins and Aluminum

FDA admits jab “may not protect all vaccine recipients”

By Jon Fleetwood | March 24, 2026

The meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine BEXSERO contains bioengineered bacterial proteins—including chimeric (“Frankenstein”) antigens—and aluminum, while FDA regulatory documents and clinical trial data show that up to 96% of recipients experience adverse reactions and as many as 29% report reactions severe enough to interfere with normal daily activity.

These findings come from multiple primary sources, including the FDA’s full prescribing information, the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet, a large clinical study, and federal toxicology data from the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

The FDA and manufacturer documents show that the MenB vaccine can produce fever, headache, vomiting, irritability, seizures, and neurologic events—symptom categories that overlap with the clinical presentation of meningococcal disease itself.

Meningitis B vaccinations are now being given to 15 and 16-year-olds in U.K. schools in response to a reported outbreak. … Full article

Israeli Colonizers Attempt to Burn Home in Duma

IMEMC | April 11, 2026

Illegal Israeli paramilitary colonizers attempted to set fire to a Palestinian home in the village of Duma, south of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank, early Saturday at dawn, in a new attack targeting a community that has faced repeated arson attempts over the years.

Suleiman Dawabsha, head of the Duma Village Council, said a group of colonizers approached the northwestern side of the village shortly before dawn and ignited part of the home belonging to Mahmoud Dawabsha.

Flames spread along the outer section of the building, before residents rushed to the scene and managed to extinguish the fire, preventing it from reaching the interior. No injuries were reported, but the attack caused damage and terrified the family. Residents said the assailants fled toward nearby colonial outposts immediately after setting the fire. … Full article

Israeli Colonizers Kill a Palestinian Near Ramallah

IMEMC | April 11, 2026

Illegal Israeli colonizers shot and killed a Palestinian young man on Saturday evening after invading the village of Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Health Ministry announced that the young man, Ali Majed Hamadna, 23, was killed by Israeli colonizers in the village of Deir Jarir.

The Ministry added that the young man died at the Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah shortly after his arrival as a result of a critical gunshot wound to the back.

The head of the Deir Jarir village council, Fathi Hamdan, told the WAFA News Agency that armed Israeli settlers infiltrated the western part of the village, firing live rounds at civilians. … Full article

Israeli military kills six Palestinians at Gaza checkpoint, medics say

Press TV – April 11, 2026

An Israeli airstrike has hit a police checkpoint in Bureij camp in central Gaza early Saturday, killing at least six people and injuring several others, medics say.

It was not immediately clear whether all those killed were police members, and there was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Israel and Hamas reached a US-mediated ceasefire agreement last October aimed at ending the occupying regime’s genocidal war on Gaza.

However, Israel has repeatedly violated the agreement through continual attacks that have killed and wounded thousands of Palestinians.

Various areas of Gaza, including Khan Younis, are being subjected to artillery shelling, repeated attacks on displacement shelters, gunfire from military vehicles and tanks, and continuous drone overflights.

Since the signing of the agreement, at least 700 Palestinians have been martyred by Israeli army fire, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed by resistance fighters.

Dr. Abu-Sitta: Beirut ‘felt like a day in Shifa Hospital’

By Janna Kadri | Al Mayadeen | April 11, 2026

A wave of Israeli bombardments that killed hundreds of civilians across Lebanon within minutes was deliberately designed to overwhelm the country’s healthcare system and maximize deaths, Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta told Al Mayadeen.

“Basically, in a period of 10 minutes, over 1,400 people were wounded and 340 were killed,” he said. “The aim is to flood the system… to overwhelm it… and to ensure that as many of the wounded die.”

According to Abu-Sitta, the scale and speed of the strikes collapsed emergency response capacity from the outset, leaving ambulance services and hospitals unable to cope with the volume of casualties.

“At AUB, we received around 70 critical cases within 10 minutes,” he said. “The aim is for you not to be able to treat them… to force you into triage, deciding who you can save and who you cannot.”

Hospitals rapidly exhausted intensive care capacity, including pediatric units, while smaller facilities were forced to transfer patients under life-threatening delays.

“We ran out of intensive care beds. We ran out of pediatric intensive care capacity,” he said. “The smaller hospitals were overwhelmed… and the delays in transferring patients cost lives.”

Abu-Sitta described the scenes inside emergency departments as a “tsunami” of casualties.

“You are overwhelmed by a wave of wounded beyond your capacity to deal with.” … continue

Last Kursk civilians held by Ukraine freed after 500 days

RT | April 11, 2026

Seven Russian civilians, the last held by Ukraine since the 2024 Kursk incursion, have been freed after nearly 500 days in captivity, Moscow has said.

Their release came as part of a prisoner swap on Saturday, with 175 Russian servicemen returned in exchange for 175 Ukrainian soldiers, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said.

“We fought for nearly two long years to bring home all Kursk residents who became hostages in Ukraine during the occupation of our border region,” Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova wrote on social media. “Today, the last seven of our compatriots have been freed and can finally embrace their loved ones. In total, 165 residents of Kursk Region had been illegally held by the Ukrainian side since 2024.”

Earlier, she said that Kiev had sought to exchange the civilians for Ukrainians detained in Russia for various crimes. Moskalkova called such demands unacceptable, arguing that the Russians had been held by Ukraine without legal grounds and in violation of international norms, had not committed any actions that would harm Ukraine.

In January, Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, who leads a Foreign Ministry mission that tracks alleged Ukrainian war crimes, also said that Kiev was trying to secure “the return of Ukrainian war criminals held in our custody” in exchange for civilians.

A video obtained by RT shows Moskalkova meeting the freed civilians upon their arrival in Belarus. According to Kursk Governor Aleksandr Khinstein, five women and two men were freed, with the oldest being 91 years old. Some of them have serious health conditions and one woman is blind. … Full article

Brussels cannot say where its own pipeline inspectors are as Hungary’s oil lifeline remains shut

Will they magically reappear after the election?

By Thomas Brooke | Remix News | April 10, 2026

With just days until Hungary’s parliamentary election, questions are mounting over whether the European Union’s apparent inaction on a stalled oil pipeline investigation is politically motivated to avoid strengthening Viktor Orbán.

The controversy centers on the Druzhba, or “Friendship,” pipeline, which has not delivered Russian oil to Hungary since the end of January. Ukrainian authorities insisted that the halt was caused by Russian attacks damaging the infrastructure, but initially refused to grant access to inspection teams from both Hungary and the European Union.

The European Commission eventually announced its intention to deploy a team to the region to inspect the pipeline, in part due to Hungary’s refusal to sign off on any further financial assistance to Kyiv until the matter was resolved. However, no updates on the inspection have been forthcoming, and Brussels itself now appears unable to account for the status — or even the whereabouts — of its own delegation. … continue

Iran Has Won the War, It Will Be Up to the US to Secure the Peace: Mohammad Marandi

Sputnik – 11.04.2026

Whether or not Iran-US peace negotiations succeed depends entirely on the American side, renowned international affairs commentator Dr. Mohammad Marandi told Sputnik, commenting on Saturday’s unprecedented face-to-face talks in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Iran didn’t start the war, it wasn’t the one to escalate it, and it wasn’t the one to call for a halt in hostilities. Accordingly, the crisis can be resolved in one of only two ways, Marandi says.

“Either the Americans are sincere or they’re forced to be sincere, and they implement what they said they will do, or not. If they are unwilling to do so, the Iranian delegation will go back to Tehran,” the Gulf crisis will continue and the global economic picture will continue to deteriorate. … continue

Iran condemns assassination threats against Iranian negotiators amid US talks

Press TV – April 11, 2026

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has called for public condemnation of the assassination threats leveled against Iranian negotiators amid ongoing talks with the United States that are aimed at permanently ending the US-Israeli aggression against the country.

In a post on his X account on Saturday, Baghaei said threats in the US government and media space for assassinating the Iranian negotiators, in case the current talks fail, are part of a discourse that seeks to normalize extortion through violence.

“Is this not, in effect, a policy discourse that normalizes extortion through the threat or public incitement of terror, violence, and manslaughter?” he said in the post.

The spokesman, who is himself accompanying the Iranian delegation in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for the negotiations with the US, said the threats have come amid claims by the US government accusing Iran of lacking good faith and engaging in extortion amid the talks. … continue

US destroyer forced to withdraw from Hormuz after Iranian warning

Al Mayadeen | April 11, 2026

A US Navy destroyer was forced to withdraw from the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after Iran threatened to strike the vessel within 30 minutes and warned that its continued advance would derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, the destroyer had departed Fujairah port in the UAE and was heading toward the strait when it was intercepted by Iranian armed forces.

Tehran’s delegation, which is attending Pakistani-mediated trilateral talks in Islamabad, conveyed through Pakistani intermediaries that the vessel would be struck within 30 minutes if it did not halt, and that doing so would also directly impact the negotiations underway.

Fars highlighted that the coordinated military response and diplomatic warning prompted Washington to order the destroyer to stand down.

In a related development, an Iranian military official told Iranian state television that Axios had falsely reported that a US vessel had already transited the Strait of Hormuz. … Full article

Israel’s Iran War: Myth and Reality

Israel’s press paints a very different picture than that circulated by its flunkies and apologists

By Mouin Rabbani | April 11, 2026

According to the Hasbara Symphony Orchestra, Israel’s latest war against Iran was an astounding triumph and the country remains dizzy with success.

More precisely, we should speak of Israel’s invaluable contribution to an enormous US strategic victory, because the suggestion that the war primarily served Israeli rather than US interests, or that Israel played a central role in Washington’s decision to launch this war is an anti-Semitic blood libel.

Yet the Israeli press tells a very different story. Its views are of course not uniform, but across the political spectrum a fairly consistent assessment emerges… continue

Between war and industrial breakdown: The US-Israeli attrition crisis

The Cradle | April 10, 2026

The US–Israeli war on Iran has laid bare a structural crisis at the heart of Washington’s war machine – one that calls into question its ability to sustain prolonged conflict, let alone replenish what it expends.

In the opening weeks alone, vast stockpiles of missiles, aircraft, and precision-guided munitions – from Tomahawk and ATACMS to Patriot, THAAD, and Arrow interceptors – were burned through at a staggering pace.

Battlefield attrition is rapidly translating into an industrial reckoning, exposing the limits of US and Israeli capacity to reproduce high-end weaponry at the pace modern war demands. … continue

Dozens Martyred as Israeli Airstrikes Intensify Across Southern Lebanon

Al-Manar | April 11, 2026

Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon escalated sharply on Saturday, hitting multiple towns and residential areas across the Nabatieh district and beyond, leaving dozens martyred and causing extensive destruction to homes, infrastructure, and civilian facilities.

Israeli warplanes launched a series of raids beginning at dawn, including a strike on a residential building in Mayfadoun that leveled the structure and reportedly killed three people.

Additional airstrikes targeted the town of Toul, where several residential buildings were destroyed.

In Jebshit, an airstrike hit a private electricity generator facility, destroying it and sparking a large fire. The town was struck again later in the day after two earlier dawn raids.

Airstrikes also pounded the Al-Rahbet neighborhood in Nabatieh city, while nearby towns including Kfar Rumman, Kfar Sir, and Zifta came under repeated bombardment.

In Kfarsir, three consecutive strikes reportedly killed three people. Another raid on a residential building along the Zifta–Nabatieh highway, opposite a gas station, destroyed the structure and killed four civilians.

In Jbaa, in the Iqlim Al-Tuffah region, a missile fired by an Israeli warplane failed to detonate, a day after seven people were martyred by an Israeli strike on a local car wash facility.

Further south, a civilian was martyred in an airstrike on Qsaibeh, while Israeli warplanes struck the outskirts of Qantara, Adshit, Qusayr, and Khiam.

In Tibnine, two Israeli strikes were reported, one near the town’s cemetery, while the second hit near Tibnine Governmental Hospital.

Overnight, airstrikes hit Khiam, while shortly after midnight, an Israeli Merkava tank shelled the town of Mansouri, south of Tyre. Israeli aircraft were also reported flying over the Bekaa Valley.

In a separate development, Lebanon’s General Directorate of State Security announced martyrdom of 13 of its personnel in an earlier strike targeting the Nabatieh Serial.

Islamabad talks: US must drop ‘forever war’ logic and ‘Israel First’ posture for any breakthrough

Press TV – April 11, 2026

… Iran’s deputy vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, said on Saturday morning ahead of the decisive talks in Islamabad, a deal is possible if Iran negotiates in Islamabad with representatives of ‘America First’.

However, if it faces the representatives of ‘Israel First,’ there will be no deal, and inevitably the Islamic Republic will continue its defense “even more vigorously than before, and the world will face greater costs,” he warned.

Until Washington abandons its “Israel First” posture and moves toward a framework based on mutual recognition and respect for Iranian sovereignty, diplomacy will remain elusive. … Full article

Pressure builds on Iran to ‘drop’ Lebanon ceasefire demand as Islamabad talks hang in balance

The Cradle | April 11, 2026

Pakistani officials are pressuring the Iranian delegation in Islamabad to enter talks with their US counterparts by “dropping” demands for a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to information obtained by Lebanese journalist and The Cradle columnist Dr. Mohamad Hassan Sweidan.

“The authorities in Lebanon have agreed to postpone the ceasefire and to discuss it directly with Tel Aviv; therefore, you cannot exert pressure in a direction that contradicts what the Lebanese themselves have accepted,” the Iranian delegation was informed on 11 April, according to Sweidan’s sources.

Nevertheless, Iranian officials have expressed that their position on a region-wide ceasefire remains firm, revealing that a final resolution to halt the attacks is a “condition for the success of the negotiations — not merely a request.”

“If the Iranian delegation reaches the conviction that the US side is not serious and that the negotiations will not lead to the desired results, it will withdraw and return to Tehran,” Sweidan stressed. … continue

In another clash report, US denies agreement to release Iran’s assets

Al Mayadeen | April 11, 2026

The United States has denied reports stating it agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets in Qatar and other foreign banks, one of Tehran’s prerequisite for negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.

A senior Iranian source had stated that the United States in fact agreed, describing the move as a sign of “seriousness” ahead of potential negotiations in Islamabad, according to a report by Reuters.

According to the source, the unfreezing of assets is “directly linked” to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

This is not a first for Washington. Reports previously indicated that the US agreed to a ceasefire that would include Lebanon and other regional fronts. While Trump and Netanyahu denied, US media asserted that the inclusion of Iran’s regional allies in the ceasefire was always in agreement.

Moreover, among the Iranian demands was its right to enrich uranium, another provision the US agreed to. However, only hours after the agreement was declared, Donald Trump claimed Iran would not be allowed to enrich uranium, further exposing Washington’s unreliable positions. … continue

Iran Negotiating From a Dominant Position… And Melania’s Strange Presser on Epstein

By Larry C. Johnson | SONAR21 | April 11, 2026

The photograph at right tells even the casual observer that Iran is entering the next round of negotiations with the United States with its eyes wide open while holding the ultimate trump card… The Strait of Hormuz. The Iranians are shrewd masters of information operations and their skill is on display in this photo… The first 168 seats in the plane are adorned with a photograph of each of the students who were killed by the US missile strike on February 28. The negotiators have not forgotten nor have they forgiven the United States for this heinous act.

Despite White House denials, the US has caved to Iran’s demands and a de facto ceasefire is now in effect in Lebanon. Iran is showing no sign of releasing its choke-hold on the Strait of Hormuz, that prohibits any ship associated with the US, Israel or their allies from entering or leaving. That will be one of the critical items on the agenda. I believe that Iran will agree to allow all ships, regardless of national affiliation, to pass thru the Strait provided they pay a fee in Chinese yuan. In exchange, Iran will demand the removal of all US bases from the Gulf states… This is one way to obtain a guarantee that the US will not attack Iran again.

While the US wants to confine the talks to bi-lateral issues between the US and Iran, the Iranians are insisting that Israel’s war of genocide in Gaza and invasion of southern Lebanon must also be addressed. This may be a bridge too far for the US team, but I do not see Iran backing down on this issue.

I have seen conflicting reports on whether the talks will be direct — i.e., both sides sit in the same room and speak to each other — or indirect — i.e., the Pakistani mediator shuttles between two separate rooms passing on a message from one side to the other. While Iran would prefer to stop the war now, it is not desperate to reach a settlement… That is the position of the Trump team. Opinion polls have moved decisively against Donald Trump and against Israel and lead negotiator, JD Vance, is fully aware of the political bloodbath that awaits the Republicans if this war drags on or, worse, escalates. … Full article