Trump would “welcome and be happy with an end of hostilities” between Israel and Lebanon, a U.S. official said.

Source: Axios

CENTCOM:

Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran.

Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the U.S. blockade on Monday.

Iran’s Ghalibaf:

The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the resistance and steadfast struggle of the great Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance.

The United States must comply with the agreement.

Resistance and Iran are one soul, both in war and in ceasefire.

America should withdraw from “Israel First” mistake.

At a private White House dinner, Trump told the Dutch king and queen he wants to end the Iran war quickly, saying the only way to bring Tehran back to negotiations is to “increase the pressure.”

Source: WSJ

Trump:

Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon.

It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!

The U.S. Senate voted against stopping arms sales to Israel.

More than 30 Democrats backed Bernie Sanders’ effort to block the sales.

The measures failed due to Republican opposition.

The Pentagon is asking companies like General Motors and Ford Motor to help boost U.S. weapons production as conflicts strain military supplies.

Officials are exploring whether manufacturers can shift some factory capacity to produce munitions and equipment, similar to WWII-era industry mobilization.

Source: WSJ

Stephen Miller almost says “final solution” about Iran—then catches himself mid-sentence.

Republicans are growing uneasy that Trump is undermining their midterm chances with distractions and off-message moments.

One GOP operative said, “Everything is made more difficult by the nonsense coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Source: POLITICO

40 Democratic senators voted to block bulldozer sales to Israel (about 85% of Democrats).

A separate vote to block 1,000-lb bombs failed 36–63 (about 77% of Democrats supported it).

The Democratic caucus has 47 members, meaning roughly 75%–85% supported at least one restriction.

For comparison, a similar vote in 2025 had 27 Democratic supporters (about 57%).

There are growing signs that talks between United States and Iran might finally be heading toward a deal, with Pakistan acting as a go-between.

Pakistani officials believe they've made real progress, shuttling messages back and forth and trying to bridge gaps that caused earlier negotiations in Islamabad to fail.

Source: Al Jazeera

Iran has decided to move its entire education system online starting April 21.

Source: Tasnim

Professor Robert Pape on Iran War:

We are not on a path of peace. We are on a path… the war is metastasizing.

What you see are troop movements… going in one direction.

There’s not troop movements coming out. There’s troop movements going in.

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Iran War:

You will only resolve this through a negotiation.

They’re not going to surrender. We’re obviously not about to.

They’ve got to get to that table. There’s got to be space… to reach an agreement.

Brazilian President Lula:

Donald Trump has no right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country.

Israel says Netanyahu will soon speak with Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun, according to an Israeli official.

Zelensky and the people of Ukraine have been awarded the “Four Freedoms Award” in the Netherlands.

Britain may face food shortages this summer if the Iran war continues.

Officials warn that disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) supplies, which are essential for food production, packaging, and drink manufacturing.

This could lead to shortages of items like chicken, pork, and fizzy drinks, though not a complete lack of food—mainly reduced variety in shops.

Source: The Times

Türkiye will host talks this week on regional security cooperation with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and possibly Egypt.

The meeting, involving foreign ministers including Hakan Fidan, will take place during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

Source: Bloomberg