Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) has announced that beginning in the evening on Saturday, it will be reimposing a total blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, in response to the United States’ refusal to lift its ongoing naval blockade on Iran which it views as a violation of the current ceasefire agreement that is set expired next Tuesday, April 21. The IRGC-N states that all vessels are directed to remain at anchorage in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and that any any vessels will be considered “hostile” and targeted if they approach the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room on Saturday morning to discuss the renewed crisis around the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran, with attendees including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratliffe and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Axios.

Senior U.S. official tells Axios that if there is no breakthrough in peace negotiations soon, the war could resume in the coming days, with the current ceasefire set to expire Tuesday, April 21.

Radio audio from today’s Iranian attack on the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, M/T SANMAR HERALD, while the vessel was attempting to pass eastbound through the Strait of Hormuz, after reportedly been given permission by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N). The SANMAR HERALD has since withdrawn back to the Persian Gulf, with the IRGC-N once again announcing the total closure of the Hormuz Strait.

Audio credit: @TankerTrackers on X

According to Reuters, this message was broadcast earlier today over VHF maritime frequencies by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N):

“Attention all ships, ​regarding the failure ⁠of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely ​closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality ​is allowed ⁠to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The U.S. Navy is preparing in coming days to board Iranian-linked sanctioned crude oil tankers and seize commercial ships within international waters in several areas around the globe, according to U.S. officials, expanding its ongoing naval crackdown beyond the current blockade in the Middle East, the officials told the Wall Street Journal.

Chances that commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal anytime soon have plummeted in the last 24 hours on Polymarket, as Iran announces it is once again fully closing the vital shipping lane, with traders on Polymarket believing there is only a 24% chance that the strait will be reopened by the end of April.

U.S. intelligence and military officials estimate that Iran still maintains about 40% of its pre-war arsenal of long-range attack drones, as well as 60% of its ballistic and cruise missile launchers, with over 100 systems that were buried inside caves and bunkers as a result of U.S. and Israeli strikes having been recovered since the start of the two-week ceasefire on April 8. In addition, some American estimates assess that Iran could reclaim as much as 70% of its pre-war stockpile of missiles, similarly buried in rubble from attacks on its bunkers and depots, officials tell The New York Times.

Seemingly unusual radio traffic tonight by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), including a 12-character message from an E-6B “Mercury” Communications Relay and Strategic Airborne Command Post Aircraft.

Audio credit: @neetintel on X

Live performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” posted tonight to TruthSocial by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has stated that no date has been set for the next round of peace negotiations between Iran and the United States, following last weekend’s talks in Islamabad which failed to achieve an agreement, despite claims by U.S. President Donald J. Trump that there would be more direct talks this weekend in Pakistan.

“We are now focusing on finalising ⁠the framework of understanding between two sides. We don't want to enter into any negotiation or meeting which is doomed to fail and which can be a pretext for another round of escalation,” Khatibzadeh told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum Saturday in Turkey.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump states that his representatives will be leaving soon for Islamabad, Pakistan, to attend the second round of peace negotiations with Iran, expected to take place Monday evening, adding that, “We're offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don't, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! They'll come down fast, they'll come down easy and, if they don't take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead a delegation, which will once again include Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, for another round of direct peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, before the current two-week ceasefire is scheduled to end Tuesday, two U.S. officials tell Axios.