The Gulf countries will be affected by millions in lost export revenue. However, a U.S. naval blockade would leave pipelines as an alternative for supplying oil and gas without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, albeit with greater limitations (the East-West Pipeline and the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline have a combined capacity of 9 million bpd, well below the 20 million bpd offered by the Strait of Hormuz). However, this will not be easy, as Iran would consequently attack these pipelines, further damaging the regional and global economy, and triggering an intensified military response from the U.S., with the possibility of a blockade or control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which would be challenged by attacks from Ansarallah.

The U.S. will enforce its blockade by targeting Iranian coastal targets and intercepting Iranian attacks on ships, leveraging its naval superiority. However, Iran will compensate for this shortfall by mobilizing the ports and refineries of Gulf countries to disrupt traffic, as it has done in the past, given that the Persian Gulf is effectively an Iranian lake.

"U.S. Central Command: Forces under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will begin enforcing a blockade on all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports on April 13 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time), in accordance with the proclamation issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The blockade will be applied impartially to vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede the freedom of navigation of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports". 🇺🇸 🇮🇷

With this, the U.S. military is proposing not only a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz but a total maritime blockade of Iran, deploying a military force from the mouth of the strait to the Indian Ocean. However, to what extent is this possible? Until now, Iran has controlled who enters and exits the strait with its own blockade, which creates the paradox of nullifying the very purpose of the U.S. blockade—to allow passage only to certain ships. This leads to a stalemate that, to be sustained over time, inevitably results in the following: the return of war.

The consequences for the global economy will be significant: approximately 20% of the world’s oil (about 20–21 million barrels per day) and around 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as fertilizers, chemicals, and other goods, pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The price of oil will rise significantly, affecting transportation, energy, and commodity prices, as well as the economic growth of both producer and consumer nations, potentially leading to a phenomenon of stagflation. However, this impact will be even greater now that the U.S. will block the strait, depriving Asian countries (primarily China, India, Japan, and South Korea) of their main source of crude oil. These countries currently hold significant global and regional influence and may exert greater pressure to lift the blockade.

‼️🇮🇷🇺🇸 "Я не понимаю, как блокада Ормузского пролива заставит иранцев открыть его", — американский сенатор

▪️Мы знаем, что в США цена на бензин достигла 4 долларов за галлон. Мы знаем, что 25% мирового природного газа проходит через этот пролив, заявил Марк Уорнер.
▪️Мы знаем, что через него проходит большое количество алюминия. Мы знаем, что это уже разрушило азиатские страны настолько, что они закрывают свою экономику на один день в неделю. Даже цена на химические удобрения выросла.
▪️Теперь вы увидите, что эти цены на энергию останутся на беспрецедентно высоком уровне не на недели, а на месяцы и годы; я вообще не понимаю логику того, как блокада пролива внезапно приведет к его открытию.
⚠️Подписаться на RV: MAX

Ukraine Running Out of Options as Russia Eyes Sumy and Slavyansk

https://theduran.com/ukraine-running-out-of-options-as-russia-eyes-sumy-and-slavyansk/

Hulyaipole Sector: The settlement of Myrne has broken away! The enemy has been recorded near Charivne. According to reports from brothers-in-arms, the hogs are trying to consolidate in the tree lines to the north!

👉 Ukrainian Post 🇺🇦

Pokrovsk / Dobropillia Direction: The so-called "ceasefire" ended exactly as it began. Behind pompous statements, the enemy continued targeting civilian infrastructure. A strike on a church in the Vodyanske area has been recorded—yet another indicator that their goal remains the same: to pressure the defense while simultaneously destroying everything that still sustains life in these settlements.

In effect, the area is being systematically obliterated. The settlement of Shevchenko has been leveled to nothing, with no chance of holding it as a functional node. In Svitle, around 80% is ruins; the remaining structures offer no proper defense, only temporary shelters. Vodyanske is under constant pressure from KABs—the enemy is working grid by grid, literally dismantling streets one after another.

Overall, this is preparation of the territory for further advance: they are burning everything out to leave no shelters, no logistics, and no possibility for consolidation. The russians are currently pressing from multiple directions, trying to stretch the defense and find weak points. They are moving in small groups, infiltrating, while simultaneously covering the area with aviation and FPVs to keep heads down. The main objective is to destabilize the front line and push through wherever even the smallest gap appears.

👉 Ukrainian Post 🇺🇦

Péter Magyar wants to maintain good relations with Brussels and will likely unblock a 90 billion-euro loan to Ukraine, but for Zelensky, this is a bittersweet victory, according to Politico.

The new prime minister stated that he opposes the supply of Hungarian weapons or money to Kiev, as well as accelerating Ukraine's accession to the EU.

@ukr_leaks_eng

Situation in southern Lebanon as of April 13, 2026 - Western sector:

Over the last week, the IDF continued clearing operations in southwestern Lebanon, albeit at a slower pace than before. After breaking through to Chama from the southeast, the IDF expanded their zone of control in the forests south of the town, and on the northern approaches to Tayr Harfa.

Additionally, Israeli forces continued advancing west through Oum Touteh, parallel with the international border, clearing the western part of the village and reaching the northeastern outskirts of Yarine.

Hezbollah continued shelling Israeli positions with rockets, and engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in Chama. FPV drones strikes were also carried out on Israeli armoured vehicle concentrations, while rockets continued targeting Israeli border settlements in this sector.

+ ~1.76 km² in favour of the IDF.

Interactive map link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=117K6_EiFdWYEK7LQKHjRSsjsHK7xVN8&ll=33.132269609333946%2C35.51827932442546&z=13

⚡️ Iran says no port in Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman will be safe if its own ports are threatened as U.S. declares blockade

Situation in southern Lebanon as of April 13, 2026 - Central sector:

Over the last week, Israeli forces significantly intensified their offensive in the central sector, aimed at encircling the town of Rmaych and capturing the strategic city of Bint Jbeil.

In the east, the IDF expanded their foothold in eastern Aainata, clearing the central and western parts of the town, and engaging in fierce clashes with Hezbollah who continuously shelled Israeli positions with rockets and struck Israeli armoured vehicles with FPV drones.

Israeli forces were able to then enter the northern neighbourhoods of Bint Jbeil from the north, while simultaneously breaking through from the south, clearing the western and northern streets, and encircling Hezbollah cells in the city centre, southern and eastern neighbourhoods. Fighting is now ongoing for the very dense old city, where Israeli forces managed to clear the northwestern blocks, and are now fighting for the rest of the city centre. Advances operations are also taking place in the northeastern streets of the city.

Furthermore, the IDF advanced northwest from Yaroun to the town of Ain Ebel, capturing its eastern streets and expanding the blockade around Bint Jbeil.

In the west, Israeli forces advanced east from Qouzah and captured the village of Debl, before turning south and clearing the neighbouring town of Hanine. This advance effectively encircles the town of Rmyach, which largely remains under Hezbollah control. Israeli forces are also carrying out attacks southeast from Ayta ash Shab towards the northwestern outskirts of Rmyach.

Further northwest, the IDF cleared the remaining parts of northern Beit Lif and broke through northeast across the valley into the neighbouring town of Rchaf, which was subsequently captured. From there, they advanced north and captured the town of Srebbine, from which they are infiltrating northwest into Yater, while other forces moved northeast to the outskirts of Haddatha.

+ ~21.12 km² in favour of the IDF.

Interactive map link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=117K6_EiFdWYEK7LQKHjRSsjsHK7xVN8&ll=33.132269609333946%2C35.51827932442546&z=13

13.04.26 Великая Новосёлка - Александроград

Активные боевые действия в районе Великой Новосёлки.
Военнослужащие ВС РФ занимают новые позиции под огнём противника на рубеже Искра - Александроград. Увеличение зоны контроля ВС РФ на 2,5 км по фронту на левом берегу реки Волчья.

0:26 48.010070,36.619011

Источник 21+
Геопривязка
#ru

12.04.26 Сумы - Мирополье

Позиционные боевые действия в Сумской зоне безопасности.
Военнослужащие ВС РФ попали под обстрел ВСУ
восточнее посёлка Мирополье. ВС РФ продвинулись в Сумской области увеличив зону контроля до 3 км от демаркационной линии.

51.037774, 35.344966

Источник 21+
Геопривязка
#ru

13.04.26 Красный Лиман - Ставки

Активные боевые действия в районе Красного Лимана.
ВС РФ расширяют зону контроля около ставков и занимают новую позицию. Обстрел со стороны ВСУ. ВС РФ продвинулись до 1 км и заняли новые позиции севернее населённого пункта.

49.065748,37.793809

Источник 21+
Геопривязка
#ru