'We're talking to' Iran, Trump says after Strait of Hormuz closed

Key Points:

• President Trump stated on April 18 that his administration is engaged in "very good conversations" with Iran regarding peace negotiations, despite Iran's announcement that it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the U.S. naval blockade of its ports is lifted.
• Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad B. Ghalibaf declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as the blockade continues, reversing earlier statements that the strait was "completely open," following Trump's refusal to end the blockade.
• Tensions escalated as two India-flagged ships were attacked by Iranian military forces while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, prompting India to summon the Iranian ambassador and express deep concern for the safety of merchant shipping.
• Trump threatened not to extend the current ceasefire if no deal is reached by Wednesday, warning that the blockade would continue and that military action might resume, despite his claims that most negotiation points have been agreed upon.
• Separately, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned an attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, which resulted in the death of a French soldier, and called on Lebanese authorities to hold Hezbollah accountable for the incident.