US Iran War Live Updates: Iran Attacks US Ships, Drones In Retaliation To Seizure Of Cargo Vessel Near Hormuz

Flagging uncertainties global economic concerns due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions, UAE Minister of Industry Sultan Al Jaber in a post on X said, " Almost 600 million barrels of oil blocked so far. 50 days of mounting pressure on LNG, jet fuel, fertilizer, and the essentials that the world depends on. Behind every missing barrel, bills go up for ordinary people everywhere. The global economy cannot afford more uncertainty. The Strait cannot operate under threat. And let's call payment for safe passage what it is: A protection racket. Hormuz belongs to the world. It must be returned to the world. Exactly as it was."

50 days of a closed Hormuz:

Almost 600 million barrels of oil blocked so far.
50 days of mounting pressure on LNG, jet fuel, fertilizer, and the essentials that the world depends on.
Behind every missing barrel, bills go up for ordinary people everywhere.
The global economy…

— Dr. Sultan Al Jaber (@SultanAlJaber) April 19, 2026

Trump said that  US negotiators will head to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran, heightening hopes of extending a fragile ceasefire amid a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, PTI reported. However, whether Iran would participate in the talks remains unclear.
 

The US military said that the Iranian flagged ship was fired for  “several rounds” during its attempt to violate American naval blockade, CNN reported.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is not free, noting that Iran's oil exports cannot be restricted.

In a post on X, Aref said, "The security of the Strait of Hormuz is not free. One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others. The choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone. Stability in global fuel prices depends on a guaranteed and lasting end to the economic and military pressure against Iran and its allies."

The security of the Strait of Hormuz is not free. One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others. The choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone. Stability in global fuel prices depends on a…

— Aref| First VP Iran (@fvpresidentiran) April 19, 2026

Benchmark crude prices jumped as Brent crude rose around $96 per barrel and US WTI climbing above $90 per barrel, marking gains of over 6% each. Similarly, natural gas rates surged, with European prices jumping as much as 11% amid fears of disruption in energy flows. Read full report here.

After the US attacked the ship in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian forces retaliated by attacking some US military ships with drones, Reuters reported citing Iran's top joint military command.

Iran will not be a part of the the second round of peace talks with the US in Islamabad, Iranian media said on Monday. US Vice President JD Vance will reportedly travel to Pakistan to lead the next round of negotiations this week.

"The reports circulating about a second round of negotiations in Islamabad are false," the IRNA News Agency posted on the social media platform X. "US excessive demands, unreasonable and unrealistic expectations, frequent shifts in positions, continuous contradictions, and the so-called naval blockade which violates ceasefire understanding along with threatening rhetoric, have so far hindered progress in the negotiations. Under these conditions, the outlook for constructive talks remains bleak," it added.