Distress call captures tanker under fire, Iran shuts Hormuz trapping thousands of sailors

Fox News is reporting on skyrocketing tensions in the Middle East as Iran's Revolutionary Guard doubles down on its iron grip over the Strait of Hormuz and opens fire on passing ships.

President Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, made it crystal clear that the U.S. naval blockade will stay in full force. White House correspondent Alex Hogan is on the ground with the latest on this rapidly escalating diplomatic and military standoff.

Hundreds of commercial tankers are now stranded on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz after Iran slammed shut this critical chokepoint on April 18, bringing traffic to a complete halt and leaving crews trapped amid reports of gunfire and "traumatic experiences" on board.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered an international waterway under international law, through which ships have the right of transit passage, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Iranian gunboats opened fire on a tanker the same day, while a projectile struck a container vessel, damaging cargo.

U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that "U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are among the assets executing a blockade mission impacting Iranian ports." (CENTCOM)

Audio released by maritime monitoring group TankerTrackers appears to capture the moment a vessel and its crew came under fire while approaching the strait, including a distress call from a crew member.

"Sepah Navy! Motor tanker Sanmar Herald! You gave me clearance to go… you are firing now. Let me turn back!" the crew member can be heard saying in the recording, according to TankerTrackers.

Iranian state media confirmed that shots were fired near vessels to force them to turn back, while the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India said the foreign secretary was deeply concerned.

Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fifth-largest container shipping line, told Fox News Digital that it had activated a crisis team as its crews remain stuck on board vessels in the region.

"We have been working from Friday afternoon until today with the entire crisis team to bring the vessels out — in vain, unfortunately," said Nils Haupt, senior director of group communications at Hapag-Lloyd AG.

"These events can easily lead to traumatic experiences. There is also a significant risk from sea mines, which has made insuring vessels for passage through the Strait nearly impossible."

"The crews are well, but they are becoming increasingly impatient and frustrated. It is very unfortunate that we could not leave today," he added. "Many ships are still stuck in the Persian Gulf."

"Our six ships are anchored near the port of Dubai, and all crews hope for an improvement in the situation," Haupt said.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on April 18 that the strait would remain closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, warning ships not to move from anchorage or risk being treated as "enemy" collaborators.

Iran has previously argued that restrictions on its oil exports and shipping amount to "economic warfare," framing actions in the Strait of Hormuz as a response to foreign pressure on its economy, according to statements from Iranian officials and state media in past incidents.

"Approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and any violating vessel will be targeted," the IRGC said in a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

Fishing boats dot the sea as cargo ships, in the background, sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo)The United States imposed the blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait, with U.S. Central Command saying the measures are being enforced "impartially against all vessels."

Hapag-Lloyd said its vessels have been stuck for weeks following the initial closure after the outbreak of war with Iran on Feb. 28.

"For us, it is critical that our vessels can pass through the strait soon," Haupt said."We offer all crew members unlimited data so they can video call loved ones and access entertainment. Crews are strong, but after weeks on board there is growing monotony and frustration."

"One crew experienced a fire on board from bomb fragments. Others have seen missiles or drones near their vessels," he added.

"They are resilient, but each additional day makes the situation more difficult, more monotonous, and more stressful."

President Trump said Iran had agreed not to close the strait again but after the closure, Trump called the situation "blackmail" and said the U.S. would not back down.

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Caught! Accused killer of 8 children in custody

Shamar Elkins, was a 31-year-old Army National Guard veteran from Shreveport, Louisiana, He is the suspect accused of opening fire during a domestic incident that left eight children dead and two women injured on Sunday, previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard, officials said.

Shortly after 6 a.m. (CT) on the morning of April 19, 2026,  Elkins carried out shootings at multiple addresses (reported as two or three related homes). The POS allegedly killed eight children aged 1 to 14, with seven believed to be his own biological children or direct descendants. One additional child reportedly escaped. 

Elkins allegedly also shot and wounded two adult women (one critically), including his wife or ex-partner, Shaneiqua Pugh/Elkins (age 34), with whom he had been in a relationship for about 10 years and married since April 2024. They reportedly had four daughters together.
Authorities described the incident as stemming from domestic violence or a domestic disturbance. After the shootings, Elkins fled like a coward, carjacked a vehicle, and led police on a chase into neighboring Bossier City/Parish. 

Thankfully, he was fatally shot by officers during the pursuit (it is however, unclear if it was police fire or a self-inflicted wound as the cause of death).
Hours before the attack, he reportedly posted on social media about a “1 on 1 date” at a burger joint with one of his daughters and shared family photos. Days or weeks earlier, he had posted concerning messages about his wife and marriage.

“Shamar D. Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a Signal Support System Specialist (25U) and a Fire Support Specialist (13F),” an Army official told Fox News Digital. “He has no deployment. He left the Army as a private.” 

Seven years in the Army and he ended up at the lowest rank--he must've been a veritable genius.

Authorities say Elkins is accused of carrying out the shooting across multiple locations before fleeing the scene, carjacking a vehicle and later being killed during a confrontation with law enforcement. 

Buy that cop a beer.

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US Navy seizes Iranian cargo ship after blowing a hole in its engine room

Trump / Roberto Schmidt / Getty Images

The U.S. Navy just delivered a swift and decisive lesson in maritime enforcement, intercepting and seizing an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that foolishly tried to run President Donald Trump's naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our naval blockade, and it did not go well for them,” Trump said in a post shared on X (and originally on Truth Social).

“The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop,” he said.

“The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel,” Trump added.

“The TOUSKA is under U.S. Treasury sanctions because of its prior history of illegal activity. We have full custody of the ship, and are seeing what’s on board!” he said.

This isn't some minor dust-up—it's a clear signal that America's renewed strength under Trump means business when it comes to choking off Iran's illicit networks. The regime in Tehran keeps testing the waters, and the U.S. Navy keeps reminding them why that's a terrible idea.

This is a breaking story and there will be more to follow.

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Iranian National Woman Arrested in Weapons Case

Federal authorities arrested an Iranian national at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of trafficking weapons on behalf of Tehran. The case throws into sharp relief the persistent national security threats that continue to emanate from the Iranian regime.

Shamim Mafi, 44, [aka "The Shamster"] of Woodland Hills, was taken into custody on Saturday night. She stands charged with violating federal sanctions laws by allegedly brokering the sale of Iranian-made weapons, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

"Last night, Shamim Mafi . . .  was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran," Essayli said Sunday in a post on X, detailing the charges against her.

Prosecutors allege that Mafi arranged deals involving drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured in Iran and sold to Sudan.

The charges fall under 50 U.S.C. § 1705, the statute that prohibits evading or violating U.S. sanctions against foreign adversaries.

If convicted, Mafi faces up to twenty years in federal prison. When one considers the scale of death that such weapons could have inflicted, that sentence feels perilously short. She needs to go away for every year she has lived.

Authorities confirmed that Mafi is an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016. She is expected to make her initial appearance on Monday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles. As with all criminal cases, she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This arrest arrives at a moment of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran. Officials have repeatedly warned of the regime’s global reach, its relentless pursuit of weapons proliferation, and its unstinting support for proxy conflicts across the Middle East and beyond.

Essayli’s post, which confirmed both the arrest and the nature of the allegations, served as a stark reminder of the seriousness of these charges and their broader national security implications.

At the heart of the case are claims that Mafi helped facilitate the movement of military-grade equipment tied directly to Iran’s defense industry. The episode raises troubling questions about the extent of Tehran’s covert networks and their ability to operate even within the borders of the United States.

Security experts have warned for years that Iran’s sophisticated use of intermediaries and hidden supply chains to export weapons poses a formidable challenge to Western enforcement agencies. The alleged involvement of a lawful permanent resident based in America only sharpens the concern. It suggests that foreign actors have learned how to exploit American infrastructure, residency privileges, and international travel systems for their own lethal ends.

The timing of the case is hardly coincidental. It arrives as policymakers debate the need for far stricter enforcement of sanctions and tighter controls on individuals linked to hostile regimes. Critics have long maintained that years of lax oversight have emboldened adversaries such as Iran, allowing them to expand their influence through precisely this kind of illicit trade.

Federal prosecutors have so far released few additional details about the full scope of the alleged operation or whether others remain under investigation. Yet officials have left no doubt that disrupting these illegal arms-trafficking networks remains a priority of the highest order.

As the legal process now unfolds, this case will command attention not merely for its immediate criminal dimensions but for what it reveals about the wider struggle to contain Iran’s destabilizing activities on the global stage. In an era when the regime continues to export terror and weaponry with impunity, such prosecutions serve as a necessary, if imperfect, line of defense.

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Trump tells Iranian regime what will happen if there's no deal

President Donald Trump may be the funniest and most amusing president the country has ever seen, but he isn't kidding around with the Iranian regime. He told Fox News Sunday what he planned to do if the regime fails to agree to his deal once the ceasefire ends

"If the deal isn’t done, the deal that we made, then I’m going to take out their bridges and their power plants," he said as he fired off another warning to repeat his threat to end "civilization" in Iran. "If they don’t sign this thing, the whole country is going to get blown up." Hopefully, he wasn't including the anti-regime citizens who so bravely stood up against the Ayatollah and have lost tens of thousands of peaceful protesters in the events that followed.

"We’re preparing to hit them harder than any country has ever been hit before because you cannot let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump added.

Those remarks came as Trump mocked the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a Truth Social post for staking claim to a Strait of Hormuz "blockade" the U.S. military had already put in place.

"Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait, which is strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it," Trump wrote. "They’re helping us without knowing, and they are the ones that lose with the closed passage, $500 Million Dollars a day! The United States loses nothing.

"In fact, many Ships [sic] are headed, right now, to the U.S., Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska, to load up, compliments of the IRGC, always wanting to be 'the tough guy!'"

Notably, Trump told Fox News that there is turmoil in Iran, over control of a country whose multiple layers of leadership had been killed over the past few months of strikes by Israel and the U.S.

"There's a little bit of a fight between the moderates [in Iran] and the crazies," Trump said. "Nobody's winning it."

"Our Navy has done an unbelievable job," he continued. "We haven't even been challenged." 

Trump declared that Saturday's IRGC fire was "a total violation" of the ceasefire."Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!" his Truth Social post began.

"Many of them were aimed at a French Ship, [sic] and a Freighter [sic] from the United Kingdom. That wasn’t nice, was it? My Representatives [sic] are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations [sic]."

Trump remains hopeful, albeit not completely grammatical, about diplomacy, while he is not ruling out a return to force, where he once warned about ending "civilization" in Iran as they know it.

"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," Trump's stern warning continued.

"NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!

No more [sic]s.

"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. IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END!"

Trump's Middle East peace envoys are going to take the next step toward a diplomatic resolution first, he told the outlet.

"Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are heading to the Middle East," Trump said. "They will be leaving [Monday]. Their meeting will begin on Tuesday morning. It’s a very simple deal, they’ve agreed to much of it."

"It's almost like they don't learn," he said.

Trump added that he has not made a decision on targeting water infrastructure, including desalination plants.

"I hate to do that one," he said.

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US plans to seize Iran-linked ships in several days as per WSJ

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks as a map of the Strait of Hormuz is displayed during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2026.

The mullahs in Tehran are squeezing the Strait of Hormuz like it is their personal playground, even taking shots at several ships earlier on Saturday. Because nothing says "responsible regional power" like turning one of the world's most vital oil chokepoints into a floating shooting gallery.

According to a Saturday report from The Wall Street Journal, the US is gearing up to board and seize Iran-linked oil tankers and commercial ships in the coming days. And these operations will not be limited to the neighborhood. They will happen in international waters, potentially far outside the Middle East.

The US “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said. “This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil.”

“As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions, or insurance requirements,” Caine continued.

Caine was further quoted as saying that the new campaign, which would be operated in part by the US Indo-Pacific Command, would be part of a broader President Trump-led campaign against Iran, known as “Economic Fury.”

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the WSJ that Trump was “optimistic” that the new measures would lead to a peace deal.

This all comes as Iran continues to tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, with the WSJ reporting that the US has already turned back 23 ships trying to leave Iranian ports since the blockade began. Expanding naval action beyond the Middle East gives the US even more leverage by letting it snag a greater number of vessels loaded with oil or weapons headed for Iran.

“It’s a maximalist approach,” said associate professor of law at Emory University Law School Mark Nevitt. “If you want to put the screws down on Iran, you want to use every single legal authority you have to do that.”

Iran, never one to miss a chance for some chest-thumping, claimed earlier on Saturday that it had regained military control over the Strait. They plan to keep it locked down until the US guarantees full freedom of movement for ships traveling to and from Iran.

“As long as the United States does not ensure full freedom of navigation for vessels traveling to and from Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled,” the Iranian military stated.

In addition, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared on Saturday in an apparent message on his Telegram channel that the Iranian navy is prepared to inflict “new bitter defeats” on its enemies.

Because when your economy is circling the drain and the world's most powerful navy is about to start playing global Whac-A-Mole with your oil tankers, the only logical response is more tough talk from the Telegram account. What could possibly go wrong?

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India confronts Iran after ships come under fire in Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route: 'Serious incident'

Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman,
April 18, 2026. Reuters.

India summoned the Iranian ambassador for a meeting after Indian ships reportedly came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

"The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi was called in by the Ministry of External Affairs for a meeting with Foreign Secretary this evening," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"During the meeting, Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz," it continued.

"He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India," the ministry said. "Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait."

The statement follows an earlier Reuters report claiming that two merchant vessels were hit by gunfire as they attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday.

Reuters also reported that the Sanmar Herald, an Indian-flagged vessel carrying crude oil, was attacked in the Strait on Saturday.

The reported attacks came after Iranian officials reversed a decision to reopen the crucial waterway, citing an ongoing U.S. naval blockade in the Strait.

"As long as the United States does not agree to the complete freedom of navigation for vessels... the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled and in its previous state," an Iranian military official said, according to Iranian state media agency Fars.

Despite the reports, President Donald Trump said during an unrelated Oval Office press conference Saturday that negotiations are "going actually along very well." Trump also insisted that Iran "can't blackmail us."

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Ilhan Omar's accountant's dog ate his worksheet, evidently

Ilhan Omar without makeup and sleep

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Anti-Semite-MN) announced she is not a millionaire after all and pinned the whole thing on a hilarious "major accounting error" once a congressional financial disclosure pegged her assets as high as $30 million and sparked awkward questions from Republicans and a congressional watchdog.

An amended filing reviewed by The Wall Street Journal revealed that the far-left so called Squad member and her husband's assets were actually somewhere between $18,004 and $95,000, which represented a pretty steep plunge from the earlier disclosure that had them sitting pretty between $6 million and $30 million.

"The amended disclosure confirms what we've said all along: The congresswoman is not a millionaire," Omar spokesperson comrade Jacklyn Rogers told the Journal, adding that the filing was corrected "as soon as the discrepancy was identified" [and reasonable accusations were made by Republicans who noticed her incredible new-found inexplicable wealth].

The revised disclosure arrived after the Office of Congressional Conduct politely asked for more information earlier this year, according to the Journal.

Omar's attorney explained in a letter to the watchdog that the wildly inaccurate filing was totally unintentional and simply the result of trusting those fancy accountants. "Perhaps it was a dog to blame who ate her accountant's worksheet," some on the left said in her defense.

"As the busiest of people, it is very common for members and their spouses to rely on learned professionals like accountants to make calculations and determinations that appear on public filings," the attorney wrote, according to the Journal. "While the error is of course unfortunate, there is nothing untoward and nothing illegal has occurred." It is not known whether or not her lawyer is associated with CAIR or any other untoward group.

The amended filing shows Omar reported between $102,503 and $1,005,200 in income in 2024 from assets she and her latest husband own, according to the Journal. Documentation attached to the attorney's letter showed $213,200 in distributions to her husband from his venture capital management firm and $3,000 from an un-Islamic winery.

A 2025 email between Omar's husband and his accountant valued the venture capital firm at $7.9 million and the un-Islamic winery at $1.5 million, though he owns roughly one-third of both businesses, according to tax documents cited by the Journal.

The updated disclosure also shows Omar has between $15,001 and $50,000 in student loan debt and a similar amount in credit card debt which she has not paid.

The massive discrepancy had already drawn sharp scrutiny from House Republicans, who wondered aloud how such an enormous swing in reported assets managed to sail through without anyone noticing.

In a February letter to Omar's latest husband, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) raised concerns about financial disclosures showing the value of two companies, eStCru LLC and Rose Lake Capital, had magically surged from tens of thousands of dollars in 2023 to as much as $30 million in 2024. The chances of that happening without anyone immediately noticing is about as likely as finding Don Lemon in bed with Rep. Omar.

Comer said the sudden increase "raises concerns that unknown individuals may be investing to gain influence," and requested financial records tied to the businesses.

Omar's office pushed back, describing Comer's request as "a political stunt" and part of a campaign "meant to fundraise, not real oversight," according to The Associated Press. 

So it's a political stunt when the GOP notices what appears to be improprieties, but not when the shoe is on the other foot. Now that is what is known as politics.

Her most recent husband: definitely not her brother this time

A 2025 financial disclosure filing had previously listed Omar's latest husband's business interests in the millions, including an un-Islamic winery valued between $1 million and $5 million and a venture capital firm valued between $5 million and $25 million.

Those valuations were later revised in the amended filing, with the businesses listed as having no net value once liabilities were factored in, according to the Journal.

Omar, an anti-Semite originally from Somalia and member of the "Squad," has frequently clashed with President Donald Trump since first being elected in 2018 and has long been a target of Republican criticism because of her pro-Somalia/anti-American stance.

Trump has suggested that Omar benefited from Minnesota's sprawling welfare fraud scandal involving many people from the Somali community, a claim she has denied.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton weighed in on the amended filing, questioning how previously unreported liabilities somehow vaporized millions in reported assets:

"Ilhan Omar says her congressional financial reports have massive accounting error," Fitton wrote on X. She and her husband only worth 18k-86k, NOT $6 million-$30 million! Previously unreported 'liabilities' erase wealth!"

What do you guys think? Please comment in the comment section where comments tend to go.

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