International waters – The Milli Chronicle

Trump Orders U.S. Navy to Begin Hormuz Blockade After Talks Collapse

NewsDesk MC — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:41:52 +0000

Washington — Donald Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of peace talks with Iran, in a move aimed at tightening pressure on Tehran during the ongoing conflict.

In a post on social media, Trump said U.S. naval forces would block “any and all ships” attempting to enter or leave the waterway, which carries roughly 20% of global oil supplies and is central to international energy markets.

He added that the Navy had been instructed to “seek and interdict every vessel in international waters” that had paid a toll to Iran, describing such payments as illegal and warning that affected ships would not be granted safe passage.

The announcement came shortly after U.S. officials ended negotiations with Iran in Pakistan without reaching an agreement, prompting Washington to escalate efforts to curtail Tehran’s economic leverage derived from control over the strategic shipping lane.

Trump said Iran’s nuclear ambitions remained a key obstacle to resolving the conflict and signaled readiness for further military action. “At an appropriate moment, we are fully ‘locked and loaded,’” he wrote, adding that U.S. forces would “finish” the remaining aspects of the war.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, and any disruption to shipping through the narrow passage has the potential to impact oil prices and international trade flows.

No immediate response from Iranian authorities was reported.

Mediterranean Tragedy Deepens as 71 Migrants Reported Missing off Italy

NewsDesk MC — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:23:23 +0000

Rome— Two merchant vessels operating near Italy rescued 32 migrants and recovered two bodies from a capsized boat over the Easter weekend, while survivors reported that 71 others were missing at sea after attempting the crossing from Libya, rescue charities said.

The survivors, who said their vessel had initially carried 105 people, were found clinging to the wreckage of an overturned boat before being taken aboard nearby ships, according to Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea-Watch. The bodies and survivors were later transferred to an Italian coast guard patrol boat and brought to the island of Lampedusa.

Italy’s interior ministry declined to comment on the incident, while the Italian Coast Guard did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation. The rescue took place during Easter, a major holiday in Italy.

Footage released by Sea-Watch showed migrants struggling in open waters, with several individuals holding onto the partially submerged orange hull as rescuers approached.

The central Mediterranean route, one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors, has been further complicated this year by adverse weather conditions. Rough seas have reduced the number of departures from North Africa but increased the risks for those attempting the journey.

The International Organization for Migration estimates that at least 683 people have died along the central Mediterranean route so far this year, marking one of the highest death tolls recorded since 2014.

Iranian sailors treated in Sri Lanka after U.S. submarine strike kills 87

NewsDesk MC — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:38:13 +0000

GALLE, Sri Lanka, March 5 — Iranian sailors who survived a U.S. submarine strike in the Indian Ocean were being treated at a hospital in the Sri Lankan port city of Galle, authorities said on Thursday, a day after at least 87 people were killed in the attack on the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena.Officials at the National Hospital in Galle and Sri Lankan navy sources said the bodies of 87 victims were brought to the facility by military rescuers who responded to an early-morning distress call from the vessel on Wednesday.Survivors receiving treatmentHospital authorities said a number of injured sailors were admitted for treatment following the rescue operation. Medical staff were providing care for survivors suffering from injuries sustained during the attack and subsequent rescue efforts.Sri Lankan officials did not immediately disclose the number of survivors being treated but confirmed that several wounded personnel had been transferred from naval rescue vessels to medical facilities in Galle.The Sri Lankan navy said it responded to a distress signal from the Iranian ship in waters of the Indian Ocean and dispatched units to assist in recovery operations. Rescuers transported casualties and survivors to the southern port city following the incident.Recovery operation underwayNavy sources said rescue teams continued recovery efforts after receiving the emergency call from the vessel early on Wednesday. Military personnel were involved in retrieving victims and assisting survivors found in the surrounding waters.Authorities said the bodies were brought to the National Hospital in Galle for identification and other procedures. Officials added that coordination was underway with relevant diplomatic authorities regarding the handling of the victims.The circumstances surrounding the strike were not immediately detailed by Sri Lankan authorities, who said their role focused on search-and-rescue operations following the distress call.Regional security tensionsThe incident occurred in the Indian Ocean, a major maritime route linking the Middle East with South and Southeast Asia and one that carries a significant share of global trade and energy shipments.Military analysts have noted that naval movements in the region have drawn heightened attention amid broader geopolitical tensions. However, officials in Sri Lanka did not comment on the wider security implications of the attack.Sri Lanka maintains diplomatic relations with both Iran and the United States and frequently provides logistical or humanitarian assistance to vessels in distress near its territorial waters.Authorities said further information would be released once recovery and identification procedures were completed.