WANA – Our team is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran.

 

This report is being updated …

 


IRGC: U.S. President’s Statements on Strait of Hormuz Lack Credibility

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The Public Relations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has issued the following statement regarding the latest maritime developments:

 

Yesterday, with the announcement by the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the permission for civilian vessels to pass through the “Larak Corridor,” a number of vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz under the management and coordination of the IRGC Navy.

 


IRGC Aerospace Force: “We Will Crush the Necks of Aggressors”

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The IRGC Aerospace Force Command issued a sharp warning today: “In safeguarding the interests of the people of Islamic Iran, we warmly shake the hand of those who show respect, but we will harshly crush the neck of any aggressor. We have demonstrated this before.”

 


Israel Violates Lebanon Ceasefire with Southern Demolitions

 

WANA (Apr 18) – Lebanese media and local sources report that the Israeli military has violated the ceasefire by conducting major demolition operations in Southern Lebanon. Large-scale explosions targeting residential homes were carried out in the towns of Al-Khiam, Markaba, and At-Tayyibah.

 


Third Clash in the Strait of Hormuz Within Two Hours

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that a cruise ship was targeted in an attack east of Oman an hour ago, marking the third maritime incident in the region within a two-hour window.

 

According to the UKMTO report, an incident occurred approximately 3 nautical miles east of Oman. The captain of a cruise ship reported seeing a water splash and surge in close proximity to the vessel, likely caused by a projectile impacting the water’s surface.

 

Less than an hour prior to this, the organization reported that a container ship located 25 nautical miles northeast of Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile. The strike reportedly caused damage to several containers on board.

 


Pro-Iran and Resistance Front Rally Held in Germany

WANA (Apr 18) – A gathering is currently underway in Stuttgart, Germany, in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the “Axis of Resistance.”

 


IRGC Senior Advisor: U.S. and Israel are Under Our Blade; We Have Unused Winning Cards

 

WANA (Apr 18) – In a detailed live television interview, General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, Senior Advisor to the IRGC Commander-in-Chief, declared that Iran holds absolute military superiority and is prepared to collapse global oil markets if hostilities resume.

 

Naghdi emphasized that Iran has intentionally withheld its most devastating capabilities. “The upper hand is ours; we have many targets we haven’t hit yet, saving them for the next stages,” he stated.

 

He warned that Iran could permanently halt regional oil production: “We can take down 15 million barrels of oil per day or more, shutting it down for an entire year.” He further noted that in the realms of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, the “final blow” has not yet been delivered, stating, “Their hands are under our cleaver.”

 


Rosatom: Nuclear Cooperation with Iran to Continue

WANA - Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom

Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom. Social media/ WANA News Agency

WANA (Apr 18) – The CEO of Rosatom announced today that the Russian state nuclear corporation is closely monitoring negotiations between Iran and the United States, affirming that nuclear cooperation with Tehran will proceed within international legal frameworks.

 

Notably, Rosatom has officially offered to assist in the removal of enriched uranium from Iran as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

 


Aref: Trump’s Tweets Are “Worthless”

 

WANA (Apr 18) – Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref dismissed Donald Trump’s recent social media threats as “worthless” and a blend of “delusion and contradictory rhetoric.”

 

Aref stated that Iran’s true response is found in the “glory of the field” rather than in words. He pointed to the failure of the alleged naval blockade and the two-to-threefold surge in oil exports during this period as proof of Iran’s “decisive victory.”

 

“The authority of this nation will not be tarnished by delusional rants,” Aref concluded, emphasizing that operational success has already neutralized U.S. pressure.

 


Iran’s SNSC Statement on the Latest Negotiations to End the War

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has issued a comprehensive statement addressed to the “brave nation of Iran,” detailing the latest diplomatic developments, the status of ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad, and the new operational protocols for the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The statement begins by invoking the “historic and unique resistance” of the Iranian people and Armed Forces. It notes that following the military failure of the aggressors, the United States began sending requests for a ceasefire starting on the tenth day of the war.

 


Iran Manages Strait of Hormuz; Rights Will Be Secured via Diplomacy or the Field

Mohammad Reza Aref

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref. Social media/ WANA News Agency

WANA (Apr 18) – Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, asserted today that the Islamic Republic maintains management over the Strait of Hormuz and will secure its rights either “at the negotiating table or in the field.”

 

During a visit to the Ports and Maritime Organization and the National Railway Company, Aref dismissed recent threats from Donald Trump, labeling them as “rhetoric, lies, and delusions” that do not require a response. The Vice President emphasized that Iran remains committed to enforcing its sovereignty over the strategic waterway regardless of external pressure.

 


IRGC Commander Outlines Shipping Protocols in Strait of Hormuz

 

WANA (Apr 18) – An IRGC commander, in a recent interview, detailed the operational specifics of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

 

Pointing out that exchange of fire between Iran and U.S.-Israeli forces at sea had rendered civilian shipping routes unsafe, he announced that the IRGC Navy immediately operationalized an alternative corridor—the “North Larak” corridor—for use during the conflict.

 


Iranian Lawmaker Dismisses Trump’s Naval Blockade Threat as “Political Bluff”

Iranian MP and member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Brigadier General Mohammad Esmail Kowsari

Iranian MP and member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Brigadier General Mohammad Esmail Kowsari. Social media/ WANA News Agency

WANA (Apr 18) – Esmaeil Kosari, Iranian Member of Parliament, in response to Donald Trump’s recent threat regarding a “naval blockade of Iran,” stated: “This is more of a political bluff than a reality. The point is that if we close the straits under our control—whether the Strait of Hormuz or the routes connected to the Red Sea—it is they themselves who will, in practice, be blockaded.”

 

He added, “Furthermore, Trump is already being pressured as to why oil and energy prices have risen so high. It is natural that if the 18% to 20% of energy exported to the world is cut off, the situation will become much worse for them, and the voice of their protest will grow louder.”

 

Referring to the miscalculations of American advisors, Kosari emphasized: “The advisors by his side act exactly as they think—with a malicious mindset—and they truly do not know what they are doing. The necessary response has been given, and God willing, they will not be able to achieve anything in practice.”

 


Khatibzadeh: No Date Set for Second Round of Talks with U.S.

 

WANA (Apr 18) – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, speaking on the sidelines of the “Antalya Diplomacy Forum,” stated that the excessive position of the United States is an obstacle to reaching an agreement in the Tehran-Washington negotiations, announcing that no date has yet been declared for holding the second round of these talks.

 

Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, told reporters today at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum meeting that progress has been made toward reaching an agreement in negotiations with the U.S., but obstacles still remain.

 


Iran Returns 2 Ships in the Strait of Hormuz

 

WANA (Apr 18) – TankerTrackers announced that two ships attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz without permission and head eastward were turned back following gunfire.

 

The tanker tracking firm TankerTrackers reported moments ago that two Indian ships were forced by the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz and head west.

 


Azizi: Closing the Strait of Hormuz Was the Response to U.S. Bad Faith

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament has declared that the reinstatement of strict regulations in the Strait of Hormuz is a direct response to American “bad faith,” asserting that the U.S. President is substituting “dreams” for factual reality.

 

Ebrahim Azizi stated that the “black record” of the United States since the beginning of the Revolution has proven that breaking promises is an inseparable part of Washington’s political doctrine.

 


Iranian Embassy Slams EU’s Kallas Over International Law Remarks, Labels Europe a “Paper Tiger”

WANA (Apr 18) – The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Austria has issued a scathing response to statements made by Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, regarding the transit of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the Iranian diplomatic mission dismissed the EU’s stance as hypocritical and ineffective. The reaction follows Kallas’s insistence that international law mandates waterways like the Strait of Hormuz remain open and free of transit fees.

 


Iran Has Not Yet Agreed to the Next Round of Talks with the U.S.

WANA (Apr 18) – According to Iranian media, inquiries from relevant authorities indicate that due to Trump’s declaration of a “naval blockade” against Iran, as well as “American excessive demands” in negotiations—which have persisted in recent message exchanges—Iran has not agreed to the next round of talks up to this moment.

 

Iran has emphasized that the absence of American “excessive demands” is a “main condition” for continuing negotiations; otherwise, Iran is not looking to waste its time with “attritional and useless negotiations”.

 

Based on information, this matter has been communicated to American officials through a “Pakistani intermediary”.

 


We Warned, But You Ignored!

 

WANA (Apr 18) – Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, issued a pointed statement today regarding the tightening of maritime controls. “We warned you, but you ignored it,” Azizi stated.

 

He concluded by remarking that the opposition should now face the consequences of the Strait of Hormuz returning to its “status quo” of strict military oversight.

 


IRGC Navy Issues Operational Response to U.S. “Breach of Faith”

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The IRGC Naval Command announced a return to restricted status for the Strait of Hormuz, stating:

 

“Every breach of faith by the U.S. will receive a fitting response. As long as the transit of vessels to and from Iran remains under threat, the Strait of Hormuz will remain in its previous state (of heightened control), by the will of God.”

 


Iran: Hormuz Strait Returns to Restricted Status

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced today that the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state of high-alert restrictions, citing repeated American breaches of faith and ongoing maritime interference.

 

Following previous agreements and negotiations conducted in good faith, the Islamic Republic of Iran had initially agreed to allow the managed passage of a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

 


Iran Reopens Airspace in Eastern Regions

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) of Iran announced today that portions of the country’s airspace and several airports have officially resumed operations as of 7:00 AM Local time, Saturday, April 18, 2026.

 

According to a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by the CAO, the reopening marks a strategic return to service for key aviation corridors.

 


The Enemy Must Take the Idea of a Ground Attack on Iran’s Borders to the Grave

 

WANA (Apr 18) – Highlighting the total readiness of the Armed Forces to counter any threat, the Commander of the Army Ground Forces emphasized that the enemy must take the thought of a ground assault on the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the grave, and such ideas must remain solely within their imagination.

 

Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, referred to developments following the “Recent War” in a televised interview.

 


Ghalibaf: All Seven Trump Claims are False

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote on his Twitter account that the President of the United States made seven claims in one hour, all of which are false.

 

He stated that they did not win the war with these lies and will certainly not achieve anything in negotiations either.

 


Comply with the New Strait of Hormuz Maritime Order

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The Chairman of the Iranian Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, has officially declared that a new maritime order is now in effect within the Strait of Hormuz.

 

In a statement published on his social media account, Azizi emphasized that the time has come for international actors to comply with this new system, noting that the Islamic Republic of Iran determines the regulations of this waterway rather than virtual or social media posts.

 


Defense Ministry Spokesperson: Strait of Hormuz Open Only Under Conditional Ceasefire

 

WANA (Apr 18) – The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Talai-Nik, has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is currently open only on a limited and conditional basis. Under these terms, military vessels and any ships associated with hostile forces are strictly prohibited from transiting the waterway.

 

General Talai-Nik emphasized that this status is temporary, warning that if pressure continues to be exerted on the Lebanese people, maritime conditions will revert to their previous restricted state.

 


Conflict with Iran Removes 500 Million Barrels of Oil from the Global Market

WANA - Iran Boosts Oil Output

WANA (Apr 18) – According to data from the analytics firm Kpler, the conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran has removed approximately 500 million barrels of crude oil from the global supply. This figure represents the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

 

Analysts note that this reduction is equivalent to five days of total global oil consumption, nearly one month of U.S. oil demand, or more than a full month of total consumption across Europe.

 

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.