IRAN WAR UPDATES: Standoff intensifies in Strait of Hormuz after Trump issues ‘shoot and kill’ order

On Thursday night, Trump also said that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House

Published Apr 24, 2026  •  2 minute read

A container ship is seen in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. Photo by Asghar Besharati /AP

Tensions between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz intensified Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats in the strait. Meanwhile, Iran pushed back on the president’s claim that there was a leadership rift in the Islamic Republic.

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Since the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the first strike of the war on Feb. 28, it’s been unclear who in Iran wields ultimate authority over its collection of civilian figures and powerful generals who appear to be in charge.

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On Thursday night, Trump also said that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah by three weeks after talks at the White House.

Here’s the latest on the Iran war on Friday:

Drones reportedly fired from Iraq struck sites in Kuwait

Kuwait says explosive drones launched from Iraq have struck two sites on the northern land border on Friday morning.

The Kuwait army said on X that the drones caused material damage, but that there were no reports of casualties.

Iranian foreign minister talks with Pakistani officials

Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, has called Pakistani officials over the ceasefire in the war with the United States and Israel.

A statement Friday said Araghchi spoke with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief.

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Araghchi’s statement said the men spoke about “regional developments and issues related to the ceasefire,” without elaborating.

Hours later, a statement on behalf of Dar acknowledged the call, stating “both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of U.S.-Iran engagement.”

Pakistan has been trying to get American and Iranian officials back to the negotiating table in Islamabad.

Top EU diplomat notes risk of ‘weaker’ US-Iran deal

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are at risk of forging a “weaker” agreement than one struck a decade ago.

“If the talks are only about the nuclear (issue) and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPoA was,” Kallas said in Cyprus, referring to a 2015 deal struck during the Obama administration that Trump pulled the U.S. out of in 2018.

Kallas said if negotiators do not table Iran’s “missile programs, their support to proxies, and also hybrid and cyber activities in Europe” there is a possibility “we will end up with a more dangerous Iran.”

– With files from The Associated Press

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