Eight oil tankers cross Strait of Hormuz despite Iran's shifting stance on blockade
via SeneNews1 min read
At least eight oil and liquefied natural gas tankers traversed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday. This occurred after Iran initially declared the strait open for the duration of a ceasefire on Friday afternoon, only to reverse its position on Saturday, according to Kpler maritime tracking data. The vessels included one crude oil tanker, four liquefied petroleum gas tankers, two mixed oil and chemical tankers, and an eighth classified as a "petroleum products" carrier. MarineTraffic also showed over a dozen vessels in the strait Saturday morning, including several tankers near the Iranian island of Larak, a control point, though at least two appeared to turn back around 09:00 GMT. Additionally, the cruise ship Celestyal Discovery, without passengers, passed through the waterway from Dubai to Muscat, marking a first since hostilities began on February 28. Iran announced Saturday it would resume "strict control" of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the continued US blockade of Iranian ports, retracting its decision from the previous day to reopen the strategic waterway. Following Tehran's announcement of the strait's reopening on Friday, Donald Trump stated that the US blockade would remain "fully in effect" until negotiations concluded and would "continue" if no agreement was reached. The US Central Command indicated on X Saturday that "Since the beginning of the blockade, 21 ships have complied with US forces' directives to turn around and return to Iran." At least three o
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado stated on Saturday in Madrid that she does not regret symbolically offering her Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump. Machado explained that Trump was the only world leader who "put the lives of his country's citizens at risk for the freedom of Venezuela." She had presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during a meeting in January 2026. Machado also confirmed that she is coordinating her return to Venezuela with the United States government, emphasizing Washington's "fundamental role in moving towards a democratic transition." She criticized Colombian President Gustavo Petro for calling for a coalition government in Venezuela between interim President Delcy Rodríguez and the opposition, and for announcing a visit to Venezuela on April 24. Machado described Petro's actions as attempts to "desperately seek excuses, maneuvers, to prevent the advancement of the electoral process in Venezuela," and characterized Delcy Rodríguez as representing "chaos, violence, and terror." During her visit to Madrid, following a stop in France where she met with President Emmanuel Macron, Machado met with right-wing and far-right opposition leaders but not with socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. She is scheduled to participate in a demonstration with supporters later on Saturday.
Three of eighteen Senegalese football supporters detained in Morocco have been released, according to their lawyer, Me Patrick Kabou. This development follows incidents during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, where the supporters were implicated in post-match disturbances. The Senegalese Football Federation and public authorities are actively monitoring the situation, providing support to the families and engaging in ongoing discussions with institutions. Senegalese diplomatic authorities in Morocco, through the embassy in Rabat, are also following the case, ensuring legal assistance and coordination for the detained individuals. The judicial process in Morocco has involved several hearings, and the case remains open pending further court decisions. Authorities have urged restraint in disseminating information.
The Fatick Regional Narcotics Brigade, under the Central Office for the Suppression of Illicit Drug Trafficking, conducted a major operation on April 16, 2026, leading to the dismantling of an international trafficking network originating from Gambia. Two individuals were arrested at the border platform after being identified due to their suspicious behavior, specifically their refusal to present their luggage to agents. A search of a bag, conducted with the assistance of a bus conductor, led to the seizure of several illicit products, including nine sachets of skunk and alcoholic beverages. During their interrogation, the accused denied the charges, mentioning the escape of a third individual presented as the main culprit. They have been placed in police custody for criminal conspiracy and international drug trafficking, while investigations continue to locate the accomplice.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel on Saturday of using the conflict in the Middle East as a pretext to "occupy more territories." Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Turkey, Fidan stated that Israel's government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, is using security as an excuse for territorial expansion, rather than genuinely seeking its own security. He claimed that beyond Palestinian territories like the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem, Israel now aims to dominate areas belonging to Lebanon and Syria. Fidan described this as "continuous occupation and expansionism" that must cease, asserting that Israel has created an international illusion by claiming to only seek its own security. These remarks follow recent verbal exchanges between Turkish and Israeli leaders, including Fidan's accusation that Israel wants to make Turkey its "new enemy" after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called Turkey a "paper tiger." Fidan also expressed regret that the Middle East conflict is hindering efforts, including those by Ankara, to end the war in Ukraine, stating it has "relegated the war between Russia and Ukraine to the background" and called for renewed efforts once calm returns to the Middle East.