
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, April 23, 2026, that he has directed the navy to "shoot and kill" any boats involved in laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. This directive comes amid heightened tensions with Iran over the critical waterway. Trump also stated that US minesweeping operations in the strait would be intensified "at a tripled up level" to ensure the security of the vital shipping route. He emphasized that there would be "no hesitation" in targeting mine-laying vessels, asserting that Iran’s naval fleet was already "at the bottom of the sea." This action occurs as Washington pressures Tehran to fully reopen the strait, which is a key global shipping route for approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply. The US has implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports to compel Iran to reach an agreement with the US to end the war, while Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ gunboats have been firing at vehicles in the strait.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah of Guinea met with Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed El-Halawany to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between their countries. The Guinean Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Egypt, referencing the historic relationship between the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser and former Guinean President Ahmed Sékou Touré. He highlighted Egypt's role in African security and stability under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and praised efforts to enhance Egyptian-Guinean ties, especially during Guinea's development and reconstruction phase. Ambassador El-Halawany thanked the Prime Minister for the support from Guinean state institutions, noting the collaboration aligns with Guinea's national transformation and reflects mutual trust and shared views on regional and international issues. He emphasized the long-standing cooperation between Egypt and Guinea in political, economic, and cultural spheres, hoping for continued coordination to achieve common goals.

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, met with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila. The ministers discussed strengthening bilateral relations across political, economic, trade, and investment sectors. Minister Abdelatty highlighted the importance of following up on his March visit to Pakistan and anticipated the upcoming fourth session of the Joint Ministerial Committee and the tenth session of ministerial-level political consultations to boost ties. He also proposed enhancing economic and investment cooperation through business missions, connecting Pakistani investors with opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and establishing the Egyptian-Pakistani Business Council. On regional matters, Abdelatty appreciated Pakistan’s coordination in reaching the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, emphasizing adherence to it for regional security and stability. He also noted the importance of building on the results of the four-party regional meeting Cairo hosted in June 2026 to advance negotiations.
Must ReadIn his first address as head of Hamas’s political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya affirmed the movement’s commitment to the Palestinian people's rights, including self-determination and state establishment, rejecting any compromises. He stated that Hamas's top priority is stopping the war and ending the genocide in the Gaza Strip, expressing appreciation for the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. The second priority is restoring a dignified life for Gaza's residents and resisting displacement, emphasizing that rebuilding the Strip is an inherent right not to be tied to political bargaining. Al-Hayya stressed that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian national entity and confirmed ongoing efforts across Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, alongside securing prisoner releases. He called for national unity, announcing Hamas's readiness to open a new chapter with various Palestinian factions through a joint national program, stating that the current stage cannot tolerate unilateralism or exclusion. Al-Hayya pledged that the movement would remain true to its founding path and vowed to alleviate the suffering of Gaza residents and restore daily life amidst the humanitarian crisis.