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A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 08, 2026. [Shadi J. H. Alassar – Anadolu Agency]
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy detained two commercial cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, citing unauthorized operations and alleged ties to Israel, according to a report Friday.
The IRGC identified the vessels as the “MSC-Francesca” and the “Epaminondas,” both operating under the MSC shipping line, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Tehran accused the ships of breaching maritime regulations, interfering with navigation systems, and endangering other vessels in the waterway.
The report said Iranian authorities said the ships were allegedly attempting to pass through the strait undetected before being intercepted and escorted into Iranian territorial waters.
Since the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran began Feb. 28, Tehran has maintained control of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by an American naval blockade on April 13, hitting global energy supplies, mostly across Asia.
Nigel Farage objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
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Missiles launched by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks are seen over the skies of Jerusalem, on March 24, 2026. [Mostafa Alkharouf – Anadolu Agency]
A Defense Ministry’s spokesperson said most of Iran’s missile capabilities have been “unused” on the war with the US, Tasnim News reported Saturday.
Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik said Iran’s “significant portion of the missile capabilities remains unused,” according to the report by the semi-official news agency.
Arguing that Iranian forces maintained the upper hand throughout the conflict, he said, “Our forces maintained complete air superiority over the occupied territories of the Zionist (Israeli) territory, and a portion of our missile capabilities were utilized during the 40-day war.”
Regarding naval confrontations, he claimed that hostile warships repeatedly retreated hundreds of kilometers from the Sea of Oman in response to decisive actions by Iranian forces.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the US and Israel initiated a war against Iran beginning Feb. 28, rattling global energy markets and raising fears of prolonged economic damage.
Nigel Farage objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Fatih Varol, attorney and Member of the Board of Directors of the Global Sumud Flotilla, is seen during an exclusive interview, where she evaluates the preparations of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s “2026 Spring Mission”, in Sicily, Italy, on April 24, 2026. [Barış Seçkin – Anadolu Agency]
Turkish activists participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Spring 2026 Mission have reaffirmed their determination to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance, Anadolu reports.
Fatih Varol, a board member of the Global Sumud Flotilla, told Anadolu that the Turkish delegation is among the initiative’s most significant components.
“Turkiye has deep-rooted historical ties with Palestine. As a people, we feel the tragedy unfolding in Gaza much more profoundly. In this regard, both public support in Turkiye and the backing of Turkish civil society organizations are very strong,” he said.
Varol said the Turkish delegation has contributed not only to the fleet’s administration and coordination, but also to vessel preparations at Mediterranean ports through financial support.
He also noted that more than 10 lawmakers from both governing and opposition parties in Turkiye attended the Global Sumud Parliamentarians Congress in Brussels on April 22, forming the diplomatic arm of the mission.
According to Varol, lawmakers from around the world agreed during the meeting to raise calls in their respective parliaments to end the genocide in Gaza, lift the blockade on Palestine, ensure Israel complies with international law, and activate international criminal justice mechanisms.
He said the initiative would help increase international political pressure on Israel and grow through coordinated efforts aimed at paving the way for a freer world.
Gorkem Duru, another Turkish activist, said participants are preparing to sail toward Gaza as part of the 2026 mission, stressing that a “fake ceasefire” has not ended occupation, blockade, or violence.
“Last year, the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail. This year, despite the ceasefire, the blockade and occupation continue, so we are setting out again, stronger and more numerous, to break the blockade,” he said.
Duru added that final preparations are underway at Italy’s Augusta Port, while vessels departing from Barcelona have already arrived.
Activist Omer Aslan, known as the “Local John Wick” due to his resemblance to the character portrayed by Keanu Reeves, said he joined the mission out of humanitarian responsibility.
“While innocent babies and civilians in Gaza suffer oppression and violence, I could not live comfortably in my own country. I joined this peaceful humanitarian action to raise awareness both among my followers and globally,” he said.
Aslan said activists from across the world have joined the flotilla regardless of language, religion, or nationality, united by a common cause.
Flotilla’s Spring 2026 Mission
The Global Sumud Flotilla was created to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, deliver humanitarian aid, and draw international attention to the situation in the enclave.
Created in 2025 by NGO representatives, activists and volunteers from various countries, the flotilla launched its second mission to Gaza.
Its Spring 2026 Mission departed from Barcelona on April 12 with around 70 vessels and nearly 1,000 participants from 70 countries, significantly larger than a previous mission in September 2025, which included 42 boats and 462 participants.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Nigel Farage objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
US forces captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
This month’s Anti-Fascist Friday in South Africa commemorated and reflected on the victory at the Bay of Pigs invasion, known in Cuba as Playa Girón, as well as the centenary of Fidel Castro. The event was addressed by Cuban diplomat Jesus Perz and veteran figure of South Africa’s liberation struggle Ronnie Kasrils.
On April 17, the Anti-Fascist Friday Forum in South Africa convened at the Forge in Johannesburg, marking two historic milestones: the centenary of Fidel Castro and the 65th anniversary of the victory at Playa Girón. The event was organized as a political intervention linking past revolutionary victories to the urgent tasks of confronting imperialism today. The event was addressed by Cuban diplomat Jesus Perz and veteran figure of the South African liberation struggle Ronnie Kasrils.
“Imperialism is not invincible” – Cuba’s defining moment
Opening the discussion, Jesus Perz delivered a detailed historical account of the events leading up to the invasion, emphasizing the political clarity and mass mobilization that defined Cuba’s response.
“On April 15, United States forces bombarded Cuban airfields to destroy our capacity to defend ourselves on air,” Perz explained. “But instead of weakening us, it prepared our people politically and militarily for what was coming.”
He described how, just a day later, a mass demonstration in Havana became a turning point.
“It was on April 16, during a massive gathering to honor those killed in the bombings, that Fidel Castro declared the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution,” Perz said. “He called on the people: ‘Let us march to the front, let us take up arms, and let us face the enemy with conviction.’”
The location holds symbolic importance. Playa Girón, he said, “Was an area where poor and humble Cubans lived, people for whom the revolution was made. The choice of that site by US imperialism shows clearly who they were targeting, the most oppressed.”
According to Perz, the battle that followed was fundamentally unequal, yet transformative.
“On one side, CIA-trained mercenaries. On the other, workers, peasants, women, Black Cubans, people who had never before held power,” he said. “And in less than 72 hours exactly, the invasion was defeated.”
He stressed the broader significance of the victory:
“This was not only a military defeat of the United States. It was a defeat of imperialism by socialism. It showed the world that a small nation, organized and conscious, can defeat a superpower.”
Cuban diplomat in South Africa Jesus Perz and renowned South African anti-apartheid activist and veteran of the struggle Ronnie Kasrils. Photo: PAT
From military defeat to economic warfare
Perz explained that after its failure at Playa Girón, the United States shifted its strategy toward long-term destabilization.
“In 1960, US officials made it clear, if they could not defeat the revolution militarily, they would try to suffocate it economically,” he said. “The objective was to create hardship, lack of food, lack of medicine, so that the Cuban people would turn against their own government.”
He drew direct parallels to the present:
“What we are experiencing today is not new. The blockade, the pressure, the attempts to isolate Cuba, these are continuations of that same policy.”
Despite these pressures, Perz pointed out Cuba’s refusal to abandon its principles.
He situated this stance as important to Cuban identity:
“Internationalism is not optional for us. It is how we repay our debt to humanity. Our ancestors came from Africa, our strength, our resistance, our courage are rooted there. To abandon Africa would be to abandon ourselves.”
Kasrils: “The Cuban Revolution shaped our struggle”
Taking the floor, Ronnie Kasrils connected Cuba’s revolutionary experience to Africa’s liberation struggles, drawing from decades of personal involvement in the anti-apartheid movement.
Looking at the Cuban flag hanging on the wall, Kasrils remarked, “The Cuban flag stands for national independence, freedom, and anti-fascism.” “Its meaning has penetrated deeply into the consciousness of our struggle here in South Africa.”
He described how Cuba entered his political consciousness in the early 1960s.
“I had just joined the struggle as a young student after the Sharpeville massacre,” he recalled. “Within the movement, we began singing, ‘Go take the country the Castro way…’ That was the mood.”
Kasrils highlighted the decisive role Cuba played in Africa, particularly in Angola.
“When Angola was under threat from apartheid South Africa, from CIA-backed forces, it was Cuba that responded,” he said. “Not as invaders, but at the request of the Angolan people, to defend their sovereignty.”
He described the impact of this intervention:
“The Cuban presence changed the balance of forces. It was central to the defeat of apartheid’s regional aggression and contributed directly to our own liberation.”
Further he said; “[I] had the privilege of being in Cuba in a delegation led by Joe Slovo. We met Fidel Castro in the defense headquarters. He explained the battle of Cuito Cuanavale, how Cuban and Angolan forces dealt a decisive blow that led to Namibia’s independence and impacted South Africa’s freedom. Our freedom was driven by internal forces, but international solidarity was enormous.”
Humanity in struggle
A recurring theme in Kasrils’ remarks was the centrality of ordinary people in revolutionary struggle.
“Fidel said the revolution is of the humblest, by the humblest, and for the humblest,” he said. “When the humblest are armed with consciousness as well as weapons, real change becomes possible.”
He stressed that this principle remains relevant today.
“Revolutionary intellectuals are vital,” Kasrils noted, “but the link must always be with the humblest. They are the ones who stay with you to the end.”
National sovereignty and global struggle
Both speakers discussed the importance of sovereignty in contemporary struggles.
“The most important principle,” Kasrils argued, “is national sovereignty and independence. Without it, nothing else is possible.”
However, he warned against viewing struggles in isolation.
“The connection between Havana and Tehran, between Palestine and Africa, is not accidental,” he said. “These are all fronts in the same struggle against imperialism.”
“We are always open to dialogue with any country,” he said. “But it must be based on respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our dignity as a people.”
With deepening crisis, widening inequalities, and intensifying imperialist interventions, the Anti-Fascist Friday gathering made clear that the anniversaries of Fidel Castro and the victory over the Bay of Pigs invasion are more than moments of remembrance, they are calls to action.
Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Netanyahu / X
On his third trip to Israel, Milei signed security agreements, sang, and gave speeches accusing Marx of being satanic. Taken together, his activities in West Asia amount to more than just an official visit.
Argentine President Javier Milei made a three-day visit to Israel to mark Independence Day. During his trip, Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded Milei in Jerusalem with the highest honor his country bestows on a civilian: the Presidential Medal of Honor.
“Your message crossed borders and resonated across generations: a message of morality, of humanity, of aligning one’s moral compass, of recognizing the depth of pain, and of offering comfort,” Herzog told Milei.
Such an “honor” comes as no surprise. Milei has not only publicly expressed his support for Israel in its regional and global conflicts, but has likely become Israel’s most important Western ally after the United States.
The Isaac Agreements
During his recent visit, Milei signed the so-called “Isaac Agreements” alongside his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, which outline a set of bilateral commitments in the areas of security (including intelligence cooperation), diplomacy, trade, culture, and even education.
The multidimensional agreement also includes a section on technological cooperation, which covers collaboration on artificial intelligence, model development, and the training of specialists. A common stance was also agreed upon for international forums, as well as the promotion of a neoliberal policy of economic openness.
According to Milei, the Isaac Agreements, inspired by the Abraham Agreements (signed in 2020 by Israel and several Arab countries), seek to “unite efforts in the fight against terrorism, anti-Semitism, and drug trafficking, with an open invitation to all nations that share these values and wish to join.”
During his visit, Milei also demonstrated his support for Tel Aviv amid the war against Iran by designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Quds Force as terrorist organizations. These measures come on top of those already taken, such as his expulsion on April 2 of Iran’s top diplomat, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, from Argentina.
In addition, Milei has promised to open a direct air route between the two nations, which, he said, he hopes will promote closer relations between them: “Starting in November, the first-ever direct air route between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv will begin operating, and our nations will be closer than ever, deepening an unbreakable bond between two countries that were there for one another when fate demanded it.”
From singer to speaker
Milei also drew attention at the official ceremony marking Israel’s 78th Independence Day when, in front of the nation’s top officials, he sang Nino Bravo’s song “Libre” alongside several other artists.
In addition, Milei lit one of the 12 torches representing the 12 tribes of Israel. There, Milei reaffirmed his intention to move the Argentine embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, something Argentine diplomacy has historically resisted, despite Israel’s requests.
While asserting that “Argentina and Israel are not only partners, but friendly nations,” Milei, in a clearly theological and mystical tone, stated that the Maccabees taught him the importance of God’s favor: “From them we learned that victory on the battlefield does not come from the number of soldiers, but from the forces that come from heaven,” the president stated, adding categorically: “Light always triumphs over darkness.” This quote has been interpreted as a reference to the current war in which Israel is engaged.
It appears that the Argentine president’s newfound interest in religious matters continued during his trip. Bar-Ilan University awarded him an honorary doctorate. In his keynote address, Milei went so far as to claim that Marxism is a “satanic theory” opposed to “Judeo-Christian values”. Amid applause, Milei claimed that Marx was a “Satanist”, a statement that has been strongly criticized by scholars worldwide, who have emphasized that Marx was an atheist, meaning that Milei’s claims (as someone who served as a professor before entering politics) lack any historical or intellectual rigor.
Finally, Milei visited the Western Wall, where he prayed before heading to Ben Gurion Airport to return to Argentina. Taken as a whole, Milei’s activities in Israel demonstrate not only a clear alignment with Israel’s foreign policy but also an attempt to ideologically justify, in every possible way he can (whether by singing or giving lectures), the supremacy of the geopolitical sector behind which he has positioned the Argentine executive branch.
This political spirit was likely expressed most clearly by the Argentine president himself:
“We will not be able to coexist with certain cultures,” a statement that has sparked controversial reactions in his country over what right-wing libertarian Javier Milei actually meant.
dizzy: Mad Neo-Liberal chainsawist Argentine President Javier ” Israel’s most important Western ally after the United States” Milei meets Benjamin Netanyahu -> Donald Trump ‘reviews’ UK claim to the Falkland Islands.
