United States Begins Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports in Strait of Hormuz

The United States began enforcing a naval blockade of all Iranian ports on April 13, 2026.

“A ship is seen off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, the day after the failure of US-Iran peace talks on April 13, 2026”

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President Trump announced the blockade on social media, accusing Iran of world extortion.

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The U.S. military said it would block all maritime traffic entering or exiting Iranian ports.

Trump warned that any Iranian ships approaching the blockade would be immediately ELIMINATED.

The blockade aims to cut off Iran's oil income and pressure Tehran to accept American conditions.

The death toll from the Rahman Textile factory fire became a point of contention among sources.

The Bangladeshi government and Reuters placed the figure at 28.

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The Dhaka Tribune and Guardian at 33.

Al Jazeera correspondents counted at least 41.

Police detained factory owner Faisal Rahman.

Survivors described scenes of workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

“President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb”

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Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Firefighter Mahmud Iqbal said 47 people had been injured.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands.

Both companies said they were deeply saddened by the deaths.

Al Jazeera

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Faisal Rahman issued a statement claiming the factory had passed its most recent safety inspection in January.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson said the audit system was fundamentally broken.