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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Recent search warrants have shed new light on the investigation into Tyler Robinson, the Utah resident accused of fatally shooting conservative figure Charlie Kirk last September. The documents outline how law enforcement used DNA evidence and cellphone tracking to place Robinson at the crime scene.
Authorities collected DNA from fingerprints and a palm print found near the northeast corner of the rooftop of the Losee Center building. This is where Robinson reportedly descended from the roof to the ground. Furthermore, cellphone data corroborated his presence at the location on September 10, 2025, according to a report from East Idaho News.
The investigation also revealed that a Google Maps route on Robinson’s phone directed him to an area close to the Utah Valley University campus, as detailed by the news outlet.
During a hearing at the Fourth District Court in Provo on January 16, 2026, Tyler Robinson, who is charged with Charlie Kirk’s murder, appeared alongside his defense attorney Kathryn Nester. (Credit: Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)
The warrants further disclosed a note that Robinson allegedly left for his roommate, with whom he had a romantic relationship. In this note, Robinson referred to his partner, Lance Twiggs, by the name “Luna.”
“Luna, if you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry,” the note reportedly said. “I left the house this morning on a mission, and set an auto text.
Charlie Kirk speaks onstage at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 22, 2024.(Josh Edelson/AFP)
“I am likely dead, or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.
“I don’t know if i will/have succeeded, but I had hoped to make it home to you. I wish we could have lived in a world where this did not feel necessary. I wish I could have stayed for you and lived our lives together.
Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Dec. 11, 2025.(Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune)
“I lack the words to express how much I love you, and how very much you mean to me. Please try and find joy in this life. I love you, always, -Tyler,” the letter continued, according to the outlet.
The warrant also reportedly revealed authorities’ alleged timeline of events leading up to and immediately following Kirk’s assassination.
According to court documents previously obtained by Fox News Digital, Robinson arrived in Orem in a gray Dodge Challenger around 8:29 a.m. on the morning of the alleged shooting. He was captured on surveillance video from 11:50 a.m. to 11:53 a.m. entering the UVU campus through a tunnel under Campus Drive and checking his cell phone.
He was spotted on a camera located at the north side of UVU’s Losee Center building walking with “a distinctive gait,” believed to be due to the rifle allegedly concealed in his jeans, around 12:02 p.m.
Approximately 13 minutes later, authorities said Robinson was spotted wearing dark clothing and climbing a staircase leading to a common area next to the Losee Center, before scaling a wall and crouching on a rooftop, the charging document previously said. He then waited several minutes before “running across the rooftop” and crouching into “a prone shooting position” with a direct line of sight to where Kirk was speaking.
At 12:23 p.m., as Kirk fielded a question during the campus event, a single gunshot rang out, striking the father of two in the neck. Surveillance footage captured Robinson allegedly fleeing the rooftop while carrying what appeared to be a rife, according to the documents.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, among other counts, in the shooting of Kirk while Kirk was speaking at a Turning Point USA event on UVU’s campus last year.
Robinson has since pleaded not guilty to all charges, and prosecutors have vowed to seek the death penalty in the case.
Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.
In the heart of South Chicago, a community mourns the loss of 32-year-old Raven Myers, who tragically lost her life in a hit-and-run incident last month. As she walked to a local store on March 10, a red 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, speeding west along East 83rd Street, struck her down, leaving a void for those who knew her.
In response to this heart-wrenching incident, Cook County Crime Stoppers has stepped forward, offering a cash reward of up to $1,000. The reward aims to encourage anyone with pertinent information to come forward, with the goal of apprehending the individual responsible for this tragic event.
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In a move to protect those who might provide critical leads, the organization assures that all tips will remain strictly anonymous. This assurance hopes to foster courage among potential witnesses, enabling them to share what they know without fear of retribution.
For more context on similar incidents in the city, a new video has surfaced showing another driver fleeing after a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of an 18-year-old bicyclist in Chicago. These events underscore the urgent need for community vigilance and cooperation in bringing justice to the victims and their families.
All tips are anonymous.
“This tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of reckless and irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. A life has been lost, and what may have initially been an accident has now become a serious felony due to the driver’s decision to flee the scene. We urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to do the right thing and come forward. Your tip could help bring justice to the victim and her family,” Cook County Crime Stoppers Executive Director Paul Rutherford said.
Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or submit a tip online at www.CPDTIP.com.
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Background: News footage of the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Hempstead, N.Y., where Jose Osma was attacked in April 2022 (News 12 Long Island). Inset (left): Dennis “Midnight” Ray (Nassau County Police Department). Inset (right): Jose Osma (Hungerford & Clark Funeral Home).
A New York man is on the brink of receiving his sentence following a jury’s decision to convict him of murder in a brutal beating case.
Dennis “Midnight” Ray, aged 64, was found guilty on charges of second-degree murder, assault, and two counts of robbery. This verdict comes four years after the tragic incident in which 59-year-old Jose Osma was discovered severely beaten behind a Chuck E. Cheese in Hempstead, New York. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly confirmed in a statement that Ray, along with an accomplice named Tyrell Guthrie, had attacked Osma on the night of April 22, 2022, robbing him and leaving him critically injured.
Osma was discovered unconscious by someone passing by at around 6:30 a.m. the following morning.
According to Donnelly, Osma was immediately taken to a hospital where he was initially treated as an unidentified patient, or “John Doe,” due to the absence of any identification. He suffered severe fractures to his skull and face. His family, having reported him missing on the same day he was admitted, was able to identify him by April 24, 2022.
“What followed was a harrowing cycle of brain surgeries, paralysis, rehabilitation, and hospitalizations,” Donnelly stated, describing Osma’s struggle. Tragically, Osma succumbed to his extensive injuries on April 30, 2023, marking the end of a year-long battle for survival.
Guthrie, who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter on Nov. 9, 2023, was arrested near the scene of the crime by the Nassau County Police Department the day after the attack. At the time, he had blood on his clothes and was carrying Ray’s jacket, which was also covered in Osma’s blood. Ray was arrested on May 7, 2022.
Donnelly said Ray “showed no remorse for his violent assault, even bragging minutes after the attack about the stolen money and the heinous crime he committed to get it.”
Guthrie was sentenced in January 2024 to 18 years in prison. Ray is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12 and faces a sentence of 25 years to life.
The US-Israeli war in Iran, Iran’s retaliation across the Middle East, Israel’s war in Gaza, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Africa: It’s not hard to see why many are concerned about the potential for another world war.
After World War II ended in 1945, countries established the United Nations to prevent future conflict and promote peace.
Smoke rises following several Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP)
As global leaders increasingly sidestep the United Nations’ advice and the stability of military alliances like NATO wavers, the viability of post-war peace strategies is under intense scrutiny.
Adding to concerns of a potential World War III, are US President Donald Trump‘s escalating threats against Iran and Iran’s retaliation across the Middle East keeping the war, which started on February 28, simmering.
Nevertheless, assessing whether we are on the brink of another world war is a complex issue that demands careful consideration.
Interestingly, there is no universally accepted definition for what exactly constitutes a world war.
Although the United Nations lacks an official definition, various dictionaries offer their interpretations:
Oxford: “A war involving many nations of the world”
Cambridge: “A war in which large forces from many countries fight”
Merriam-Webster: “A war engaged in by all or most of the principal nations of the world”
David Kilcullen, a veteran of 22 years in the Australian army and a seasoned diplomat with nearly three decades of experience with both the Australian and US governments, describes a world war as involving interlinked conflicts across multiple nations.
“When you get multiple campaigns, usually in different continents, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and you have all the same combatants fighting in multiple campaigns at the same time in different continents, that’s definitely a world war,” he said.
US President Donald Trump. (AP)
How close are we to another world war?
Kilcullen said there is a potential for the conflict to expand into a world war if it connects with the Russian invasion of Ukraine or if China or North Korea use the situation as an opportunity to further their own agendas in Taiwan and South Korea, respectively.
But he noted that we usually don’t know we’re in a world war until after the fact.
“It’s been in the eye of the beholder,” he said.
“If you think of World War II in retrospect, that looks to us like a world war, but at the time… it was really just a European war.
“It was only when Hitler invaded Russia and then the Japanese attacked the US that suddenly it went from being a European war to being a world war.”
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio, who said he has spent the last 50 years studying global events that affect markets, laid out his 13 steps to a WW3 in his latest newsletter.
He said the world is alreadt at step nine, which is when several multi-theatre conflicts happen simultaneously.
Step nine is followed by countries demanding internal support for war, direct military combat between major powers, a big increase in taxes and debt with some markets shutting down, and finally one side winning the war against another.
“Virtually nobody is talking about the fact that we are in the early stages of a world war that isn’t going to end anytime soon,” he said in a social media post.
What would a world war mean for Australia?
Australia has deployed military assets in the Middle East to defend citizens and civilians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week signed off on keeping the E-7A Wedgetail in the region “a period of time”, but reiterated that Australia was not involved in any offensive capacity.
While Australia is geographically placed away from the global conflicts, Kilcullen said it would be unable to distance itself fully from a world war due to its dependencies on global trade.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a press conference at Parliament House. (Alex Ellinghausen)
“And that’s the reason we’ve always tried to have a big ally, originally the British and then the Americans,” he said.
Kilcullen added that Australia could be in even more trouble if China ever decided to invade Taiwan.
“That would be even worse, because we would definitely be in that war one way or another,” he said.
“The timeline that most people think is likely for a Chinese move on Taiwan could be as soon as next April, so we could be in the last 12 months before a really, really major conflict.”
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AUGUSTA, Ga – For many visitors, no trip to Augusta National feels complete without a visit to the Pro Shop, a beloved stop for fans of the Masters.
As the opening round of the tournament concluded, many attendees were seen departing with bags brimming with an array of shirts, hats, and treasured souvenirs, marking their experience at the prestigious event.
Matt Crawford, a fan who traveled from Boston, was among those proudly showcasing their purchases. “I picked up this shirt today,” he said, highlighting his new attire. “They mentioned it was an exclusive release.”
Among the merchandise, the Masters-themed gnome collectibles were particularly sought after, capturing the attention of many enthusiasts.
“This is a dream come true for me,” expressed Karen Miyamoto, a visitor from Japan. “It’s my second year here, and securing a gnome is a real challenge,” she noted, underscoring the excitement and rarity associated with these popular items.
Others came in with a plan after missing out on items in past years.
“I missed out on the gnome salt and pepper shakers last year, so I had to grab those,” said Erick Owens, a patron from Atlanta. “I got the quarter-zipper Masters pullover this year, and I know they’re sold out of those now.”
From exclusive shirts to hard-to-find collectibles, many patrons say the shopping experience is part of the tradition.
And while some were able to check everything off their list, others may have a reason to come back next year.
Coachella has officially begun, and the event is drawing in a host of A-list celebrities, including none other than Kylie Jenner.
The 28-year-old beauty entrepreneur made her entrance in Indio, California, on the festival’s first day, donning a bold top emblazoned with a cheeky image of her friend Justin Bieber giving the middle finger.
She posted a snap of herself standing by a luxury cart with the caption: ‘chelly day 1!!!!!’
Jenner seemed to channel her inner Bieber fan, her hands full with an impressive haul from his SKYLRK clothing line, including two substantial tote bags brimming with merchandise.
The reality TV star appeared to be in high spirits, beaming brightly as she held onto an iced coffee.
She paired the edgy Bieber tank top with black cropped sweat shorts and completed her look with light blue SKYLRK beach slides.
Kylie Jenner has arrived in the desert of Indio, California on day 1 of the highly-anticipated festival wearing a profane top featuring pal Justin Bieber sticking up his middle finger
Her controversial top is one of the merchandise items for sale at Coachella for a hefty price of $90
Jenner completed the look with a black bucket hat also from Bieber’s clothing line as she showcased her looks with minimal makeup on her face.
Her controversial top is one of the merchandise items for sale at Coachella for a hefty price of $90.
Meanwhile, Lizzo also posted that she has touched down at Coachella as she rocked a rather racy ensemble.
The 37-year-old singer posted a video of herself hopping on a private plane in sheer panties.
The 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will light up the desert in Indio, California, over two weekends.
Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G are headlining the highly anticipated event.
They’ll be joined by an eclectic roster that spans genres and generations, including electronic act Anyma, Young Thug, Turnstile, David Byrne, FKA twigs, Addison Rae and Ethel Cain.
Legacy artists Iggy Pop, Moby, and Devo also earned spots on the packed schedule, while Radiohead appeared under a mysterious note teasing The Bunker Debut of Kid A Mnesia.
The xx and The Strokes are both making a comeback to the festival.
The booking marks a major milestone for Bieber as he has never officially been billed at the festival, despite making surprise cameos during Ariana Grande, Daniel Caesar, Chance the Rapper, Tems and Wizkid’s sets.
Meanwhile, Lizzo also posted that she has touched down at Coachella as she rocked a rather racy ensemble
Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G are headlining the highly anticipated event; Carpenter pictured in 2024
The booking marks a major milestone for Bieber as he has never officially been billed at the festival; Bieber pictured in 2022
Colombian superstar Karol G made her Coachella debut in 2022, but this will be her first major set behind her new album Tropicoqueta, released in June 2025; Seen performing in 2024
Bieber’s most recent live performance was at the 2026 Grammys on February 1, while his last full concert took place at a private Roxy Theatre show on March 29.
The Baby hitmaker hasn’t headlined a major tour since cancelling his 49-date Justice World Tour after coming down with Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
In agreeing to perform at the Southern California-based festival, the two-time Grammy-winner was paid more than $10 million – surpassing musical icons Beyonce and Lady Gaga as the festival’s highest-compensated artist ever.
An insider told Rolling Stone that Bieber worked out his record Coachella payday directly with promoter Goldenvoice without the use of an agent.
‘It’s a groundbreaking move for a headliner, and it’s something he built entirely on his own,’ an insider close to the Daisies artist – who shares son Jack, one, with supermodel wife Hailey Bieber, 28 – told the outlet.
The source added, ‘Between headlining Coachella and the success of Swag, it’s clear this is the start of an exciting new era for Justin – one where he’s fully in the driver’s seat.’
Carpenter previously performed at Coachella in 2024, as her then boyfriend Barry Keoghan cheered her on from the VIP section.
She teased that her new Coachella performance will be ‘the most ambitious show I’ve ever done’ in a recent interview with Perfect magazine.
Prices for weekend passes ran from $549 to $1,299
For Karol G, it’s a long-awaited return.
The Colombian superstar made her Coachella debut in 2022, but this will be her first major set behind her new album Tropicoqueta, released in June 2025.
The milestone makes her the first Latina artist to lead the iconic Coachella stage.
Prices for weekend passes at this year’s event ran from $549 to $1,299.
The headliners for last year’s Coachella were Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, and Doja Cat.
CHICAGO, Ill. — In a move to honor the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Illinois Arts Council, alongside Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Humanities, has disbursed over $325,000 to fund 22 public art projects throughout the state, including several in Central Illinois.
These initiatives are part of a larger campaign steered by the Illinois America 250 Commission, aimed at celebrating the country’s significant milestone. The funding will breathe life into projects that encapsulate Illinois’ unique contributions to the narrative of America.
The Masked Singer season 14 saw a dazzling victory as singer and actress Ashlee Simpson Ross claimed the crown as Galaxy Girl. Among the many memorable moments she experienced during the season, Ashlee has now shared which one stands out as her favorite. This season was particularly historic, as it featured Ashlee and her husband, actor and singer Evan Ross, as the first-ever married duo to compete against each other, taking on the personas of Galaxy Girl and Stingray, respectively.
As Galaxy Girl, Ashlee delivered several standout performances, captivating audiences with renditions of songs such as “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” by Chappell Roan on Premiere Night, “Just A Girl” by No Doubt on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Night, “Drive” by Incubus on Ozzfest Night, “Lights” by Ellie Goulding on Star Trek Night, “Misery Business” by Paramore during the Semi-Finals, and an electrifying finale featuring “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Try” by P!nk. She concluded her journey on the show with a powerful performance of her own chart-topping hit, “Pieces of Me,” which was particularly poignant as her sister, singer Jessica Simpson, unmasked her.
Over the course of the season, the panelists gradually pieced together Ashlee’s identity. Guest panelist Kelly Osbourne was the first to correctly identify her during Ozzfest Night. By the finale, Jessica Simpson’s presence was a clear hint, leading all the panelists—Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora—to unanimously select Ashlee as their final guess. Jenny and Rita had already suspected it earlier in the competition.
Throughout The Masked Singer season 14, the panelists did eventually guess Ashlee’s identity correctly, beginning with guest panelist Kelly Osbourne on Ozzfest Night. During the finale, Jessica’s presence gave away Ashlee’s identity, and all of the panelists, including Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora, stated Ashlee for their final guesses, after Jenny and Rita had figured it out earlier.
The Masked Singer Season 14 Winner Ashlee Simpson’s Favorite Moment Was During The Finale
In a Masked Singer Instagram post, Ashlee shared that her favorite moment was during the finale when she sang “Try,” and ascended above the stage on a platform. Ashlee said, “The sets that they gave me were absolutely gorgeous. And getting to fly on my last song was probably my favorite moment. At first, I was scared. I was like, “Oh, wait. How am I gonna …?” And then I was like, “Let’s just do it!” Then I did it, and it felt so powerful and beautiful.”
Ashlee Revealed Why She Joined The Masked Singer Season 14
The Masked Singer Season 14 Contestant Galaxy Girl Promotional PhotoImage via FOX
Ashlee revealed that she joined The Masked Singer season 14 because she and her kids have always been big fans of the show. She said, “I love the show. I watch it with my kids, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. And I know they’re gonna be so excited when they get to see this season. It’s something very special that I get to share with them.”
As the Masked Singer season 14 winner, Ashlee joins the group of previous champions, including T-Pain (Monster, season 1); Wayne Brady (Fox, season 2); Kandi Burruss (Night Angel, season 3); LeAnn Rimes (Sun, season 4); Nick Lachey (Piglet, season 5); Jewel (Queen of Hearts, season 6); Teyana Taylor (Firefly, season 7); Amber Riley (Harp, season 8); Bishop Briggs (Medusa, season 9); Ne-Yo (Cow, season 10); Vanessa Hudgens (Goldfish, season 11); Boyz II Men (Buffalos, season 12); and Gretchen Wilson (Pearl, season 13).
As Galaxy Girl, Ashlee’s powerful vocals and spectacular stage presence were evident in every one of her performances. It was so much fun to put together the clues to figure out her identity. Ashlee truly deserved to win The Masked Singer season 14, and she’ll always be remembered for her out-of-this-world performances as Galaxy Girl.
Southwest Airlines has introduced new restrictions concerning portable chargers and power banks to minimize the danger of battery fires during flights.
Starting April 20, the airline will enforce a rule allowing passengers to carry only one portable lithium charger in their carry-on luggage. These power banks must not be stored away; instead, they should be kept in a bag under the seat or carried directly by the passenger, according to an internal communication from Dave Hunt, Southwest’s vice president of safety and security.
Additionally, passengers will no longer be allowed to use in-seat power outlets to charge their portable lithium batteries, as stated in the memo.
Despite this restriction, Southwest has announced plans to equip its entire fleet with power outlets by the middle of next year, likely reducing the need for passengers to bring their own chargers.
A Southwest Airlines plane pull into a gate at Pittsburgh International Airport in Imperial, Pa., Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported almost 100 incidents involving portable batteries leading to smoke, fire, or extreme heat on aircrafts last year.
Airlines like Lufthansa and countries including South Korea have already introduced restrictions on the use of power banks on flights, following incidents like a fire on an Air Busan plane in 2025.
Portable lithium power banks are currently not allowed in checked baggage, per FAA regulations. Southwest’s policy has also prohibited their use when not in plain sight, but the current policy is a little more lenient with the amount of power banks a traveler can bring on the plane (two), so long as all other requirements (proper packing, a limit on watt-hours) have been followed.
The new Southwest rule goes even further than the limit of two chargers per passenger that the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended last month. But the airline says it isn’t going to aggressively enforce the policy by searching bags and confiscating chargers. Instead, Hunt said the airline will inform travelers of the new policy when they book their flights and at the airport.
“Our approach reflects our Culture of Safety and Security in action: Proactively managing risk and caring for our Customers and People at every step,” Hunt wrote in the memo.
This change is one of several recent adjustments to Southwest Airlines’ policies.
The airline enacted a new assigned-seating policy in January, which replaced the carrier’s longstanding open-seating arrangement. The airline also plans to upgrade the majority of its aircrafts’ cabins with larger overhead bins, and will designate certain bins as reserved for use by those who purchased a more premium “Extra Legroom” option.
The airline encountered turbulence on social media for a change in policy impacting plus-size passengers, as well. Previously, plus-size passengers were not required to purchase a second seat in advance, though it was recommended. (Additional seats for larger customers are provided free of charge “if space is available on the flight,” according to Southwest.) Refunds could be obtained after travel. But under the new policy, customers must buy an extra seat and “pay any applicable seat fee” before boarding. Refunds can be obtained later, but only if: both seats were in the same fare class; the refund request is made within 90 days; and the plane would have taken off with “at least one” extra open seat, according to Southwest.
The Strait of Hormuz carries around one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil in addition to fertiliser, helium, and other essentials.
The shipping channel has been effectively shut to most international trade since US-Israel strikes on Iran began on 28 February.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage, typically witnesses the transit of over a hundred cargo ships daily. These vessels transport vital commodities such as oil and fertilizer from the Middle East to various global destinations.
However, traffic through this strategic channel has significantly dwindled to just a handful of ships each day, despite the ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran on Wednesday. The slowdown persists, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
Currently, hundreds of ships are anchored at both ends of the strait, with approximately 20,000 seafarers facing uncertainty as they remain stranded due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, now entering its second month.
Although direct peace talks between the US and Iran are scheduled to occur in Pakistan on Friday, maritime trade continues to suffer. The shaky nature of the ceasefire contributes to the slow recovery of shipping activities in the area.
On Wednesday, Iran declared that it would reopen the crucial shipping lane, which has been under military blockade since February 28, contingent upon coordination with its armed forces. This announcement marks a potential shift, but the situation remains delicate.
Ship tracking data taken from 9 April to 10 April shows few ships making the currently perilous crossing. Some 20 to 30 vessels have been targeted in the past month in the region. Credit: Courtesy of Maritime Traffic / Reuters / SBS
In the first 24 hours after that announcement, just seven vessels appeared to transit across the contested waterway.
Six of those were bulk cargo vessels; three of them were apparently Chinese-owned, and three of them appeared to be Greek.
“Iran has made clear — through both its statements and actions — that passage is subject to permission, conditions and political leverage. That is not freedom of navigation. That is coercion,” Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned oil company, said on Thursday.
He noted that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company had 230 ships loaded with fuel, ready to sail, that effectively remain grounded.
With Iran having demonstrated its unassailable ability to shut off traffic, questions remain over when exactly the Strait of Hormuz opens, for whom, and in what capacity.
Is the Strait of Hormuz open?
Last month, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said that the Strait of Hormuz was, and always had been, open.
“The only thing prohibiting transit in the strait right now is Iran shooting at shipping,” Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. “It is open for transit should Iran not do that.”
While technically accurate, Hegseth’s statement does emphasise that the definition of “open” is not entirely straightforward.
Credit: SBS
Ships have continued to pass through the strait since it was closed by Iran, but traffic is a fraction of what it once was.
While ships are not being physically blocked, they are being deterred from passing through. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have attacked 20 to 30 commercial vessels since 28 February.
Most of those that have made it across have been Chinese-flagged vessels, as the country continues to purchase oil from Iran and the ceasefire arrangement appears to have changed little.
“There were far fewer tankers going through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, after the ceasefire was signed, then the day before, when there was active war in the region,” Jessie Moritz, lecturer at ANU’s Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, told SBS News. “The ceasefire is very fragile at the moment.”
Iran uses a so-called “mosaic defence” structure through which semi-autonomous regions can operate militarily without coordination with each other. As such, the country has continued to fire missiles at Israel and other neighbouring countries throughout the “ceasefire”.
Israel, meanwhile, launched a devastating wave of attacks across Lebanon shortly after the ceasefire declaration. Hundreds of people were killed as Israel struck dozens of sites across Beirut, the Bekaa valley, and the south of the country.
Israel has said that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire arrangement — something that the US has echoed — contradicting statements by mediators Pakistan as well as Iran, who “re-shut” the Strait of Hormuz in response.
“The immediate effect of the ceasefire has been confusion over who controls the Strait,” Moritz said. “Iran will claim that they are opening the strait, and that is part of their ceasefire terms, but what is their definition of open? The reality is that Iran has very little incentive to compromise.”
A new toll lane?
All of the ships that went through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday passed through the new “toll route” travel lane established by Iran in order to attempt to charge US$2 million ($2.8 million) per vessel.
The attempted imposition of a toll has infuriated US President Donald Trump, who warned in a post on his Truth Social platform that such revenue-raising would not be accepted.
“There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!” Trump said on Friday.
Iran’s reported plan for the future of Hormuz has also been rejected by a coalition of 40 countries, led by the United Kingdom, which is trying to return trade to normal through the strait.
“The fundamental freedoms of the seas must not be unilaterally withdrawn or sold off to individual bidders,” UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said in a speech in London overnight. “Nor can there be any place for tolls on an international waterway.”
“It’s going to be difficult to get [Iran] to back off of that idea. Very difficult,” Moritz said. “They have every incentive and every reason to try to maintain this and to make it the new status quo.”
How long could Iran keep the Strait of Hormuz shut?
Trump and members of his cabinet have called on other nations to help open the strait, but Iran has demonstrated that even the largest military in the world can’t force it to release its grip on the waterway.
“This is a regime that thrives on chaos and, as part of its strategy, they use the deaths of innocent civilians in Iran to justify their regime,” Moritz said. “The more of a hammering Iranian civilians get, it empowers the regime, to an extent.
“I’m not saying that Iran has come out well of this war, because the Iranian people are having an absolutely horrific time, but the regime has a strategic advantage.”
Whilst American objectives in the conflict have been ill-defined, key sticking points around sanctions, Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities, and its military support for regional proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas remain.
There are several global trade choke points around the world. Credit: SBS
“The conditions that led to this conflict have not changed fundamentally,” Moritz said. “What we’ll see over the next 48 hours is this balance between how much Iran is willing to give up in order to reduce the bombings in Lebanon, and how much the US is willing to give up in order to open more trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The most likely outcome, in my view at the moment, is that we’re going to see several months of contestation over the Strait of Hormuz and a very gradual reopening rather than a sudden shift.”
Economists have long cautioned that the domestic impacts of the conflict are likely to be delayed for some time and could potential remain with us for months if not longer when they do arrive in earnest. The longer trade is strangled off the Iranian coastline, the heavier the financial storm that Australians will have to endure.
Still, Mortiz argues that Iran will not be able to maintain its position forever. At some point, it will need to cash in its most powerful bargaining chip, not least of all because of the damage the current situation is doing to its relationship with China.
“In the long term, this hurts everyone, including the Iranian regime,” she said, noting that US-imposed sanctions on the country have given rise to the waves of protests seen within the country in recent years, which are slowly eroding its power and support.
“The Iranian regime is not fully immune to all forms of pressure,” she said, adding that diplomacy may be the more effective strategy.
