Iran-US-Israel War News Live Updates: Pope Leo says he does not fear Trump, cites Gospel in feud over Iran war
Pope Leo XIV and US President Donald Trump (AP Photos)
Iran US Israel War News Today Live Updates:US-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back on US President Donald Trump’s comments against him over the war in Iran, news agency AP reported. Pope Leo said that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration. On Sunday, Trump said, “I don’t want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” adding that “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician.”
US blockade of Strait of Hormuz: US President Donald Trump signalled a sharp escalation in the standoff with Iran, saying he is indifferent to the collapse of talks and ready to press ahead with military pressure, as Washington prepares to enforce a sweeping maritime blockade targeting Iranian-linked traffic from Monday. “I don’t care if they come back or not… I’m fine,” Trump said, underscoring a hardening stance as the US prepares to enforce a sweeping maritime blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping.
Story continues below this ad
Blockade threat and oil shock fears: The US military says it will begin blocking vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports from 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT), though it insists ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to other destinations will not be impeded. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the US Navy would “BLOCKADE any and all ships” attempting to use the route, while also warning of broader interdictions in international waters.
5 latest developments:
- US blockade begins: United States Central Command confirms enforcement of a blockade on Iranian ports from Monday, marking a major escalation.
- Iran issues warning: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says any military vessel approaching the Strait will be treated as a ceasefire violation and “dealt with severely”.
- Talks collapse blame game: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accuses Washington of “maximalism” and “shifting goalposts”, while Trump says Tehran refused to give up its nuclear ambitions.
- Oil prices surge: Crude prices climb back above $100 amid fears of disruption around the Hormuz chokepoint.
- Israel-Hezbollah flare-up: Israel Defense Forces bombard south Lebanon, with casualties reported in Maaroub and fresh clashes around Bint Jbeil.
Stay with The Indian Express Global Desk for real-time updates, geolocated footage of the crash sites, and live reactions from the Pentagon and Tehran.
Live Updates
Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
