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What has happened?The war in the Middle East has choked the Strait of Hormuz, cutting oil‑shipping routes. Crude prices surged to $119 a barrel in March from $72 pre‑war – a rise of $47 or roughly 65%. ACI Europe warns that unless stable supply returns within three weeks, jet‑fuel shortages will force cancellations, potentially from May. Susannah Streeter of Wealth Club notes a growing risk for leisure flights. If your flight is cancelledFor flights departing from or arriving at UK/EU airports on UK/EU carriers, passengers must receive a refund or an alternative flight. Cancellations less than two weeks before departure also trigger compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 – up to €600 depending on distance. Airlines must provide meals, transport and accommodation while stranded. Refund or re‑routing – mandatory for covered flights.Compensation – up to €600 if notice is under two weeks.Support services – meals, hotel, transport. Package holiday travellersPackage holidays fall under the Package and Linked Travel Arrangements. The tour operator must either offer an alternative holiday of equal value or a full refund if the flight leg is cancelled. Rory Boland of Which? Travel stresses that the provider also arranges return transport. Surcharges for fuel price rises can be up to 8%; any higher charge gives the consumer a right to cancel with a full refund. Self‑arranged tripsTravelers who book flights and accommodation separately have weaker protection. While airlines must refund or re‑book the flight, hotels and other services are not automatically covered. Matt Gatenby of Travlaw advises checking travel‑insurance policies, which may cover hotel losses, though terms vary. Credit‑card protectionsPurchases over £100 made with a credit card are covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, making the card issuer jointly liable if the airline fails to deliver. This recourse is secondary to airline refunds and does not extend to separate hotel bookings. Pre‑booking adviceExperts recommend a “belt‑and‑braces” approach: book a package holiday with a credit card, secure comprehensive travel insurance, and choose accommodation with flexible cancellation. Be aware of potential delays at European borders – the EU’s new Entry‑Exit System (EES) can cause up to three‑hour queues, jeopardising flight connections. Airline and hub considerationsLarge carriers are more likely to have fuel‑hedging contracts, insulating them from immediate price spikes. Hub airports such as Heathrow and Barcelona typically have multiple fuel supply routes (pipelines and trucks), offering greater resilience and more alternative flights in case of cancellations. Booking timingHistorically, fares rise as departure approaches, and the cheapest seats are found early in the sales cycle. However, limited summer inventory means some airlines may later discount if demand softens due to fuel‑price anxiety.

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed again amid the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf indicated that a conclusive peace agreement is still far away, despite some progress in talks.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any attempt to pass through the strait without permission will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted. The current two-week ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday unless it is extended.US President Donald Trump has no justification to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said. Iran's valiant navy is ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemies, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said.The US military forced 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz since imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Trump accused Iran of getting a little cute with its recent moves and warned Tehran not to try to blackmail Washington.In Israel, another soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military established a so-called yellow line in southern Lebanon, similar to a measure in the besieged Gaza Strip.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack that killed a French soldier serving with the UN mission UNIFIL in Lebanon.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on Saturday, April 18, 2026, warning that any vessel attempting passage would be targeted. The announcement came less than 24 hours after the waterway had been briefly reopened, reigniting concerns over maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the broader U.S.-Iran standoff.The IRGC statement, relayed by Iran's Student News Agency, stipulated that the closure would remain in effect until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports—a move Tehran labels a breach of the cease‑fire agreement linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.Speaker of Iran's Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized on television that “the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Republic,” condemning the U.S. blockade as “clumsy and ignorant.” Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the navy was prepared to deliver “new bitter defeats” to its adversaries.Just hours earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced the strait “completely open for all commercial vessels,” prompting a brief surge of more than a dozen merchant ships and a dip in global oil prices. The sudden reversal underscores the volatility of the region’s energy markets, where even short‑lived openings can sway price benchmarks.According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), Iranian gunboats fired on two commercial vessels, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that two Indian‑flagged ships were involved in a “shooting incident.” Some merchant crews reported receiving radio warnings from the IRGC Navy that no ships would be permitted through the strait.U.S. President Donald Trump responded by stating Tehran could not “blackmail Washington” and warned that the naval blockade would “remain in full force” unless a cease‑fire deal is secured before its Wednesday deadline. Trump also hinted at ending the cease‑fire if Iran persists with the closure.Al Jazeera analysts described the situation as “two competing blockades,” noting that the brief reopening had raised hopes for a confidence‑building measure, only to revert to a stalemate. Correspondent Zein Basravi observed that the strait has become “the only space for engagement,” even if that engagement is hostile, serving as a platform for Iran to signal leverage to the United States.

The US blockade of Iran has significant implications for global oil supplies and regional stability. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a substantial portion of the world's oil exports, has been impacted by the blockade. Iran has urged the international community to pressure the US to lift the blockade, which has been in place for several years. The blockade has led to increased tensions in the region and has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, with nearly 20% of global oil exports passing through it. Any disruption to the flow of oil through the strait could have severe consequences for the global economy. Iran's call for the lifting of the blockade highlights the need for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing tensions in the region. The international community must work together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and ensure the stability of the region.

A vessel has reported gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments. The incident was reported on April 18, 2026, at 12:39:35 GMT. Details of the incident, including the identity of the vessel and any potential casualties, are not yet available.The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime route, with approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passing through it. Incidents of gunfire or other disruptions in this region can have significant implications for global energy markets and international relations.

Tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese families are returning home despite ongoing reports of Israeli shelling and demolitions of homes near the country's southern border. A preliminary assessment by Lebanese authorities found that nearly 40,000 homes had been destroyed or damaged before the truce.Cars loaded with mattresses, bags, and salvaged belongings continued streaming south on Saturday as families went back to see if their homes remained. However, many are finding their homes badly damaged or uninhabitable. Fadel Badreddine, displaced from Nabatieh, said, 'There's destruction and it's unliveable. We're taking our things and leaving again.'A 10-day ceasefire took effect on Thursday night, raising hopes of a pause after 46 days of intensified Israeli attacks. However, uncertainty remains amid widespread destruction and Israeli warnings against returning to parts of southern Lebanon. Al Jazeera correspondents reported that Israeli bulldozers were continuing demolition and land-clearing operations in several areas of southern Lebanon, while Israeli artillery also shelled areas around Beit Lif, al-Qantara, and Toul.Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the area between the security zone and the Litani River had not yet been cleared of fighters and 'weapons'. He stated that this will have to be done through diplomatic means or continued Israeli military activity after the ceasefire. Rare face-to-face talks between Lebanon and Israel are expected to resume in the coming days, though both sides appear to have sharply different priorities.

Iran has reclosed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies, in retaliation to the United States' ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that control of the strait had 'returned to its previous state,' with Iranian gunboats reportedly firing at a merchant vessel attempting to cross.The strait's closure comes after a brief reopening, during which over a dozen commercial ships passed through. This development has cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's optimism about a potential peace deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran, which Trump claimed was 'very close.'The IRGC statement emphasized that the blockade represented 'acts of piracy and maritime theft,' and warned that the strait would remain under strict control until the US restores full freedom of navigation for Iranian vessels. Oil prices have been impacted, with at least eight oil and gas tankers crossing the strait by 10:30 GMT, while several others turned back.The situation has created uncertainty for maritime shipping, with specialist John-Paul Rodrigue noting that contradictory information from all parties has deterred many vessels from crossing. Al Jazeera's Tohid Asadi reported from Tehran that Iran seeks a comprehensive end to the regional war, including security assurances, sanctions relief, and a resolution to its nuclear dossier.

Oil prices have plummeted to their lowest point in weeks after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was open for passage during a ceasefire in Lebanon. The international benchmark, Brent crude, fell more than 9 percent to $90.38 a barrel on Friday, taking it below $91 for the first time since March 10.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait was “completely open” and would remain so for the duration of the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect on Friday. US President Donald Trump hailed Tehran’s announcement, declaring the waterway “ready for business and full passage.”However, on Saturday, Iran rowed back on its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that it would continue to block transit through the key waterway as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. Trump said the blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through Hormuz and further limits would squeeze already constrained supply, driving prices higher once again. Amid the escalation, Pakistani officials say they are trying for more talks between the US and Iran ahead of the April 22 ceasefire deadline.Meanwhile, ship tracking data displayed a significant uptick in vessels crossing the strait on Saturday, with an analyst at maritime intelligence firm Windward saying it was the busiest since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed at the beginning of the war.

Pressure is mounting for the removal of Piero Corvetto, head of Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE), as the country grapples with a protracted presidential ballot count and accusations of procedural flaws.The general election took place on Sunday, but officials extended voting by a day to address distribution problems, a move that has since fueled claims of irregularities.With 93.3% of votes tallied, the race for second place remains razor‑thin: left‑leaning candidate Roberto Sanchez holds 12.0% of the vote, while ultraconservative former Lima mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga trails closely at 11.9%, a margin of roughly 13,000 votes. Conservative frontrunner Keiko Fujimori leads with 17%, positioning her for the June 7 run‑off.ONPE reports that about 5% of ballots have been set aside for further scrutiny due to missing information or recording errors. These votes will be examined by a special electoral jury before being incorporated into the final totals, a process that could extend the certification period to up to two weeks, according to local monitor Transparencia.Business leaders and legislators across the political spectrum have publicly urged Corvetto to step aside, arguing that a fresh overseer is needed to ensure credibility for the second round. “Errors of this magnitude have real consequences,” said Jorge Zapata, head of the business chamber CONFIEP, in an interview with RPP radio.Corvetto acknowledged logistical setbacks that necessitated the one‑day voting extension, particularly in Lima, but denied any fraudulent activity. Nonetheless, the National Jury of Elections—a top electoral court—has lodged a criminal complaint against him, citing possible violations of voting rights.Further controversy erupted after police discovered election materials from four polling stations on a public road in Lima; ONPE confirmed that votes from those stations had already been logged for counting.European Union election observers, however, reported no evidence of fraud during their monitoring mission, adding a nuanced perspective to the domestic turmoil.