Evening Wire: Another Swalwell Allegation & Lebanon, Israel Talk Peace | 4.14.26

The U.S. Navy's blockade of Iranian ports held firm in its first 24 hours, with CENTCOM confirming no ships breached the cordon and six merchant vessels complying with U.S. directives and turning back. The operation involves over a dozen warships, hundreds of aircraft, and more than 10,000 American service members. But Saudi Arabia is reportedly pressuring the U.S. to end the blockade over fears that Iran could retaliate by closing another key waterway, potentially disrupting global shipping through a different strategic chokepoint.

New Sexual Assault Allegation Against Eric Swalwell

Another woman has come forward accusing former Congressman Eric Swalwell of sexual assault. Lana Druis, a model who owned a fashion software company at the time, alleges Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018. At a press conference alongside her attorneys, Druis described the incident: "I believe he drugged my drink. I only had one glass of wine. We were supposed to go to a political event, and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room. When I arrived at his hotel room I was already incapacitated and I couldn't move my arms or my body. He raped me and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. And I thought I died."