NPR News: 04-12-2026 6PM EDT

The United States is threatening to block all ships in and out of the Strait of Hormuz starting tomorrow, after peace talks with Iran in Pakistan failed over the weekend. Iran’s Navy commander dismissed the threat as “very ridiculous and funny,” and the country says it will not surrender. President Trump has also said the U.S. will begin destroying mines laid by Iranians in the strait, and added that Iranians would be “blown to hell” if they fired at the U.S. Over the past two weeks, Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s infrastructure, bomb the country “back to the Stone Age,” and wipe out its entire civilization in one year.

Ceasefire in Ukraine collapses amid mutual accusations

Russia and Ukraine are each accusing the other of violating a 32-hour ceasefire that was supposed to mark the Orthodox Christian Easter holiday. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the truce from 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Easter Sunday, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed. Yet the Russian side accused Ukraine of launching overnight drone attacks on several border regions, injuring civilians. Ukraine blamed Russia for waves of drones and shelling that killed several people and injured scores more. Moscow quickly dismissed calls by Zelensky to extend the truce and restart peace negotiations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would resume its military campai