NPR News: 04-18-2026 12PM EDT

An oil tanker flying a UK flag was fired on by Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz today, marking a sharp escalation after Iran reimposed restrictions on the waterway. No casualties were reported, but the incident comes as a shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran teeters. Elsewhere, the U.S. Treasury reversed course and extended a sanctions waiver on Russian oil for another month, President Trump signed an executive order to expand access to psychedelic drugs for mental health treatment, and the U.S. sanctioned individuals accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries for Sudan’s paramilitary RSF.

Strait of Hormuz: Iran fires on commercial vessels

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center reported that an oil tanker was approached by two Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats, which opened fire. At least three commercial vessels flying Indian and UK flags came under attack overall. Iran’s National Security Council issued a statement declaring it is “determined to exercise supervision and control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.” Regional countries continue pushing the U.S. and Iran to extend the current ceasefire to allow time for renewed peace negotiations. President Trump told reporters that “very good conversations were going on” between the two s