April 13, 2026
This is the first episode of The BDN War Room. This show is dedicated weekday coverage of the Iran war and airs daily after The Brief with Brandon Doggett.
We are six weeks into this conflict. The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28th and killed Supreme Leader Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones on Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf states. They blocked the Strait of Hormuz, attacked merchant ships, and laid mines in the waterway. Over 5,000 people have been killed in Iran and Lebanon combined. That's where we are.
This weekend, Vice President JD Vance led the first direct U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. They went for over 16 hours. The U.S. came in with a list of demands — end uranium enrichment, dismantle enrichment facilities, open the Strait of Hormuz, stop funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Iran's parliament speaker Qalibaf blamed what he called U.S. overreach. Vance said Iran chose not to accept the terms. The talks collapsed.
Within hours, Trump announced a full naval blockade of all Iranian ports. It went into effect this morning at 10 AM Eastern. CENTCOM says it applies to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Ships traveling between non-Iranian ports can still pass through the strait, which is actually a step down from what Trump originally said. Trump posted on Truth Social that Iranian fast attack ships would be "immediately ELIMINATED" if they approached the blockade, comparing it to the tactics used against drug boats in the Caribbean. Two U.S. Navy destroyers already transited the strait on Saturday and deliberately turned on their tracking systems as a signal. The Navy also started mine-clearing operations.
Iran is not backing down. Their military called the blockade piracy. Their armed forces put out a statement saying security in the Persian Gulf is either for everyone or for no one, and that no port in the region will be safe. Their acting defense minister said forces are on maximum combat alert. Qalibaf addressed Trump directly and said if you fight, we will fight. They still have mines in the water, small missile boats, drones, cruise missiles, and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles.
The global reaction has been intense. Oil is back over $100 a barrel. OPEC output dropped 27% in March. Only 31 vessels passed through the strait in the last 24 hours compared to over 100 a day before the war. There are 230 loaded oil tankers still waiting inside the Gulf. Nearly 20,000 Indian crew members are stranded on vessels running low on food, water, and medical supplies. Gas in the U.S. is at $4.12 and expected to keep climbing. The UK said they will not join the blockade. Spain called it senseless. France and the UK are organizing their own conference for a peaceful multinational alternative. Israel supports it. The Kremlin criticized it.
The ceasefire expires April 22nd. That is nine days away. Nobody knows what happens after that.
Subscribe to The BDN War Room and The Brief with Brandon Doggett so you don't miss a thing.
