Tim Mak

Good morning to readers. Oil prices are at $111 per barrel (+47% compared to pre-war).

The Strait of #Hormuz has turned into a trap at sea. Mohamed receives desperate pleas to repatriate stranded crew caught in the #crisis. https://open.substack.com/pub/irandispatches/p/20k-seafarers-stranded-by-hormuz?r=6rf4sj&utm_medium=ios

20K seafarers stranded by Hormuz blockade

Following the failure to agree on opening the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. imposed a blockade on the critical chokepoint, making life more dangerous for the sailors trapped by the strait’s closure.

Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak
2:38pmWeb
Show threadTim Mak12h ago
#YEREVAN, #Armenia – When Iran closed the Strait of #Hormuz at the start of the war, it stranded roughly 20,000 seafarers aboard more than 2,000 vessels, many of whom had already been at sea for months.
Show threadTim Mak12h ago
“Despite the announcement of the ceasefire, the requests haven’t stopped,” said Mohamed Arrachedi, who works for the #International #Transport Workers Federation (ITF). He is one of the few lifelines sailors have in the #Persian #Gulf.
Show threadTim Mak12h ago
The ITF is a federation of trade unions, protecting the labor rights of transport workers, including seafarers. Since the start of the #war in #Iran, the distress calls Mohamed has received are unlike anything he has seen in his 28 years on the job.
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
Just a week ago, it looked like the Strait of #Hormuz might reopen following the U.S.–Iran peace talks, giving hope to seafarers stranded in the Gulf. Many of them are exposed not only to the mental strain of being stuck at sea, but also to the threat of Iran’s attacks on oil tankers.
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
But on Monday, the situation took a turn for the worse: the U.S. escalated the crisis by launching a naval blockade, stationing over 15 warships to intercept vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports. Ships that don’t comply could risk being seized by U.S. forces.
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
Find out more about the human cost of the #blockade and the man fighting for the 20,000 seafarers caught in the #crossfire via the link in! https://www.iranwar.news/p/20k-seafarers-stranded-by-hormuz
20K seafarers stranded by Hormuz blockade

Following the failure to agree on opening the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. imposed a blockade on the critical chokepoint, making life more dangerous for the sailors trapped by the strait’s closure.

Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak
Show threadTim Mak11h ago

THE LATEST #NEWS AT THIS HOUR:

#IRAN-LINKED TANKERS TRANSIT #HORMUZ STRAIT DESPITE U.S. BLOCKADE. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cp9vm5ezxz4t

US-sanctioned ships pass Strait of Hormuz as China calls Trump's blockade 'dangerous' - live updates

At least two ships have visited Iranian ports while two are linked to China. The US previously said it would stop vessels travelling to or from Iran.

BBC News
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
#SAUDI #ARABIA PUSHES TO END U.S. #BLOCKADE OF STRAIT: Saudi Arabia has called on the U.S. to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz fearing that Iran could retaliate by closing the Bab Al-Mandeb strait, another crucial shipping route chokepoint, located between Yemen and #Djibouti. https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-us-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-25fbd430?mod=hp_lead_pos7
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
#LEBANON-ISRAEL TALKS IN WASHINGTON TODAY: Lebanon and Israel are set to hold their first direct talks since 1993 in #Washington, D.C., this Tuesday. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/14/israel-lebanon-direct-talks-in-the-us-all-to-know
Israel-Lebanon direct talks in the US: All to know

Israel and Lebanon hold first direct talks since 1993, but Hezbollah’s rejection threatens the US-brokered effort.

Al Jazeera
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
Also in today's news:
U.S. and #Iran could renew peace talks in #Pakistan this week; Pope pushes back against #Trump attack. Find out more via the link！https://www.iranwar.news/p/20k-seafarers-stranded-by-hormuz
20K seafarers stranded by Hormuz blockade

Following the failure to agree on opening the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. imposed a blockade on the critical chokepoint, making life more dangerous for the sailors trapped by the strait’s closure.

Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak
Show threadTim Mak11h ago
Check out our deep dive on amphibious l#anding tech for #Kharg I#sland via the link！https://www.iranwar.news/p/amphibious-landing-tech-for-kharg
Amphibious landing tech for Kharg Island

Deep dive on amphibious landing drones: here’s what the U.S. Marine Corps has been stocking up on.

Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak
Show threadTim Mak11h ago

Don't just watch it happen – be part of it.

Join the #conversation with us - your #voice matters!

Join us through the link and give us your opinion! https://www.iranwar.news

Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak | Substack

A publication to report on the war in Iran through the stories of people on the ground. Click to read Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

Show threadMediaBaron11h ago
@timkmak Looks like Mindstorms Mil-Grade Edition.
Show threadJason Hoss11h ago
@timkmak It is TACO Tuesday, after all.