The back-and-forth power grab over Hormuz continues. U.S. forces boarded another tanker carrying oil from Iran, as President Donald Trump claimed that he had requested the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had fired on three ships in the Strait, seizing two of them, while President Trump claimed this move didn’t violate the ceasefire.
Just hours before the ceasefire deadline, President Trump extended the agreement with Iran indefinitely. This came after Tehran’s long and inexplicable silence on the peace deal the U.S. had offered up. As of now, the second round of Islamabad peace talks is on hold.
On a related front, President Trump gave a three-week extension to the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which was set to expire on Sunday. He made the announcement as the two sides met in the White House for a second round of direct peace talks. MBN’s Washington Bureau Chief Joe Kawly says the outcome of the meeting could go one of three possible ways.
Also this week, Roya Hakakian, our new senior correspondent and associate editor, joins Matthew Kaminski and Andres Ilves on the Iran Briefing Podcast. They talk about the latest in the conflict, the plight of the crazy young and rich sons and daughters of the Iranian ruling elite abroad, and the meme wars. Watch the full episode.
The Friday Briefing is also published in Arabic. If you were forwarded this newsletter, subscribe here. We’d love to hear from you at thebriefing@mbn-news.com.
MBN Iran Briefing Podcast
Expert conversations unpacking the latest developments in Iran and how they are reshaping security, energy markets, and geopolitics across the Middle East.
This Week On MBN
Pakistan’s Gulf Power Play
Pakistan is emerging as a pivotal player in the Middle East. Not only is it serving as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, but it’s also deepening its military ties with Saudi Arabia. As Ghassan Taqi, Ringo Harrison, and Sakina Abdallah report, Pakistan is leveraging its unique ties across the region to expand influence while avoiding confrontation with Iran. But if U.S.-Iran diplomacy collapses, Islamabad risks being pulled from mediator to active participant in a widening conflict.
Read the article here
Iran Deploys Armed Child Informants
The IRGC and Basij are recruiting and deploying armed minors across Iranian cities for domestic intelligence roles. Sources inside and outside Iran tell MBN’s Dalshad Hussein that children aged 10 to 17 are tasked with monitoring streets and markets to identify suspected spies linked to the U.S. and Israel. IRGC official Rahim Nada Ali and the Hana Human Rights Organization corroborated that minors are being used to survey the streets.
Read the article here
Washington Turns Screws on Baghdad
The U.S. is building pressure on Iraq, suspending dollar shipments and regular security meetings between the two countries over concerns that Iran-aligned militias are attacking American interests. In exclusive information to MBN, Mustafa Saadoon reports that officials in Washington made clear that financial help will remain frozen until a new Iraqi government commits to reform and stops sending illicit dollars to Iran.
Read the article here
Baghdad’s Balancing Act Is Failing
In this MBN Magazine article, Akeel Abbas explains that Iraq is stuck in a tough spot between the United States and Iran. Iranian-backed militias inside Iraq are attacking U.S. targets, and the government seems unable — or unwilling — to stop them. Even though Iraq says it is neutral, it is effectively acting in line with Iran’s interests. As a result, the United States is growing frustrated and may rethink its relationship with Iraq.
Read the article here
MBN Magazine:
Features, debates and analysis on the Middle East from unique voices. You won’t find these stories anywhere else.
Israel’s New Iran
Turkey’s expanding regional footprint is raising alarms in Israel. Israeli officials and analysts increasingly consider Turkey a rising competitor — and a potential replacement to Iran as the primary long-term threat. MBN’s Rami Al Amine reports that the emerging rivalry signals a shift from shadow wars to open competition between the two powerful states.
Read the article here
‘We Want to Live’
Syrians are taking to the streets under the banner “We Want to Live,” driven by worsening economic hardship and soaring prices. Over 90 percent of the population lives in poverty, and food costs continue to surge. MBN’s Jwan Ibrahim notes that on the ground, fear remains high, as participants worry that security crackdowns are reminiscent of the repression they suffered under the former Assad regime.
Watch the video here
Closer: Not in the Room
“We are not in the room in Islamabad. But we are in the path of whatever comes out. That is not a comfortable place to be.”
– Kuwaiti official to MBN Agenda, April 20, 2026
