U.S. Iran blockade hits 100 ships; nuclear-treaty review collapses over Tehran's noncompliance.
U.S. Central Command marked 100 vessels redirected enforcing the maritime blockade of Iran since April 13. The State Department voiced regret over the NPT Review's failure to reach consensus, condemned Hizballah's call to overthrow Lebanon, and Secretary Rubio met PM Modi in New Delhi ahead of Tuesday's Quad ministerial.
Day 87 · Iran war Year 5 · Ukraine war
Events
- Iran blockade. Central Command marked 100 commercial vessels redirected enforcing the April 13 maritime blockade of Iranian ports — 15,000 troops deployed, four ships disabled, 26 humanitarian-aid vessels allowed through.1May 23 · CENTCOM
- NPT review. State Department voiced regret over the 2026 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference's failure to reach consensus, blaming States Parties unwilling to confront Iran's IAEA-safeguards noncompliance and escalating nuclear activities.2May 24 · State
- Rubio in New Delhi. Secretary Rubio met Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, advancing a near-final trade agreement, an Underwater Domain Awareness Roadmap, and a renewed 10-year U.S.–India defense framework.3May 24 · State
Voices
“We're sending you to lead, we're sending you to forge warriors, and we're sending you perhaps, to war — and you are ready.”
Sec. of War Pete Hegseth, U.S. Military Academy · May 237
“We're either going to have a good agreement or we're going to have to deal with it another way. We'd prefer to have a good agreement.”
Sec. of State Marco Rubio, Palam Air Base, New Delhi · May 255
“States Parties cannot turn a blind eye to Iran's noncompliance, nor can violators be allowed to undermine the enforcement and accountability mechanisms at the core of the NPT.”
Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, U.S. State Department · May 242
Show 3 more voices
“They are victimizing the people of Lebanon, who are paying a tremendous price because of Hizballah.”
Sec. of State Marco Rubio, Palam Air Base, New Delhi · May 255
“[Service members have been] highly effective by executing the mission with precision and professionalism, allowing zero trade into and out of Iranian ports which has squeezed Iran economically.”
Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander · May 231
“We are the two largest democracies in the world, and so that alone is a baseline for incredible cooperation.”
Sec. of State Marco Rubio, Hyderabad House, New Delhi · May 243
Allied Governments
- Japan condoles China. Foreign Minister Motegi delivered condolences to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi following the May 22 gas explosion at a Shanxi coal mine, praying for survivors and the speedy recovery of the injured.aMay 24 · Japan MoFA
Show 6 more events
- Hizballah condemned. State Department condemned Hizballah's call to overthrow Lebanon's government, calling the group “a 100 percent Iranian proxy” trying to destabilize the country and break the current ceasefire with Israel.4May 24 · State
- Iran phase-1. Rubio said the U.S. proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is “pretty solid” with Gulf and global support; nuclear-phase terms remain unresolved, with President Trump “not in a hurry” to close.5May 25 · State
- Quad ministerial. Foreign ministers of the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia convene Tuesday in New Delhi; Rubio framed the gathering as central to Indo-Pacific shipping-lane security and overdue for renewal.6Tue May 26 · State
- West Point. Secretary of War Hegseth told 998 graduating cadets at the U.S. Military Academy “we're sending you perhaps to war”; the Army hit recruiting goals early and will grow in size next year.7May 23 · War
- Ebola response. State Department activated an Ebola Task Force and deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team within four days to DRC and Uganda; returnees from affected countries must enter through designated U.S. airports for enhanced screening.8May 23 · State
- Trump–Modi reaffirmed. President Trump joined the Freedom 250 reception in New Delhi by phone, telling guests “anything India wants, they get”; Rubio extended a presidential invitation for Modi to visit Washington this year.9May 24 · State
Sources
- U.S. Central Command, “U.S. Blockade of Iran Reaches Milestone of Redirecting 100 Ships,” May 23, 2026. centcom.mil/…/us-blockade-100-ships
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Conclusion of the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference,” May 24, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/2026-npt-review-conference
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at a Joint Press Availability,” May 24, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/rubio-jaishankar-press
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Condemnation of Hizballah's Reckless Call to Overthrow Lebanese Government,” May 24, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/hizballah-lebanon-condemnation
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to the Press,” May 25, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/rubio-remarks-press
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Siddhant Mishra of CNN-News18,” May 23, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/rubio-cnn-news18
- U.S. Dept. of War, “Hegseth Tells West Point Cadets They Are Ready to Lead,” May 23, 2026. war.gov/news/…/hegseth-west-point
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Ebola Response Update – May 23, 2026,” May 24, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/ebola-response-may-23
- U.S. Dept. of State, “President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor at Freedom 250: Independence Day Reception,” May 24, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/freedom-250-reception
- Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Message of condolences by Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu, following the gas explosion that occurred at a coal mine in Shanxi Province, China,” May 24, 2026. mofa.go.jp/press/release/…/motegi-shanxi-condolences