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On April 18, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) the military is preparing to board and seize Iran-linked tankers in international waters in the coming days—expanding its naval enforcement operations beyond the Middle East. As that plan takes shape, Iran’s military is ramping up control of the Strait of Hormuz: it attacked multiple commercial vessels Saturday and declared the waterway under Iran’s “strict control.” The moves have caught shipping firms off guard. Just a day earlier, Iran’s foreign minister said the strait was fully open to commercial traffic—a statement previously praised by former President Trump.

April 18 (CoinDesk) — Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin told CoinDesk in an interview that AI and cryptographic technologies are converging at an accelerated pace, potentially marking the next major inflection point for the industry. However, he warned that if AI infrastructure is controlled by a handful of large tech firms, it could pose systemic risks to the sector. Lubin noted the future economy will be driven by “machine processes,” where autonomous or semi-autonomous AI agents can conduct transactions, collaborate, and perform validations on blockchain networks — with cryptographic networks serving as the underlying settlement layer. He argued blockchain and cryptographic mechanisms are critical to building a trusted “machine-over-machine” environment, avoiding power imbalances tied to centralized AI. On the product front, Lubin revealed MetaMask is evolving into a “user self-custody digital bank.” Going forward, it will integrate AI agents to autonomously manage user assets

April 18 – A ban on heavy vehicles entering Pakistan’s capital Islamabad took effect early Wednesday (April 18). Local long-distance bus terminals have tightened control measures, while metro and bus services have also been scaled back. The core of Islamabad’s latest transport upgrade is to use absolute physical space security to bolster fragile diplomatic trust, thereby enhancing "mutual confidence." The move aims to prove to Washington and Tehran that Islamabad’s negotiation venue is not merely a geographic transit point but an absolute security hub for information and safety. The Pakistani government has yet to announce a timetable for the next round of U.S.-Iran talks. (Source: Jinse)

Tuesday, April 18 Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the country’s oversight of the Strait of Hormuz encompasses collecting fees for security, safety and environmental protection services. According to Iranian outlet Mizan, Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. maintains its blockade, and Tehran is reviewing Washington’s latest proposal. (Jinse)

April 18 — U.S. President Trump said the U.S. is having very good discussions with Iran. Iran is again threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump noted Iran cannot ransom the U.S. More details are expected by day’s end.

April 18 — Iran’s top national security body said it is committed to controlling maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war ends and lasting peace is established in the region.