INTERNACIONAL
Iran shifts 20M barrels through ‘dark’ offshore oil network bypassing US port blockade, firm says
US implements Iran port blockade in Strait of Hormuz, halting trade
The U.S. has formally implemented a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, with CENTCOM reporting halted economic trade and costing Iran $435 million daily. President Donald Trump emphasizes China’s cooperation and upcoming talks, while Saudi Arabia fears escalation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and economic experts discuss the naval forces’ financial repercussions and the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, noting record U.S. oil exports and significant economic pressure on Iran.
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Iran is moving tens of millions of barrels of oil through covert offshore networks to bypass the new U.S. blockade on its ports, maritime intelligence firm Windward AI says.
The blockade, which took effect April 13, came amid a two-week ceasefire and failed peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, and as President Donald Trump insisted the waterway must remain open. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through it.
«Iranian oil distribution continues through indirect routing and offshore transfer networks,» Windward told Fox News Digital.
«As of April 13, at least 11 tankers carrying approximately 20 million barrels of Iranian oil are positioned offshore Malaysia within a ship-to-ship transfer hub,» the firm determined.
TRUMP DETAILS SWEEPING ‘ALL OR NOTHING’ BLOCKADE OF STRAIT OF HORMUZ AFTER FAILED IRAN TALKS
A ship is seen passing through the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran on April 8, 2026. (Shady Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)
«These vessels are likely awaiting counterpart vessels for offloading or preparing for onward movement.»
Windward also clarified that the concentration highlights Iran’s «continued use of offshore storage and transfer mechanisms.»
This allows Iranian oil flows to «persist outside direct transit through the Strait.»
«Dark activity remains a central enabler of ongoing operations, supporting both post-transit port calls and broader evasion strategies,» Windward added.
«At the same time, Iranian oil flows are increasingly routed through offshore hubs, reducing reliance on direct Hormuz transit.»
U.S. forces began implementing the blockade at 10 a.m. ET April 13 after Trump vowed to block «any and all ships from trying to enter or leave» the strait, following weeks of pressure on Tehran.
IRAN THREATENS TO HALT RED SEA TRAFFIC IN RESPONSE TO US MILITARY BLOCKADE OF PORTS
Fishing boats dot the sea as cargo ships, in the background, sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz off the United Arab Emirates, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo)
As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the U.S. military confirmed Wednesday it stopped nine oil tankers from attempting to breach the blockade.
«During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces,» U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
«Additionally, nine vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area,» CENTCOM wrote on X.
Fox News was also told all nine vessels were oil tankers. None of the vessels ordered to turn around needed to be boarded by U.S. forces, a senior U.S. defense official said.
On the first «full day» of the blockade, April 14, however, under active U.S. enforcement, Windward noted vessel behavior indicating «a fragmented and uneven response to the blockade.»
«Initial movements show a combination of continued transit, route deviation and potential evasion,» the firm said.
MORNING GLORY: THE US-IRAN NEGOTIATIONS IN ISLAMABAD BECAME REYKJAVÍK 2.0
Oil tanker waits for its turn to get loaded by barrels of oil in the Persian Gulf south of Iran. (Farzad Frames/Getty Images)
«Sanctioned and falsely flagged vessels remain active, with some proceeding through the Strait while others delay, reverse course or adjust routing patterns.
«Iranian oil flows continue through indirect distribution networks, with significant volumes accumulating offshore rather than transiting directly through Hormuz.»
CENTCOM said the blockade would apply only to maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.
It stressed that U.S. forces would not «impede freedom of navigation» for vessels transiting the strait to and from other destinations.
The blockade on the key trade route would be enforced «impartially» against any vessels entering or departing Iranian ports, including those in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
So far, sanctioned and falsely flagged vessels continue to operate under evolving enforcement conditions.
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Rich Starry, a U.S.-sanctioned handy-size tanker signaling laden status, resumed outbound transit after previously turning around.
Windward said its routing did not follow the Larak Island corridor and instead aligned with the alternative outbound path proposed by Iran.
At the same time, Murlikishan, a U.S.-sanctioned chemical tanker, was also observed journeying inbound, Windward clarified.
energy, middle east, iran, sanctions, trade
INTERNACIONAL
El premier británico laborista Keir Starmer al borde del abismo: más de 60 diputados de su partido exigen su renuncia
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FIRST ON FOX: House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., introduced a legislative package on Monday designed to improve transparency and security in campaign finance as a major Democratic payment processor faces scrutiny over foreign donations.
Steil’s package includes two bills: The Campaign Finance Transparency Act and the Preventing Foreign Influence in American Elections Act, Fox News Digital learned. The first piece of legislation would impose a suite of new transparency regulations on organizations that process political donations, such as ActBlue, while the second proposed law seeks to prevent foreign nationals from funding election-related activities through means other than campaign contributions.
A spokesman for Steil confirmed to Fox News Digital that they plan to expedite consideration of these bills through the administration committee.
«My investigation into ActBlue has demonstrated that the current campaign finance laws weren’t drafted for the modern era we live in,» the congressman told Fox News Digital. «The major gaps we’ve uncovered are being exploited by fraudsters and foreign nationals to make illegal political donations. For example, right now an individual can easily make a fraudulent donation online in someone else’s name and avoid getting caught. That’s an unacceptable vulnerability that bad actors are taking advantage of.»
DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT ACTBLUE ROCKED BY ALLEGATIONS IT MISLED CONGRESS ABOUT FOREIGN DONATIONS
Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., speaks during the House Administration Committee hearing titled «Looking Ahead Series: House Sergeant at Arms Strategic Plan for the 118th Congress» in the Longworth Building on April 18, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
ActBlue is under increased scrutiny from congressional Republicans after the New York Times in April reported, citing leaked internal memos, that the payment processor’s lawyers warned that it may have misled Congress regarding its efforts to stop foreign nationals from donating to American politicians.
«It can be alleged that ActBlue accepted and/or facilitated the acceptance of foreign-national contributions into American elections,» one memo reportedly stated. «In addition, because ActBlue’s staff was aware that its system was not as robust as necessary, it could be alleged that these violations were ‘knowing and willful,’ a standard that both increases the penalties the F.E.C. might seek and gives the Justice Department jurisdiction for a potential criminal investigation.»
Fox News Digital has not independently confirmed the content of the ActBlue legal memos. ActBlue has denied breaking any laws, saying that its statements to Congress were rigorously reviewed by lawyers before being submitted, and characterized Republican inquiries as partisan in nature.
WinRed, the conservative equivalent to ActBlue, would also be covered by the laws if they pass. An Associated Press investigation in May 2025 found that Trump’s campaign reports listed citizenship as «verified» for two of more than 200 donors living abroad who contributed to him, many through WinRed.
WinRed and ActBlue did not respond to requests for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.
Exterior view of ActBlue offices building with glass windows and signage. (Getty Images)
ACTBLUE SUES TEXAS AG KEN PAXTON, ALLEGING POLITICAL RETALIATION OVER DEMOCRATS’ FUNDRAISING
Republicans have long argued that making donations with gift cards allows individuals to more easily conceal their identities while making illegal contributions. ActBlue’s lawyers also claimed, according to the memos viewed by the Times, that the payment processor sometimes failed to collect verification documents from donors residing in foreign countries to ensure they could legally make contributions.
Steil’s Campaign Finance Transparency Act will, among other things, prohibit political donations made using gift cards, require the name on a credit or debit card to match that of a prospective campaign donor and mandates the verification of citizenship or permanent resident status for donors without an American mailing address.
ActBlue, according to a letter it sent to Congress in April, no longer processes donations originating from outside the United States. The processor previously prompted foreign donors to input their passport number when making donations using credit or debit cards, per the letter.
Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., speaks during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on oversight of the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve’s pandemic response in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2, 2020. (Greg Nash/Pool/Reuters)
STATE CONSERVATIVES DEMAND ACTION ON NONCITIZEN VOTING: ‘TIME FOR CONGRESS TO LISTEN’
Conservatives have also, in recent years, argued that foreign nationals are influencing American elections in ways beyond traditional campaign contributions.
Steil’s Preventing Foreign Influence in American Elections Act seeks to stop foreign donors from funding election-related activities such as ballot harvesting, voter registration initiatives and the commissioning of polls. The law would also bar foreign nationals from helping to pay for the administration of state or local elections.
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ActBlue is fighting back against its conservative critics. The platform, for instance, sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is investigating it, on May 1, alleging that he is abusing his office by engaging in a politically motivated legal action against it.
The district judge handling the case recently wrote that «the court is tentatively of the opinion» that ActBlue will «likely to prevail on some, if not all, elements» of the first part of their legal complaint, which accuses Paxton of violating ActBlue’s First Amendment rights by allegedly targeting it for engaging in constitutionally protected political activity.
banking finance, congress, republicans elections, fund raising, legislation
INTERNACIONAL
Guatemala: El diputado José Chic exige investigación imparcial sobre acusaciones a Consuelo Porras
A pocos días que se realice el relevo en la Fiscalía General de Guatemala, el diputado Jose Chic, representante de la bancada VOS en el Congreso de la República de Guatemala, requirió en conferencia de prensa que se decrete arraigo para la fiscal general María Consuelo Porras Aldana.
Además instó a que las investigaciones sobre supuestas detenciones ilegales y casos de adopciones irregulares vinculados a Porras sean transferidas a instancias independientes, debido a la presunta existencia de una red estructurada que implicaría a funcionarios judiciales y administrativos.
Chic aseguró que el caso tiene repercusión internacional y resaltó que los hechos denunciados —a su juicio, de gravedad tal que no deben prescribir— precisan de la intervención de la Fiscalía de Derechos Humanos o la Fiscalía de Delitos Transnacionales, además de la permanencia de la fiscal general en el país para responder ante el proceso.
En la parte final de su intervención, Jose Chic reveló que el costo de una adopción nacional en Guatemala puede llegar a cinco mil dólares, y que en países de Norteamérica o Europa esa cifra aumenta a sesenta mil dólares.
El diputado indicó que hay registros de procesos con irregularidades serias, en los que participaron jueces, abogados y notarios, conformando una estructura orientada a la venta y traslado de niños fuera del país.
Este señalamiento, que involucra cifras inéditas y una dimensión transnacional, diferencia la denuncia de Chic de otros casos previos de presunta corrupción en el sistema de adopciones.
De acuerdo con los datos presentados, Jose Chic planteó que existen al menos tres denuncias formales agrupadas y remitidas a una sola fiscalía, una acción que considera inadecuada por parte de Consuelo Porras Aldana.
El diputado sostiene que la concentración de casos debió recaer en fiscalías especializadas en derechos humanos o delitos transnacionales. A su entender, esto refleja falta de transparencia y un intento de encubrimiento en torno a la fiscal general.
Chic subrayó que la fiscal Leonor Morales, al frente de la Fiscalía contra Delitos cometidos contra Operadores de Justicia y Sindicalistas, se limitó a argumentar que todos los procedimientos se realizaron conforme a derecho, pero no detalló “qué acciones ha emprendido para esclarecer la verdad de esas denuncias”.
La falta de información concreta, indicó, impide comprobar la eficacia de las investigaciones sobre Consuelo Porras y otros posibles involucrados.
El diputado rechazó que las respuestas oficiales fueran únicamente generales, y remarcó: “Solo quieren decir que el Ministerio Público está haciendo su trabajo, pero no concretiza en qué acciones han llevado a cabo y cuáles van a ser las líneas de investigación o al menos los parámetros que va a utilizar el Ministerio Público relacionado con estas denuncias”.
Recalcó la obligación del Ministerio Público de aportar pruebas y precisó que, hasta ahora, la fiscalía a cargo no ha presentado fundamentos claros ni evidencias que demuestren avances efectivos.
Chic calificó los hechos como “venta de niños” en Guatemala, afirmando que diversos actores judiciales y administrativos estuvieron involucrados.
Sostuvo que investigar esta estructura, en la que participaron jueces, abogados y notarios, exige la intervención de fiscalías especializadas y un cambio en la estrategia institucional vigente.
Recordó que la negativa anterior de la Corte Suprema de Justicia a retirar la inmunidad a Porras no libera de responsabilidades administrativas ni penales, y anunció que el Congreso insistirá en renovar el pedido de investigación para “garantizar que la señora Consuelo Porras debe permanecer en el país mientras dure la investigación de este caso”.
El diputado Jose Chic subrayó que se ha identificado una posible red transnacional de adopciones irregulares, con el precio de una adopción en Guatemala alrededor de cinco mil dólares, cifra que asciende a sesenta mil cuando se concreta en el extranjero. Esta situación afecta la credibilidad de la justicia, implica a varios funcionarios y refuerza la necesidad de fiscalías con competencia internacional.
Recalcó que el antejuicio es un recurso de protección para funcionarios, pero advirtió: “No traten de hacer creer a la gente que la fiscal Consuelo Porras fue exculpada en estos procesos”.
Afirmó que continuará presentando nuevas denuncias y fiscalizando a las autoridades para que se esclarezcan todos los hechos y la sociedad guatemalteca cuente con la información necesaria sobre la fiscal general y otros funcionarios.
Guatemala,VOS,política,subsidio,menores no acompañados,Congreso,conferencia,bancada
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