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
Mexico vows US will pay after ICE fatally shoots illegal migrant who allegedly attempted to ram agent with car
Mexico questions FBI role in Sinaloa Cartel abduction
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly criticizes the U.S. government for its alleged involvement in the 2024 abduction of former Sinaloa Cartel boss ‘El Mayo’ Zambada. Sheinbaum explicitly states the U.S. lied about its participation, claiming a violation of Mexican sovereignty. This incident raises serious questions about diplomatic relations between the two nations and American intervention in Mexico.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to pursue «significant legal measures» against the United States after a Mexican national was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Texas.
Mexican officials counted 17 cases of Mexican nationals who have died in U.S. immigration custody, while Sheinbaum focused on Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an illegal migrant who has lived in the United States for decades.
DHS officials claimed Araujo was the subject of an ICE arrest operation when an agent shot him in self-defense because he allegedly ignored orders and allegedly attempted to ram the agent.
ICE SAYS OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO TRIED TO RAM HIM WITH CAR IN HOUSTON
During Sheinbaum’s daily «Mañanera del Pueblo» press availability in Mexico City, she laid out her planned escalation of objections against U.S. immigration enforcement’s behavior.
«Our goal is to go beyond diplomatic notes and the representations we made to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. We cannot tolerate the mistreatment of our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, in the United States. So, we are proposing further measures,» Sheinbaum said in Spanish.
Sheinbaum said the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs will present the measures to Washington, and commented on Araujo’s death.
ICE AGENTS IN FATAL HOUSTON SHOOTING WERE NOT WEARING BODY CAMERAS, SOURCES SAY
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, left, listens to President Donald Trump, right. (Mandel Ngan/Getty Images)
«This occurred in the context of detention, even though their only offense was lacking documentation — and this despite having been hired by a U.S. company.»
She said the U.S. has no reason to hold people like Araujo in detention or allegedly «subject [them] to violence.»
«We are therefore preparing, obviously, more significant legal measures.»
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS NEW ICE HOLDING FACILITY NEAR LOUISIANA DEPORTATION FLIGHT HUB
On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said he is requesting criminal charges be brought in connection with the 17 Mexican nationals who died in U.S. custody, according to the AP, which reported the requests will be sent to the Justice Department and various state attorneys general.
Multiple reports suggested Sheinbaum’s demands would have no legal effect in U.S. courts.
Mexico City has claimed 14 of the 17 died in custody while three have been killed during active DHS operations, according to the outlet.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department and DHS for comment. The White House directed Fox News Digital to DHS.
Araujo, 52, was reportedly transporting workers to a jobsite for a homebuilding company in the Magnolia Park section of Houston.
As critics disputed the government’s recounting of events, objections arose over the lack of bodycams on the agents on-scene.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is seen. (Daniel Cardenas/Getty Images)
A DHS spokesperson defended the agents, telling Fox News they had not been issued body-worn cameras because of the repercussions of the Democrat-backed agency shutdown earlier this year.
«The process of purchasing and issuing body-worn cameras to all of our ICE field offices was interrupted by the Democrats multiple government shutdowns. Body cameras have been deployed to more than half the field offices, with the remaining half to receive them in the next 60 days,» a spokesperson said, while noting a 1,300% increase in assaults against agents during the same period.
Meanwhile, advocacy group Voto Latino condemned the Araujo incident, saying that the Mexican national should still be alive.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, left, speaks with President Donald J. Trump, right. (Mandel Ngan/Getty Images)
«His story is the embodiment of what it means to seek the American Dream — the same dream that drives so many of us to call this nation home. Lorenzo called the United States home for nearly 35 years, and his family deserves immediate answers that come from a completely independent process, not from the very agency that upended their lives,» Voto Latino executive director Beatriz Lopez said in a statement, which also called for Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s resignation.
Asked about Sheinbaum’s warning, an ICE spokesperson defended the agency and the accounting of events depicting Araujo as trying to hit an agent.
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«[He] refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense,» the spokesperson said.
«DHS-OIG is leading an investigation into the agent-involved shooting. FBI Houston is leading an investigation into the potential assault on a federal law enforcement officer. This is a developing situation, and we will update the public when more information is available.»
Fox News’ Brooke Taylor and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
mexico, justice department, latino, deportation, homeland security, immigration, white house, donald trump, texas
INTERNACIONAL
Cuatro estudiantes costarricenses representarán al país en la Olimpiada Internacional de Química en Uzbekistán
Costa Rica volverá a tener representación en uno de los certámenes científicos más prestigiosos del mundo. Cuatro estudiantes de secundaria fueron seleccionados para participar en la 58.ª Olimpiada Internacional de Química (IChO), que se desarrollará del 10 al 19 de julio en Uzbekistán, luego de superar un proceso de clasificación que se extendió por más de un año y que puso a prueba sus conocimientos mediante evaluaciones de nivel universitario.
Los elegidos son Tamara Garrote Villalobos, Leonor Isaura Obando Umaña, Juan Pablo Valverde Cordero y José Edwin Chávez Rodríguez, quienes representarán a Costa Rica con el acompañamiento académico de la Universidad Nacional (UNA) y la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR).
La clasificación de los cuatro estudiantes es el resultado de un proceso que comenzó en febrero de 2025, cuando decidieron inscribirse en la Olimpiada Costarricense de Química, en la categoría intermedia. A partir de ese momento iniciaron una serie de competencias nacionales en las que fueron avanzando gracias a sus resultados académicos hasta alcanzar la final del certamen.
Obtener una medalla en esa etapa les permitió postularse para integrar la selección nacional que representaría al país en la Olimpiada Internacional de Química. Sin embargo, el camino aún estaba lejos de terminar.
De los 18 estudiantes que aspiraban a integrar la delegación costarricense, únicamente 12 lograron avanzar a una segunda fase de selección. Posteriormente, una superfinal definió a los cuatro representantes nacionales mediante una combinación de pruebas de alta complejidad, con una ponderación del 60 % para la evaluación teórica y del 40 % para las pruebas experimentales de laboratorio.
Durante el mes de junio, los seleccionados participaron en un programa intensivo de entrenamiento basado en los problemas preparatorios oficiales de la competencia internacional, enfrentándose a contenidos que habitualmente forman parte de carreras universitarias en Química.
Cada integrante de la delegación tiene una historia distinta, pero todos coinciden en que la curiosidad científica y el gusto por la química fueron determinantes para alcanzar este objetivo.
Tamara Garrote Villalobos, estudiante de undécimo año, explicó que su interés por las olimpiadas científicas nació desde muy pequeña y que, desde noveno año, comenzó a prepararse específicamente en química.
“Cuando me propuse llegar a una olimpiada internacional, tuve que organizar muy bien mi tiempo. Ha sido una experiencia muy bonita, pero también muy retadora”, comentó.
Para Leonor Isaura Obando Umaña, quien cursa décimo año, la motivación proviene tanto de la ciencia como del ambiente que se genera entre los participantes.
La estudiante aseguró que disfruta cada etapa de preparación porque estudiar química es una actividad que la apasiona y aprovechó para enviar un mensaje a otros jóvenes interesados en seguir un camino similar: creer en sus capacidades, esforzarse desde el inicio y mantener la disciplina.
Juan Pablo Valverde Cordero considera que representar al país es el resultado de un esfuerzo construido a lo largo de toda su formación académica. A su juicio, el aprendizaje solo puede sostenerse cuando existe un verdadero interés por la materia.
José Edwin Chávez Rodríguez, por su parte, atribuye parte de este logro al apoyo recibido por uno de sus profesores, quien despertó en él un mayor interés por la química y lo motivó a participar en las olimpiadas científicas. Su meta en Uzbekistán es aprovechar al máximo la experiencia y luchar por obtener una medalla para Costa Rica.
La delegación costarricense estará acompañada por Manuel Sandoval Barrantes, de la Universidad Nacional, quien fungirá como jefe de delegación; Cristian Campos Fernández, de la Universidad de Costa Rica, como profesor mentor; y José Pablo Sibaja Brenes, también de la UNA, en calidad de observador científico.
Los tres tendrán la responsabilidad de orientar académicamente a los estudiantes y representar oficialmente al país durante la competencia internacional.
Sandoval destacó que la clasificación de los cuatro jóvenes refleja un proceso de preparación sostenido y un elevado nivel académico.
“Cada uno de ellos representa el talento de la juventud costarricense y demuestra que la dedicación y la pasión por la ciencia pueden abrir las puertas a los escenarios académicos más prestigiosos del mundo”, señaló.
Asimismo, agradeció el respaldo brindado por la Rectoría de la Universidad Nacional, cuyo apoyo permitió hacer posible la participación de la delegación en este importante certamen.
La Olimpiada Internacional de Química reúne cada año a los mejores estudiantes de secundaria del mundo en pruebas que evalúan conocimientos avanzados de química teórica y experimental. Además de fomentar la excelencia académica, la competencia promueve el intercambio científico y cultural entre jóvenes de decenas de países.
Con su participación en Uzbekistán, los cuatro estudiantes costarricenses buscarán dejar en alto el nombre del país y demostrar que el talento, la disciplina y el respaldo de las instituciones educativas pueden abrir las puertas a los escenarios científicos más exigentes del planeta.
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