First Thing: US starts naval blockade of Iranian ports after deadline passes

Iran says Americans will be hit with higher fuel prices due to the blockade.

Plus, summers are growing longer globally

Good morning.

The US has begun https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/13/deadline-passes-for-us-blockade-on-ships-using-iranian-ports-to-begin">blocking ships from using Iranian ports in the Gulf, transforming the US-Israeli war against Iran into a test of economic endurance.

How could Centcom enforce the blockade? It is unclear, but as a missile strike on a tanker attempting to break the blockade could cause an environmental disaster, it is possible that US forces could try to board and seize any vessel not obeying their instructions.

Follow the latest updates https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/apr/14/middle-east-crisis-live-hezbollah-urges-lebanon-to-pull-out-of-talks-with-israel-blockade-of-strait-of-hormuz-begins">on our live blog.

Did Swalwell also face expulsion? Yes, there were bipartisan calls for it.

Swalwell acknowledged the threat of removal from office, saying: “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong.

But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties.

Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”