Is the US Blockade of Iran Working?

Since April 13, the US military asserts that its maritime restrictions on Iranian ports have stopped all sea-based commerce with the country. BBC Verify’s Ben Chu investigates whether the evidence from ship tracking data confirms this claim. Produced by Jemimah Herd, with graphics by Mark Edwards, the report examines the impact of the sanctions on trade flows.

Two years after the 7 October attacks, dozens of hostages remain in Hamas custody. BBC Verify has been analyzing what is known about their situation. The analysis also explores the implications of a recent decision labeled “an abuse of power” by leading Democrats. Meanwhile, footage and flight data reveal details about the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, shedding light on the incident’s sequence of events.

The IDF recently released new footage purporting to show an underground tunnel network beneath a European hospital in southern Gaza. BBC Verify pieces together the evidence to assess its authenticity. Munitions experts told the BBC that the strikes on the facility align with the use of bunker buster bombs, designed for subterranean targets.

“The destruction is consistent with the use of bunker buster bombs,”

stated one expert.

Britain’s Buckingham Palace faces scrutiny over its handling of accusations against the King’s brother. BBC’s Analysis Editor Ros Atkins reviews the responses and their implications. Separately, revelations about Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein have sparked questions about his appointment as ambassador. The UN Human Rights Office reported that 47 people were injured when crowds overwhelmed an aid center in Gaza, operated by a US and Israeli-backed group.

Ship tracking data provides insight into the collision of the Solong and Stena Immaculate in the North Sea. BBC Verify also examines the circumstances surrounding a tanker carrying a highly toxic chemical striking another vessel transporting jet fuel. Additionally, the review highlights government choices regarding cash allocation for the next three years. As Ukraine evaluates a potential peace deal, the BBC asks what practical outcomes it might bring.

Lastly, a widely shared earthquake video was proven fake by BBC Verify, misleading millions of viewers. The analysis also addresses Rachel Reeves’s economic guidelines, offering a clearer understanding of the policies shaping financial strategy.