5 Most Popular International News Stories Today
Rumours are circulating that US President Donald Trump attempted to use nuclear codes during a heated meeting on the Iran crisis last Saturday. A White House spokesperson has denied the viral claim.
The claim originated from a statement by former CIA officer Larry Johnson during his appearance on the “Judging Freedom” podcast on 20 April. As reported by Newsweek, Johnson claimed that the White House emergency meeting on 18 April was marked by a shouting match, in which General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, refused Trump’s order involving what he called nuclear codes.
In addition to this news, here are the international stories that caught the attention of detikcom readers today, Thursday (23/4/2026):
- Trump Says Iran Did Not Execute 8 Women at His Request
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has halted plans to execute eight women arrested for anti-government protests, following his urging Tehran to release them to aid peace negotiations.
“I greatly appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and halted those execution plans,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform, as reported by AFP news agency, Thursday (23/4/2026).
Iran had previously denied planning to execute the women.
- US Military Intercepts 3 Iranian Oil Tankers in Asian Waters
The US military is reported to have intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters and diverted them from their positions near India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
This was revealed by shipping and security sources, as reported by Reuters and Al Arabiya news agencies, Thursday (23/4/2026).
Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran’s maritime trade, while Iran has fired upon ships to prevent them from sailing through the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Middle East Gulf. Nearly two months after the US and Israel began their war against Iran, there are few signs of peace talks resuming during the unstable ceasefire.
- At Odds with Defence Secretary, US Navy Secretary Resigns Abruptly
The US Department of Defense has announced that US Navy Secretary John Phelan will leave his position “immediately”.
Phelan’s resignation follows the dismissal of a high-ranking US Army officer, General Randy George, and two other senior officers earlier this month, at a time when the United States is engaged in war with Iran.
“Phelan is leaving the administration, effective immediately,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement on social media platform X, as reported by AFP news agency, Thursday (23/4/2026). He added that he will be temporarily replaced by Deputy Secretary Hung Cao.
- US Says It Needs 6 Months to Clear Strait of Hormuz of Iranian Mines
The US Department of Defense estimates that it will take six months to fully clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines laid by Iran. This could keep oil prices high.
Iran has almost completely blocked the vital waterway since the start of the war with the United States and Israel. This has triggered rises in oil and gas prices and disrupted the global economy.
As reported by Al Arabiya English, Thursday (23/4/2026), the strait – through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas usually passes – remains largely closed during the fragile ceasefire, with the US imposing its own blockade.
- Buzz Over Rumour Trump Tried to Use Nuclear Codes in Iran Meeting
Rumours are circulating that US President Donald Trump attempted to use nuclear codes during a heated meeting on the Iran crisis last Saturday. A White House spokesperson has denied the viral claim.
The claim originated from a statement by former CIA officer Larry Johnson during his appearance on 20 April on the “Judging Freedom” podcast. As reported by Newsweek, Johnson claimed that the White House emergency meeting on 18 April was marked by a shouting match, in which General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, refused Trump’s order involving what he called nuclear codes.
As reported by Al Arabiya English, Thursday (23/4/2026), according to Johnson, the debate was “quite heated,” with the general refusing to facilitate the action. However, there are no independent reports or official confirmations supporting the statement. Although high-level meetings did occur around the end of the Iran ceasefire, no credible sources have verified that nuclear launch authority was ever invoked.