Xi Jinping Calls for Hormuz to Stay Open; Israel Marks Yom HaZikaron Under Dual Ceasefires

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a formal statement calling for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to normal navigation, citing the severe economic impact on Asian nations including China, India, and Japan. Xi's statement came amid reports that China had been negotiating for preferential transit clearance from Iran for Chinese-flagged vessels. Meanwhile, Israel marked Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) on April 20 — its national day for fallen soldiers and terror victims — under the fragile dual ceasefires: the 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire (expires April 22) and the US-Iran ceasefire (also expires April 22). Lebanon's new government continued to assert sovereignty, with officials stating that any post-ceasefire security arrangement must exclude Hezbollah's military role. The CFR noted the US-Iran talks had hit an impasse with the ceasefire expiry 48 hours away.