Trending Now - Iran Skips Peace Talks as US Envoys Head to Pakistan Amid Tensions
WHO:
Al Jazeera - Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that there is currently no decision by Iran to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan “as long as there is a naval blockade” on Iranian ports.
NY Post - Iran, President Trump, US negotiators, Vice President JD Vance, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy announced on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again, stating it would remain closed until the US lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.
Al Jazeera - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh described US demands on Iran’s nuclear programme as “maximalist.”
Al Jazeera - Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Saturday night, April 18th, 2026, that “there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain,” indicating that they are “still far from the final discussion.”
Al Jazeera - Trump accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire by opening fire on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, in the Strait of Hormuz.
Al Jazeera - Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the US blockade amounts to war crime and crime against humanity.
NY Post - Iran refused to participate in a second round of peace talks in Pakistan due to the US's demands and ongoing naval blockade.
Al Jazeera - President Trump announced that US negotiators would travel to Islamabad for talks aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran.
Al Jazeera - Trump threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if it does not accept the US deal, stating, “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.”
Al Jazeera - The US military has forced 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz since the blockade began.
Al Jazeera - Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that significant progress was made during the last weekend's talks, but a framework of understanding must be agreed upon before continuing.
WHERE:
NY Post - The peace talks were scheduled to take place in Pakistan.
Al Jazeera - The US negotiators are heading to Islamabad, Pakistan.
Al Jazeera - The Strait of Hormuz is a key location in the ongoing tensions.
WHEN:
Al Jazeera - President Trump announced that US negotiators would travel to Pakistan on Monday, April 20th, 2026, for possible talks.
Al Jazeera - The two-week ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The US negotiators are set to travel to Pakistan on Monday, April 20th, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The two-week ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The last weekend's talks, led by Vice President JD Vance, ended without a deal.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, and repeated contradictions.
Al Jazeera - Iran considers the US naval blockade a breach of the ceasefire and described it as an “unlawful and criminal” act.
NY Post - Iran cited Washington's excessive demands and the ongoing naval blockade as reasons for its absence from the talks.
Al Jazeera - Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the US naval blockade as a violation of the ceasefire and an "unlawful and criminal" act.
HOW:
Al Jazeera - Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, stating it would remain closed until the US lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.
Al Jazeera - The US military is enforcing a blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.
Al Jazeera - Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the US lifts its naval blockade.
(UPDATED April 20, 2026 07:32 UTC)
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again and will remain so until the U.S. lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh criticized U.S. demands regarding Iran's nuclear program as "maximalist," while parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf noted that significant gaps remain in discussions, indicating they are still far from a final agreement. In response, President Trump stated that U.S. negotiators will travel to Pakistan on Monday for potential talks, as Iran claims its absence from the negotiations is due to Washington's excessive demands and shifting positions.
--
(UPDATED April 20, 2026 01:20 UTC)
Trump has accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire by opening fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, while Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has labeled the U.S. blockade as a war crime. Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that there is currently no decision to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan as long as the naval blockade remains in place. The ceasefire is set to expire April 22nd, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. lifts its blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.
--
(UPDATED April 19, 2026 21:06 UTC)
Iran has refused to participate in a second round of peace talks in Pakistan, citing excessive demands from Washington and the ongoing US naval blockade as reasons for its absence. President Trump announced that US negotiators will travel to Islamabad on Monday, April 20th, to continue discussions aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran, while he threatened to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran if a deal is not accepted. The US military has enforced a blockade that has forced 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical area in these escalating tensions.