Iran ready for talks in Islamabad if US lifts blockade, UN envoy says Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said Tehran is ready to resume negotiations with the United States once the US lifts its blockade. As soon as they lift the blockade, the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad, he told Iranian media. The United States must halt its violation of the ceasefire before any new round of negotiations, he said, adding that Iran is prepared for any scenario. ..

IRGC boat fires on vessel near Oman, report says A container ship was fired upon near the coast of Oman, causing heavy damage to its bridge, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations. The agency said the vessel was approached by a boat linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. Tasnim News Agency said Irans military had enforced maritime law on a vessel that ignored repeated warnings. Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of ..

'Bid farewell to oil production': Iran cautions Gulf states against aiding attacks Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned Gulf countries that oil production across the Middle East could be disrupted if their territory is used to launch attacks against Iran. "The southern neighbours should know that if their geography and facilities are used in the service of the enemies to attack the Iranian nation, they should bid farewell to oil production in the Middle East," IRGC aerospace ..

IRGC says forces ready for surprises beyond enemy expectations Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC) said it is prepared to deliver outcomeson the battlefield "greater than the circle of understanding and calculation of the belligerent and unfaithful enemy, Tasnim reported. In a statement marking its founding anniversary, the force said it is ready to use new cards in any future confrontation. The IRGC described itself as a powerful peoples force and said it is prepared to create ..

US reviewing military footprint after Iran strikes, Pentagon says The Pentagon said the United States is reviewing its military presence in the Middle East following strikes by Iran during a roughly 40-day conflict. Officials said they do not yet have a final assessment of the damage to US bases and facilities in the region. At a budget briefing, defence comptroller Jules Hurst said funding for repairs to affected installations is not included in the departments 2027 budget request. A damaged ..

Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The Iran-US standoff remains tense despite a ceasefire extension, with mixed signals on diplomacy, military readiness and global energy routes. At the same time, ripple effects are being felt from Washington to Beijing, as politics, markets and security alliances shift quickly. Here are the latest updates: US extends ceasefire but keeps blockade in place as Washington puts pressure on Iran even as it talks up diplomacy. Iran signals mixed ..

US lawmakers condemn threats against Congresswoman Ansari More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers voiced support for US Representative Yassamin Ansari after threats and doxxing following her criticism of the war with Iran. Representative Gregory Meeks said he was enraged by attacks directed at Ansari, her family and staff. Trumps war of choice in Iran is deeply unpopular and unjustified, Meeks said, adding that Americans have the right to speak out. Other lawmakers, including Greg Casar and Mark ..

Trump claims Iran collapsing financially amid Hormuz standoff US President Donald Trump said Iran is collapsing financially and losing hundreds of millions of dollars daily, in a post on his Truth Social platform. He also said Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened immediately. He also claimed that Iran is Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. The Iranian Military and Police [are] complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!! he added.

Beijing deepens ties as Middle East energy crisis reshapes region Wang Yi is touring Southeast Asia as China steps up diplomatic efforts amid global tensions affecting energy security and trade. His visit includes stops in Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, where Beijing is seeking to strengthen ties and expand cooperation. China is positioning itself as a stable partner for countries impacted by energy disruptions and trade pressures, while also exploring deeper economic and security engagement. ..

Iran adviser calls Trump ceasefire extension meaningless An adviser to Irans parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, dismissed US President Donald Trumps decision to extend the ceasefire as meaningless, saying Washington cannot impose conditions on Iran. The adviser argued that the losing side cannot dictate terms amid ongoing tensions. The remarks come as disputes continue over the US naval blockade and stalled negotiations, with Iranian officials warning that continued pressure could ..

Irans UN envoy says received signs US ready to end blockade Journalist Nabil Abi Saab shared a video of Amir Saeid Iravani, Irans UN envoy, telling reporters on Tuesday that Tehran has received indications that the United States is prepared to lift its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Iravani also said that once the blockade is lifted, Iran would be ready to resume the next round of negotiations, which are planned to take place in Islamabad. Journalist Nabil Abi Saab shared a video of Amir ..

White House looks to extend oil transport exemption US President Donald Trump plans to extend a waiver of the Jones Act for oil shipments, according to a report by Axios. The waiver, first introduced in March, allows fuel to be transported between US ports without the requirement to use American-flagged vessels. The move is aimed at easing rising fuel costs linked to the war with Iran. Critics say the law typically raises shipping costs due to limited US- flagged capacity, while supporters argue ..

US denies moving THAAD system from South Korea The United States has not moved its Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system out of South Korea, a senior US military official said, following reports that parts of it were being shifted to the Middle East for use in the war with Iran. The reports had raised concern in South Korea, where the system is seen as key to defence against North Korea. General Xavier Brunson, commander of US forces in South Korea, told a Senate hearing that THAAD still ..

Iran says 775 war-damaged schools repaired Irans Education Minister Alireza Kazemi said more than half of the schools damaged during attacks have been repaired, with 775 of 1,300 facilities restored, according to IRNA. He said around 20 schools were destroyed, with the worst damage reported in Tehran Province, Kermanshah Province, Isfahan Province and Hormozgan Province. Kazemi said repairs to the most heavily damaged schools are expected to be completed by October, adding that education ..

Centcom says US forces rearming during Iran ceasefire US Central Command (Centcom) said its forces are rearming and retooling during the ceasefire with Iran, adding that troops remain ready. At a news conference, Centcom commander Brad Cooper said the military is adjusting its tactics, techniques and procedures. There is no military in the world that adjusts like we do, and thats exactly what were doing right now during the ceasefire, he said, appearing alongside US Secretary of War Pete ..

IAEA says nuclear monitoring key to lasting agreement Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said any peace agreement involving Iran must include nuclear oversight from the outset, warning that without it you will have an illusion of an agreement. He welcomed the US announcement of a ceasefire extension, describing the process as complex. I think its very important that an opportunity for peace is given, Grossi said, according to Associated Press, stressing the need for ..

US vows maximum pressure to cut off Irans financial networks US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington will continue applying maximum pressure to weaken Irans ability to generate and move funds. In a social media post, he warned that any individual or vessel involved in facilitating Iranian financial flows risks being targeted with US sanctions.

Iran aide says Trump ceasefire extension ploy for surprise strike An adviser to Irans parliament speaker said Donald Trumps extension of the ceasefire means nothing. Mahdi Mohammadi said the continued blockade is equivalent to ongoing attacks and should be met with a military response. He added that the ceasefire extension is a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike, saying Iran should now take the initiative.

Pakistans Sharif thanks Trump for ceasefire extension Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked US President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire to allow diplomatic efforts to continue. I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course, Sharif wrote in a social media post. He added that Pakistan would continue working towards a negotiated settlement and voiced hope that both sides ..

IMO says seafarers killed as attacks on Gulf shipping mount At least 10 seafarers have been killed and several others seriously wounded in attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Around 20,000 civilian seafarers remain aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf, facing dwindling supplies, fatigue, and severe psychological stress, IMO spokesperson Natasha Brown said. Following an extraordinary council session in March, the IMO said it is working with ..

Trump extends Iran ceasefire with fate of Pakistan talks left uncertain Submitted by Sean Mathews on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 21:59 US president boasts about Iranian blockade despite maritime intelligence reports saying dozens of vessels have evaded US warships US President Donald Trump arrives to the NCAA Collegiate National Champions Day event at the White House in Washington, DC, on 21 April 2026 (Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) Off US President Donald Trump issued a vague extension of his ceasefire with ..

Iran reportedly rejects Pakistan talks, citing US excessive demands Iran has decided not to attend planned talks in Pakistan, according to the semi- official Tasnim news agency. The report said Tehran withdrew after the US refused to ease what it described as excessive demands, with officials concluding negotiations would be a waste of time. Tasnim said Iran has informed Pakistan and other mediators that it will not take part in the talks. The report could not be independently verified.

Trump extends ceasefire, orders military to maintain Iran blockade In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said: Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal. I have therefore directed our ..

Houthi leader warns war likely to continue beyond ceasefire Even if the US- Iran ceasefire holds, the larger war will likely continue, the leader of Yemens Houthi group says. In a televised speech, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi warned that escalation in the region is possibly high as the fragile ceasefire nears its end. There is no doubt that further rounds of fighting are coming as it is merely a truce within a continuous conflict with the enemy, al-Houthi said. A Houthi missile attack on Israel last ..

Iran state TV says ceasefire ends at midnight GMT Iranian state TV said the ceasefire with the US, in force since 8 April, will expire at 3:30am local time in Tehran on Wednesday (00:00 GMT), in line with when the 14-day truce began. However, US President Donald Trump has indicated a later deadline, saying the ceasefire would last until Wednesday evening in Washington. Mediator Pakistan has offered a different timeline, stating the truce will end at 23:50 GMT.

Lebanon says 500m needed for humanitarian response as ceasefire holds Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the country needs 500m to address the humanitarian fallout over the next six months as a fragile ceasefire with Israel holds. Speaking at a press conference, he said the funding is needed to respond to the growing crisis. At least 2,450 people have been killed than 7,600 wounded in six weeks of fighting, according to the government.

Trump turning negotiations into table of surrender, Iran's top negotiator says Iranian negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said President Donald Trump is trying to turn negotiations into a table of surrender. We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, he wrote on X, adding that Iran is prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield. His remarks add to uncertainty over possible talks in Islamabad, with US officials expected to attend while Iran has said it has no ..

Pentagon seeks $30bn boost for munitions amid war on Iran US military officials said the Pentagons budget includes more than $30bn to replenish critical munitions stockpiles depleted during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Among the most strained supplies are Patriot air defence systems and THAAD interceptors, used to counter short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. The funding would also cover long-range precision strike missiles and mid-range capability systems used by the US army.

Iran slams US seizure of cargo vessel, demands release Irans foreign ministry has condemned the US seizure of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska, calling for its immediate release along with its crew. The US Navy fired on and seized the vessel on Sunday after it attempted to pass through a US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, according to President Donald Trump. In a statement, Tehran described the move as extremely dangerous and criminal, adding that the cargo was worth millions. Iran ..

UK: Newham council investigates Labour mayoral candidate's past flat purchase Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:29 A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May Buildings at the Canary Wharf financial district are seen in the background from a high street in the London borough of Newham, east London, on 2 May 2020 (AFP) Off A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough ..

'Armed maritime piracy': Iran confirms USseizure of its commercial vessel Iran said the US military seized one of its commercial vessels in the Sea of Oman, accusing Washington of maritime piracy and violating a ceasefire. A statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, carried by Tasnim News Agency, said the ship was attacked, its navigation system disabled and marines deployed onto its deck. The aggressive America attacked one of Irans commercial ships and disabled its navigation ..