US President Donald Trump has promised to extend the ceasefire between the US and Iran, hours before it was due to end.
He announced on social media that he had ordered the US military to continue to blockade Iranian ports until Iran’s leaders and representatives came up with “a unified proposal”.
Trump had earlier said he did not want to extend the ceasefire and that the US military was "raring to go".
He had warned that "lots of bombs" would "start going off" if there was no agreement before the ceasefire ended.
Asked about the possibility of extending the truce, the president previously told CNBC: “I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with”, he said.
Iran has refused to send negotiators to Pakistan for the eleventh-hour peace talks until Trump lifted the blockade of the vital oil passageway, Strait of Hormuz, Middle Eastern officials said.
A US official said US Vice President JD Vance’s anticipated trip to Pakistan had been put on hold. The refusals to attend left a stalemate between the two sides.
Iran talks up its ‘new cards’ to play if war with US and Israel resumes – but what are they?
As Trump’s ceasefire nears its end, those trapped inside Iran ask: ‘What happens to us now?’
US releases video of helicopter crew enforcing Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade
JD Vance to lead US delegation in Pakistan peace talks – but will Iran show up?
Key Points
- Trump promises to extend ceasefire but continue blockading ports
- Iran 'refuses to send negotiators' to peace talks
- JD Vance trip to peace talks 'on hold'
- Trump's ceasefire extension is latest example of ‘Taco’
Countries join London talks on how military could keep Hormuz open
00:01 , Jane DaltonMilitary planners from countries seeking to join a UK- and France-led mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open once the Iran war ends will meet in London tomorrow.
A fifth of the world's oil usually passes through the strait.
More than 30 nations are expected to send planners to the two-day conference co-hosted by the UK and France at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north London.
They aim to build on talks by Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris last week with a view to setting up a joint defensive mission after a sustainable ceasefire agreement has been reached.
The mission is intended to protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators and conduct mine clearance operations.
The talks in London will focus on military capabilities, command and control, and how military forces could deploy to the region.
Vance's trip to Pakistan called off
23:05 , Alex RossMuch attention ahead of Donald Trump’s announcement on extending the ceasefire had been on peace talks in Pakistan, and the arrival of vice president JD Vance.
But as we’ve been reporting tonight, Mr Vance did not depart for the trip to Islamabad tonight.
A White House official said: “In light of President Trump’s TRUTH Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today.
“Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House.”
Oil prices rise 3%
23:00 , Jane DaltonOil prices climbed about 3% on Tuesday after Iran said it had yet to decide whether to attend peace talks with the United States, with one day left before the ceasefire runs out in the Iran war.
Neither side says it is sending negotiators to a second round of peace talks.
Brent futures rose $3 to settle at $98.48 a barrel.
Pakistan PM thanks Trump for 'graciously accepting' request on ceasefire extension
22:44 , Alex RossPakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday thanked US President Donald Trump for accepting the country's request to extend the ceasefire in the US-Israeli war on Iran to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.
"I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict," Sharif said in post on X.
Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire to give negotiations more time, until Iran submits a proposal.
Trump extends ceasefire in latest example of ‘Taco’
21:55 , Jane Dalton
Trump extends ceasefire deadline with Iran in latest example of ‘TACO’
Iranian commander threatens to destroy Middle East oil industry
21:50 , Jane DaltonAn aerospace commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to destroy the oil industry in the Middle East if war with the US resumes.
General Majid Mousavi told an Iranian news site that "if southern neighbours allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region".
Trump credits pleas by Pakistani PM and defence chief for truce extension
21:21 , Jane DaltonUS president Donald Trump says he decided to extend the ceasefire at the request of Pakistan’s prime minister and first Chief of Defence Forces.
He wrote: “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 Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Trump promises to extend ceasefire but continue blockading ports
21:17 , Jane DaltonBreaking news: Donald Trump says he will extend the ceasefire and continue the blockade of Iranian ports.
Just hours before the ceasefire was due to end he said he had agreed to a request to extend the truce “until such time as their [Iran’s] leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal”.
US imposes sanctions to stop Iran buying weapons
20:47 , Jane DaltonThe United States has imposed new sanctions on 14 people and companies that help Iran obtain weapons as Tehran works to rebuild its ballistic missile inventories after US-Israeli attacks, the US Treasury Department said.
The targets, which also include aircraft, are based in Iran, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, and were cited for their involvement in procuring or transporting weapons or components on Iran's behalf, the Treasury said.
Today, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is sanctioning 14 targets for their involvement in helping the Iranian regime obtain weapons. As the regime attempts to reconstitute its production capacity, the United States will continue to deplete…
— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) April 21, 2026
Iran 'refuses to send negotiators' to peace talks
19:57 , Jane DaltonIran is refusing to send its negotiating team to Islamabad to continue talks until US president Donald Trump lifts the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Politico quoted two Middle East officials as saying.
Until now, Iran has said it has not decided whether to join the talks.
US vice-president JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad for peace talks has reportedly been put on hold.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Iranian minister accuses US of violating ceasefire
19:49 , Jane DaltonIran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi says the US blockade of Iranian ports was an act of war, so a violation of the ceasefire.
"Iran knows how to neutralise restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying," he wrote.
Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 21, 2026
Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation.
Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying.
Talks could be back on 'if Tehran responds in acceptable way'
19:23 , Jane DaltonA trip by US vice-president JD Vance to peace talks in Pakistan could be back on at a moment’s notice if Iran’s negotiators respond in a way that President Trump deems acceptable, according to The New York Times.
He had been expected to press Iranian negotiators for a nuclear deal, but his departure was put on hold after Tehran failed to respond to American negotiating positions, a source told the paper.
Without an Iranian response, the official said, the diplomatic process is in effect paused, though the trip has not been cancelled.
Vance trip to peace talks 'on hold'
18:39 , Jane DaltonUS vice-president JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad for peace talks has been put on hold, The New York Times is reporting.
A source told the paper his trip to Pakistan for a second round of negotiations with Iran has been put on hold after Tehran failed to respond to American positions.
Iran says it has not yet decided whether to resume talks with the United States.
Uncertainty over peace talks as Iran 'undecided' on sending delegation
17:57 , Alex RossThere is ongoing uncertainty over peace talks in Pakistan as the deadline to the ceasefire looms.
With US president Donald Trump saying the current ceasefire will end on Wednesday evening local time, and it is “unlikely” he will extend it, hopes lie with talks in Islamabad.
However, Reuters is reporting that US vice president JD Vance has still not departed Washington for the talks.
And now Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, has told the BBC that a decision has still not yet been made for an Iranian delegation to attend.
He said: ““We went to this negotiation with good faith and sense of seriousness, but you have a negotiating party that has shown its lack of seriousness, lack of good faith…They're changing their position frequently, these flip flops, threats of war crimes."
Iran executes man over burning of mosque during January protests, says Mizan news agency
17:45 , Maira ButtA man has been executed on Tuesday after being accused of being a leader of a network linked to Israel’s intelligence service and setting fire to a mosque in Tehran during January protests earlier this year, according to Mizan news agency.
The man identified as Amirali Mirjafari was convicted of carrying out arson at the Qolhak mosque in Tehran and leading anti-security activities.
Pakistan still awaiting Iran's confirmation on second round of talks, minister says
17:40 , Alex RossPakistan is still awaiting a formal response from Iran about confirmation of delegation to attend a second round of peace talks with the U.S. in Islamabad, the country's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X.
"Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two weeks ceasefire is critical," Tarar said in a post on X, adding that Pakistan has made sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks.
Iran talks up its ‘new cards’ to play if war with US and Israel resumes – but what are they?
17:25 , Maira ButtIran has warned it has prepared “new cards” to use on the battlefield as fears grow that a two-week ceasefire with the US may end without a peace agreement.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Tehran’s parliamentary speaker and top negotiator, said Donald Trump wants to “justify renewed warmongering” by “imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire”.
“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” he added in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Read the full report below
Iran says it has ‘new cards’ to play if war with US resumes – but what are they?
Watch: US navy boards Iran-linked tanker M/T Tifani
17:05 , Maira ButtIsrael will face resistance if troops stay in Lebanon, Speaker Berri says
16:44 , Maira ButtLebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri warned on Tuesday that Israeli forces occupying parts of the country's south would face resistance if they fail to withdraw.
Berri, Lebanon's most senior Shia statesman and a Hezbollah ally, told Lebanese newspaper al-Joumhouria that Lebanon could not tolerate losing a metre of land.
If Israel “maintains its occupation, whether of areas, positions, or by drawing yellow lines, it will smell the scent of resistance every day,” he said.
In pictures: Funeral held for people killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon
16:24 , Maira Butt
Shipping traffic through Hormuz still halted
15:42 , Maira ButtShipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained largely halted on Tuesday with only three ships passing the waterway in the past 24 hours, shipping data showed.
A US blockade of Iranian ports has infuriated Tehran, prompting it to maintain its own restrictions on the strait, which had been typically handling roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply before war broke out.
The Ean Spir products tanker, which had no known flag or known ownership, sailed through Hormuz on Tuesday after previously calling at an Iraqi port, ship tracking data on the MarineTraffic platform showed.
The Lian Star cargo ship, which had no known flag or known ownership, also sailed through the strait from an Iranian port, the data showed.
Breaking: Pete Hegseth cancels ‘absurd’ flu vaccine requirement for ‘brave warriors’ in military
15:26 , Maira ButtAmerican service members will no longer be required to get a yearly flu shot under a new Defense Department policy described by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as an effort to “restore freedom and strength to our joint force.”
More follows...
Hegseth cancels ‘absurd’ flu vaccine requirement for ‘brave warriors’ in military
Pakistan urges US and Iran to extend ceasefire
15:06 , Maira ButtPakistan’s foreign ministry has urged the US and Iran to extend their 14-day ceasefire set to expire on Tuesday.
In a meeting with the US chargé d’affaires in Pakistan, Natalie A Baker, foreign minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for engagement between the US and Iran, and said Pakistan urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire, a statement from the foreign ministry said.
Breaking: Trump releases new statement about Operation Midnight Hammer, alleges Iran unable to get to enriched uranium
14:43 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has hit out at media outlets in the US for casting doubt on the efficacy of Operation Midnight Hammer, America’s military operation against Iran.
In a post on Truth Social, the US leader said: “Never allow the Traitor Democrats like Low IQ person Hakeem Jeffries, or Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, or the totally corrupt Fake News Media such as the phony and decaying The Wall Street Journal, the Failing The New York Times (Subscriptions way down!), or dying ‘60 Minutes,’ to demean or criticize Operation Midnight Hammer, which totally obliterated the Nuclear Dust locations to the point where bloodthirsty Iran has been unable to get to it, or dig it out.
“Space Force has cameras on every inch of the 3 sites that were so brilliantly hit last June! Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Watch: Trump says he if Iran peace deal is not signed "military is raring to go"
14:33 , Maira ButtBreaking: Trump boasts ‘I would have won Vietnam very quickly’ as Iran peace hangs in balance
14:12 , Maira ButtIn 1968, a podiatrist who rented office space from Donald Trump’s father told a draft board that the future president had bone spurs in his heels, rendering him ineligible to be conscripted into service for the Vietnam War.
Fifty-eight years later, Trump says he could have singlehandedly caused the U.S. to win that war had only he been in charge.
Speaking during a telephone interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box program, Trump was in the midst of a rant about how his two-month-old war against Iran hasn’t been going on for nearly as long as other conflicts when he inexplicably boasted that he could have brought about a U.S. victory “very quickly.”
Trump boasts ‘I would have won Vietnam very quickly’ as Iran peace hangs in balance
Trump: I expect to be bombing Iran soon
14:03 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing from US president Donald Trump, who has said that he expects to be bombing Iran soon.
"I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with,” he told CNBC in an interview. “But we're ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go.”
Asked about the possibility of extending a ceasefire, Trump said: "I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time.”
JD Vance to lead US delegation in Pakistan peace talks – but will Iran show up?
14:00 , Maira ButtJD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan Tuesday to lead the American delegation in the second round of peace talks to end the war in the Middle East, less than 24 hours before a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is set to expire.
The new round of talks in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has been thrown into doubt as Iran has not publicly committed to taking part.
It comes amid an impasse between the U.S. and Iran over marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump has insisted on keeping the blockade of Iranian ports while Tehran has reasserted military control over the crucial waterway.
JD Vance to lead US delegation in Pakistan peace talks – but will Iran show up?
Watch: US navy boards Iran-linked tanker M/T Tifani
13:40 , Maira ButtTrump and Israel killed Iran’s moderates. Now the more hardline military has stepped into the power vacuum
13:20 , Maira Butthe US and Israel’s killing of several of the Islamic Republic’s senior leadership figures has enabled the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to fill the political vacuum that has been left in their wake, experts have warned.
As Tehran and the US issue mixed messages about the state of peace talks, there are growing questions about the structure of Iran’s decision making as the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is yet to be seen in public.
Shifting power structures within the Iranian government mean that anti-America hawks could now be setting the agenda for negotiations, according to experts.
Read the full story below
Trump and Israel killed Iran’s moderates. And one hardline group is the clear winner
US forces boarded sanctioned tanker overnight
12:54 , Maira ButtThe United States navy boarded a sanctioned vessel in the Indian Ocean overnight, according to the department of war.
The Tifani, a commercial vessel reportedly loaded with around 300,00 tonnes of cargo, was reportedly linked to an Indian shipping company that is also under American sanctions.
“Overnight, US forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility,” the department of war wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.
“As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran—anywhere they operate. International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels.
“The Department of War will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain.”
Iran talks up its ‘new cards’ to play if war with US and Israel resumes – but what are they?
12:40 , Maira ButtIran has warned it has prepared “new cards” to use on the battlefield as fears grow that a two-week ceasefire with the US may end without a peace agreement.
Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Tehran’s parliamentary speaker and top negotiator, said Trump wants to “justify renewed warmongering” by “imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire”.
"We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield," he added in a post on X.
Alex Croft reports:
Iran says it has ‘new cards’ to play if war with US resumes – but what are they?
Trump accuses Iran of violating ceasefire agreement 'numerous times'
12:17 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has accused Iran of breaking the 14-day ceasefire agreement set to expire tomorrow.
In a post on Truth Social, the US leader wrote: “Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!”
Americans question Trump’s temperament amid Iran war, pope spat, according to Reuters/Ipsos poll
12:00 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump's approval rating has hit the lowest figures of his term in recent days as the US leader has had his temperament questioned following his spat with Pope Leo, according to a Reuters and Ipsos poll.
The six-day public opinion poll, concluded on Monday, showed only 36 per cent of Americans approve of Trump's job performance, unchanged from a month earlier.
Trump enjoyed the highest approval rating of his current term, 47 per cent, shortly after he was sworn in to office in January 2025.
Around 36 per cent of Americans approve of U.S. military strikes against Iran, compared with 35 per cent in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between 10 to 12 April.
The latest poll of 4,557 US adults nationwide, conducted online, had a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
It showed that many Americans, including some members of Trump's Republican Party, have some concerns about the 79-year-old president's temperament and mental sharpness following a series of explosive outbursts.
Only 26 per cent of Americans said they consider Trump “even-tempered” while Republicans were divided on this question, with 53 per cent considering him to be so and 46 per cent saying he is not. Only 7 per cent of Democrats saw Trump as even-tempered.
No delegation from Iran visits Islamabad, state television says, as talks speculation grows
11:21 , Maira ButtIranian state television on Tuesday issued an on-screen alert saying that “no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad ... so far” as speculation about possible talks with the United States grows.
The on-screen alert likely reflects the internal debate ongoing within Iran’s theocracy as it weighs how to respond to the U.S. Navy’s seizure of an Iranian container ship over the weekend.
Iranian state TV long has been controlled by hard-liners within Iran’s theocracy.
So far, no official has acknowledged that a delegation will be heading to Islamabad, where officials have been on standby for days now for the possible talks.
No delegation from Iran visits Islamabad, state television says, as talks speculation grows
Watch: Dozens of US veterans detained during Iran war protest in Washington DC
11:00 , Maira ButtAs Trump’s ceasefire nears its end, those trapped inside Iran ask: ‘What happens to us now?’
10:40 , Maira Buttahra* woke up in the middle of the night at around 3.30am on 8 April, just before the ceasefire was announced. She could hear the hum of electricity. “Thank god,” she said. “The power hasn’t gone out.”
The buzz of devices and appliances in her home in Iran was a sign that the country hadn’t been bombed as promised by President Donald Trump, when hours earlier, he had made the unprecedented threat to completely destroy the entirety of Iranian civilisation.
But the relief was short-lived and was immediately followed by dread.
“On the one hand, I was happy they hadn’t hit the power plants, but immediately after that happiness there was a strange fear. A kind of freezing feeling took over me,” she told The Independent. “What is going to happen to us now in their [the Islamic Republic’s] hands? It felt like that fear quickly erased the joy.”
Read the full story below
As Trump’s ceasefire nears end, those trapped in Iran ask: ‘What happens to us now?’
In pictures: US Central Command releases new pictures of US blockade
10:20 , Maira Butt
Germany's Wadephul urges Iran to take 'extended hand' of US for sake of own population
10:03 , Maira ButtGermany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul has urged Iran to hold constructive talks with the United States in Islamabad.
“As we know, the US vice president is prepared to travel to Islamabad,” Wadephul said ahead of a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
“Iran should now take up this offer for the sake of its own people.”
Uranium, sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz: The key issues preventing Iran and the US from striking a deal
09:44 , Maira ButtThe ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US appears to be in jeopardy, as Tehran refused to join a second round of talks which mediators hoped would begin this week.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said his government had no plans to resume talks for now after US forces seized an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
Washington had hoped to resume negotiations in Pakistan shortly before the two-week ceasefire expires on Wednesday, but Mr Baghaei said the US was “not serious” about peace, demonstrated by its “aggressive acts” and “unrealistic positions”.
The key sticking points between US and Iran ahead of Pakistan peace talks
US releases video of helicopter crew enforcing Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade
09:17 , Maira ButtAnnabel Bate reports:
The US military has released a video showing a helicopter crew redirecting a ship amid Donald Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Footage shared by the US Central Command on Monday (20 April) shows a crew member communicating with a ship attempting to enter an area of blockade, warning that the blockade on Iranian ports will be enforced against all ships “regardless of flag”.
He added: “Any vessel will further intent to enter or exit An Iranian port will be subject to the right of visit and search in accordance with international law.
“If you attempt to run the blockade, we will compel compliance with force.”
CENTCOM says US forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port.
UN Agency prepares Hormuz evacuation for hundreds of ships
08:54 , Maira ButtHundreds of ships are to be evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report in Bloomberg on Tuesday.
The International Maritime Organisation is working on a a strategy to help hundreds of ships that have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for over seven weeks, according to Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez.
However, the plans can only be put into action when there is a de-escalation, Dominguez said.
Driven by the pressures of war, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq
08:29 , Maira ButtIran has granted its commanders greater autonomy over militias in Iraq, allowing some groups to carry out operations without Tehran’s approval, a shift driven by the pressures of the war, three militia members and two other officials told The Associated Press.
Many Iran-backed militias are funded through the Iraqi state budget and embedded within the security apparatus, drawing criticism from the United States and other countries that have borne the brunt of their attacks and say Baghdad has failed to take a tougher stance.
Despite mounting pressure from the U.S., Baghdad has struggled to contain or deter the groups. The most hard-line factions now operate under Iranian advisers using a decentralized command structure, the five officials told AP, each on condition of anonymity to speak freely about sensitive matters.
Driven by the pressures of war, Iran gives its field commanders more power over militias in Iraq
Iran says it has 'prepared new cards' on the battlefield
08:10 , Alex CroftMohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and one of its key negotiators, has warned that Tehran has prepared “news cards to play on the battlefield”.
In a post on X last night, he wrote: “Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering.
“We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
China's Xi says Hormuz should remain open, in call with Saudi leader
07:48 , Maroosha MuzaffarXi Jinping has urged that the Strait of Hormuz stay open during a call with Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman.
During the call, Xi said: “The Strait of Hormuz should remain open to normal passage, as this serves the common interests of regional countries and the international community.”
China advocates an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, and insists on resolving conflicts in the Middle East through political and diplomatic channels, state news agency Xinhua cited Xi as saying.
His remarks come as tensions rise between the United States and Iran, with the ceasefire under strain after the US seized an Iranian ship and Iran signalled it may skip new talks.
On Tuesday, JD Vance is expected to lead the US delegation to Pakistan for a fresh round of talks as Iran is reportedly reconsidering its involvement in talks.
Iran is stalling due to pressure from Revolutionary Guards – report
07:29 , Maroosha MuzaffarWith the White House awaiting confirmation that Iran will attend peace talks in Islamabad, there are reports that officials in Tehran are facing pressure from the Revolutionary Guards to stick to a hard line.
Sources told Axios the powerful Iranian paramilitary wants there to be no new negotiations until the US ends its naval blockade.
In the end the decision is up to the supreme leader, while mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have pushed Tehran to come to the table.
Trump warns Iran will face ‘problems like they’ve never seen before’ if it doesn’t negotiate
07:10 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has warned Iran of “problems like they’ve never seen before” if it does not agree to a deal.
In an interview on The John Fredericks Show - a conservative radio show, Trump said: “They’re [Iran] going to negotiate. And if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before.
“And they’re going to negotiate, and hopefully they’ll make a fair deal, and they’ll build their country back up.”
Earlier, Trump said that it was “highly unlikely” he would extend the ceasefire if Tehran didn’t agree to talk.
Reports indicate Iran is reconsidering its involvement in a second round of talks in Pakistan.
JD Vance is expected to lead the US delegation to Pakistan on Tuesday if the talks look like they are going ahead.
White House bashes US media, claims outlets are 'rooting for the Iranian regime'
06:50 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran demands US free crew of its seized cargo ship
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran has condemned the US seizure of its cargo ship Touska and is demanding the crew be freed.
Iran’s foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns” what it described as “the illegal and brutal action” by US forces, and called for the “immediate release” of those onboard.
In a statement, the ministry said: “Without a doubt, the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capabilities to defend Iran’s national interests and security and to protect the rights and dignity of Iranians. It is obvious that the full responsibility for the further complication of the situation in the region lies with the US.”
The US, through US Central Command, says the ship was seized after it “attempted to violate the US naval blockade”.
Centcom shares images of seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship
06:10 , Maroosha MuzaffarUS Central Command has shared images on social media showing what it says is an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, Touska, seized on Sunday after it “attempted to violate the US naval blockade”.
One photo shows thick black smoke rising from a container vessel, while another appears to show the same ship alongside a US military vessel.
Donald Trump said over the weekend that US marines intercepted the ship and took “full custody” of it in the Gulf of Oman after “blowing a hole in the engineroom”.
U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, as the Iranian-flagged vessel's container cargo is searched after U.S. Marines boarded and seized the ship when it attempted to violate the U.S. naval blockade. pic.twitter.com/Czs127lK6p
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2026
The US says it has already turned back 27 ships since the blockade began, as part of efforts to pressure Iran economically by restricting oil exports.
In response, Iran has warned it will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until the blockade is lifted.
Trump says US strikes last year caused ‘total obliteration’ of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure
05:50 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump said that “Operation Midnight Hammer” – last year’s US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities – resulted in a “complete and total obliteration” of the country’s uranium enrichment sites.
Writing on Truth Social, he added that “digging it out will be a long and difficult process” after the June airstrikes, and criticised CNN and what he called “other corrupt Media Networks and Platforms” for not giving “our great aviators the credit they deserve”.
Iran reconsidering joining another round of peace talks with the US - report
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran is reconsidering joining another round of peace talks with the US, with a senior official saying Tehran is “positively reviewing its participation in peace talks”, though no final decision has been made, Reuters reported.
The shift comes after Pakistan’s mediation efforts were described as “positive”, especially in addressing the US naval blockade, which Iran sees as a major obstacle.
Iran had turned down a US proposal for a second round of direct peace talks ahead of the ceasefire deadline on Wednesday.
Its foreign ministry said it had “no plan for the next round of negotiations”, while also accusing the US of being “not serious” about pursuing diplomacy.
JD Vance to lead US delegation to Pakistan for talks - but only if Tehran agrees to attend
05:10 , Maroosha MuzaffarJD Vance is expected to lead a US delegation to Islamabad for possible peace talks with Iran, but only if Tehran agrees to attend.
The talks come just as a fragile ceasefire – following weeks of US-Israel bombing – nears its deadline, with Donald Trump warning he is unlikely to extend it further.
It was unclear if Iran would attend the talks after its president warned that there remained a “deep historical mistrust” of the US. Masoud Pezeshkian said: “Iranians do not submit to force.”
Previous negotiations failed because Iran refused US demands to stop nuclear enrichment and give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, while Iran insists it won’t negotiate under pressure or threats.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the ground: the US has blockaded Iranian ports, Iran has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, shipping has slowed, and oil prices have risen.
Trump says US will continue blocking Iranian ports until Tehran agrees to a deal
04:50 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has said the US will continue blocking Iranian ports until Iran agrees to a deal, claiming the blockade is “absolutely destroying Iran”.
The US has already turned back ships and even seized an Iranian vessel, which Tehran has called “piracy”.
At the same time, Iran has been restricting access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route, pushing energy prices higher.
Both sides accuse each other of violating a fragile ceasefire that is about to expire.
White House bashes US media, claims outlets are 'rooting for the Iranian regime'
04:30 , Rachel DobkinWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has bashed the US media, suggesting outlets are “rooting for the Iranian regime over the American people”.
Leavitt was speaking to Fox News Monday night local time, hours after US President Donald Trump raged on Truth Social about the media’s coverage of the Iran war.
“I’m winning a War, BY A LOT, things are going very well, our Military has been amazing and, if you read the Fake News, like The Failing New York Times, the absolutely horrendous and disgusting Wall Street Journal, or the now almost defunct, fortunately, Washington Post, you would actually think we are losing the War”, Trump wrote.
ICYMI: Trump slams Obama-era Iran Nuclear Deal
04:00 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald has slammed the Obama-era Iran Nuclear Deal that he withdrew from during his first term.
“The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER than the JCPOA, commonly referred to as ‘The Iran Nuclear Deal,’ penned by Barack Hussein Obama and Sleepy Joe Biden, one of the Worst Deals ever made having to do with the Security of our Country”, he wrote on Truth Social Monday.
Make no mistake, President Trump won't drag the United States into another disastrous deal with Iran.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2026
"If a Deal happens under “TRUMP,” it will guarantee Peace, Security, and Safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else." -… pic.twitter.com/GtQ7zQXyLy
The Iran Nuclear Deal restricted Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, but Trump argued during his first term, “the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and — over time — reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.”
Trump withdrew from the 2015 deal in 2018.
US military shares photos of naval blockade efforts
03:30 , Rachel DobkinU.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska, April 20, as the Iranian-flagged vessel's container cargo is searched after U.S. Marines boarded and seized the ship when it attempted to violate the U.S. naval blockade. pic.twitter.com/Czs127lK6p
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 20, 2026
Trump says Iran is 'going to negotiate'
03:00 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump told conservative radio host John Fredericks that Iran is “going to negotiate” ahead of peace talks expected to take place this week in Pakistan.
“Well, they’re going to negotiate, and if they don’t, they’re going to see problems like they’ve never seen before”, Trump said in a phone interview on The John Fredericks Show Monday, per CNN. “Hopefully they’ll make a fair deal, and they’ll build their country back up”.
Explained: The key issues preventing Iran and the US from striking a deal
02:30 , James ReynoldsWith the ceasefire at risk of breaking down this week without a deal or extension, The Independent takes a look at the key obstacles to talks:
Recap: Trump gives Wednesday PM deadline for ceasefire expiry
02:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran would expire on “Wednesday evening Washington time” on Monday, with the deadline fast closing in.
The president clarified the deadline in a call with Bloomberg, in which he also said he was unlikely to accept a ceasefire extension.
“I’m not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We’ve got all the time in the world,” he said.
Trump announced the two-week ceasefire with Iran on April 7, and had not specified when precisely it ends.
A Pakistani source involved in the talks said previously it would expire at 8pm ET on Wednesday, which would be midnight GMT or 3:30am Thursday in Iran.
Watch: US forces release video intercepting Iranian-flagged cargo vessel amid blockade
01:30 , James ReynoldsEditorial | Diplomacy with Iran is not yet over – but it’s hanging by a thread
01:00 , James ReynoldsThe possible new round of US-Iran talks offers one sign that this stalemate could be broken, although it may be that current US demands will make any significant breakthrough difficult. Another – also difficult, but perhaps more promising – avenue might be through international solidarity. The meeting in Paris last week, chaired by the UK and France and involving almost 50 countries, coincided with Iran’s announcement that it was reopening the strait, which seemed to render its closing agreement – with its pledge of an international mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz “when conditions permit” – superfluous.
With the strait once again closed, the UK and France have an opportunity to capitalise on the solidarity shown in Paris, and push for freedom of navigation to be reinstated. This is not a call for military intervention – far from it. It is rather to underline that so many states with a single shared interest can, and should, use all the diplomatic means at their disposal to convince Iran to restore free passage.
If, as the US has stated on several occasions, the Strait of Hormuz is not vital to its interests, then it has nothing to lose from unblocking Iran’s ports in return for Iran allowing normal passage through the strait. The US, Israel and Iran could then move to settle their considerable differences without inflicting any more damage on the rest of the world.
Read The Independent’s editorial:
Diplomacy with Iran is not yet over – but it’s hanging by a thread
Iran still deciding how to proceed, says FM
Tuesday 21 April 2026 00:30 , James ReynoldsIran is “taking all aspects into consideration” and “will decide on how to proceed” with diplomacy, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar on Monday in a call regarding the US-Iranian ceasefire.
Iran’s foreign ministry thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts in a statement. But it said that “continued violations of the ceasefire” remained an obstacle to the diplomatic process.
Iconic A-10 Warthog to live on until 2030 following action in Iran conflict
Tuesday 21 April 2026 00:00 , James ReynoldsThe iconic A-10 Warthog attack aircraft will live on until at least 2030, sparing it from an earlier retirement deadline of 2026, it was announced on Monday.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink wrote on social media that the platform would be extended, saying the move "preserves combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production."
The decision is the latest chapter in a long-running battle over the fate of the plane, which first flew in 1976 and has been on the Pentagon's chopping block for more than two decades.
The A-10 has been used in the current conflict with Iran, according to U.S. Central Command. Its powerful nose-mounted guns have been used against Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports.
Israel and Lebanon 'still to meet for historic talks'
Monday 20 April 2026 23:36 , James ReynoldsEven as US-Iranian talks lost steam, historic diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon were set to resume Thursday in Washington, according to officials.
The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met last week for the first direct diplomatic talks in decades. Israel says the talks are aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a peace agreement with Lebanon.
The 10-day ceasefire arrangement was still not without claims of violations.
In two separate encounters on Monday, the Israeli air force struck and killed Hezbollah militants that the military said approached its troops in a threatening way. Israel has carried out several airstrikes since the ceasefire went into effect.
Recap: Trump gives Wednesday ceasefire deadline
Monday 20 April 2026 23:14 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran would expire on “Wednesday evening Washington time” on Monday, with the deadline fast closing in.
The president clarified the deadline in a call with Bloomberg, in which he also said he was unlikely to accept a ceasefire extension.
“I’m not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We’ve got all the time in the world,” he said.
Trump announced the two-week ceasefire with Iran on April 7, and had not specified when precisely it ends.
A Pakistani source involved in the talks said previously it would expire at 8pm ET on Wednesday, which would be midnight GMT or 3:30am Thursday in Iran.
EU has enough kerosene for five months, says Netherlands
Monday 20 April 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsThe European Union has enough kerosene for about five months, drawing on domestic production and strategic reserves, the Dutch government estimated on Monday.
European airlines have warned of potential jet fuel shortages within weeks as a result of the Iran war.
The Dutch government said in a letter to parliament that domestic supply of kerosene, or jet fuel, is 78% of normal levels, as most imports have ceased. The Netherlands has several of Europe's largest refineries in the Port of Rotterdam.
Outlining measures to shield households and businesses from rising energy costs, the government said European production of diesel and kerosene, combined with the use of strategic reserves of crude oil and oil products, could cover “several months” of demand if supply disruptions remain at current levels.
It said that this equates to about five months for kerosene, and more than a year for diesel and petrol, assuming reserves are fully used and not diverted elsewhere.
Iran says it won't accept peace talks under duress
Monday 20 April 2026 22:39 , James ReynoldsIran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Monday that Tehran does not accept negotiations with the US under threats.
He said in a post on X that Donald Trump was seeking to turn the negotiating table into a "table of surrender."
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table— in his own imagination— into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering. We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” he wrote.
In pictures: Sailors work with US fighter jet on board USS Gerald R. Ford
Monday 20 April 2026 22:34 , James Reynolds
In full: 'I'm winning a War, BY A LOT', says Trump
Monday 20 April 2026 22:28 , James ReynoldsIn a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump insists the conflict is ‘going well’ and pushes back against reporting to the contrary.
The latest: Iran peace talks hang in the balance as Trump says ceasefire extension now highly unlikely
Monday 20 April 2026 22:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said an extension of the fragile two week ceasefire with Iran is now “highly unlikely” as peace talks in Pakistan hang in the balance.
Iran has yet to commit to negotiations in Islamabad, saying it won’t attend unless the US Navy lifts its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. There was also confusion over whether US Vice President JD Vance was on his way to the talks.
The ceasefire deal runs out on Wednesday evening and Trump told Bloomberg he did not think it would be extended, nor would he be rushed into “making a bad deal”.
In full, the latest on the US-Iran conflict:
Iran peace talks hang in the balance as Trump says ceasefire extension unlikely
Analysis: The US has seized an Iranian cargo vessel – is this legal?
Monday 20 April 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsNaval law expert Jennifer Parker of The Conversation lays out what is happening in the Strait of Hormuz:
Watch: US Marines board Iranian-flagged vessel after navy disables ship
Monday 20 April 2026 20:30 , James ReynoldsWhat is the US naval blockade?
Monday 20 April 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsThe US military said last Monday it would block shipping traffic in and out of Iran's ports.
It’s an issue that remains central to negotiations aimed at ending the war, with Iran drawing a red line and saying it will not submit to force.
What is the blockade for?
Trump says he aims to put pressure on Iran by stopping it from making money by selectively opening the Strait for a reported fee. He said the goal was to let “all or nothing” pass.
Critics say the blockade has forced up oil and gas prices again, and is exacerbating tensions with Iran, making peace talks less likely.
The UN’s maritime agency also says no country has a legal right to block shipping in straits used for international trade.
What is it doing?
A week on, and US Centcom says they have told 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port since the beginning of the blockade.
Matters came to a head on Sunday when the US attacked and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman trying to escape the blockade.
Where is it?
It is not exactly clear where the blockade is, as that information has not been made public.
The US is likely monitoring ships leaving Iranian ports and intercepting them east of the Strait of Hormuz, as they exit.
US ships have been spotted at the eastern edge of the Gulf of Oman.
Watch: Cruise ships escape through Strait of Hormuz and will carry passengers within weeks
Monday 20 April 2026 19:30 , James ReynoldsTrump officials flip-flop on whether Vance is leading Iran talks
Monday 20 April 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsTop administration officials, including President Donald Trump himself, appeared unclear as to whether Vice President JD Vance would lead peace talks with Iranian officials in Pakistan this week, less than 24 hours before the U.S. negotiating team are supposedly due in Islamabad.
Vance’s participation in the upcoming talks has been in question for days after the last round, helmed by the vice president, failed to reach an agreement to end the war. Tuesday is the two-week deadline for the U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
As uncertainty continues to undermine hopes of a diplomatic resolution to the war, here’s the latest:
Is he or isn’t he? Trump officials flip-flop on whether Vance is leading Iran talks
Trump says he won't be rushed on an Iran deal
Monday 20 April 2026 18:45 , James ReynoldsIn an apparent follow-up to his last - both coming within a couple of minutes of each other - Trump says he won’t be rushed into making a deal with Iran.
“I’m not going to let them rush the United States into making a Deal that is not as good as it could have been,” he writes, taking aim at ‘The Democrats’.
“I read the Fake News saying that I am under “pressure” to make a Deal. THIS IS NOT TRUE! I am under no pressure whatsoever, although, it will all happen, relatively quickly! Time is not my adversary, the only thing that matters is that we finally, after 47 years, straighten out the MESS that other Presidents let happen because they didn’t have the Courage or Foresight to do what had to be done with respect to Iran.”
He maintains that all is going to plan, adding: “This is being perfectly executed, on the scale of Venezuela, just a bigger, more complex operation. The result will be the same.”
Trump promises world peace, attacks predecessors in latest rant
Monday 20 April 2026 18:42 , James ReynoldsWith just hours until the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US expires, Donald Trump is back on social media, attacking his critics.
In a lengthy rant, he criticises the ‘Iran nuclear deal’ of his predecessors and lays into the ‘fake news’ media for praising it.
“The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER than the JCPOA, commonly referred to as “The Iran Nuclear Deal,” penned by Barack Hussein Obama and Sleepy Joe Biden, one of the Worst Deals ever made having to do with the Security of our Country,” he writes.
Trump concludes his post saying: “If a Deal happens under “TRUMP,” it will guarantee Peace, Security, and Safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else. It will be something that the entire World will be proud of, instead of the years of Embarrassment and Humiliation that we have been forced to suffer due to incompetent and cowardly leadership!”
In pictures: US fighter jet on board the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea
Monday 20 April 2026 18:30 , James ReynoldsThe latest: Iran peace talks hang in the balance as Trump says ceasefire extension now highly unlikely
Monday 20 April 2026 18:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said an extension of the fragile two week ceasefire with Iran is now “highly unlikely” as peace talks in Pakistan hang in the balance.
Iran has yet to commit to negotiations in Islamabad, saying it won’t attend unless the US Navy lifts its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. There was also confusion over whether US Vice President JD Vance was on his way to the talks.
The ceasefire deal runs out on Wednesday evening and Trump told Bloomberg he did not think it would be extended, nor would he be rushed into “making a bad deal”.
In full, the latest on the US-Iran conflict:
Iran peace talks hang in the balance as Trump says ceasefire extension unlikely
