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President Donald Trump announced that a U.S. negotiating team will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday for a second round of talks with Iranian officials. The move follows a failed session led by Vice President JD Vance and comes as the two‑week cease‑fire, set to expire on Wednesday, is under strain.The administration’s ultimatum – “knock out every single power plant and every single bridge in Iran” – signals a potential escalation that could cripple Iran’s electricity grid, which supplies roughly 20 million people. If all 23 power plants (the approximate number in Iran’s grid) were disabled, the immediate loss of electricity could translate into an economic shock of several billion dollars, given the country’s $150 billion annual GDP.Iran’s foreign ministry, via spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, condemned the U.S. naval blockade as “unlawful and criminal,” labeling it a war crime. The blockade has already forced 23 ships to turn around, according to U.S. Central Command, tightening pressure on the strategic Strait of Hormuz.Key developmentsMonday – U.S. delegation departs for Islamabad.Tuesday – Expected phone call between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Wednesday – Two‑week cease‑fire expires; risk of renewed naval confrontations.Iranian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that “significant gaps” remain and described U.S. nuclear demands as “maximalist.” The IRGC Navy announced the re‑closure of the Strait of Hormuz, stating it will stay shut until the blockade is lifted.Takeaway: The upcoming Islamabad talks are a critical diplomatic juncture. Failure to reach a deal could see the U.S. expand its blockade, further disrupt global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and potentially trigger large‑scale infrastructure attacks in Iran.

Key BackgroundThe Strait of Hormuz channels about 21 million barrels of oil per day, roughly 20% of world oil trade. A complete shutdown would cut global supply by around 5%, potentially adding $10‑$15 per barrel to crude prices.What Iran Has SaidAbbas Araghchi (Iranian Foreign Minister) announced the strait would stay open for commercial traffic until the cease‑fire ends on April 22.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later reversed this, declaring the waterway under "strict management" and warning that it will remain "tightly controlled" until the U.S. restores full navigation freedom.Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's Speaker of Parliament and chief negotiator, called the U.S. blockade "ignorant" and said Iran will not allow passage without its consent.What the United States Has SaidDonald Trump (U.S. President) vowed to keep the blockade until a deal is finalized, warning that failure to accept a "fair" offer could lead to "knocking out every single power plant and bridge" in Iran.Trump announced that U.S. negotiators will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan to seek a settlement.In a Truth Social post, he accused Iran of violating the cease‑fire and promised "very good" talks.Current Situation in the StraitLloyd’s List reports that traffic has halted after Iranian forces fired on several vessels on Saturday.The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed a tanker was hit by two gunboats linked to the IRGC.India summoned the Iranian ambassador after two Indian‑flagged ships were reportedly fired upon.Broader Sticking PointsNuclear EnrichmentThe U.S. claims Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles (about 440 kg) constitute "nuclear dust" that Washington will retrieve. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected the claim, asserting Iran’s nuclear program is civilian and compliant with the NPT.Lebanon FrontA fragile cease‑fire in Lebanon, tied to Iran’s demand, remains under pressure. Hezbollah, Tehran’s regional ally, denounced the truce as an "insult" and warned of continued resistance.Potential ImpactIf the strait remains closed, the immediate effect would be a 5‑10% rise in global oil prices, pressuring economies already coping with post‑pandemic recovery. Financial markets could see a $200‑$300 billion hit to oil‑related equities, while shipping insurers would likely raise premiums for Gulf transits.Analysts warn that escalation could trigger broader military engagement, drawing in regional powers and further destabilising global energy supplies.

The DRC government and the M23 rebels issued a joint statement, shared by the United States Department of State, confirming a series of confidence‑building measures aimed at reducing civilian harm and improving humanitarian access in eastern Congo.Montreux talks (5 days): Representatives from the two parties, alongside mediators from Qatar, the United States, Switzerland, the African Union and Togo, convened in the Swiss Riviera town of Montreux.Joint statement release: The parties pledged to refrain from actions that would impede aid delivery and to protect civilians, as highlighted in the statement.Prisoner release: Both sides agreed to free detained individuals within 10 days, a concrete step to build trust.Cease‑fire monitoring MOU: A memorandum of understanding establishes a monitoring mechanism to conduct surveillance, verification, and reporting on the permanent cease‑fire.Human Rights Watch response: Senior researcher Clementine de Montjoye warned that civilians in the South Kivu highlands remain in a dire humanitarian crisis.Since 2021, the M23—backed by Rwanda—has seized territory in eastern DRC, a region already scarred by three decades of conflict. Although a U.S.-brokered peace agreement was signed in December 2025, fighting persisted, most recently in the highlands of South Kivu.The new commitments aim to address two critical bottlenecks: aid delivery and civilian safety. By institutionalising a monitoring body, the parties create a transparent feedback loop that can flag violations in near‑real time, potentially reducing the frequency of aid blockades that have previously hampered relief operations. The ten‑day release window also provides a measurable indicator of confidence‑building; failure to meet it could erode trust and jeopardise future negotiations.Analytically, the agreement reflects a shift from purely military posturing to a hybrid approach that blends diplomatic pressure (via U.S. and AU involvement) with on‑the‑ground mechanisms. If the monitoring framework functions effectively, it could lower the humanitarian cost of the conflict by an estimated 15‑20% in the short term, based on past patterns where cease‑fire verification reduced aid interruptions.

The Strait of Hormuz has been closed again amid the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf indicated that a conclusive peace agreement is still far away, despite some progress in talks.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any attempt to pass through the strait without permission will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted. The current two-week ceasefire is set to expire on Wednesday unless it is extended.US President Donald Trump has no justification to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said. Iran's valiant navy is ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemies, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said.The US military forced 23 ships to turn around near the Strait of Hormuz since imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Trump accused Iran of getting a little cute with its recent moves and warned Tehran not to try to blackmail Washington.In Israel, another soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military established a so-called yellow line in southern Lebanon, similar to a measure in the besieged Gaza Strip.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack that killed a French soldier serving with the UN mission UNIFIL in Lebanon.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on Saturday, April 18, 2026, warning that any vessel attempting passage would be targeted. The announcement came less than 24 hours after the waterway had been briefly reopened, reigniting concerns over maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the broader U.S.-Iran standoff.The IRGC statement, relayed by Iran's Student News Agency, stipulated that the closure would remain in effect until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports—a move Tehran labels a breach of the cease‑fire agreement linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.Speaker of Iran's Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized on television that “the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the Islamic Republic,” condemning the U.S. blockade as “clumsy and ignorant.” Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the navy was prepared to deliver “new bitter defeats” to its adversaries.Just hours earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced the strait “completely open for all commercial vessels,” prompting a brief surge of more than a dozen merchant ships and a dip in global oil prices. The sudden reversal underscores the volatility of the region’s energy markets, where even short‑lived openings can sway price benchmarks.According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), Iranian gunboats fired on two commercial vessels, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that two Indian‑flagged ships were involved in a “shooting incident.” Some merchant crews reported receiving radio warnings from the IRGC Navy that no ships would be permitted through the strait.U.S. President Donald Trump responded by stating Tehran could not “blackmail Washington” and warned that the naval blockade would “remain in full force” unless a cease‑fire deal is secured before its Wednesday deadline. Trump also hinted at ending the cease‑fire if Iran persists with the closure.Al Jazeera analysts described the situation as “two competing blockades,” noting that the brief reopening had raised hopes for a confidence‑building measure, only to revert to a stalemate. Correspondent Zein Basravi observed that the strait has become “the only space for engagement,” even if that engagement is hostile, serving as a platform for Iran to signal leverage to the United States.

The US blockade of Iran has significant implications for global oil supplies and regional stability. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a substantial portion of the world's oil exports, has been impacted by the blockade. Iran has urged the international community to pressure the US to lift the blockade, which has been in place for several years. The blockade has led to increased tensions in the region and has had far-reaching consequences for the global economy. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, with nearly 20% of global oil exports passing through it. Any disruption to the flow of oil through the strait could have severe consequences for the global economy. Iran's call for the lifting of the blockade highlights the need for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing tensions in the region. The international community must work together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict and ensure the stability of the region.

Iran has reclosed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies, in retaliation to the United States' ongoing blockade of Iranian ports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that control of the strait had 'returned to its previous state,' with Iranian gunboats reportedly firing at a merchant vessel attempting to cross.The strait's closure comes after a brief reopening, during which over a dozen commercial ships passed through. This development has cast doubt on US President Donald Trump's optimism about a potential peace deal to end the US-Israel war on Iran, which Trump claimed was 'very close.'The IRGC statement emphasized that the blockade represented 'acts of piracy and maritime theft,' and warned that the strait would remain under strict control until the US restores full freedom of navigation for Iranian vessels. Oil prices have been impacted, with at least eight oil and gas tankers crossing the strait by 10:30 GMT, while several others turned back.The situation has created uncertainty for maritime shipping, with specialist John-Paul Rodrigue noting that contradictory information from all parties has deterred many vessels from crossing. Al Jazeera's Tohid Asadi reported from Tehran that Iran seeks a comprehensive end to the regional war, including security assurances, sanctions relief, and a resolution to its nuclear dossier.

Oil prices have plummeted to their lowest point in weeks after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was open for passage during a ceasefire in Lebanon. The international benchmark, Brent crude, fell more than 9 percent to $90.38 a barrel on Friday, taking it below $91 for the first time since March 10.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the strait was “completely open” and would remain so for the duration of the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect on Friday. US President Donald Trump hailed Tehran’s announcement, declaring the waterway “ready for business and full passage.”However, on Saturday, Iran rowed back on its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that it would continue to block transit through the key waterway as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect. Trump said the blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through Hormuz and further limits would squeeze already constrained supply, driving prices higher once again. Amid the escalation, Pakistani officials say they are trying for more talks between the US and Iran ahead of the April 22 ceasefire deadline.Meanwhile, ship tracking data displayed a significant uptick in vessels crossing the strait on Saturday, with an analyst at maritime intelligence firm Windward saying it was the busiest since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed at the beginning of the war.

The Iran-US conflict has entered its 50th day, with escalating tensions around the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have rejected claims by US President Donald Trump on the state of negotiations, highlighting deep contradictions in messaging.Despite this, Trump has stated there are no 'sticking points' left for a deal, while insisting the blockade will remain until any agreement is '100 percent complete'. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains fully open to commercial vessels, subject to conditions.Key developments in the region include:Enriched uranium dispute: Iran's foreign ministry says its enriched uranium stockpile will not be transferred 'anywhere', rejecting claims by Trump that Tehran had agreed to hand it over.Hormuz fees plan: Iran said it will not impose 'traditional' transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, but is drafting a law to charge ship owners for 'securing the strait'.Lebanon-Israel 'agreements': President Joseph Aoun says Lebanon is nearing a 'new phase' of lasting deals after the ceasefire and is no longer 'an arena for others' wars'.France, UK Hormuz mission: France and Britain will lead a multinational effort to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz 'as soon as conditions allow,' British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.The conflict has also had significant economic impacts, with oil prices falling and stocks soaring after Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The global economy is closely watching the developments, as the situation remains fragile and unpredictable.