Iran, Israel, US war

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

April 16, 2026 10:34 IST​

Iran was the chance to arrange a concert of nations to actually be a Vishwaguru. Instead, we are watching from the sidelines as Pakistan, the same country that is apparently still at war with Afghanistan, hosts talks between US-Israel and Iran. The irony is hard to miss.

IMAGE: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greets US Vice President J D Vance in Islamabad, April 11, 2026. Photograph: Pakistan's Prime Minister Office/Handout via Reuters

• India missed an opportunity to diplomatically isolate Pakistan despite tensions with Afghanistan and its role in brokering Iran's ceasefire talks.
• New Delhi's delayed response to Iran developments and perceived tilt towards Israel reflected ideological bias over strategic foreign policy interests.
• India faces a complex balancing act between Iran, Israel, the US, and Gulf nations due to energy dependence, diaspora concerns, and China-Pakistan dynamics.

Two wars in India's extended neighbourhood are on hiatus.
In the first, the Iran war, which has been noticed by all, a two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, was enforced on April 8.
Both Iran and the US are claiming victory (Israel only grudgingly accepted the ceasefire, and not before firing missiles into southern Lebanon).
The second war that few have noticed, thanks to the intense media coverage of the Iran war, also appears to be petering out.
This is the Pakistan-Afghanistan war, which began before the Iran war and saw the Pakistan air force strike against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The Pak-Afghan war provided India with the opportunity to isolate Pakistan, a chance to drive a wedge between these two neighbours, who, when aligned earlier, had been the source of much anguish to India over the last few decades.
India did condemn the Pakistan strikes, but surely it could have done more to generate attention to these cross-Durand Line attacks. Why it did not needs to be answered.
When the Israel-US war against Iran broke out, India could have taken a moral position and offered to mediate as close friends of all three nations concerned.
India has good relations with the US (aimed against China), with Israel (aimed against Islamic terrorism), and with Iran (aimed against Pakistan).
This was the chance to arrange a concert of nations, to actually be a Vishwaguru.
Instead, we are watching from the sidelines as Pakistan, the same country that is apparently still at war with Afghanistan, hosts talks between the US, Israel, and Iran. The irony is hard to miss.
So, what went wrong? In one sentence: Ideological inclinations that are patently against India's national interest.
As soon as war began, India did not condemn the assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, doing so a few days later.

IMAGE: Shehbaz Sharif meets Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Islamabad, April 11, 2026. Photograph: WANA/Handout/Reuters

India's Tightrope In Iran War​

No doubt, the latest Iran war is a difficult situation to negotiate. On one side of the war is Iran, a country that has been sanctioned against by most of the world for allegedly pursuing nuclear weapons.
As a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is committed to not building nuclear weapons.
For a long time, Israel and the West have believed Tehran has been clandestinely building nuclear weapons.
In May 2019, heeding the international sanctions, India too stopped purchasing oil from Iran.
India is also clear that Iran must abide by its commitments to the NPT.
On the other side is Israel, the US, and Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).
India has been growing closer to the US since the beginning of this century, with both worried about the implications of a rising China.
For New Delhi, there is the added dimension of China's friendship with and support to Pakistan, especially when dealing with India.
Then there is the issue of the 10 million Indians living in the Gulf countries and the massive import of oil and gas from the Gulf countries.
Their welfare is important, and the reduced flow of oil and gas imports hit India hard. In such a situation, the best outcome was never supporting one side against another, but pushing for peace.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara on his arrival at the Ben Gurion airport in Israel. photograph: @narendramodi/X
India's ties with Israel have been growing, primarily in the defence and agriculture sectors.
There is much for India to gain through closer ties with Israel, and it is to the credit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he has forged ahead, since better ties are beneficial to India.
Simultaneously, India has no choice but to keep strong ties with the Arab nations. After all, India needs oil, and the Jewish promised land does not produce any oil. Foreign policy is not either/or as much as this and that!
Thus, it would appear that the latest move of quickly supporting Israel is less tactical and driven more by ideology. Hindutva ideology supporters dream of an alliance with their Jewish counterparts, the Zionists.
Both are against the Muslims of their respective regions. For many of them, a Jewish-Hindu alliance against Muslims is a natural in a world driven by a clash of civilisations.

Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact Impact​

Yet, the irony is hard to miss. Aligned with Israel and the US are the Sunni Muslim Gulf countries, to fight against another Muslim country.
Subtlety matters: Iran is mostly Shia and of Aryan ethnicity; the Gulf states are mostly Sunni and of Semitic ethnicity.
In fact, so profound are the differences between the Gulf countries and Iran that last September, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a defence agreement, stating that an attack on one would be considered an attack on both.
The Saudi-Pakistan agreement puts limits on how close the two can get, and gives India the chance to grow closer to Iran at Pakistan's expense.
A friendly Iran to Pakistan's west, a belligerent Afghanistan to its north... India has leverage over Pakistan, the kind of which it has not had in decades.
But for this to happen, India needs to calibrate its position with Tehran, not blindly support Israel (or any other country) against Iran. Sadly, we missed the chance to do that.
During the last Israel-Iran war of June 2025, New Delhi urged peace and negotiations.
A few weeks later, India refused to support a resolution condemning Iran at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, even as Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar was in touch with leaders in Iran. It was a fine balancing act that was worth repeating.
This time, in choosing one side over the other because it is ideologically better, the government is jeopardising New Delhi's ability to manoeuvre for India's best interest.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Hormuz Blockade Is The New Battlefield, April 16, 2026 14:42 IST​

The clock on the ceasefire is running out. But everyone's already whispering about round two, possibly as soon as this weekend.
What began with airstrikes and killed leaders has settled into something slower and, in a way, more measurable: A test of who runs out of patience first, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War.

IMAGE: An anti-US and anti-Israel rally at Enghelab Square in Tehran, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

US-Iran Ceasefire Tensions Rise​

There is a kind of hush, The Carpenters sang back in the 1970s, and it feels like the world's theme song for this week.
Nothing significant is exploding on the Iran front. And that, strange as it seems, is the unsettling part.
It's been a little over six weeks since the US and Israel launched airstrikes that took out key Iranian leaders, hammered military sites, and left the navy licking its wounds.
The latest round of talks in Pakistan, mediated by army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, wrapped up last weekend without a breakthrough.

IMAGE: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Jeddah, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Pakistan PM Office/Reuters
The clock on the ceasefire is running out. But everyone's already whispering about round two, possibly as soon as this weekend.
The signals are mixed, though. If Islamabad is to host round two, as projected, then Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif heading off on a visit to Tehran and various Gulf capitals feels counter-intuitive.
The White House calls ongoing conversations 'productive and ongoing'.
Trump, chatting on Fox Business, insists the war is 'nearly over', while casually reminding everyone he could flatten every bridge and power plant in Iran in an hour.
Out in the Gulf, though, the screws are turning quietly but firmly. The US has effectively shut down Iran's maritime trade.
No tankers in or out of Iranian ports without turning back. In the first 48 hours, nine vessels complied and headed home.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is way below normal (external link).

IMAGE: A vessel sails through the Strait of Hormuz off Oman's Musandam province, April 12, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Strait of Hormuz Disruption Deepens​

Iran responded by shutting the Strait to everyone else, threatening to halt flows across the Gulf, Sea of Oman, and even into the Red Sea if the pressure continues.
China, which used to suck up over 80% of Iran's seaborne crude, is suddenly scrambling (external link).
The US Treasury has warned Chinese banks and killed some waivers. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called it the 'financial equivalent' of the earlier kinetic pounding.

Key Points​

• Ceasefire between US, Israel and Iran remains fragile, with growing expectations of renewed conflict within days.
• US-led maritime pressure has sharply reduced Iranian oil exports, disrupting global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran threatens wider retaliation by blocking regional waterways, escalating risks across Gulf, Red Sea and global energy markets.
• US domestic politics favour continued pressure, as Senate Republicans reject efforts to limit presidential war powers.
• Despite reduced military activity, economic warfare and sanctions have emerged as the primary battleground shaping the conflict.

IMAGE: A woman walks past a damaged building at a strike site in Beirut, April 13, 2026. Photograph: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters

Iran Oil Exports Under Pressure​

Analysts figure Iran can keep pumping (external link) at around 3.5 million barrels per day for up to two months before storage forces real cuts.
Domestic refineries are already soaking up about 2 million bpd. But if this drags into May or beyond, production will have to drop hard.
The market's already jittery from over 12 million bpd of regional disruption.

Trump Gets Senate Backing​

Back in the US, the Senate just handed Trump more leash.
Republicans blocked (external link) a Democratic push to rein in his war powers, voting 52-47 along mostly party lines.
It was the fourth such attempt since the strikes began. Only Rand Paul broke ranks on the GOP side.
The message is clear: Congress isn't rushing to tie the president's hands. Trump has the political runway, at least for now, to keep the pressure on.

IMAGE: Motorcyclists pass banners showing portraits of students killed in a strike during the US-Israeli conflict at Tajrish Square in Tehran, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters
Meanwhile, the human cost grinds on in the margins.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have turned parts of the south into rubble, creating a buffer zone that keeps families from burying their dead (external link) in ancestral lands.
In Nabatieh and beyond, mourners are forced to inter loved ones temporarily in Beirut because heading south is too dangerous.
One family lost a mother and brother in a Beirut strike; they identified the body by a tattoo after days of searching.

IMAGE: Smoke rises after an Israeli strike at Qlaileh, seen from Tyre, Lebanon, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
The cycle of destruction and rebuilding feels endless. And then there's the view from inside Iran, where the BBC's Lyse Doucet captured (external link) something harder to quantify than tanker counts or vote tallies.
Under this fragile ceasefire, which has less than a week left, people are taking it one day at a time.
Almond trees are blooming, traffic is moving again on the highways, but there's a quiet apprehension in the air.
An elderly woman murmurs it's all in God's hands. A young woman in a red puffer jacket says outright the ceasefire won't hold, citing Iran's grip on the strait.
Bare-headed women still push back against the old modesty rules, in lingering echoes of the Woman Life Freedom protests.

IMAGE: Israeli soldiers stand atop a tank near the Lebanon border, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters

Blockade Emerges as New Front​

Sanctions bite, yet Tehran isn't blinking.
Many wonder if a real deal with the US is even possible, given the gaps: America wants a long nuclear freeze and dismantled capabilities; Iran offers a shorter pause and demands sanctions relief plus an end to the Lebanon campaign.
This is the eerie part. The guns have mostly fallen silent for now, but the blockade is the new front: Economic warfare dressed up as diplomacy's enforcer.
Talks may resume, a truce extension might happen, but the underlying mistrust runs deep.
Iran threatens broader retaliation if pushed too far. Trump keeps the big stick visible. And ordinary people on both sides -- Lebanese families unable to mourn properly, Iranians driving around bomb craters while hoping for normalcy -- pay the quiet price.

IMAGE: A man sleeps on a rickshaw while waiting outside a gas agency in New Delhi, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Bhawika Chhabra/Reuters
We're in the epicentre of a storm that hasn't broken yet.
The calm feels ominous precisely because everyone knows how quickly it can turn.
The question is what breaks first when the pressure doesn't work.

IMAGE: Israeli military vehicles drive in Lebanon near the Israel-Lebanon border, April 13, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters
The troops keep coming
The Pentagon is sending thousands more into the Middle East even as mediators push for a ceasefire extension -- the USS George H W Bush rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group departing Hawaii, ground operation scenarios quietly being war-gamed.
Dan Lamothe's report is essential on what 'more options' actually means when the options include seizing Kharg Island or landing Marines on Iranian soil.
The retired admiral quoted here puts it plainly: A prolonged blockade is a tall order; any of the ground scenarios are significantly riskier. [Dan Lamothe, Washington Post (external link)]

IMAGE: Hawraa Diab visits a cafe where her cousin Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, was killed in an Israeli strike in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
The dinner that revealed the gap
Over spinach soup, scallops, and Diet Coke at the White House, Trump told the Dutch king he wants a swift end to the war.
The Dutch prime minister told Trump that Europe would help secure Hormuz, but only after the fighting stops. 'We agree to disagree,' said the PM afterward.
The meal is a perfect miniature of the wider diplomatic problem: Everyone wants the Strait open, nobody wants to be seen helping Trump get there.
The promised list of countries joining the blockade has not materialised. [Gramer, Bergengruen, McGraw, Wall Street Journal via Mint (external link)]

IMAGE: Damaged cars after an Israeli strike that killed Ghadir Baalbaki and wounded her sisters in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
The outlines of a deal, and why they're deceptive
The Economist lays out what a negotiated end looks like: Reopen the Strait first, then work the nuclear details. But each step is harder than it sounds.
Iran could dilute its enriched uranium stockpile, or forswear enrichment for a limited period, or enrich as part of a consortium.
The US could lift sanctions in stages. But neither side trusts the other to honour its part, and both want to perform total victory at the table to compensate for the battlefield stalemate.
The piece is cold-eyed about the gap between available compromises and the political will to take them. [The Economist (external link)]

IMAGE: Debris at a residential building damaged by a strike in Tehran, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al Sudani/Reuters
The $6 trillion collateral damage
Gulf sovereign wealth funds -- Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar -- were built to plan for life after oil. The war is forcing them to rebuild the old economy instead.
Iranian strikes have destroyed an estimated $25 billion in regional oil and gas infrastructure.
The pharaonic projects -- The Line, Trojena, the Mukaab cube in Riyadh -- are stalling or being quietly cancelled.
Foreign contractors are retreating, Western investors are getting cold feet, and luxury hotel occupancy across the Gulf is falling every week.
The funds are not rushing for the exits, but their attention is shifting from risky bets on the future to assets that generate cash now. [The Economist (external link)]

IMAGE: Iranian women walk past a police officer in Tehran, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters
The flailing president
Jonathan Lemire's Atlantic piece is the most comprehensive account yet of how badly the Iran war has gone for Trump politically, and how it's cascading.
The Venezuela raid in January convinced Trump that military force was an unstoppable instrument. Iran taught him otherwise.
Iran didn't surrender, thirteen American troops have been killed, the Strait is more firmly in Tehran's hands than before the war began, and Trump's usual intimidation tactics -- deadlines, threats, social media blitzes -- have made him look weaker each time they pass without consequence.
Meanwhile: Orbán lost, the pope is fighting back, and Melania unpromptedly invoked Epstein. Some of Trump's own advisers, Lemire reports, are describing the president as flailing. [Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic (external link)]

IMAGE: People walk past a mural of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, April 13, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters
Law of unintended consequences:
World Cup euphoria collides head on with economic and geopolitical realities. US hotels are cutting room rates as expected fan inflows fail to materialise.
High ticket prices, inflation jitters, visa frictions and geopolitical tensions, including the Iran war, are cooling international travel, leaving hoteliers with unsold inventory and deflated expectations. [Financial Times (external link); Sports Illustrated (external link)]

IMAGE: Israeli military vehicles and a tank operate near the Lebanon border, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters
What Israelis actually want
Polling expert Dahlia Scheindlin tells the New Yorker that only about a third of Israelis support the ceasefire, and even that support is driven primarily by Arab citizens.
The Jewish Israeli consensus, which started the war above ninety per cent, has softened but remains overwhelmingly against stopping.
The reason is not that Israelis think the war is going well. They don't. It's that decades of delegitimising diplomacy have left a political culture with no mental model for achieving security aims other than force.
Netanyahu's bind: The war didn't achieve its stated goals, but the only constituency for an alternative path doesn't yet have a leader willing to articulate one. [Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker (external link)]
The EU's strange staying power:
A decade into the age of nationalism, leaving the EU remains remarkably taboo.
Janan Ganesh notes that the dominoes Brexit-era Leavers predicted would fall have not fallen. He asks why, and answers himself: Brexit, Trump, and Russia keep doing Brussels unsolicited favours.
Marine Le Pen softened on Europe to stay electorally competitive. Meloni mostly co-operated with the bloc. And Orbán's defeat this week was partly driven by Hungarian voters wanting back into Europe's good graces.
The piece is a useful corrective to the assumption that the global nationalist wave is structurally irreversible. [Financial Times (external link)]

IMAGE: An anti-US and anti-Israel rally at Enghelab Square in Tehran, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters
The blockade is the war, now. What began with airstrikes and killed leaders has settled into something slower and, in a way, more measurable: A test of who runs out of patience first.
Iran is sitting on favourable geography no executive order can redraw. Trump is sitting on poll numbers that keep moving in the wrong direction.
The ceasefire expires April 22. Talks may resume in Islamabad. Vance is on standby.
All of these are indications of two sides looking for an exit that neither can afford to call a retreat.
The quiet this week is the sound of pressure building in a system with no obvious release valve.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Not blocking Strait of Hormuz, clarifies US​

Source: ANI
Last updated on: April 16, 2026 20:14 IST
The United States clarified its naval blockade against Iran, focusing on Iranian ports and coastline rather than the Strait of Hormuz, while warning against threats to commercial shipping and hinting at potential ceasefire negotiations.

IMAGE: A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman's Musandam province, April 12, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points​

• The US naval blockade targets Iranian ports and coastline, not the Strait of Hormuz, and applies to all ships regardless of nationality.
• The US will actively pursue Iranian-flagged vessels and those providing material support, including 'dark fleet' vessels evading sanctions.
• The US military is prepared to resume major combat operations at a moment's notice while maintaining the blockade.
• US officials warned Iran against threatening commercial ships, calling it 'terrorism' and piracy.
• The US hinted at ceasefire negotiations, offering Iran a 'prosperous future' if it chooses wisely but threatening further action if it doesn't.

The United States on Thursday categorically said that its naval blockade in West Asia applies to Iranian ports and coastline and is not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The remarks were made by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, while speaking to the media.

Gen Caine underlined that the blockade applies to all ships, irrespective of their nationalities.
"Let me be clear—this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The US action is a blockade of Iran's ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Iran's territorial seas and in international waters."
He said that, along with the blockade, the joint force would actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran, which would include dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil.
"In addition to this blockade, the joint force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility—like the Pacific area of responsibility under the command of Admiral Paparo—will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran. This includes dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, dark fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions, or insurance requirements."
He emphasised that during this pause, the United States joint force remains postured and ready to resume major combat operations at "literally a moment's notice."
The Pentagon said that more than 10,000 sailors, Marines, and airmen and over a dozen ships and dozens of aircraft are executing the mission.
Gen Caine also shared a map showcasing the blockade in action.
Sharing the latest updates from Thursday, he said, "As of this morning, U.S. Central Command has not been required to board any particular ships. I'll remind you that we are also conducting similar maritime interdiction actions and activities in the Pacific AOR against those ships that left that area before we began the blockade."

US Response and Warnings to Iran​

At the press briefing, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the United States is "locked and loaded" and highlighted how the United States holds an upper hand when it comes to military prowess, noting that the Washington has not even utilized 10 percent of its naval capabilities.
"We'd like to say publicly that Iran, you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don't have a navy or real domain awareness. You can't control anything."
He said that threatening to shoot missiles and drones at commercial ships translates to "terrorism" and piracy. "That is not control."
He added that the United States Navy controls the traffic going in and out of the Strait "because we have real assets and capabilities." We're doing this blockade with less than 10 percent of America's naval power. We have a long track record of dealing with pirates and terrorists."

Ceasefire Negotiations and Future Options​

Pete Hegseth hinted towards ceasefire negotiations as the alternative way out and gave a message to the Iranian leadership regarding the ceasefire negotiations, underlining that the US would continue to maintain the blockade and destroy infrastructure in the country lest "Iran chooses poorly."
"As our negotiators have said, you, Iran, could choose a prosperous future, a golden bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran. In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade AND bombs dropping on power, energy, and infrastructure," the war secretary said.
The remarks by US leadership come amid the background of the military adviser of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei, issuing a sharp warning against any US naval blockade efforts targeting Iran, stating the military of the Islamic Republic was ready if directly threatened by US naval assets, Iranian state media Press TV reported.
The latest briefing comes after Gen Caine and Hegseth held their last public briefing about the conflict in West Asia earlier on April 8. (ANI)

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Three Issues In Peace Deal​

The talks between the US and Iran failed in Islamabad due to disagreement on three crucial issues, including Tehran's highly enriched uranium (HEU) and its nuclear future, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel's war in Lebanon.
Iran has asserted its right to enrich uranium. However, it has been said that the level of enrichment could be negotiated.

"The right to peaceful use of nuclear energy cannot be taken away under pressure or through war," Esmaeil Baqai said, adding that "the level and type of enrichment" remain open for discussion based on Iran's needs. He dismissed some of the US demands during the Islamabad talks as "unreasonable and unrealistic".

On the Lebanon issue, US President Trump has said that Tel Aviv and Beirut will hold talks in Washington on Friday.

On the Hormuz issue, Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the United States if a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

We'll have to start dropping bombs again: Trump on Iran truce​

Source: ANI
April 18, 2026 13:38 IST
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the US prefers a negotiated settlement and expects cooperation from Iran on securing nuclear-related materials.

Key Points​

• Donald Trump warns of 'unfriendly' action if Iran deal fails.
• The US insists on securing Iran’s nuclear materials and prefers a negotiated route.
• Iran rejects any transfer of enriched uranium.
• Trump signals ceasefire may not be extended beyond April 22.
• Fresh US-Iran talks scheduled in Islamabad to break deadlock.

United States President Donald Trump has warned that Washington, DC could take aggressive steps to secure Iran's nuclear materials if a deal is not reached, while also signalling uncertainty over extending the ongoing ceasefire with Tehran

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the US prefers a negotiated settlement and expects cooperation from Iran on securing nuclear-related materials.
He added that Washington, DC may jointly remove such materials with Tehran and bring them to the United States but warned that if diplomacy fails, the US would obtain them 'in a much more unfriendly way'.
Iran rejects US proposal
Trump's remarks come as Iran firmly rejected claims that it had agreed to transfer enriched uranium.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said such material would not be handed over 'under any circumstances,' calling it as integral as Iranian territory.
At an event in Arizona, Trump reiterated that retrieving nuclear material could involve large-scale excavation carried out jointly with Iran.

Ceasefire uncertainty and military warning​

Trump also cast doubt on extending the ongoing ceasefire with Iran beyond its April 22 deadline, suggesting a tougher US stance if talks fail.
"Maybe I won't extend it… we'll have to start dropping bombs again," he said, adding that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue regardless of the ceasefire's fate.

Talks in Islamabad to break stalemate​

The developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts following over a month-long conflict between the US and Iran.
A fresh round of negotiations is expected in Islamabad on Monday, with both sides aiming to find a breakthrough after earlier talks ended without resolution.
The Pakistan-mediated discussions are seen as a key attempt to move toward a broader agreement and prevent renewed escalation in West Asia.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Trump, Iran Inch Closer And Closer To A Deal​

Ambassador M K BHADRAKUMAR

April 18, 2026 13:21 IST
Trump has said he would be present at the signing ceremony in Islamabad.
Don't be surprised if the Pakistani hosts make it a grand event in the geopolitics of the region. Trump would love that, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

IMAGE: People on motorcycles ride along a street past banners showing portraits of students killed in an American strike on a girls' school at Tajrish Square in Tehran, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Key Points​

• It is inconceivable that Israel would have laid down arms in the Lebanese operation without some sort of superhuman nudge from Trump behind closed doors.
• It is tempting to get into a rushed conclusion that Washington and Tehran are acting in tandem, but there could be a grain of truth in it.
• Sooner rather than later the US' naval blockade of Iran will become redundant.

US President Donald Trump's initiative to calm down the Lebanon conflict has brought results, as he announced a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on April 17. The ceasefire may be extended by mutual agreement if negotiations progress (external link), the US State Department reported with the concurrence of Beirut and Tel Aviv.
The agreement was reached following Trump's talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has announced his intention to invite the two leaders to the White House for 'the first substantive talks since 1983.'
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the outcome, emphasising that a ceasefire was a key goal of the US talks. Netanyahu's response is awaited; he would be figuring out his options.
Trump acted on Lebanon with an eye on his feverish attempt to intensify the negotiations with Tehran and reach a historic deal, which holds the potential to define his foreign policy legacy.
An action-reaction syndrome is involved here, as Tehran refused to participate in the negotiations with the US in Islamabad so long as the carnage continued in Lebanon and, secondly, it retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which has profound implications for the world oil market, a spike in gasoline retail price in the US in particular, and, indeed, the future of petrodollar recycling, etc.
Apart from Tehran's expression of profound concern over the suffering of the Shias of Lebanon who constitute roughly one-third of the country's population (where Muslim sects combined form a majority—about two-thirds of the population), Tehran's retaliation was more of a show of 'symbiotic oneness' with Hezbollah, the core of the axis of resistance, which had only recently rushed to open a 'second front' even as the US-Israel attack on Iran erupted.

IMAGE: Civil defence personnel lower the body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, into her temporary grave during her burial after she was killed in an Israeli strike a day before in Tyre, which also wounded her two sisters, at a temporary graveyard in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. The family was displaced from the village of Bazouriye. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
It is inconceivable that Israel would have laid down arms in the Lebanese operation without some sort of superhuman nudge from Trump behind closed doors. Equally, Beirut had previously effectively refused direct contact with Israel.
According to CNN, President Aoun informed the American and Israeli sides that he did not intend to participate in negotiations with Netanyahu until a lasting ceasefire and a halt to hostilities with Hezbollah were achieved first—putting the cart before the horse, as it were. Trump has now got the order changed; the cart is leading the horse.
Thus, consultations between Israeli and Lebanese representatives held in Washington this week failed to produce a breakthrough, as Israel refused to commit to withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, which Beirut had insisted upon alongside its demand for a ceasefire as a precondition for any substantive negotiations.
Following Trump's personal intervention, Aoun now calls the ceasefire a 'natural starting point' for initiating direct dialogue.

IMAGE: Israeli tanks operate in Lebanon, near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in northern Israel, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters
In Israel too, Netanyahu's cabinet was literally forced to consider Trump's position on de-escalation. The primary objective in the military operations is disarming the Hezbollah movement, which remains unfinished business.
However, Netanyahu, while caving in to Trump's pressure, is insisting that Israeli forces would maintain a presence in their positions in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire.
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu is 'stunned and alarmed' (external link) by a social media post by Trump no sooner than the ceasefire came into effect, asserting, 'Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!'
Trump doubled down in an interview later, saying, 'Israel has to stop. They can't continue to blow buildings up. I am not going to allow it.'
Similarly, at the other end of the spectrum, while Hezbollah earlier point-blank rejected any form of direct negotiations with Israel, Tehran (and the Houthis and Palestinian groups) has positively reacted to the ceasefire (external link) development in a reciprocal announcement yesterday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to traffic.

IMAGE: A cleric walks near a residential building damaged by a strike on March 4, in Tehran, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al Sudani/Reuters
It is tempting to get into a rushed conclusion that Washington and Tehran are acting in tandem, but there could be a grain of truth in it.
The point is, the 10-point proposal forwarded by Iran for US-Iran negotiations (which Trump accepted as a 'workable basis on which to negotiate and the main framework' for talks with Tehran) had identified cessation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon as an indivisible part of termination of the cycle of unprovoked aggression and retaliatory strikes across the region.
Equally, in a significant move, Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Tehran on Wednesday held talks with the commander of the IRGC, which is in charge of the Strait of Hormuz issue.
Interestingly, prior to Trump's announcement concerning Lebanon, Iran Majlis Speaker Qalibaf wrote in a post on X the official line that emergence of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon would be down to 'the persistent struggle put up by Hezbollah and other members of the regional Axis of Resistance.'
Qalibaf implicitly drew Hezbollah into the orbit (external link) of the ceasefire in Lebanon!
Trump's ecstatic response speaks for itself as he wrote on a Truth Social post: 'Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the world!'
In the same breath, he also expressed his profound gratitude to Pakistan: 'Thank you to Pakistan and its Great Prime Minister and Field Marshal, two fantastic people!!!'
A few hours later, Trump took note of China's role: President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, historic. I looked forward to being with President Xi. Much will be accomplished!'
And he added in another follow-up post, 'A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!'
The bottom line is, the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are easing, and the fog of war is lifting over Hormuz (external link) for the US-Iran deal. Sooner rather than later the US' naval blockade of Iran will become redundant.
Trump has said he would be present at the signing ceremony in Islamabad. If so, Trump may meet Qalibaf signalling a historic US-Iranian détente. Don't be surprised if the Pakistani hosts make it a grand event in the geopolitics of the region. Trump would love that.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Iranian forces open fire in Strait of Hormuz; Indian vessels turn back​

April 18, 2026 18:12 IST
Amid rising tensions, Iran's reimposition of restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, including firing on tankers and turning back Indian vessels, raises critical concerns about global energy supplies and maritime security, especially for India.

IMAGE: A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman's Musandam province, on April 12, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points​

• Iran has reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil route.
• Iranian forces opened fire on a tanker, escalating tensions in the region.
• Two Indian ships, including a supertanker carrying Iraqi crude oil, were forced to turn back.
• The restrictions raise concerns about energy supplies, particularly for India, which relies heavily on oil shipments through the strait.
• Iran's Supreme Leader issued a defiant warning, praising recent drone strikes.

Iran has reimposed restrictions on the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, with its forces opening fire on a passing tanker and forcing at least two Indian vessels to reverse course, escalating tensions in the region and raising concerns over energy supplies.
Heightened Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), two gunboats of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on a tanker transiting the strait.

The vessel and its crew were reported safe, though its identity and destination were not disclosed.
The incident comes as Iran tightened control over the key global oil route in response to a US blockade on its shipping and ports. During the ongoing conflict, Tehran has allowed only authorised vessels to pass through the narrow channel.

Impact on Indian Vessels and Oil Shipments​

Amid the heightened tensions, a vessel-tracking service said two Indian ships, including an Indian-flagged supertanker carrying about 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil, were forced to turn back after reports of gunfire in the area.
The developments mark a fresh escalation in the region, where disruptions to maritime traffic have persisted for weeks.
The situation holds particular significance for India, which relies heavily on crude oil shipments routed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Defiant Stance​

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a defiant warning, saying the country’s 'valiant navy' was ready to inflict 'new bitter defeats' on its enemies.
In a message marking the anniversary of the establishment of Iran’s army, he praised Iran’s drone strikes targeting Israel and US interests across the region during the conflict, underscoring Tehran’s hardened stance amid the ongoing crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for global oil transportation, and any disruption can significantly impact crude oil prices. India imports a substantial portion of its crude oil through this route, making it particularly vulnerable to these restrictions.
The Indian government will likely engage in diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe passage of its vessels and secure its energy supplies.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

India summons Iranian envoy after Hormuz firing incident​

Source: PTI - April 18, 2026 23:48 IST
India has summoned the Iranian envoy to lodge a strong protest after Iranian Revolutionary Guards fired upon Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about maritime security.

IMAGE: Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, on April 18, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points​

• India summoned the Iranian envoy to protest the firing incident in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Two Indian vessels had to reverse course due to the actions of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
• Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, alleging US violations of agreements.
• India emphasises the importance of safe and unimpeded maritime transit.

Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil reversed course in the Strait of Hormuz after coming under Iranian military gunfire on Saturday, prompting New Delhi to summon the Iranian envoy and lodge a strong protest.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed to Iranian ambassador Mohammad Fathali India's 'deep concern' at the 'shooting incident' involving the two ships in the strategic waterway, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
Misri noted the 'importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India,' it said.
After the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran six weeks ago, Tehran largely halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz that carries one-fifth of global oil supplies.
The Iranian action has triggered a significant rise in oil prices.
Tensions Escalate in Strait of Hormuz
Following Tehran's announcement Friday that it has opened the waterway for commercial traffic, several commercial vessels tried to cross it.
However, Tehran on Saturday said that it has again closed the waterway, alleging that the United States violated a certain understanding reached between the two sides.
In his meeting with the Iranian envoy, the foreign secretary told him to convey India's views on the incident to the authorities in Iran.
'Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, the foreign secretary urged the ambassador to convey India's views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait,' the MEA said in a statement.
It said the ambassador, Fathali, 'undertook to convey these views to the Iranian authorities.'

Impact on Indian Vessels​

Earlier, government sources said the Iranian ambassador was summoned to the MEA, and a strong protest was lodged with him over the firing incident.
Vessel tracker TankerTrackers.com earlier reported that two Indian vessels had to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following the incident of gunfire from Iran's Revolutionary Guards.
Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underlined India's strong commitment to 'safe and unimpeded' transit passage of maritime shipping, even as he emphasized that attacks on merchant shipping are 'completely unacceptable.'
Jaishankar made the remarks while participating in an online meeting convened by Japan to discuss supply chain disruptions in the energy markets.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Trump, Iran Inch Closer And Closer To A Deal​

Ambassador M K BHADRAKUMAR

April 18, 2026 13:21 IST
Trump has said he would be present at the signing ceremony in Islamabad.
Don't be surprised if the Pakistani hosts make it a grand event in the geopolitics of the region. Trump would love that, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

IMAGE: People on motorcycles ride along a street past banners showing portraits of students killed in an American strike on a girls' school at Tajrish Square in Tehran, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters

Key Points​

• It is inconceivable that Israel would have laid down arms in the Lebanese operation without some sort of superhuman nudge from Trump behind closed doors.
• It is tempting to get into a rushed conclusion that Washington and Tehran are acting in tandem, but there could be a grain of truth in it.
• Sooner rather than later the US' naval blockade of Iran will become redundant.

US President Donald Trump's initiative to calm down the Lebanon conflict has brought results as he announced a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah that took effect on April 17. The ceasefire may be extended by mutual agreement if negotiations progress (external link), the US State Department reported with the concurrence of Beirut and Tel Aviv.
The agreement was reached following Trump's talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has announced his intention to invite the two leaders to the White House for 'the first substantive talks since 1983.'
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the outcome, emphasising that a ceasefire was a key goal of the US talks. Netanyahu's response is awaited; he would be figuring out his options.
Trump acted on Lebanon with an eye on his feverish attempt to intensify the negotiations with Tehran and reach a historic deal, which holds the potential to define his foreign policy legacy.
An action-reaction syndrome is involved here, as Tehran refused to participate in the negotiations with the US in Islamabad so long as the carnage continued in Lebanon and, secondly, it retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which has profound implications for the world oil market, a spike in gasoline retail price in the US in particular, and, indeed, the future of petrodollar recycling, etc.
Apart from Tehran's expression of profound concern over the suffering of the Shias of Lebanon, who constitute roughly one-third of the country's population (where Muslim sects combined form a majority—about two-thirds of the population), Tehran's retaliation was more of a show of 'symbiotic oneness' with Hezbollah, the core of the axis of resistance, which had only recently rushed to open a 'second front' even as the US-Israel attack on Iran erupted.

IMAGE: Civil defence personnel lower the body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, into her temporary grave during her burial after she was killed in an Israeli strike a day before in Tyre, which also wounded her two sisters, at a temporary graveyard in Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. The family was displaced from the village of Bazouriye. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
It is inconceivable that Israel would have laid down arms in the Lebanese operation without some sort of superhuman nudge from Trump behind closed doors. Equally, Beirut had previously effectively refused direct contact with Israel.
According to CNN, President Aoun informed the American and Israeli sides that he did not intend to participate in negotiations with Netanyahu until a lasting ceasefire and a halt to hostilities with Hezbollah were achieved first—putting the cart before the horse, as it were. Trump has now got the order changed; the cart is leading the horse.
Thus, consultations between Israeli and Lebanese representatives held in Washington this week failed to produce a breakthrough, as Israel refused to commit to withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon, which Beirut had insisted upon alongside its demand for a ceasefire as a precondition for any substantive negotiations.
Following Trump's personal intervention, Aoun now calls the ceasefire a 'natural starting point' for initiating direct dialogue.

IMAGE: Israeli tanks operate in Lebanon, near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in northern Israel, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters
In Israel too, Netanyahu's cabinet was literally forced to consider Trump's position on de-escalation. The primary objective in the military operations is disarming the Hezbollah movement, which remains unfinished business.
However, Netanyahu, while caving in to Trump's pressure, is insisting that Israeli forces would maintain a presence in their positions in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire.
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu is 'stunned and alarmed' (external link) by a social media post by Trump no sooner than the ceasefire came into effect, asserting, 'Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are PROHIBITED from doing so by the U.S.A. Enough is enough!!!'
Trump doubled down in an interview later saying, 'Israel has to stop. They can't continue to blow buildings up. I am not going to allow it.'
Similarly, at the other end of the spectrum, while Hezbollah earlier point-blank rejected any form of direct negotiations with Israel, Tehran (and the Houthis and Palestinian groups) has positively reacted to the ceasefire (external link) development in a reciprocal announcement yesterday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to traffic.

IMAGE: A cleric walks near a residential building damaged by a strike on March 4, in Tehran, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Thaier Al Sudani/Reuters
It is tempting to get into a rushed conclusion that Washington and Tehran are acting in tandem, but there could be a grain of truth in it.
The point is, the 10-point proposal forwarded by Iran for US-Iran negotiations (which Trump accepted as a 'workable basis on which to negotiate and the main framework' for talks with Tehran) had identified cessation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon as an indivisible part of termination of the cycle of unprovoked aggression and retaliatory strikes across the region.
Equally, in a significant move, Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Tehran on Wednesday held talks with the commander of the IRGC, which is in charge of the Strait of Hormuz issue.
Interestingly, prior to Trump's announcement concerning Lebanon, Iran Majlis Speaker Qalibaf wrote in a post on X the official line that emergence of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon would be down to 'the persistent struggle put up by Hezbollah and other members of the regional Axis of Resistance.'
Qalibaf implicitly drew Hezbollah into the orbit (external link) of the ceasefire in Lebanon!
Trump's ecstatic response speaks for itself as he wrote on Truth Social post: 'Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the world!'
In the same breath, he also expressed his profound gratitude to Pakistan: 'Thank you to Pakistan and its Great Prime Minister and Field Marshal, two fantastic people!!!'
A few hours later, Trump took note of China's role: President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, historic. I looked forward to being with President Xi. Much will be accomplished!'
And he added in another follow-up post, 'A GREAT AND BRILLIANT DAY FOR THE WORLD!'
The bottom line is, the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are easing, and the fog of war is lifting over Hormuz (external link) for the US-Iran deal. Sooner rather than later the US' naval blockade of Iran will become redundant.
Trump has said he would be present at the signing ceremony in Islamabad. If so, Trump may meet Qalibaf signalling a historic US-Iranian détente. Don't be surprised if the Pakistani hosts make it a grand event in the geopolitics of the region. Trump would love that.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Iran fires on Indian-flagged supertanker in Strait of Hormuz; negotiations with the US are ‘far from final.' On Friday, Iran had announced that the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial shipping, following a ceasefire agreement linked to the Israel–Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon.​

19 Apr 2026, 08:56:36 AM IST

Iran US War LIVE: Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 18, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer REFILE—QUALITY REPEAT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (REUTERS)
Iran-US War LIVE: Iran has said that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States ends its naval blockade of Iranian ports. A senior official also cautioned that reaching a final peace agreement is still a distant prospect, AFP reported.

Iran US War LIVE: What happened in the last few hours?​

1. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that two gunboats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps opened fire on a tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker and its crew were later confirmed to be safe, though the vessel and its destination were not disclosed, AP reported. Separately, TankerTrackers.com stated that several ships, including an Indian-flagged supertanker, were forced to turn back in the strait after coming under fire from Iranian forces.
2. One of the vessels attacked was identified as the Sanmar Herald, an Indian government source told Reuters.
3. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaking in a televised address, said that while there has been some progress in discussions with the United States, significant gaps remain and several core issues are still unresolved, indicating that negotiations are far from a breakthrough. "We are still far from the final discussion," said Ghalibaf, one of Tehran's negotiators in the talks aimed at ending the war launched by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic.
4. US President Donald Trump said, meanwhile, that "very good conversations" were going on with Iran but warned Tehran against trying to "blackmail" the United States.
5. "Hezbollah denies any connection to the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh-Bint Jbeil area and calls for caution in making judgments and assigning responsibilities regarding the incident pending the Lebanese army's investigations to determine the full circumstances of the incident," the group said.
6. Brent crude dropped 9% on Friday to around $90 a barrel, wiping out most of the gains it posted since the onset of the war. Diesel prices in the US and Europe were also lower, Bloomberg reported.

19 Apr 2026, 08:56:36 AM IST

Iran fires on ships in Strait of Hormuz​

Two gunboats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. It reported the tanker and crew as safe, without identifying the vessel or its destination.
TankerTrackers.com reported vessels were forced to turn around in the strait, including an Indian-flagged supertanker, after they were fired on by Iran.
19 Apr 2026, 08:30:53 AM IST

'Unconditional transit' in Hormuz is ''fiction'—Iran slams EU​

Iran strongly criticized the European Union's stance on transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of double standards and "hypocrisy" on international law.
"Oh, that 'international law'?! The one that the EU dusts off to lecture others while quietly green-lighting a U.S.-Israeli war of aggression—and looking the other way on atrocities against Iranians?! Spare the sermons; Europe's chronic failure to practice what it preaches has turned its 'international law' talk into peak hypocrisy," Baghaei said.

19 Apr 2026, 08:08:31 AM IST

Trump calls Israel ‘great ally of the US’​

US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social, "whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America. They are courageous, bold, loyal, and smart and, unlike others that have shown their true colours in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard, and knows how to win"
19 Apr 2026, 08:03:19 AM IST

Death toll in Iran​

Iran's state-run Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying Saturday that the war with the United States and Israel had killed 3,468 people in the Islamic republic.
19 Apr 2026, 08:01:57 AM IST

Trump warns against 'blackmail'​

US President Donald Trump warned Iran not to "blackmail" Washington with the fate of the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran declared the strategic waterway once again closed.
"We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again—you know, as they've been doing for years—and they can't blackmail us," Trump said at a White House event.

19 Apr 2026, 08:01:32 AM IST

Iran navy issues warning​

"We warn that no ship, of any kind, should leave its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Any attempt to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the offending vessel will be targeted," the navy of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement on its official Sepah News website.
19 Apr 2026, 07:55:57 AM IST

Iran says negotiations far from final​

Progress had been made in negotiations with the United States to end the war, Iran's parliamentary speaker said on Saturday night, but added the sides were still far from an agreement.
"We are still far from the final discussion," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also one of Iran's negotiators, said in a national televised address, adding, "We made progress in the negotiations, but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain”. (AFP)
LPG cylinder price on 19 April: Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exacerbated India's gas supply issues as it relies heavily on imports from the region. Check domestic and commercial LPG rates in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities
19 Apr 2026, 08:09 AM IST

Jammu residents were seen waiting outside a shop with their empty cylinders amid the supply crisis due to ongoing Middle East conflict.(PTI)

LPG cylinder price today, 19 April: The impact of volatility in global oil prices trickled down to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder rates across India. Last month, 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder prices witnessed a ₹60 price hike, while a ₹144.5 price surge was seen in 19 kg commercial cooking gas.
Since state-run oil companies—Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum—determine LPG prices in India, which are revised on a monthly basis, a second round of LPG commercial cooking gas price revisions took place this month. The price of 19 kg commercial cooking gas increased by ₹195, and that of a 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinder by ₹51 to ₹549 per refill. These prices are market determined, while the government cushioned prices of domestic LPG cylinders, petrol, and diesel to control inflation.

At the same time, aviation fuel continues to reflect price volatility caused by the disruption in the energy supply chain due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Tehran says negotiations with the US are ‘far from final discussion.'
As the Centre encourages Piped Natural Gas (PNG) use where available and pushes for its infrastructure development and expansion, check city-wise updated domestic and commercial LPG prices on 19 April.

City-wise updated domestic and commercial LPG prices on 19 April​

Thiruvananthapuram	₹922.00 ( 0.00 )	₹2,112.00 ( +200.00 )
Patna	₹1,002.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,353.50 ( +220.00 )
Lucknow	₹950.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,201.00 ( +194.00 )
Jaipur	₹916.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,106.00 ( +193.00 )
Hyderabad	₹965.00 ( 0.00 )	₹2,320.50 ( +215.00 )
Chandigarh	₹922.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,099.50 ( +195.00 )
Bhubaneswar	₹939.00 ( 0.00 )	₹2,245.00 ( +216.00 )
Bengaluru	₹915.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,161.00 ( +203.00 )
Noida	₹910.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,078.50 ( +194.00 )
Gurugram	₹921.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,096.50 ( +195.00 )
Chennai	₹928.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,246.50 ( +203.00 )
Mumbai	₹912.50 ( 0.00 )	₹2,031.00 ( +195.00 )
Kolkata	₹939.00 ( 0.00 )	₹2,208.50 ( +220.00 )
New Delhi	₹913.00 ( 0.00 )	₹2,078.50 ( +194.00 )
City	Domestic (14.2 Kg)	Commercial (19 Kg)

India summons Iran after IRGC deters India-bound ships from Strait of Hormuz access​

India has been grappling with a gas crunch since the war in the Middle East began on 28 February. On Saturday, India summoned the Iranian ambassador, protesting over a "shooting incident" involving two India-bound ships that attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Notably, India imports around 60% of its LPG needs, and out of these imports, about 90% navigate through this strategic waterway, from which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas exports take place.

North Korea launched ballistic missiles toward waters off its east coast, authorities in South Korea and Japan said.​

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

'Hormuz is still closed': Iranian embassy mocks Trump as 'idiot'​

Source: ANI
April 19, 2026 13:12 IST
The diplomatic row erupted following the circulation of a video purportedly capturing radio communications from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy.

IMAGE: Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 18, 2026. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters
The Iranian embassy in South Africa has launched a biting social media attack on US President Donald Trump, using a viral maritime audio clip to label him an "idiot".
The diplomatic row erupted following the circulation of a video purportedly capturing radio communications from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy.

Key Points​

• Talking to X, the embassy stated, "You idiot, he meant your idiot president, Trump. Just google "idiot"—you'll understand who it is."
• The underlying audio, attributed to the IRGC Navy, issued a stern warning to all vessels attempting to navigate the strategic Strait of Hormuz
• Tehran claims this blockade is a direct "violation of the conditions of the ongoing ceasefire."

In the recording, a voice is heard using the term "idiot," a remark that some social media accounts claimed was directed at Iran's own foreign minister.
However, the Iranian mission in Pretoria moved quickly to dismiss these claims, asserting that the insult was intended for the American president. Taking to X, the embassy stated, "You idiot, he meant your idiot president, Trump. Just google "idiot"—you'll understand who it is."
The underlying audio, attributed to the IRGC Navy, issued a stern warning to all vessels attempting to navigate the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The radio message, broadcast on maritime Channel 16, declared that the waterway remains under Tehran's strict control.
"This is Iranian Sepah Navy calling on channel 16; the Strait of Hormuz is still closed, we will open it by the order of our Imam Khamenei, not by the tweets of some idiot," the radio communication announced.

The broadcast further warned of military consequences for any ships defying the closure. "If you want to pass through the Strait, you must ask for the permission from the Iranian Sepah navy. All vessels that have a connection with our enemies will be targeted if they try to pass the Strait of Hormuz," the message added.
Providing further context to this escalation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has officially announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian state media outlet Press TV, the move follows the United States' decision to uphold a blockade of Iranian ports.
Tehran claims this blockade is a direct "violation of the conditions of the ongoing ceasefire." In a formal communication issued on Saturday, the IRGC Navy clarified that, following the initial ceasefire declaration, the Islamic Republic had opted to permit the passage of non-military ships through the vital waterway via a "specific corridor designated by Tehran."
However, this policy has been abruptly rescinded due to perceived American aggression. "Due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions, and as the American adversary has not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed as of this evening until this blockade is removed," the Corps stated.
Press TV noted that the move marks a significant escalation in the maritime standoff between the two nations.
Following this closure, the IRGC issued a stern directive to all maritime traffic in the region, warning that no ship should attempt to leave its "anchorage in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman" to navigate towards the waterway.
The IRGC further cautioned that any such maritime activity would be viewed as "cooperation with the enemy, and the violating vessel will be targeted", according to the statement.
This warning places international shipping on high alert as the IRGC asserts total control over the region's primary energy transit route.
Reiterating its command over the area, the statement insisted that the IRGC's Navy is the "only official authority" regarding the management and regulations of the waterway.
The Iranian military also dismissed recent rhetoric from Washington, declaring that "statements made by the terrorist US president regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have no validity."
The strategic importance of the "Strait of Hormuz" remains a focal point of international concern, as it serves as one of the most vital conduits for the global oil trade.
Any operational interference within this waterway carries instant consequences for international energy distribution and the stability of maritime logistics.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Iran violated ceasefire, says Trump; warns of response​

Sun, 19 April 2026
17:59
Donald Trump on Sunday accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by opening fire in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that vessels linked to France
and the United Kingdom were targeted.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said US representatives would travel to Islamabad for talks, even as tensions remained high.

He alleged that Iran's actions had effectively reinforced a US blockade of the key shipping route, adding that Tehran stood to suffer major economic losses.

"Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz—a total violation of our ceasefire agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French ship and a freighter from the United Kingdom. That wasn't nice, was it? My representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan—They will be there tomorrow evening for negotiations. Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait, which is strange, because our BLOCKADE has already closed it," he said in the post.

Trump also warned of severe consequences if negotiations fail, saying the United States could target critical infrastructure in Iran.

He urged Tehran to accept what he described as a "fair and reasonable" deal.

"The United States loses nothing. In fact, many Ships are headed, right now, to the U.S., Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska to load up, compliments of the IRGC, always wanting to be "the tough guy!" 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," he said.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

'This War Can Easily Go On For Months Longer'​

April 20, 2026 07:46 IST
'Iran cannot trust the USA because it considers the USA to be Israel-controlled. And no, the IRGC is not going to accept anything else but major US concessions.'

IMAGE: An anti-US mural on a street in Tehran, April 12, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Key Points​

• Trump has no own goals for this war. Nor for Iran. Except for enriching himself/his clan, privately, of course.'
• 'Every time one of Trump's ultimatums is about to expire, two things happen: Israel launches yet another (or several) provocations, and Trump then extends the ultimatum.'

As we enter the final days of the two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran that has halted a war that began on February 28, Washington and Tehran remain poles apart on what they view as a comprehensive agreement.
Will the ceasefire continue? Will the peace talks between Iran and the United States resume after they failed in Islamabad last week?
Tom Cooper, an Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian who writes on small, little-known air forces and conflicts and is a specialist in Middle Eastern air forces and those in Africa and Asia, tells Rediff's Swarupa Dutt that with protagonists like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the world cannot be sure whether a nuclear threat is simply a threat.
"Iran is not fighting as a conventional military power but as a guerrilla force (just with missiles and UAVs). This means that an entirely different set of rules is valid for this war. Through this kind of warfare, the IRGC regime is making the cost of war so astronomically high that the USA and its Gulf Arab allies cannot sustain it," Mr. Cooper says in the concluding part of a two-part interview.

Part 1 of the Interview: 'Netanyahu Has Infiltrated Trump's Cabinet'

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said it remains 'not clear' what further objectives need to be achieved in Iran, following claims by US President Donald Trump that Tehran's military capabilities have been significantly degraded.
What is Trump's aim/goal in this war?
Trump has no own goals for this war. Nor for Iran. Except for enriching himself/his clan, privately, of course.
Is the Israel goal for Iran the same as it is for Gaza? Complete annihilation, genocide and occupation of land and expansionism?
At least something similar like breaking up Iran into ungovernable statelets that are easy to control.
Trump says the war will end in 2-3 weeks. What does that mean militarily? Could you outline the possible scenario in a behind-the-lines strategy? Is this war a drone war or a naval battle or an aerial war?
I'm never making any kind of predictions. I can only add that every time one of Trump's ultimatums is about to expire, two things happen: Israel launches yet another (or several) provocations, and Trump then extends the ultimatum.

IMAGE: An Israeli Apache helicopter releases flares as it flies over Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, April 12, 2026. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters
Iran has been heavily bombed. Do you think they have enough military capabilities to turn the tide in their favour?
They have released images of hundreds of drones in their {censored}nal, but beyond drones, what is it they have that could be a game changer?
In a military sense, Iran cannot 'defeat' the US-Israel-UAE coalition. However, Iran is not even trying to do so.
It is not fighting as a conventional military power but as a guerrilla force (just with missiles and UAVs). This means that an entirely different set of rules is valid for this war. The principle between these is: As long as Iran is fighting, it's winning (because any guerrilla is winning as long as it's around and fighting).
Through this kind of warfare, the IRGC regime is making the cost of war so astronomically high that the USA and its Gulf Arab allies cannot sustain it.
Iran can do so because the US-Israel-UAE alliance has proven incapable of destroying its major underground military facilities. These are housing thousands of ballistic missiles and attack drones. As long as these are intact, Iran can clear the rubble at the entrances to such facilities, pull out missiles and attack-UAVs, and continue striking selected targets.

IMAGE: An Israeli soldier rides on a military vehicle near the Israel-Lebanon border, on the Israeli side of the border in northern Israel, April 14, 2026. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters

'Complete destruction of Kharg from the air is next to impossible.'​

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid recently said that destroying the Kharg terminal would 'cripple Iran's economy and topple the regime.' But can that only be done if the US sends in troops?
Israel has said it won't be sending troops. Can Kharg Island simply be bombed out of existence without ground troops?
A complete destruction of Kharg from the air is next to impossible because the facilities there are much too massive.
Thus, yes: That would require 'boots on the ground.'
There is no way Israel would ever agree to send its own troops there—as long as there is a US president around whom the Israelis can convince to do so with US troops.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hinted at the potential for significant disruption and questioned the extent of the world's reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
Is Iran looking at controlling Bab el-Mandab with the Houthis?
Iran is not looking to do so, but can exercise asymmetric control over the Bab el-Mandeb through the Houthis.

IMAGE: An anti-US billboard on a building in Tehran, April 12, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters
And therefore is the US and Israel looking at controlling the Hormuz Strait and the Bab al-Mandab strait?
Not really to control either, but to have the right of free passage there.

'USA failed to force Israel to sign the NPT.'​

Israel is nuclear ambiguous or opaque. It is the only country in the Middle East that is believed to have nuclear weapons and in fact is a non-party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
How was this allowed to happen? And is it fair to the Middle East nations?
Of course it's unfair. It happened with near-open support of the USA and France (plus some help by other countries, including Great Britain, South Africa, etc.) back in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
In the late 1960s, the USA also failed to force Israel to sign the NPT.
And yes, Israel has a undeclared nuclear {censored}nal—as revealed by photographs and documentation published by Mordechai Vanunu, in 1986.

IMAGE: A UN convoy rides through Tyre, south Lebanon, April 15, 2026. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
War-ceasefire-negotiation-war has been the US stance vis-à-vis Iran since June last year. How can Iran ensure peace without agreeing to the debilitating and humiliating 15-point guarantees that the US has asked for?
And if it does agree to Trump's guarantees, will that work towards the building of a new Iran like the Versailles Treaty did for Germany?
Iran cannot trust the USA because it considers the USA to be Israel-controlled. And no, the IRGC is not going to accept anything else but major US concessions.
When do you hazard a guess that the war will end?
With this affair involving four narcissistic and extremist dictatorships, this can easily go on for months longer.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Drones fired at warship, US troops retreat, claims Iran​

Source: ANI
April 20, 2026 10:37 IST
Escalating tensions between Iran and the US in the Sea of Oman raise concerns over maritime security and potential disruptions to global shipping routes.

IMAGE: A helicopter carries US marines from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli at an unknown location, in what the US Central Command (CENTCOM) says is an operation to board and seize Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on April 20, 2026. Photograph: US Central Command via X/Handout via Reuters

Key Points​

• Iranian forces reportedly launched drones towards US warships after an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman.
• The IRGC claims US forces retreated after firing at an Iranian merchant vessel, alleging the US tried to force the ship back into Iranian waters.
• Iran accuses the US of violating a ceasefire and committing maritime piracy, threatening retaliation.
• The US claims it intercepted and disabled an Iranian-flagged vessel, alleging it violated a naval blockade.
• The Strait of Hormuz has reportedly been closed by Iran due to the US allegedly continuing its naval blockade.

Iranian forces launched drones towards United States warships following an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian media.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed that US forces stationed in the Sea of Oman were forced to retreat after firing at an Iranian merchant vessel, Press TV reported.
Citing Mehr news agency, Press TV reported that US forces operating in the region targeted an Iranian merchant ship in an attempt to compel it to return to Iranian territorial waters.
According to the report, the incident took place amid heightened maritime tensions involving the Strait of Hormuz and movement of international shipping vessels.

Rising Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz​

It added that the US move was linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the return of Indian and British merchant ships, as well as control measures carried out by the IRGC.
However, it emphasised that American forces were forced to retreat following the 'timely presence and rapid response' of IRGC naval units in support of the Iranian vessel, as per Press TV.
The report further claimed that the United States had announced a naval blockade on Iran after failing to achieve its military objectives in what it described as a joint military campaign with Israel that began in late February.

US Naval Blockade and Iranian Response​

It said the blockade was imposed in response to Iran's restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.
Iran had briefly eased restrictions on non-hostile commercial shipping on Friday amid efforts to de-escalate tensions, according to the report.
However, the IRGC Navy said in a statement on Saturday that Iran had closed the Strait of Hormuz after the United States allegedly continued its blockade on Iranian ports in violation of a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 8.
"However, due to the violation of the ceasefire conditions, and as the American adversary has not lifted the naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed as of this evening until this blockade is removed," the IRGC said.

Accusations and Counter-Accusations​

Earlier on Sunday, Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian Armed Forces intercepted two oil tankers sailing under the flags of Botswana and Angola in the Strait of Hormuz and turned them back.
The developments come amid further escalation following Iran's confirmation that a US operation targeted an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman.
Iran's Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters accused Washington of "violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy" and said the vessel had been seized.
"We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military," it said.

Conflicting Claims Over Maritime Security​

The statement followed claims by US Central Command (CENTCOM) that American forces intercepted and disabled the Iranian-flagged vessel TOUSKA in the Arabian Sea after it allegedly violated a naval blockade.
CENTCOM said the USS Spruance fired several rounds into the vessel's engine room after repeated warnings were ignored, and later boarded it, placing it under US custody. President Donald Trump also claimed the vessel had been taken into 'full custody'.
The situation has further intensified tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides trading accusations over maritime security, ceasefire violations and control of critical shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane for global oil supplies, and any disruption could impact energy prices worldwide.
India relies heavily on oil imports from the Middle East, making it particularly vulnerable to these geopolitical tensions.
The Indian Navy maintains a presence in the region to safeguard its maritime interests.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

US seizes Iranian ship trying to breach naval blockade near Strait of Hormuz​

Source: PTI
April 20, 2026 08:57 IST
The US Navy has seized an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions and raising concerns about the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

IMAGE: A view of Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska as USS Spruance (DDG 111) conducts its interception in a location given as the North Arabian Sea, in this screen capture from a video released April 19, 2026. Photograph: CENTCOM/Handout via Reuters

Key Points​

• US Navy seizes Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman for violating the naval blockade.
• Hours later, Iran rejected participation in the second round of talks in Islamabad.
• Iran insists the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to traffic while the US blockade is in effect.
• The US blockade of Iranian ports is causing a global energy crisis, disrupting oil and humanitarian supplies.
• Trump threatens to destroy Iranian infrastructure if Iran does not agree to a US-proposed deal.

President Donald Trump said the United States forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to get around a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the first such interception since the blockade of Iranian ports began last week.
Trump on social media said the ship was warned by a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman to stop, but it did not.
He said the Navy 'stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room' and that US Marines had custody of the vessel, named Touska, and were 'seeing what's on board!'

Iran Confirms Seizure​

Iran's Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters confirmed the US attack on the Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, according to a statement carried by the state news agency Tasnim.
'The aggressive America, by violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy, attacked one of Iran's commercial ships in the waters of the Sea of Oman by firing upon it and disabling its navigation system by deploying several of its terrorist marines on the deck of the mentioned vessel,' the statement said, confirming that the ship had been seized.
The statement also warned of a response from Tehran.' We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,' it added.

Vessel Failed to Comply with Warnings: CENTCOM​

Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) also said the American forces had intercepted Iranian-flagged cargo vessel, Touska, in the Arabian Sea for allegedly violating a US naval blockade.
'TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19,' CENTCOM said in a statement on X.
It said the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the vessel while it was heading towards Bandar Abbas.
'The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at 17 knots en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran. American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel that it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,' the statement read.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel failed to comply with repeated warnings.
'After Touska's crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska's propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer's 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska's engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody,' it added.
The US command said the action was carried out in a 'deliberate, professional, and proportional manner' and noted that since the blockade began, 25 commercial vessels had been directed to turn around.

Iran Rejects Second Round of Talks​

The news threw into question Trump's earlier announcement that US negotiators would head to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran.
That had raised hopes of extending a fragile ceasefire set to expire by Wednesday, even as Washington and Tehran remain in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran has has rejected claims that it has agreed to participate in the second round of peace talks.
Al Jazeera reported, citing the IRNA news agency, which criticised what it described as 'Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire'.
'The published news about the second round of negotiations in Islamabad is not true,' it said, adding that 'the news published by the United States is their media game and part of the 'blame game' to pressure Iran'.
Earlier, the White House said Vice President J D Vance, who led the first round of historic face-to-face talks over 21 hours last weekend, would lead the US delegation to Pakistan with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran on Saturday said it had received new proposals from the United States.

Strait Of Hormuz Blockade Fuels Global Energy Crisis​

Ships remain unable to transit the critical waterway amid threats from Iran and a US blockade on ships heading to and from Iranian ports. Hundreds of vessels were waiting at each end for clearance.
One of the worst global energy crises in decades threatened to deepen. Roughly one-fifth of the world's oil trade normally passes through the strait, along with critical supplies of fertiliser for the world's farmers, natural gas and humanitarian supplies for places in dire need like Afghanistan and Sudan.
Iranian officials earlier on Sunday held firm that ships would not pass while the US blockade remained in effect.
"It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot," Qalibaf said.
In his post about talks, Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by firing at ships transiting the strait. Iran has called the US blockade a violation, and foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Sunday called it an "act of aggression."
Iran had announced the strait's reopening after a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon took hold on Friday. But Iran said it would continue enforcing its restrictions there after Trump said the US blockade 'will remain in full force' until Tehran reaches a deal with the United States.
After a brief uptick in transit attempts on Saturday, Iran fired on two Indian-flagged merchant ships that were forced to turn around, leading India to summon Iran's ambassador over the 'serious incident.'
India noted that Iran earlier let several India-bound ships through.

Iran's Strategy And The Impact On The US​

For the Islamic Republic, the strait's closure -- imposed after the US and Israel launched the Iran war on February 28 during talks over Tehran's nuclear programme -- is perhaps its most powerful weapon, inflicting political pain on Trump.
For the United States, the blockade squeezes Iran's already weakened economy by denying it long-term cash flow.
The war -- now in its eighth week -- has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,290 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members throughout the region have been killed.
Since most supplies to US military bases in the Gulf region come through the strait, "Iran is determined to maintain oversight and control over traffic through the strait until the war fully ends," Iran's Supreme National Security Council said late Saturday.
That means Iran-designated routes, payment of fees and issuance of transit certificates.
The council has recently acted as Iran's de facto top decision-making body.

Diplomatic Efforts To Resolve US-Iran Standoff​

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who spoke by phone with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday, has said his country is working to 'bridge' differences between the US and Iran.
Pakistan later said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone for 45 minutes with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh on Saturday told The Associated Press that the US is 'risking the whole ceasefire package' with its blockade.
Khatibzadeh said Iran will not hand over its stock of 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium to the United States, calling the idea 'a non-starter'.
The deputy minister did not address other proposals for the enriched uranium, saying only that 'we are ready to address any concerns'.
The seizure of the Iranian ship could further complicate India's energy imports, as a significant portion of its oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
India has been trying to balance its relationship with both the US and Iran amidst increasing geopolitical tensions.
The incident may also impact ongoing discussions regarding the Chabahar port project.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Iran refuses to send delegation for peace talks in Pakistan​

Source: ANI
April 21, 2026 23:55 IST
Iran has refuted claims of sending a delegation to Pakistan for peace talks with the US, casting doubt on Pakistan's role as a mediator and highlighting the complexities of US-Iran diplomacy.

IMAGE: A police officer stands guard at a checkpoint on a road leading to Serena Hotel, the venue for a possible second phase of peace talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by Pakistan, in Islamabad, on April 21, 2026. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters

Key Points​

• Iran denies sending a delegation to Islamabad for peace talks with the United States, undermining Pakistan's mediation efforts.
• Iranian sources cite security concerns as a primary reason for not participating in the Islamabad talks.
• Pakistan's information minister admits to awaiting confirmation from Iran, revealing the uncertainty surrounding the summit.
• Discrepancies in ceasefire timelines between Pakistan and the US highlight the chaotic nature of the negotiations.
• US officials are still deliberating on the next steps, with the vice president's departure for Pakistan uncertain.

Iran has flatly denied that any delegation has traveled to Islamabad for the second round of peace talks with the United States aimed at achieving a complete halt in the hostilities in West Asia, in a major blow to Pakistan's diplomatic ambitions as mediators in the peace efforts.
According to Iranian state media, IRNA, citing diplomatic sources, no delegation from Iran has been dispatched to Islamabad 'so far,' dismissing recent reports.




The source further clarified that neither official nor unofficial information has even been received regarding Iranian involvement in the Islamabad talks, as reported by IRNA.
Significantly, the source highlighted a stinging lack of confidence in the host nation, emphasising that security considerations remain a top priority for any potential delegation--a subtle indictment of Pakistan's ability to guarantee the safety of high-level participants.

Pakistan's Diplomatic Efforts Face Setback​

This revelation from Tehran directly contradicts the narrative being pushed by the Pakistani government.
While Islamabad has attempted to portray itself as a central mediator in the West Asian crisis, Iranian officials have maintained a firm stance: Tehran will not engage in negotiations under threats.
The denial follows a series of increasingly frantic statements from Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister, Attaullah Tarar, who admitted on X that a 'formal response from the Iranian side about confirmation of a delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited'.
Despite the clear snub from Iran, Tarar attempted to maintain a facade of ongoing diplomacy, noting that Pakistan remains in "constant touch with Iranians."
However, his posts reflect a government scrambling to save face as its primary guest ignores the invitation.

Ceasefire Timeline Discrepancies Add To Confusion​

"A decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of a two-week ceasefire is critical," Tarar posted, underscoring the looming threat of failure for the summit.
The situation is further complicated by a glaring lack of coordination regarding when the ceasefire might actually end.
While Tarar, in his post, emphasized that the ceasefire expires at 4.50 am Pakistan time on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump provided a different timeline, stating the ceasefire would end on 'Wednesday evening Washington time.'
This discrepancy highlights the chaotic nature of the negotiations, with Pakistan struggling to maintain a cohesive narrative between two global adversaries.

US Deliberations Continue Amid Uncertainty​

Meanwhile, developments in Washington, DC indicate ongoing internal deliberations on the matter.
According to sources cited by CNN, it remains unclear when US Vice President J.D. Vance will depart for Pakistan, if at all.
A White House official told CNN that 'additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House in which the Vice President will participate,' suggesting that discussions on the next steps are still underway.
CNN sources further indicated that senior US officials are continuing consultations to determine the course of action ahead of the ceasefire deadline, with Vance expected to be part of those discussions.
The proposed talks in Islamabad are being closely watched amid heightened tensions and fragile diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. With no confirmation yet from Tehran and time running out on the ceasefire, the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.
Pakistan has sought to play a greater role in international diplomacy, particularly in mediating conflicts in the Middle East.
Iran's denial is a setback for these ambitions and highlights the complex relationships between regional powers.
The US has historically relied on various partners to facilitate communication and de-escalation with Iran.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Vance's departure to Islamabad is put on hold as Iran fails to respond: April 22, 2026 00:04 IST​

US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad face delay as Tehran fails to respond to American negotiating positions, raising concerns about the fragile ceasefire.

IMAGE: US Vice President J D Vance. Photograph: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters

Key Points​

• US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad are delayed due to Tehran's lack of response to US negotiating positions.
• The planned visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad has been put on hold.
• President Trump accuses Iran of violating the ceasefire and suggests a potential resumption of bombing if no deal is reached.
• US officials seek assurance that Iranian negotiators are fully empowered to reach an agreement.

United States Vice President J D Vance's visit to Islamabad, for peace talks with Iran to end the seven-week war, has been put on hold after Tehran failed to respond to American negotiating positions, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.
02
Vance was scheduled to depart Tuesday morning for Islamabad, where talks were set to resume on Wednesday -- the same day the fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran is set to expire.

Without an Iranian response, the diplomatic process is in effect paused, though the trip has not been cancelled, a US official was quoted in the New York Times report.

Conditions for Resuming Talks​

The trip could be back on at a moment's notice if Iran's negotiators respond in a way that President Donald Trump deems acceptable. US officials are also looking for a clear signal that Iran's negotiators have been fully empowered to reach an agreement, the report said.
The Washington Post attributed the delay to 'additional policy meetings' involving Vance at the White House.

Trump's Accusations and Stance​

Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire 'numerous times' in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday.
In a separate interview with CNBC, he said the United States is 'going to end up with a great deal' from the negotiations.
"I think they have no choice. We've taken out their navy, we've taken out their air force, we've taken out their leaders," Trump said.

Potential Resumption of Bombing​

When asked whether the US would resume bombing if a deal is not reached by Wednesday, Trump said that he expects to 'be bombing, because that is a better attitude to go in with'.
He added that the military is 'raring to go'.
The US and Iran do not have formal diplomatic relations; the Swiss government represents US interests in Iran.
The US has a long history of imposing sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme and support for militant groups.
These sanctions have significantly impacted Iran's economy.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Trump threatens to bomb Iran as Pakistan pushes for truce extension​

April 21, 2026 22:19 IST

Amidst fragile ceasefire, Donald Trump threatens to bomb Iran if a deal isn't reached, while Pakistan desperately urges both sides to extend the truce and pursue diplomatic solutions for regional stability.

Key Points​

• Donald Trump threatens to resume bombing Iran if no deal is reached by the ceasefire deadline.
• Pakistan urges the US and Iran to extend the ceasefire and engage in further diplomatic talks.
• Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized dialogue for regional peace and stability.
• China supports Pakistan's efforts to facilitate engagement between the US and Iran.
• Uncertainty remains, but there is hope for an extended ceasefire or a second round of talks.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to bomb Iran if they do not agree to a deal before the end of the two-week ceasefire on Wednesday, even as Pakistan urged the two sides to extend the truce and give diplomacy a chance.
Trump had indicated that his team of negotiators could reach Islamabad by Monday night for talks, while the Iranian delegation was also expected to travel to Islamabad, but so far, there was no sign of any peacemaker in Islamabad.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday evening said his country was still waiting for a formal response from Iran regarding its participation in the second round of talks with the US.
Underlining that the ceasefire ends at 4.50 am PST Wednesday, he said, "A decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the two-week ceasefire is critical."
Trump's Stance on Iran Negotiations
Trump said that if the ceasefire ends without an agreement, he is prepared to resume attacking Iran.
"I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with," he told CNBC's 'Squawk Box'.
When asked if he would extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow time for the peace talks to reach a deal to end the war, Trump said, "Well, I don't want to do that."
"They have to negotiate. And, you know, the one thing I'll say is this: Iran can get themselves on a very good footing. If they make a deal, they can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again," he added.
The President said he thinks the US is "going to end up with a great deal" with Iran to end the weeks-long war.
"I think they have no choice," Trump said when asked about his expectations from the second round of negotiations with Iran.
"We've taken out their navy, we've taken out their air force, we've taken out their leaders," he said.
"We've taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational," Trump said. "It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I've done it indirectly."

Pakistan's Diplomatic Efforts​

The first round of the US-Iran talks held on 11 and 12 April failed to produce the desired results for the parties, leading to a flurry of activities by host Pakistan to cool tempers and raise hopes for another round of dialogue.
Amidst uncertainty over the US-Iran talks, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the two sides to extend the two-week ceasefire and give diplomacy a chance.
Dar, who is also the foreign minister, met US Charge d'Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad and discussed recent regional developments.
Dar underscored Pakistan's consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability, the foreign office said in a statement.
"He stressed the need for engagement between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to consider extending the ceasefire and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance," it said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also met the envoys of the US and Iran on Tuesday and discussed matters related to the peace talks.

International Support for Dialogue​

Separately, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong called on Dar and discussed the latest regional developments, the FO said.
Jiang conveyed China's full support for and appreciation of Pakistan's continued efforts to facilitate engagement between the US and Iran for sustained peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Dar reaffirmed the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, underscored the strength of bilateral ties, and emphasized the importance of sustained high-level exchanges between the two countries.
He also held a telephonic conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the latest regional developments.
They emphasised the importance of dialogue and engagement for peace and stability and agreed to remain in close contact, according to FO.

Hopes for a Resolution​

Despite ambiguity, Trump expressed confidence that peace talks with Iran would go ahead, and he wished for an agreement to prevent further oil price rises and stock market shocks but insisted Iran cannot have the 'means to develop a nuclear weapon.'
Pakistan launched preparations on Sunday by deploying over 10,000 personnel to provide security to the foreign delegates.
Though some reports suggested that security teams from the two countries were already in the Pakistani capital to oversee preparations.
Citing three US sources, American news outlet Axios earlier reported that Vice President J D Vance is expected to depart for Islamabad by Tuesday morning for talks with Iran over a potential deal to end the war. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are likely to join Vance.
Tehran hopes to leverage its control of the Strait of Hormuz to strike a deal that averts a restart of the war, eases sanctions but does not impede its nuclear program.
The situation remains fluid amid heated rhetoric from both sides. Still, there is hope that the second round will be held or at least the ceasefire will be extended, which is ending on Wednesday.
The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was tested once again on Sunday when a US guided-missile destroyer fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship after it tried to get past the US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, further angering the Iranians.
Pakistan has historically played a role in mediating conflicts in the Middle East, leveraging its relationships with both Western and Islamic nations.
The country's efforts to facilitate US-Iran talks reflect its desire to maintain regional stability and prevent further escalation of tensions.
China's support for Pakistan's mediation efforts underscores the broader international interest in de-escalating the conflict.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

Trump announces he's extending ceasefire indefinitely​

The ceasefire announced earlier this month was set to expire on April 22. 1:45
Iran 'going to see problems' if they don't negotiate, Trump says (0:14; 1:45).

Iran 'going to see problems' if they don't negotiate, Trump says. President Donald Trump wrote on social media that the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will not be lifted until the U.S. and Iran reach a deal.
April 22, 2026, 3:41 AM IST
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government, and infrastructure sites.
Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal. On Tuesday, Trump announced he is extending the ceasefire and continuing the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."

Key Headlines​

• 1 hour and 40 minutes ago: Trump announces he's extending ceasefire with Iran
  3 hours and 16 minutes ago: White House confirms Vance not traveling to Pakistan
• Apr 21, 2026, 10:43 PM IST: Pakistan says Iran yet to confirm Islamabad talks as ceasefire deadline nears
• Apr 21, 2026, 8:57 PM IST: Trump says the US and Iran are 'going to end up with a great deal'
• Apr 21, 2026, 7:49 PM IST: Iran says no final decision on Pakistan ceasefire talks yet, blaming the US's 'contradictory messages.'

Here's how the news is developing.




1 hour and 30 minutes ago

Pakistan commends continued ceasefire​

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire "to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course."
He called on both sides to continue to observe the ceasefire and said Pakistan will "continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict."


1 hour and 40 minutes ago

White House confirms Vance not traveling to Pakistan​

According to a White House official, Vice President JD Vance won't be traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday.
"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," the official said. "Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House."
-ABC News' Emily Chang
2 hours and 17 minutes ago

Hezbollah and Israel accuse the other of violating the ceasefire.​

The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it fired rockets and drones at Israeli forces on Tuesday for the first time since a 10-day truce took effect Friday "in response to the blatant and documented violations" by Israel.
The alleged violations included "attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages in southern Lebanon," Hezbollah said in a statement.
The Israel Defense Forces said it responded by striking Hezbollah's rocket launcher.
"The launches constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement," the IDF said.


3 hours and 16 minutes ago

Trump announces he's extending ceasefire with Iran​

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he will indefinitely extend the current ceasefire with Iran and continue a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as talks continue.
Trump said in a social media post that Pakistani mediators have asked the U.S. to "hold our attack" until Iranian officials "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 continued.
This comes hours after Trump told CNBC he did not want to extend the ceasefire and threatened continued bombing. He also said Iran had no choice but to accept a deal.


12:43 AM IST

Trump administration hits some suppliers of Iranian missiles and drones with fresh sanctions​

The Trump administration is upping its efforts to target Iran's missile and drone program by slapping new sanctions on people and companies that it says are involved in supplying Iran with the key weapons.
The Treasury Department said it is “sanctioning 14 individuals, entities, and aircraft based in Iran, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their involvement in procuring or transporting weapons or weapons components on behalf of the Iranian regime."
The administration’s targeting of Iranian weapons supplies comes as the U.S. has said that Iran's military capabilities have been severely diminished following Operation Epic Fury. This effort by the U.S. is to prevent Iran from rebuilding those military programs. The Treasury Department said in a statement that Iran is "seeking to reconstitute its production capacity" for drones and missiles.
"Iran is increasingly relying on Shahed-series one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target the United States and its allies, including energy infrastructure in the region. These designations support economic fury in response to the Iranian regime’s continued threats to global security," the press release said.
The department said this new round of sanctions is authorized by a presidential memorandum signed by President Donald Trump last year, which aims to curtail Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
“The Iranian regime must be held accountable for its extortion of global energy markets and indiscriminate targeting of civilians with missiles and drones,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddar


Apr 21, 2026, 10:43 PM IST

Iran says no final decision on Pakistan ceasefire talks yet, blaming the US's 'contradictory messages.'​

No final decision has been made on whether Iran will attend the Pakistan ceasefire talks, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, said on Tuesday.
"It is not due to indecision," he added, but rather due to "contradictory messages, inconsistent behavior, and unacceptable actions by the American side," he said in a phone interview on Iranian state TV.
"From the very outset, we have faced violations of the ceasefire by the opposing side, including measures such as a naval blockade," Baqaei said, adding that Iran will pursue a diplomatic track "whenever it determines that such a path serves its national interests."
-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian


Apr 21, 2026, 8:57 PM IST

Pakistan says Iran yet to confirm Islamabad talks as ceasefire deadline nears​

Iran has not formally confirmed its participation in the Islamabad peace talks as of 10:30 a.m. ET, Pakistan's Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X on Tuesday.
With hours left before the U.S.-Iran ceasefire expires, Tarar said that Islamabad has made "sincere efforts" to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks, adding that these efforts continue.
"A decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two-week ceasefire is critical," he wrote.


Apr 21, 2026, 7:49 PM IST

Trump says the US and Iran are 'going to end up with a great deal.'​

President Donald Trump projected confidence about the likelihood that a deal between the U.S. and Iran would be reached, saying that Iran has "no choice" but to send representatives, he said in an interview with CNBC.
"They have no choice but to send them. What I think is that we're going to end up with a great deal. I think it's got I think they have no choice," Trump said.
Trump added that he believes the U.S. is "in a very strong negotiating position" and doubled down on his insistence that the U.S. won't lift the blockade until after a deal has been reached.
"The blockade has been a tremendous success," Trump said.

 

[Dalvinder Singh Grewal]

CEASEFIRE OVER? Iran Loyalists Launch Surprise Attack On Israel; Artillery Positions BOMBED | WATCH​

The Israel Defence Forces says Hezbollah launched multiple rockets at its soldiers, triggering an immediate retaliation targeting the launch site. Hezbollah has confirmed the involvement, saying the attack was a response to ceasefire violations. The Israeli army says the attack targeted its troops in southern Lebanon and confirmed it struk.