President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resume nuclear talks in exchange for lifting the U.S. naval blockade. Trump told reporters Iran should immediately open the strait, suggesting the conflict may continue past the midterm elections.
US and Iranian officials held three hours of face-to-face negotiations in New York, the first such talks since June, occurring on the same day President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly he could 'annihilate' Iran if the conflict went unresolved. Iran reportedly hardened its terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, demanding a ceasefire tied to lifting Yemen blockades and immediate release of $24 billion in frozen funds.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the Trump administration will impose sanctions on another bank this week as part of an intensified campaign to economically isolate Iran. The move follows recent sanctions on Egyptian bank branches and comes six months into an ongoing conflict with Iran amid stalled truce negotiations.
President Donald Trump stated that Iran is not prepared to make the "right deal" with Washington, as the US prepares to unveil what it describes as unprecedented economic sanctions nearly six months into an ongoing conflict. Former officials and Iran experts warn Tehran may be willing to absorb more economic pain than the administration anticipates.
President Trump announced he will rely primarily on sanctions and naval blockade rather than military strikes to pressure Iran, as negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled. Trump also demanded Iran pay compensation for decades of alleged attacks on US forces.
Iran has issued steep demands including US compensation and sanctions relief as conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to derail a potential deal with Oman despite earlier optimism. The standoff has pushed oil prices above $83 per barrel and drawn sharp responses from President Trump.
President Donald Trump told Axios the US is "only semi-negotiating" with Iran and instead watching economic pressure take effect through inflation and financial strain, as the conflict approaches six months. The shift comes as Iran issued new demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz while Trump countered by demanding Iran pay compensation for casualties.
President Donald Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey to attack Spain as a 'terrible partner,' renew demands for U.S. control of Greenland, and declare the Iran ceasefire 'over,' before surprising allies by praising the alliance's unity as he departed the meeting.
Several members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have been killed in recent attacks in Kurdish-majority western Iran, with state media attributing the violence to separatist groups and foreign actors. The violence comes as US envoys arrive in Qatar for negotiations with Iran, though the two countries have given conflicting statements about the talks' status.
Iran launched drone and missile attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain on Sunday following consecutive US airstrikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to halt all negotiations as the 121-day conflict escalates. Kuwait intercepted Iranian drones and ballistic missiles while Bahrain activated air raid sirens.
President Donald Trump accused Iran of launching at least four kamikaze drones at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, calling it a "foolish violation" of a ceasefire agreement signed last week that was intended to ensure safe passage through the waterway and initiate negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
Technical negotiations between Iran and the United States in Switzerland have concluded successfully, with both sides expressing optimism and reaching an agreement to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets. The talks, aimed at implementing a ceasefire and ending hostilities, were followed by cyber attacks on Iranian state-owned banks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed the UK to playing its "full part" in reopening the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, following a significant agreement with Iran brokered by US President Donald Trump. The announcement came during G7 meetings where Starmer and Trump met face-to-face.
President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that the U.S. would attack Iran imminently, threatening to hit power plants and bridges after accusing Tehran of stalling in peace negotiations. Trump indicated strikes could begin the same day, following what he described as previous attacks on Tuesday.
Israel and Iran engaged in direct military exchanges after Iran fired missiles at northern Israel and Israel launched airstrikes in response, marking the first direct confrontation since an April ceasefire. Iran announced a pause in strikes but threatened to resume if Israeli operations in Lebanon continue, while Netanyahu rejected any new security constraints.
Vice President JD Vance stated the U.S. is "very close" to a peace deal with Iran that could be reached within a week to months, while publicly acknowledging divergent U.S. and Israeli interests amid tensions between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The comments came as U.S. forces launched retaliatory strikes against Iran.
Iran's top negotiators arrived in Qatar on Monday as mediators work to finalize a deal with Washington to extend a fragile 60-day ceasefire. The talks continue despite threats from Iranian military officials against the American people.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the reopening of international internet access following a nearly three-month blackout imposed during conflict with the U.S. and Israel. The move comes as diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran intensify.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged modest progress in negotiations with Iran on Friday, even as Pakistan's military chief traveled to Tehran for mediation efforts. Key sticking points include Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and disputes over the Strait of Hormuz, with uncertainty remaining over whether conflict will resume.
Iran has delivered an updated proposal to end the ongoing Middle East war through Pakistani intermediaries, prompting President Trump to postpone planned military strikes. However, senior U.S. officials say the offer does not represent meaningful improvement and remains insufficient to prevent resumed hostilities.
Iran has formally submitted a multipage response to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal, but significant gaps remain between the two sides' positions. President Trump characterized the negotiations as being "on life support" while Iran vows to continue fighting.
Iranian officials say both countries are reviewing a brief proposal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide 30 days to negotiate a comprehensive deal. Trump expressed optimism about talks while Iran indicated the supreme leader is overseeing key decisions on the matter.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed the US-Iran ceasefire remains in effect despite recent military activity around the Strait of Hormuz, as the Trump administration works to finalize a broader agreement. China's foreign minister expressed concern over the conflict in discussions with Iranian officials.
Oil prices jumped approximately 6% on Monday following Iranian attacks on a UAE oil port and ships in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours, marking the most serious escalation since a U.S.-Iran ceasefire took effect in early April.
President Trump told Axios, that he would not lift the naval blockade on Iranian ports until Tehran agreed to a comprehensive deal ending its nuclear program, formally rejecting Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while deferring nuclear talks. "The blockade is somewhat more effective than the bombing. They are choking like a stuffed pig", Trump said, adding that CENTCOM had also prepared a plan for a new wave of strikes if Iran remained intransigent.
The US-Iran war reached its 60th day, triggering the War Powers Act deadline requiring Trump to obtain congressional authorization or cease hostilities, with at least three Republican senators, Collins, Tillis and Curtis, signaling they would not vote to extend the war. Senate Republicans blocked Democrats' fifth war powers resolution on April 28, though cracks are widening within the GOP as the conflict shows no sign of ending.
Speaking on Fox News' "The Sunday Briefing" on April 26, 2026, President Trump said Iran could reach out directly to negotiate an end to the two-month war, adding it must never have a nuclear weapon as a condition for any talks.
Iran announced it has made no decision on attending a second round of negotiations with the US in Islamabad, citing Washington's 'excessive demands' and the ship seizure. Vice President JD Vance is reportedly preparing to lead the US delegation despite uncertainty over Iranian participation.
Pakistani officials report a potential 'major breakthrough' in US-Iran talks over Iran's nuclear program, with Trump saying new negotiations could resume within days. Pakistan's army chief traveled to Tehran to facilitate discussions.
Pakistan's army chief traveled to Tehran for high-level talks aimed at reviving negotiations between the US and Iran after weekend talks in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement. Trump indicated a second round of talks could occur within days.
Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad for direct negotiations aimed at ending the six-week conflict, with Pakistan deploying over 10,000 security personnel. Both sides issued warnings and set preconditions, casting doubt on the fragile two-week ceasefire.
President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran less than two hours before his 8pm deadline, following last-minute mediation by Pakistan. The agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and suspending US bombing operations.
Pakistan has presented a 45-day ceasefire proposal to end the Iran war, though Iran has indicated reluctance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a temporary truce. Multiple mediators including Turkey and Egypt are involved.
Regional mediators are pushing a two-phase ceasefire deal starting with a 45-day truce between the US and Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the conflict. Both Iran and the US have received the draft proposal.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani Deputy PM Ishaq Dar unveiled a joint five-point initiative in Beijing aimed at restoring peace in the Persian Gulf after five weeks of US-Israeli bombardment of Iran. Pakistan is positioning itself as a key mediator in the conflict.
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt met in Islamabad to prepare diplomatic groundwork for de-escalation between the US and Iran, as Pakistan positions itself as a potential mediator in the month-long conflict.
