Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi has called for an extension of the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. In a post on social media platform X, he urged all parties to pursue compromise to avoid further conflict, according to Al Jazeera. Al-Busaidi said that achieving success may require difficult concessions, but those would be far less painful than the suffering caused by war and failure.

He noted that before the recent escalation, he had discussed the situation with Vice President Vance, and both he and former President Trump had expressed a sincere and firm desire to prevent conflict. Oman had previously played a key mediating role between Washington and Tehran, but talks collapsed after US-Israeli strikes in late February.

Amid heightened tensions, new diplomatic efforts are underway to maintain and extend the ceasefire, with Oman once again advocating for restraint and dialogue.

US President Donald Trump issued a sharp military warning against Iran, saying the United States could destroy the country within a single day. In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that US forces could target Iran’s energy infrastructure, including power plants. He also defended his proposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Iran cannot decide which ships are allowed to pass. Trump added that all ships would have safe passage, or none would.

He compared the planned blockade to the US sanctions on Venezuela but said it would be on a much larger scale, suggesting it could increase oil shipments to the United States. The comments followed the failure of US-Iran talks in Pakistan, where disputes centered on Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s remarks have further heightened tensions in the Middle East, raising fears of potential military confrontation despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness for Russia to act as a mediator in resolving ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. According to a report published on April 12 by Roya News, Putin informed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian of Moscow’s willingness to assist in political and diplomatic solutions to regional tensions. A Kremlin statement reaffirmed Russia’s preparedness to help reduce tensions and promote dialogue among the involved parties, emphasizing support for broader international efforts toward a fair and lasting peace in the region.

The initiative comes after the failure of recent Iran–United States discussions held in Pakistan. Following the talks, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that no agreement was reached and that Tehran had rejected Washington’s proposal. In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said both sides had reached understandings on several issues but still differed on two to three key points.

Roya News noted that Putin’s phone call with Pezeshkian reflects Russia’s active engagement in Middle Eastern crises and its effort to position itself as a key mediator.

After nearly 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without any progress. Both delegations left the venue after failing to reach consensus on several critical issues, according to the Arabic-language outlet Al Jarida.

The report identified six main reasons for the breakdown: disagreement over a permanent ceasefire in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, disputes about the release of Iran’s frozen assets, and U.S. demands to halt uranium enrichment and remove enriched uranium under international supervision. Additional points of contention included restrictions on Iran’s missile and drone programs, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington’s refusal to pay compensation for damages from a February 28 U.S.-Israeli military strike.

These fundamental differences prevented any advancement in the peace process, leaving future dialogue between the two nations uncertain.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a renewed warning against Iran, declaring on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States is 'locked and loaded' and will 'finish off' Iran at an 'appropriate time.' His statement came shortly after U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without any agreement.

The failed discussions in Pakistan highlighted the ongoing diplomatic deadlock between the two countries. Trump’s remarks signaled that despite continued diplomatic efforts, Washington is keeping military options open. The timing of his statement, just hours after the talks collapsed, underscored rising tensions between the two nations.

Following the breakdown of negotiations, international observers are closely watching how the situation evolves, as the growing strain between Washington and Tehran could have significant regional and global implications.

US President Donald Trump has announced a blockade on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, hours after talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad collapsed, according to Al Jazeera. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said US forces would take swift action to control vessels passing through the strait. He added that ships paying tolls to Iran in international waters would be intercepted by the US Navy, warning that those making such payments would not be guaranteed safe passage.

Tensions in the region have been rising since a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route through which about 20 percent of the world’s energy supply passes. Disruptions in its operation have already created uncertainty in global energy markets.

The announcement marks a new escalation in US-Iran tensions, with both sides signaling firm stances over control of the strategic waterway.

After leaving Pakistan, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington had presented its best and final offer. However, reports suggest that indirect communication between the United States and Iran continues through Pakistan, according to the BBC. Neither side has officially confirmed these behind-the-scenes discussions, but their existence indicates that diplomatic channels remain open.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said they never expected a final agreement to be reached in a single meeting. This reflects how both sides are presenting different narratives to their domestic audiences, making the true situation difficult to assess.

Meanwhile, the ongoing ceasefire remains extremely fragile. Its future, the risk of global instability, and the fate of civilians caught in the conflict all hang in uncertainty.

The European Union has emphasized that diplomatic efforts are indispensable for resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The statement came after the recent talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed to make progress, according to Al Jazeera. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anwar El Anouni told AFP that there is no alternative to diplomacy in reaching a peace agreement.

El Anouni praised Pakistan’s mediating role, saying the EU welcomes Islamabad’s efforts. He also noted that Brussels is interested in contributing further to future peace initiatives. The international community remains focused on diplomatic solutions, though the stalled discussions have left the situation uncertain.

Before leaving Islamabad, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran had not accepted Washington’s conditions and that the United States had made its “final and best offer.” Observers are now waiting to see whether Iran will accept the proposal.

Amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company ADNOC, has publicly denied Iran’s claim of control over the strategic waterway. In a post on social media platform X, he stated that Iran has never had the right to close or restrict navigation through the strait.

Al Jaber warned that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could severely threaten global energy supplies as well as food and health security. He described such a scenario as a dangerous and unacceptable precedent that would endanger global stability.

He emphasized that the world cannot bear such a burden and should not allow any attempt to restrict free passage through this vital maritime route.

Iran’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, has assured that Bangladeshi ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait will soon be able to cross safely. Speaking on April 12, 2026, at a memorial and anti-war exhibition organized by the Revolutionary Student Council at Dhaka University, he said Iran would provide necessary assistance to ensure the safe journey of Bangladeshi vessels affected by the ongoing war situation.

The ambassador explained that many ships, including some from Bangladesh, were stuck in the strait due to the conflict. He confirmed that Iran was in discussions with the Bangladesh government to expedite their release. Jahanabadi also highlighted the friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Iran, describing Bangladesh as a brotherly nation. He welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding Iran–US tensions and thanked Oman and other involved countries.

He further stated that Iran would adhere to the ceasefire as long as the United States respected it, warning that any violation would prompt a response. The envoy accused the US of aggression aimed at regime change in Iran and condemned US–Israeli attacks on civilians, calling them acts of genocide.

A total of 1,060 flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East that led several countries to close their airspace. The cancellations have severely disrupted international passenger and cargo transport from Bangladesh. The disruptions began on February 28, 2026, following the escalation of regional tensions.

According to airport sources, the affected countries include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, where airspace closures have been partial or complete. Between February 28 and April 12, flight cancellations occurred in phases, with 339 flights canceled in the first ten days, followed by 275, 226, 160, and 60 in subsequent periods.

Officials noted that while the number of cancellations has slightly decreased over time, operations have not yet returned to normal. The resumption of regular flights depends on the reopening of airspace and improvements in the regional security situation. Thousands of passengers, particularly migrant workers and Middle East-bound travelers, have faced significant difficulties as a result.

Iran has identified 3,375 people killed in the recent conflict following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to the country’s Forensic Medicine Organization. The announcement came 40 days after the attacks, as Iran and the United States agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire. The organization’s head, Abbas Masjedi Arani, stated that among the identified victims, 2,875 were men and 496 were women.

The report, released through official Iranian sources, noted that the full extent of the war’s damage remains uncertain. Disruptions to communication networks and restricted access to several areas have made it difficult to collect complete data. As a result, officials believe the actual number of casualties could be higher than currently reported.

The situation underscores the heavy toll of the conflict on Iran, which has lost several senior leaders and suffered significant destruction during the attacks.

The latest round of talks between the United States and Iran, held in Pakistan, ended without any progress, sparking renewed fears of war. Concern has spread beyond Iran to its southern neighbors, especially after US Vice President JD Vance’s remarks suggested a possible return to conflict. The Strait of Hormuz is seen as a potential flashpoint, as the US has begun mine-clearing operations there without coordination with Iran, which currently controls shipping in the area.

Despite the stalemate, Iranian delegation head Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said future talks remain possible, even though the US failed to gain Iran’s trust this time. Pakistan, the host of the discussions, urged both sides to maintain the remaining ten days of the ceasefire to allow another round of dialogue.

However, optimism faded after Vance stated that Iran had rejected US conditions and that Washington had made its “final and best offer.” The diplomatic path remains open but fragile, with the risk of renewed tension at any moment.

Turkey has strongly condemned recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Erdoğan was being targeted because of the truths Turkey had revealed on various platforms. The statement described Netanyahu as a 'modern Adolf Hitler' and held him responsible for attacks on civilians in Gaza, also referencing an arrest warrant reportedly issued against him by the International Criminal Court.

Ankara accused Netanyahu of making such remarks to obstruct ongoing peace talks and to continue his expansionist policies in the region. The ministry reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to ensuring accountability for Netanyahu and to standing by innocent civilians.

Several Turkish cabinet members also criticized Netanyahu’s comments. Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said the remarks reflected Netanyahu’s guilt and discomfort, while Justice Minister Akın Gürlek described them as evidence of his legal and moral crisis. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi called the accusations baseless, saying they reflected Netanyahu’s frustration and political weakness.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced that the country has fully resumed operations of its key east-west oil pipeline following an attack on Thursday that targeted the pipeline and nearby energy infrastructure. According to the ministry, the incident had temporarily halted the transport of about 700,000 barrels of oil per day.

The ministry explained that Saudi Arabia had reduced its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz after tensions escalated between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which had nearly stalled oil shipments through the strait. As an alternative, crude oil was redirected through the east-west pipeline to a terminal on the Red Sea.

Following last week’s attack, the coastal Manifa production facility has also been reactivated, though repair work continues at the Khurais oil field within the country.