Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has questioned the sincerity of the United States in diplomatic efforts. He made the remark in a post on social media platform X after arriving in Oman as part of a three-nation tour. Earlier, Araghchi described his visit to Pakistan, the first stop of the tour, as highly productive and praised Pakistan’s brotherly efforts to restore peace in the region.

Araghchi’s comments came shortly after US President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit by an American delegation to Pakistan that was intended for peace talks with Iran. Trump announced the cancellation in an interview with Fox News in Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning local time. The developments highlight growing uncertainty surrounding diplomatic initiatives between Tehran and Washington.

The Iranian minister’s remarks suggest continued skepticism toward US intentions, while his regional tour underscores Tehran’s focus on strengthening ties with neighboring countries amid strained relations with the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will not be reopened as long as international sanctions against Iran remain in place. He made the statement during a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing that the blockade, external pressure, and military presence in the Gulf of Oman are major obstacles to diplomatic dialogue.

Pezeshkian highlighted what he described as a contradiction in U.S. policy, noting that Washington continues to apply sanctions and pressure while simultaneously calling for negotiations. He said this inconsistency has deepened distrust among the Iranian public and officials toward the United States.

The Iranian president also stated that talks in Islamabad have stalled due to U.S. demands and reaffirmed that Iran will not return to negotiations until the sanctions are lifted.

Iran has handed over a framework for talks with the United States to Pakistan, according to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. In a phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian said the main obstacle to resuming dialogue is a deep crisis of trust. He emphasized that the blockade and pressure over the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the U.S. military presence in the Gulf of Oman, remain key barriers to progress.

Pezeshkian pointed to what he described as a contradiction between U.S. pressure and diplomacy, noting that Washington continues to impose sanctions while calling for negotiations. He said this inconsistency has increased distrust among the Iranian public and officials toward the United States.

The Iranian president added that talks in Islamabad have stalled under U.S. demands and that Iran will not return to negotiations or reopen the Strait of Hormuz until sanctions are lifted.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have presented a framework for potential discussions with the United States to mediators in Islamabad. During talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian emphasized the need to rebuild trust as a prerequisite for any meaningful dialogue.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Pezeshkian identified the blockade around the Strait of Hormuz and military activities in the Gulf of Oman as major obstacles to progress. He stated that Iran is ready for negotiations but stressed that a respectful environment is essential for advancement. The Iranian president also acknowledged that various diplomatic barriers continue to complicate the dialogue process.

The discussions in Islamabad reflect ongoing regional mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions and creating conditions for renewed engagement between Tehran and Washington.

The United States and Iran are reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions, though both sides are maintaining strict secrecy over the details and technical aspects. There has been no official announcement of direct talks between the two nations, and historically, they have rarely acknowledged such communication publicly. According to sources in Tehran, contact with Washington continues through intermediaries, with several rounds of indirect discussions held in Islamabad, Moscow, and other locations.

The main focus now is whether the two countries can resolve their disputes through diplomacy. Outstanding issues include Iran’s nuclear program, the lifting of sanctions, security guarantees, and war-related compensation. The situation intensified after the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on Iran yesterday.

It remains uncertain whether these issues will be settled diplomatically. Both sides have issued warnings, signaling readiness for renewed confrontation if the talks fail.

Iran has warned that its armed forces will take retaliatory action if the United States maintains its blockade on Iranian ports. The warning came from the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbia, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The statement emphasized that Iran’s military is stronger and more prepared than before to defend the country’s sovereignty, territory, and national interests.

The Iranian command noted that its forces had already demonstrated part of their strength and offensive capability during what it called the “third imposed war.” It further stated that Iran remains vigilant and determined, closely monitoring enemy movements in the region. The statement also asserted that control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains in Iran’s hands.

According to the statement, any renewed aggression would result in greater losses for what it described as American-Zionist enemies, signaling Tehran’s readiness for escalation if the blockade persists.

The United States military announced that it has seized an Iranian vessel from the so-called 'shadow fleet' in the Arabian Sea. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the ship, identified as M/V Sevan, was intercepted by a US Navy helicopter earlier in the day. The vessel was reportedly carrying fuel, oil, and gas products worth billions of dollars for foreign markets. It is now under guard and following US military instructions to return to Iran.

CENTCOM stated that the M/V Sevan is one of 19 ships recently listed under US Treasury Department sanctions for involvement in Iran’s shadow fleet operations. Earlier this month, US forces had declared their intent to intercept or redirect vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports. CENTCOM also claimed that a full blockade of Iran’s ports is currently being enforced.

The seizure marks another step in Washington’s ongoing efforts to curb Iran’s sanctioned energy trade through maritime enforcement in the region.

Iran has executed Erfan Kiani, a protester accused of working for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, amid ongoing unrest across the country. The execution took place on Saturday morning after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld his death sentence. The news was confirmed by Fars and Tasnim, media outlets close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to official information, Kiani was charged in January 2026 with multiple serious offenses, including arson and acts of sabotage during protests. Israel has not yet issued any official comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the IRGC conducted operations in Kermanshah province, detaining 155 individuals alleged to be members of anti-revolutionary groups.

Among those detained, four are suspected of being spies linked to Israel’s Mossad. The developments come as Iran continues to face internal instability and heightened tensions with Israel.

Iran has executed a man accused of working for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The man, identified as Irfan Kayani, was charged with carrying out sabotage activities as an Israeli agent during nationwide protests in January. The execution followed a ruling by Iran’s Supreme Court.

Tasnim reported that Kayani faced accusations of destruction, arson, and creating terror during the unrest. The protests had erupted in late December over the falling value of Iran’s currency and rising living costs, intensifying in January. Israel has not issued any immediate comment on the execution.

The report did not specify where or how the execution was carried out, and no further details were provided about the judicial process or evidence presented against the accused.

Iranian authorities have safely neutralized an unexploded bunker-buster bomb found buried about 13 meters underground in a residential area of Yazd Province. The powerful bomb, dropped during wartime, had struck its target but failed to detonate. The operation was carried out jointly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and local bomb disposal units, who completed the task without any accidents.

According to officials, the unexploded ordnance had remained embedded in the ground since the conflict period, posing a potential threat to nearby residents. The coordinated effort between military and local teams ensured the safe removal and neutralization of the device.

The successful disposal of the bomb has eliminated a long-standing safety risk in the area, though details about the exact origin and timing of the wartime strike were not disclosed in the report.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained around 240 people in security operations across Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency. The IRGC reported that 11 individuals were arrested in Kurdistan, where one member of a Kurdish armed group was killed and a large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized. In a separate operation, about 70 more people were detained.

In Kermanshah province, the IRGC detained 155 people, claiming they were members of anti-revolutionary groups. Among those arrested, four are suspected of being spies linked to Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. Separately, police in Tehran arrested one person accused of collecting information on missile targets and supplying it to a hostile network.

Authorities stated that these operations were part of broader efforts to strengthen national security across various regions of Iran.

Iran’s Ministry of Defense has stated that a significant portion of the country’s missile capability remains unused. The ministry also reported that more than one thousand types of weapons are currently being produced domestically using Iranian technology.

According to ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik, despite recent conflicts involving the United States and Israel, Iran continues to maintain a high level of defensive and counterattack readiness. He added that thousands of institutions across the country are contributing to weapons production, and that manufacturing will not stop even if some facilities are damaged.

Talaei-Nik further described the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic tool under Iran’s control, underscoring its importance in the country’s defense posture.

Iran’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik stated that the United States is looking for an 'honorable' way to exit the ongoing war. His remarks came as U.S. representatives prepared to visit Pakistan for peace discussions, while an Iranian delegation was also in the country. However, Iran clarified that there is no possibility of direct talks between the two sides.

According to Talaei-Nik, Iran’s military has become a powerful force, and the opposing side is now trapped in the quicksand of war, seeking a respectable way to withdraw. The statement coincides with the planned arrival of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Islamabad for the peace mission.

The timing of these parallel visits underscores the complex diplomatic environment surrounding the conflict, though the source did not specify whether any formal engagement between the U.S. and Iranian delegations is expected.

The United States has claimed to have seized an Iran-flagged vessel. According to the US Central Command, the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted the ship as it was heading toward an Iranian port. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, though further details about the vessel or the circumstances of the seizure were not disclosed.

At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Pakistan, a trip viewed as a significant step toward potential second-round talks between Iran and the United States. The visit coincides with preparations by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who are expected to travel to Pakistan on Saturday to participate in discussions aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.

The developments suggest renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan emerging as a possible venue for dialogue following the reported maritime incident.

United States President Donald Trump announced that Iran is “collapsing financially” due to a US naval blockade of Iranian ports that began on April 13. The blockade includes the seizure of Iranian-flagged tankers and redirection of vessels trading with Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to foreign shipping and captured several foreign vessels. Iranian leaders, including First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have said the blockade must end for any ceasefire to take effect.

Analysts cited in the report say the blockade is straining Iran’s economy but that the country retains significant oil reserves and export capacity. Iran continues to earn billions from oil already in transit and has imposed tolls on ships passing through the Strait. Experts note that Iran’s floating oil reserves could sustain revenues until August, while the US faces domestic political limits on maintaining the blockade beyond May 1. China’s opposition to disruptions of its trade with Iran adds further pressure on Washington.

The standoff has driven up global oil prices and heightened regional instability. Both sides appear entrenched, with Iran signaling patience and unity, and the US facing growing political and logistical challenges to sustain the blockade.