Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is returning to Islamabad after a visit to Muscat, Oman, before continuing to Moscow. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the trip, noting that Araghchi will make a brief stop in Pakistan’s capital for discussions before departing for Russia. Diplomatic sources said his private aircraft, named Meraj, departed from Tehran and is expected to land at Noor Khan Airbase near Islamabad within two hours.

A portion of the Iranian delegation that participated in earlier discussions had returned to Tehran but is expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad tonight with high-level government directives concerning efforts to end the ongoing conflict. During his previous visit to Islamabad, Araghchi met Pakistan’s army chief, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, and the prime minister to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

Araghchi stated on social media that his visits to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow are part of Iran’s broader diplomatic coordination with allied nations.

Iran has submitted documentation of attacks on civilians to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and several international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, confirmed the submission and said the ICC prosecutor has accepted the materials as formal evidence. The cases are now being reviewed under international humanitarian law.

Kolivand added that following ongoing discussions, the Red Cross has also been involved in the process. The submission comes amid reports of heavy casualties in Iran from US-Israel attacks. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 people have been killed, including 216 children, while over 26,000 others have been injured, among them 1,767 children.

The documentation and ICC review mark a significant step in Iran’s effort to pursue international legal action regarding the civilian toll of the attacks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran will not engage in any negotiations under pressure, threats, or sanctions. He made the remarks during a conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Pezeshkian noted that diplomatic processes face various obstacles that complicate dialogue. He emphasized that as long as the United States continues its hostile actions and strategic pressure, rebuilding trust and advancing dialogue will face serious challenges.

The statement reflects Iran’s firm stance on maintaining independence in its diplomatic decisions amid ongoing tensions with the United States and regional complexities.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may travel to Pakistan again after completing his visit to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report stated that part of the Iranian delegation has already returned to Tehran under a foreign ministry plan to discuss ceasefire and related issues.

According to IRNA, the delegation members are expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad on Sunday night, though no details were provided about the specific topics or participants of the upcoming discussions. The report noted that Araghchi had concluded a previous visit to Pakistan only a few hours earlier, describing his talks with Pakistani officials as very productive.

Araghchi also commented that it remains unclear whether the United States is genuinely sincere about diplomacy, though no further context was given in the report.

Iran’s armed forces have issued a strong warning to the United States against launching any new military aggression. In a statement released by the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the Iranian military pledged to maintain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route in the region.

According to the statement published by the state-run Tasnim news agency, Iran cautioned that if U.S. forces continue what it described as “blockade, piracy, and maritime banditry” in the area, they will face a powerful counter-response from Iran’s armed forces. The statement added that Iran remains prepared and determined to deliver a more severe blow to what it called American-Zionist enemies in the event of another act of aggression.

The Iranian military further emphasized that it will continue monitoring the movements and activities of hostile forces in the region while maintaining management and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that controlling the Strait of Hormuz is its “ultimate strategy” in the event of a potential conflict with the United States. The statement was released through the IRGC’s official Telegram channel on April 26, 2026, emphasizing the strategic importance of the narrow waterway for global oil and gas supplies.

According to the IRGC, maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz would provide Iran with a significant strategic advantage and serve as a deterrent against the United States and its allies in the region. The statement described this control as central to the Islamic Republic’s defensive and deterrent posture.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights the IRGC’s focus on the geopolitical leverage of the Strait, which remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for energy transport.

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.