Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that there are no plans for a meeting with the United States during the Iranian delegation’s visit to Islamabad. In a post on social media platform X, he confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in the Pakistani capital and will hold talks with senior Pakistani officials.

Baghaei explained that the visit aims to convey Iran’s position and message to Pakistan as part of ongoing mediation efforts to end what he described as a U.S.-imposed war and to restore peace in the region. The statement came after earlier reports from the U.S. side suggested a possible meeting between Iranian representatives and American officials in Islamabad.

Iran’s clarification underscores a clear difference in positions between Tehran and Washington regarding any direct engagement during this diplomatic visit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that he will visit Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, describing the trip as a timely initiative. In a message posted on social media platform X, Araghchi said the purpose of the visits is to strengthen coordination with partner countries on bilateral issues and to discuss the regional situation. He emphasized that Iran’s neighbors remain its top priority.

Reports indicate that his planned visit to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, is being viewed as a significant step that could help pave the way for renewed direct discussions between Tehran and Washington. The trip underscores Iran’s ongoing diplomatic outreach amid evolving regional dynamics.

The visits are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation and addressing shared regional concerns, though specific agendas or outcomes have not yet been detailed in the available reports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may visit Pakistan for talks, according to state media reports, though Tehran’s Foreign Ministry has not yet confirmed the trip. The visit could be part of a broader tour including Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, scheduled to begin Friday evening.

The development comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently declared that the country is “locked and loaded,” signaling readiness for military action. In response, Iran warned that its “finger is on the trigger.” Both nations have reportedly adopted a policy of seizing each other’s ships, described by analysts as a “blockade-for-blockade” strategy. The US military has claimed to disrupt Iranian-linked vessels, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it seized at least two ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Conflicting claims of battlefield success have further deepened the standoff. Observers now await whether diplomacy through Araghchi’s potential visit can ease tensions or if the conflict will escalate further.

Analysts believe Iran’s economy will not collapse immediately despite the ongoing US naval blockade on its ports, imposed after Tehran closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle East conflict. The blockade, in effect since April 12, aims to pressure Iran into peace negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump claimed Iran is financially breaking down, but Iranian economist Saeed Laylaz told AFP that only a blockade lasting two to three months could cause serious harm, while Gulf states might suffer even more.

Energy experts warned that Iran’s main oil export terminal at Kharg Island could soon reach full storage capacity. Data from Kpler indicated that Iran’s crude oil production has already dropped by about 200,000 barrels per day and could fall by another 420,000 barrels in April. However, Jamie Ingram of the Middle East Economic Survey noted that Iran has previously endured long-term sanctions without major concessions.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group added that while ordinary Iranians face growing pressure, the country’s leadership has shown resilience under severe economic strain, using control over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to the Associated Press, he called such a proposal completely unacceptable. The issue has become central to ongoing discussions between the two sides as they explore possible peace negotiations.

According to U.S. officials, Iran currently holds about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20 percent, and 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6 percent. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that if further enriched, this material could be sufficient for up to ten nuclear bombs. However, the agency also confirmed it has found no evidence of an active weapons program. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.

Experts note that while Iran possesses the technical capacity to reach weapons-grade enrichment, developing a functional nuclear weapon would require additional complex steps such as warhead design and delivery systems, which remain unverified.

Iran has announced the waiver of transit fees for ships from countries it considers 'friendly' when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was reported by Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti on April 24, 2026. Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali stated that the exemption currently applies to certain nations and highlighted that the future of this policy remains uncertain.

According to Jalali, Iran’s Foreign Ministry is presently ensuring that these exceptional privileges are extended to friendly countries such as Russia. The move reflects Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with selected partners amid ongoing regional and global tensions.

The report did not specify how long the waiver will remain in effect or which other nations are included in the 'friendly' category.

Iran has waived transit fees for Russian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that the exemption applies to Russia and other 'friendly' countries. He noted that Iran’s foreign ministry is currently granting such concessions, though future policy remains uncertain.

The decision follows Tehran’s earlier announcement of imposing tariffs on shipping through the strategic waterway in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran. The fee waiver for select nations signals Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with allies while maintaining pressure on adversaries through economic measures.

It remains unclear how long the exemptions will last or whether additional countries will be included under the 'friendly' category in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s government is deeply divided, suggesting internal conflict between moderates and hardliners in Tehran. Iranian officials, however, have firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing that the country remains united. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all issued statements dismissing Trump’s remarks. They jointly declared through social media that there are no extremists or moderates in Iran, only Iranians and revolutionaries loyal to the Supreme Leader.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref echoed this sentiment, describing Iran as a fortress of unity rather than division. He said that despite political diversity, the nation stands under one flag in times of crisis to defend its land and dignity. Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times cited unnamed Iranian officials saying that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded as Supreme Leader, was seriously injured but remains mentally alert after an attack that killed his father.

According to Al Jazeera, Trump’s remarks about alleged divisions could serve as justification for extending a ceasefire and blaming Iran for stalled negotiations.

Iran activated its air defense systems in Tehran and several other cities after detecting small drones in its airspace. The incident occurred on Thursday, according to local media reports. Fars News Agency reported that multiple locations across the country detected small drones, prompting the activation of air defense systems. The state news agency IRNA said sounds from the defense systems were heard in both the western and eastern parts of the capital.

No immediate further details were available following the activation. Later, Iranian media clarified that the activation of the air defense systems in Tehran was part of a test. Meanwhile, an Israeli military source denied any involvement in the incident, according to reports.

The reports did not specify the origin of the drones or the nature of the test, leaving the broader context of the activation unclear.

An Iranian cargo ship successfully reached an Iranian port after evading a US attempt to intercept it in the Gulf of Oman, according to Iranian media reports published on April 24, 2026. The United States reportedly tried to stop the vessel, but it managed to reach port safely despite the obstruction.

Semi-official Fars News Agency stated that the ship, which was carrying cargo, was escorted by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy. The incident occurred after the United States imposed a naval blockade against Iran following the failure of the first round of peace talks held in Islamabad.

The report did not specify the exact location of the port or further details about the cargo, but it highlighted the continued maritime tension between the two countries in the region.

New peace talks have begun amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran over control of the Hormuz Strait, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments. As part of a ten-point peace proposal, Iran has introduced a plan to charge up to two million dollars per vessel passing through the strait, claiming the funds will be used for reconstruction. Some ships have already been charged at least one dollar per barrel, resulting in about two million dollars per transit.

The initiative directly conflicts with international maritime law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibits imposing fees or restrictions on major waterways. Although neither Iran nor the United States has signed the convention, Washington has rejected Tehran’s claim of control. Analysts estimate that a one-dollar increase per barrel could add twenty million dollars in daily costs, raising expenses for shipping, insurance, and crew wages.

Experts warn that the plan could disrupt global energy supply and market stability. The International Energy Agency has described the situation as one of the largest energy crises in history, with potential long-term economic impacts if tensions persist.

Tensions have escalated in the Strait of Hormuz after the United States Navy seized an Iranian-flagged ship named “Towska.” Within days of the seizure, Iran launched attacks on three vessels and detained two of them, according to reports. US President Donald Trump said the Iranian ship was captured after ignoring warnings from the US Navy.

In response, Iran condemned the seizure as a violation of the ceasefire and an act of “armed piracy,” warning of swift retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy later announced that it was closely monitoring maritime traffic in the strait and would take strict action against any violators.

Subsequently, the IRGC claimed to have detained two ships, “MSC Francesca” and “Epaminondas,” alleging that they were operating without authorization, attempting to leave the strait secretly, and tampering with navigation systems. The BBC reported that these claims could not be independently verified.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated despite U.S. President Donald Trump extending the ceasefire period. Tehran has blamed Washington’s naval blockade for halting peace negotiations, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detained two foreign ships and fired on a third in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s parliament speaker declared that the strait cannot be reopened as long as the blockade remains, calling it a clear violation of the ceasefire.

The White House stated that President Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal. Meanwhile, discussions in Washington over the fragile truce between Lebanon and Israel have faced difficulties due to Hezbollah’s absence. Within the U.S., Defense Secretary John Phelan was dismissed and replaced temporarily by Hong Kao, while a Senate motion to limit Trump’s war powers against Iran failed by a 55–46 vote.

The U.S. Central Command reported turning back at least 31 ships as part of the blockade, which Washington says aims to pressure Iran economically into negotiations. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and northern Gaza have also resulted in multiple civilian deaths, including journalists and children.

Iran has collected its first transit fee from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the beginning of a new toll system. The announcement was confirmed by Hamidreza Haji Babayi, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, who said the first installment of the collected toll has already been deposited into the Central Bank of Iran’s account. Another parliament member, Alireza Salimi, also confirmed the toll collection based on reliable sources.

According to the report, the toll amount is determined by factors such as the type of vessel, cargo volume, and level of risk. Iran’s parliament had planned this ‘security tax’ to help cover the costs of ensuring safety in the strategic waterway. The measure comes as ship movements through the Strait have been disrupted since February 28 due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Iran has recently tightened control over commercial vessels transiting the area, allowing passage only under specific conditions.

With this step, Iran has formally begun a regular toll collection process for ships using the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has executed a man convicted of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to the state-affiliated news outlet Mizan on Thursday. The individual, identified as Sultanali Shirzadi Fakhr, was accused of being a longtime member of the exiled opposition group Mujahedin-e-Khalq and of assisting Israeli intelligence agents. The report stated that Iran’s Supreme Court upheld his death sentence, which was carried out after the completion of legal procedures.

The execution came a day after Iran carried out the death sentence of another individual, identified as Mehdi Farid, a senior civilian defense official convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad. Mizan, citing Reuters, reported that the Supreme Court had also confirmed his sentence before the execution took place.

Both executions were reported by Iranian media and cited by The Guardian, highlighting Tehran’s continued enforcement of espionage-related convictions involving alleged ties to Israel.