Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, has denied reports that Moscow provided any military or intelligence assistance to Iran during the ongoing war. In an interview with the Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Jalali stated that claims of intelligence support were false and even acknowledged as inaccurate by Western sources. He clarified that all agreements between Iran and Russia were signed before the conflict began and are unrelated to current hostilities.

Jalali also discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it is now governed under a new legal framework ensuring safe navigation. He noted that ships can continue to operate under security considerations and legal regulations. However, he did not specify whether any fees would be imposed, mentioning that Iran’s parliament is reviewing various options.

The ambassador added that high-level contacts between Russia and Iran remain active, with only minor delays in some joint projects such as the Rasht-Astara railway and nuclear cooperation initiatives.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that Tehran will not participate in discussions with the United States in Islamabad. He stated that the U.S. has not learned from its past experiences and warned that such behavior would not yield positive outcomes. Baghaei added that a ten-point proposal had been submitted and discussed in Islamabad, noting that the Strait of Hormuz had been secure before recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.

According to Baghaei, Iran had clearly communicated its position to the Pakistani mediator, while the United States claimed that the ceasefire agreement did not include Lebanon. He accused Washington of imposing a naval blockade against Iran and attacking an Iranian vessel, actions he described as violations of the ceasefire and international law.

The spokesperson further alleged that the United States had twice breached agreements and attacked Iran, resulting in the deaths of Iranian citizens. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

Iran has announced that it has no plans to participate in peace talks with the United States. According to reports published by Iranian state media on Sunday, the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains the main obstacle to any dialogue. Tensions have escalated further following attacks and seizures of Iranian ships by U.S. military forces.

Citing the state broadcaster IRIB, the report stated that there is currently no plan to take part in the next round of discussions. Earlier, news agencies Fars and Tasnim, quoting unnamed sources, said the overall situation cannot be described as positive and that lifting the U.S. blockade is a condition for any talks. The state-run IRNA also referred to Washington’s “unreasonable and unrealistic demands,” saying there is no clear prospect for productive negotiations under the current circumstances.

The report comes as diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with both sides maintaining firm positions over sanctions and maritime security issues.

Iran has launched a drone attack targeting a United States military ship in the Sea of Oman, according to reports. The strike was described as a retaliatory move following the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel. The incident has raised concerns over escalating tensions and the fragility of an existing ceasefire, India Today reported.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that US forces fired on and detained an Iranian commercial ship before Tehran’s forces responded with the drone attack. The report emphasized that the action was a direct response to the seizure of the Iranian vessel.

Details about the scale of the attack, the number of drones used, or whether any US assets were damaged have not been disclosed in the report.

Iran has clarified its stance on potential discussions with the United States, stating that it will continue talks but not at any cost. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee and a former IRGC commander, said that engaging in dialogue does not mean Iran will accept all conditions or methods proposed by the other side. He emphasized that Iran has set certain 'red lines' that must be respected.

When asked whether Iran would send a delegation to a possible meeting in Islamabad, Azizi indicated that the decision depends on whether Tehran receives a positive signal. He noted that Iran has never feared the principle of negotiation and could see positive prospects if the US negotiating team responds constructively to Iran’s messages.

The statement underscores that while Iran remains open to dialogue, it intends to uphold its own terms and conditions in any future engagement with Washington.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on April 20, 2026, to show support for their government and call on officials not to back down amid tensions with the United States. Participants voiced distrust toward Washington and urged continued diplomatic efforts while maintaining a firm stance. The rally featured strong nationalist sentiment and calls for resistance against perceived external threats.

Several attendees expressed frustration over what they described as broken U.S. promises and agreements. One participant, Masoumeh Alimohammadi, told Reuters that Iran should pursue diplomacy but remain wary of the United States. Another, Hamidreza Heidari, declared that Iranians “do not fear war” and insisted that Iran would respond with greater strength if attacked. Negin Gholizadeh urged the government to continue resisting U.S. pressure, referencing a recent episode she viewed as a sign of American retreat.

The demonstration reflected ongoing public support for Iran’s leadership amid strained relations with the United States and Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that the security of the Hormuz Strait cannot be guaranteed for free. In a post on social media platform X, he said that those obstructing Iran’s oil exports should not expect to receive security benefits without cost. Aref emphasized that the choice is clear: either the global oil market remains open to all, or everyone faces the risk of significant losses.

He further noted that the stability of global energy prices depends on a definite and lasting end to economic and military pressures against Iran and its allies. His remarks highlight Tehran’s stance linking regional security and global energy stability to the lifting of restrictions on its oil trade.

The statement underscores Iran’s warning that continued economic and military pressure could have broader consequences for international energy markets and maritime security in the region.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that the security of the Hormuz Strait will not come free, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a post on social media platform X, Aref said that limiting Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others is unrealistic. He emphasized that the choice is clear: ensure a free oil market for all or face significant costs.

Aref further noted that global energy price stability depends on the permanent end of economic and military pressure on Iran and its allies. His comments come at a time of heightened tension surrounding the Hormuz Strait and worsening relations between the United States and Iran.

The statement underscores Iran’s position linking its oil export freedom to regional and global energy security, suggesting potential implications for international energy markets if tensions persist.

An Iranian academic has warned that tensions could escalate rapidly following a reported US attack on an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman. Hassan Ahmadian, an associate professor at the University of Tehran, told Al Jazeera that the situation had changed overnight after the incident. He said Iranian officials had previously made clear they would not accept any blockade on Iranian cargo ships and would continue operating under their existing policies.

Ahmadian described the US blockade as equivalent to an act of war under international law and warned that further seizures or attacks on Iranian vessels would provoke reciprocal action from Iran. He added that while Iran had sought to avoid being drawn into conflict, the current US administration appeared intent on forcing Tehran into submission.

The comments come amid rising regional tensions, with related reports of drone attacks on US warships and continued unrest in the West Bank, suggesting a broader climate of instability.

Iran has acknowledged that a United States military force attacked and seized an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman, according to a statement cited by semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The statement from Iran’s Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters confirmed that US forces fired on the ship, disabling it before boarding and taking control. Tehran described the incident as an act of maritime piracy and a violation of international law.

The Iranian statement warned that the country’s armed forces would soon respond to what it called armed piracy by the United States. The announcement marks the first time Iran has directly confirmed the seizure, following earlier conflicting accounts from both sides. The report was carried by Al Jazeera and local media.

The confirmation and warning signal a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States over maritime security in the region, though no timeline or details of Iran’s planned response were provided.

Former Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth has said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to attack Iran’s power plants and bridges would amount to a war crime if carried out. In an interview with the BBC, Roth stated that Trump was effectively threatening large-scale war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilian objects such as power stations and bridges.

Roth explained that even if such facilities have dual-use purposes, meaning they can serve both civilian and military functions, the law still forbids attacks that would cause disproportionate harm to civilians. He added that ignoring these principles would violate international norms that the U.S. government and the global community are expected to uphold.

In response, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz rejected Roth’s characterization, calling it false, baseless, and absurd. Waltz argued that such infrastructure could be considered legitimate military targets. Trump’s warning of possible strikes on Iran’s key infrastructure has sparked international debate.

Iran has accused the United States of breaking promises and betraying diplomacy, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, as reported by Al Jazeera. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that the U.S. repeatedly violated commitments during talks and ceasefire periods and acted in an oppressive and unreasonable manner.

Pezeshkian stated that the so-called naval blockade against Iran constitutes a provocative and illegal act, violating the ceasefire agreement and contradicting the United Nations Charter. He emphasized that U.S. officials’ threatening statements and such actions have deepened distrust about Washington’s sincerity and revealed that the U.S. intends to repeat its previous patterns of behavior and betray diplomacy once again.

The Iranian president further asserted that Iran would defend its territorial integrity against any new adventurism by the United States and the Zionist regime.

Iran’s state-affiliated media reported that the country’s forces thwarted an alleged US attempt to seize an Iranian commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman. According to the semi-official Mehr News Agency, US forces stationed near the area fired at the ship to force it back into Iranian waters. The report stated that the vessel was supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, whose rapid response compelled the American forces to withdraw from the area.

The report added that Iran’s account of the incident differs from earlier statements made by US President Donald Trump. However, the name of the vessel involved was not disclosed in the report. The incident was covered by Al Jazeera, citing Iranian sources.

No further details were provided about the timing of the event or any potential damage or casualties resulting from the exchange.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA has denied reports claiming that a new round of talks between Iran and the United States was taking place in Pakistan. According to IRNA, the reports are not true and the agency accused the United States of making excessive demands while frequently changing its stance and issuing contradictory statements. It added that U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports and threatening rhetoric have hindered progress in any discussions.

In a message on Telegram, IRNA stated that under the current circumstances there is no bright prospect for productive negotiations. The report did not cite any specific official or institution. Earlier, two Iranian media outlets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also expressed doubts about Iran’s participation in any potential meeting.

No responsible Iranian official has yet clarified the country’s formal position on the matter, leaving uncertainty over whether Iran will take part in future talks.

Iran has announced that it will not send any delegation to Pakistan due to the ongoing US sanctions. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, no Iranian negotiators will travel to Islamabad as long as the naval blockade declared by Donald Trump remains in effect. The report stated that Tehran currently has no plans to engage in talks while the blockade continues.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump said on Sunday that his representatives would arrive in Islamabad on Monday for discussions with Iran. The conflicting positions highlight a diplomatic deadlock between the two sides, with Iran linking any negotiation to the lifting of the blockade.

The situation underscores heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Pakistan positioned as a potential venue for dialogue that now appears uncertain under the current circumstances.