A high-level meeting between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting ceasefire, but Pakistan’s role as mediator drew global attention. The talks, led by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, marked the first such engagement between the two rival nations in nearly five decades. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative was widely praised by major powers, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan.

The article argues that Pakistan’s growing diplomatic influence contrasts sharply with India’s diminishing role in global geopolitics. Indian media’s portrayal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “world guru” has been undermined by Pakistan’s recent successes, including its coordination with China and Saudi Arabia. India’s foreign minister reacted angrily in parliament when opposition members highlighted Pakistan’s achievements, calling it a US proxy. The piece suggests that India’s overt support for Israel and opportunistic foreign policy have weakened its credibility.

While the Islamabad talks did not end hostilities, Pakistan’s continued mediation between Washington and Tehran may keep diplomatic channels open amid renewed tensions.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss a range of regional and international issues, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The meeting focused particularly on the ongoing dialogue between the United States and Iran taking place in Pakistan.

During the discussions, the Saudi Crown Prince emphasized the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability. He also praised Pakistan’s active role in facilitating these diplomatic processes, acknowledging the contributions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir.

The meeting underscored the growing diplomatic engagement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, reflecting their shared interest in promoting stability and cooperation across the region.

The National Citizens Party (NCP), a youth-led political organization, is expanding its ranks as several prominent figures from the anti-discrimination and anti-fascist July uprising prepare to join. According to party sources, discussions with leaders from United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), AB Party, and other July movement platforms have advanced significantly. The NCP aims to unite pro-July forces to pressure the ruling party and position itself as a major alternative political power in Bangladesh.

Senior NCP leaders confirmed ongoing talks with academics, business figures, and civil society representatives, some of whom are expected to join soon. The party is also in contact with disaffected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) members, including children of senior leaders, who are reportedly considering joining. NCP leaders argue that unity among July forces is essential to safeguard democratic reforms and counter what they describe as a reversal of reform commitments by the current BNP-led government.

A general meeting is expected later in April to finalize decisions on new memberships, committee expansion, and future programs. The NCP plans to strengthen its organization while supporting broader opposition unity initiatives.

The United States Senate held a vote to block the sale of Caterpillar D-9 bulldozers to the Israeli military, a move described by Middle East analysts as historic. According to Al Jazeera, 40 senators voted in favor of halting the sale, citing civilian harm in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Mai El-Sadany, executive director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said the vote signaled a shifting tide in U.S. policy discussions.

Although the proposal was ultimately defeated, El-Sadany noted that support had grown significantly compared to the previous year, when only 27 senators backed a similar measure. Her Washington, D.C.-based organization had urged senators to support the initiative.

In a related development, 36 senators supported a separate proposal to block the sale of 1,000-pound bombs to Israel. El-Sadany described this as a meaningful reflection of changing attitudes among U.S. voters and their representatives toward arms sales to Israel.

Iran’s top military adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Mohsen Rezaei, has issued a strong warning to the United States regarding its naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. Citing AFP, the report says Rezaei warned that if the US attempts to control the strategically vital waterway, Iran could sink its ships. In a televised address, he questioned whether former US President Donald Trump intended to act as the “police” of the Strait of Hormuz and said American vessels could be destroyed by Iranian missiles.

The warning comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. The US has reportedly imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has been obstructing the passage of ships through the same critical route. Rezaei, a former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who served from 1981 to 1997, remains an influential military figure in the country.

The situation underscores the growing risk of confrontation in one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with both nations maintaining assertive postures in the region.

The United States has rejected a Russian proposal to transfer Iran’s enriched uranium to Russian territory, according to the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia had been ready to take control of Iran’s entire uranium stockpile to help ease ongoing tensions in the Middle East. He described the plan as a potentially good decision that could have contributed to conflict resolution, but noted that Washington declined the offer.

According to Russian news agency RIA, Peskov stated that Russia had first made the proposal in June of the previous year, but no action followed. Reuters reported that Moscow renewed the offer this week. Peskov added that President Vladimir Putin remains open to revisiting the initiative if the involved countries wish to reconsider it.

The Kremlin’s remarks highlight continuing diplomatic friction over Iran’s nuclear materials and the broader geopolitical struggle among major powers in the region.

As the second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their conflict gains momentum, Tehran’s frozen assets abroad have emerged as a key point of contention. Before the first ceasefire talks began in Pakistan on April 10, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the release of Iran’s blocked funds in foreign banks must precede any discussions. Reports from Islamabad suggested Washington might release part of the assets, but the US government quickly denied this, insisting the funds remain frozen.

Iran’s total frozen assets are estimated to exceed $100 billion, largely derived from hydrocarbon sales. These funds are held in several countries, including China, India, Iraq, Japan, Qatar, Luxembourg, and the United States. Iran argues that freeing at least $6 billion would serve as a confidence-building measure in the talks. Experts note that releasing the assets could significantly ease Iran’s economic crisis, strengthen its currency stability, and reduce domestic unrest. Analysts also suggest that any US decision to unfreeze the funds would carry major diplomatic implications for regional and international relations.

The United States Navy has claimed that it successfully turned back an Iranian cargo ship attempting to bypass a maritime blockade, marking the tenth such incident. According to the US Central Command, the operation involved the USS Spruance, an Aegis guided missile destroyer. The Iranian-flagged vessel reportedly departed from Bandar Abbas and tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz before being redirected by the US warship.

A statement posted on social media platform X said that since the blockade began on Monday, a total of ten ships have been forced to return, and none have managed to breach the blockade. The US authorities confirmed that the blockade has now entered its third day.

The report did not specify the broader context or objectives of the blockade, nor did it mention any official Iranian response to the US claim.

The United States has decided not to extend the temporary waiver on sanctions for Russian and Iranian oil. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the 30-day exemption, granted to stabilize the global energy market during the ongoing Middle East conflict, will not be renewed. He confirmed at a White House briefing that the waiver for Russian oil had already expired last week, and no further extension would be granted for Iran either.

Earlier, the US had allowed limited unloading and sale of Russian and Iranian oil that had been shipped before the sanctions deadline, citing rising global oil prices and supply shortages. According to Bessent, the temporary measure enabled the release of approximately 140 million barrels of oil into the global market, helping to ease supply pressures during wartime conditions.

The decision signals Washington’s intent to resume full enforcement of sanctions, potentially tightening global oil supply and influencing energy market stability in the near term.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the United States must adhere to a ceasefire agreement that includes Lebanon, according to a report citing BBC. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said that achieving a full ceasefire in Lebanon depends on the steadfast struggle of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in the country.

He described Iran and the so-called 'axis of resistance'—a term referring to Iran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemen’s Houthis, and Iraqi Shia militias—as a unified entity in both war and peace. Ghalibaf further commented that the United States should move away from what he called its Israel-centered policy.

The remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and discussions over ceasefire arrangements involving Lebanon, though the source did not specify the status or parties to the agreement.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized a fishing boat carrying a large quantity of cement allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. The operation took place on Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, at the Sarikait Gachtali Ghat area in Sandwip, Chattogram. According to the Coast Guard headquarters, the raid was conducted based on secret information, leading to the recovery of 660 sacks of cement valued at approximately 363,000 taka.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, the Coast Guard’s media officer, stated that the cement was being transported illegally to evade government duties. The suspected traffickers fled upon noticing the presence of Coast Guard personnel, and no arrests were made during the operation. The fishing boat used in the smuggling attempt was seized.

The Coast Guard confirmed that legal proceedings regarding the seized items are underway. Authorities also emphasized that similar operations will continue to prevent smuggling and illegal trade along maritime and coastal routes.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks targeting Israeli military positions and installations. According to statements released over several hours, the group said it launched rocket strikes on the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. It also reported an attack on an Israeli military bulldozer in the southern Lebanese area of Bint Jbeil, where intense clashes were said to be continuing.

Hezbollah further claimed to have targeted two Israeli tanks in the center of the Lebanese border town of Mays al-Jabal. The group stated that rockets and shells were fired at Israeli troops and vehicles in the Bint Jbeil area. As of the latest reports, Israel has not issued any official comment on these alleged attacks.

The developments come amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides reporting intermittent exchanges of fire in recent days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for organizing a dialogue between the two countries. He made the remarks after meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief General Asim Munir in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. Araghchi shared his appreciation in a post on social media platform X, highlighting Pakistan’s sincere cooperation in facilitating the talks.

In his post, Araghchi described the dialogue as a reflection of the deep and strong bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan. He also shared a video showing him embracing General Munir upon his arrival at the airport, emphasizing that both nations share a firm and common commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.

The meeting and public statements underscore ongoing diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Islamabad, focusing on strengthening mutual understanding and regional cooperation.

International donors have pledged 1.3 billion euros ($1.5bn) in humanitarian aid for Sudan as global leaders met in Berlin on the third anniversary of the country’s civil war. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the conflict a “tragic milestone” and urged an end to the violence, warning that its consequences are destabilising the wider region. Nearly 34 million people in Sudan now need humanitarian assistance, and more than 4.5 million have been displaced since fighting erupted in April 2023 between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Berlin conference brought together about a dozen foreign ministers and over 60 delegations, aiming both to raise funds and to revive stalled peace negotiations, though the warring parties were not invited. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the meeting as a “colonial tutelage approach,” accusing Western nations of imposing their agenda without consulting Khartoum. The African Union’s chairman, Mahmoud Ali Youssou, called for an immediate ceasefire and greater unity among Sudan’s civilian groups.

Germany, the host nation, pledged 212 million euros ($250m) as part of the total aid package, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying the funds would help alleviate suffering and save lives.

The US Senate has rejected for the fourth time a resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war with Iran. The measure, voted down 47–53 mostly along party lines, followed a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran that began last week. Talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, failed to produce a lasting peace, though both sides indicated willingness for further dialogue. The resolution’s defeat came despite renewed calls from lawmakers to curb Trump’s unilateral military actions, which began alongside Israel on February 28.

Supporters argued that Trump acted outside constitutional authority, while opponents insisted he was within his presidential rights. Senator Chris Murphy criticized the conflict as mismanaged and costly, citing billions spent weekly and over a dozen American deaths. Republican Senator Jim Risch defended Trump’s actions as a duty to protect the US. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a similar measure, though any passage would be largely symbolic given Trump’s veto power.

The ceasefire’s future remains uncertain as US forces maintain a naval blockade near Iran and both nations prepare for possible renewed talks in Islamabad.