Officials from the two countries were expected to meet in Washington on Tuesday. The talks were not expected to produce an immediate breakthrough in the war between Hezbollah and Israel.
War on Iran: Why the Islamabad talks failed Submitted by Sami Al-Arian on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 19:50 This was not a genuine negotiation, but an attempt by the Trump administration to impose its demands A Pakistani Ranger walks past a billboard for the US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on 12 April 2026 (Farooq Naeem/AFP) On The Islamabad meeting between the United States and Iran did not collapse because diplomacy failed. It collapsed because the US came with an ultimatum, not an intention to negotiate. In the days leading up to the meeting, there were indications that the US had initially agreed to a broader ceasefire framework across the region, including Lebanon .
Since the start of the war, European governments have broadly called for freedom and safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while resisting pressure to endorse the U. S. proposal to seal it off.
U. S. President Donald Trump has again escalated rhetoric beyond the ongoing war with Iran, suggesting that Cuba could become Washington's next target.
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news Task for the week: limit the fallout from biggest oil shock in decades UK chancellor Rachel Reeves is making the trip to Washington DC for the IMF/World Bank spring meeting. Before crossing the Atlantic, Reeves warned that families and businesses across Britain are bearing the cost of instability “they did not cause”, adding: “The Iran conflict must be a line in the sand on how we deal with global crisis and instability. “I will go to America with a clear message: global leaders must take co-ordinated economic action and supercharge the path to energy security to protect ourselves in the future.
Australia ‘deeply invested’ in Hormuz access, defence minister says Australia backs open Hormuz, stops short of supporting blockade Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra is “deeply invested” in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, emphasising the need for freedom of navigation and stable global energy supplies. Speaking to ABC News, Marles said Australia is working with partners, including France and the UK. He added that any Australian role would depend on a permanent ceasefire, saying the current situation remains uncertain.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's UN ambassador denounced the US Central Command’s declaration of a maritime blockade on Iranian ports, calling it a severe violation of Iranian sovereignty and a provocative act under international law.
Israeli strike hits south Lebanon homes as sirens sound in northern Israel An Israeli air raid on the southern Lebanese town of Bafliyeh damaged multiple homes and caused injuries, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported, as rescue crews searched through rubble for missing people. In northern Israel, the military said sirens sounded in towns including Metula, Kfar Giladi and Misgav Am after a suspected drone infiltration from Lebanon was detected, highlighting ongoing cross-border tensions. The Israeli town of Metulla is pictured across the border from Lebanon's southern village of Kfarkila on 5 July 2025.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any threat to security of the Strait of Hormuz would carry significant repercussions for global trade, highlighting Iran’s consistent efforts to ensure safe passage in the strategic waterway.
New posts 10:05 Israeli Strikes On Iran Oil Depots May Amount To War Crimes, Says Rights Group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Israeli air strikes on oil depots around Tehran in March may have caused serious long-term harm to civilians and could constitute war crimes.
New posts Featured entry 12:05 IEA Report Says Iran War Causing Worst Oil Shock Ever The International Energy Agency says global oil demand will shrink more than at any time since the COVID-19 pandemic amid the most severe supply shock in history owing to the Iran war.
New posts 07:39 UN Secretary-General Says 'No Military Solution' To Iran War UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for continued diplomacy to resolve the conflict in the Middle East, stressing that a negotiated solution is the only viable path forward.
New posts 10:05 Israeli Strikes On Iran Oil Depots May Amount To War Crimes, Says Rights Group Human Rights Watch (HRW) says Israeli air strikes on oil depots around Tehran in March may have caused serious long-term harm to civilians and could constitute war crimes.
In Dubai, rows of cars bound for Kyrgyzstan are sitting idle. Aktilik Alipbay uulu, a Kyrgyz importer based in the city, isnt sure when they'll move. We havent received clear information like load now, it will arrive in 3540 days, he says.
Israeli strike damages hospital in south Lebanon, casualties reported Israeli bombardment damaged Tebnin Governmental Hospital in southern Lebanon, with casualties reported, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Footage showed broken glass, debris and overturned equipment inside the facility, with damage also visible to vehicles outside. The attack comes amid ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, where more than 2,000 people have been killed since 2 March, according to Lebanese officials.
Israel says 154 soldiers injured in Lebanon as talks aim to curb attacks The Israeli military said 154 officers and soldiers have been wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon since last Thursday, including 34 in serious condition and 78 with moderate injuries. Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh said talks in Washington between Israeli and Lebanese officials are a “preparatory” step aimed at halting military attacks. He said Beirut had received commitments to reduce escalation, though without firm guarantees, and stressed that any discussion of peace requires a cessation of bombing.
Hezbollah rejects Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington as Rubio joins Hezbollah has rejected negotiations, calling them “futile” and urging Lebanon to confront Israeli attacks as Israeli and Lebanese officials are set to hold rare direct talks in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to join the discussions, according to the State Department. Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter are scheduled to meet at 11 a.
Canada calls on Israel to stop attacks on Lebanon after citizen’s death Canada has called on Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon after confirming the death of a Canadian citizen in the south of the country, the foreign minister said. The minister urged a return to diplomacy, saying Ottawa supports efforts toward a lasting solution to end the conflict. Please see my statement on the tragic death of a Canadian citizen in southern Lebanon: pic.
Democrats to force Senate vote on curbing Trump’s war powers US Senate Democrats will again push for a vote to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war against Iran, with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying the move aims to “stop the war in Iran and rein in an out-of-control Trump. ” Schumer said it would be the fourth such vote since the conflict began, urging Republicans to support measures requiring congressional authorisation for military action. Previous efforts have failed as Republicans, who hold slim majorities in Congress, blocked the resolutions.
New York [US], April 14 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday stressed that there is no military solution to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and called for the immediate resumption of talks to achieve a lasting agreement.
