Trump says Iran 'better get smart soon' US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran to "better get smart soon" as efforts by Washington and Tehran to end hostilities appeared at a standstill. "Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear deal.
Tasnim: Iranian negotiations guided by Mojtaba Khamenei, led by Qalibaf The deputy head of the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee said negotiations are being conducted under the direction of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Tasnim News Agency reported. The report added that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is personally managing the negotiations. Qalibaf has emerged as a key figure in Iran’s wartime decision-making and has previously played a central role in diplomatic efforts.
UK ambassador says only special relationship US has is 'probably' with Israel Britain's ambassador to the United States has said America's only "special relationship" is "probably Israel" and not Britain. Sir Christian Turner's remarks, made in February at an event with British students visiting Washington, were reported on Tuesday by the Financial Times, on the second day of King Charles' visit to the US this week. The remarks may come as a significant embarrassment to the British government, particularly since UK-US ties are strained over Britain's initial reluctance to be drawn into the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Tehran-Moscow flights resume after two-month suspension Flights between Tehran and Moscow resumed on Tuesday after a two-month suspension caused by the US-Israeli war, according to IRNA. The restart comes a day after Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, met President Vladimir Putin in Russia, where they discussed developments in the conflict. Iran’s Mahan Air operated the first resumed flight, departing Tehran early Tuesday and returning the same day.
Trump says King Charles backs stance on Iran nuclear issue US President Donald Trump said King Charles III agrees with Washington’s position that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, speaking during a state dinner at the White House. “We’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, adding that the British monarch “agrees with me even more than I do”. Trump also said his administration was “doing a little Middle East work right now” and described the situation as “going very well”.
GCC holds emergency talks on security, Hormuz reopening Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council met in Jeddah for an extraordinary summit, their first in-person gathering since the start of the war involving Iran. Discussions focused on regional security, including concerns over missile and drone attacks, and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. The meeting also came amid broader shifts in energy policy, with the United Arab Emirates announcing plans to leave OPEC and increase production in the coming years.
Tehran calls on UN Security Council to act against Israel Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, called on the United Nations Security Council to “act decisively to compel Israel to fully uphold the ceasefire in Lebanon”. He said the council should ensure Israel “immediately halt all attacks against civilian and civilian infrastructure and withdraws all its occupying forces” from Lebanon. Iravani also criticised US and Israeli actions against Iran and condemned Israel’s operations in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and the Golan Heights, describing them as violations requiring international response.
Trump approval rating falls to lowest level amid Iran war Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level of his current term as concern grows over the cost of living and the war with Iran. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 34 percent of Americans approve of his performance, down from 36 percent previously. Support has declined since he took office in January 2025, when approval stood at 47 percent.
Trump hits back at German chancellor over Iran war remarks US President Donald Trump criticised German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after the latter said Iran was humiliating the US in talks to end the war. “The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!
UK ambassador to US says only special relationship US has is 'probably' with Israel Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 04/28/2026 - 16:20 Christian Turner's remarks in a leaked audio were reported on day two of a visit by King Charles to the US this week Britain's King Charles III (L) and Ambassador to the US Christian Turner (R) attend a garden party at the British Embassy in Washington DC on 27 April 2026 (AFP) Off Britain 's ambassador to the United States has said America's only "special relationship" is "probably Israel" and not Britain. Sir Christian Turner's remarks, made in February at an event with British students visiting Washington, were reported on Tuesday by the Financial Times, on the second day of King Charles' visit to the US this week. The remarks may come as a significant embarrassment to the British government, particularly since UK-US ties are strained over Britain's initial reluctance to be drawn into the US-Israeli war on Iran .
Trump says Iran has told him it is in a 'state of collapse' US President Donald Trump said Iran had informed him it was in a "state of collapse" and was figuring out its leadership situation. Efforts to end the war appeared at an impasse on Tuesday, with Trump unhappy at the latest plans from Tehran, which proposed delaying discussions on its nuclear programme until after the war ended and disputes over Gulf shipping were resolved. Trump wants nuclear issues dealt with from the outset, a US official briefed on Trump's Monday meeting with his advisers said, according to Reuters.
Iraq: Businessman Ali al-Zaidi nominated to become new prime minister Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Tue, 04/28/2026 - 09:13 Largest parliamentary bloc nominates former banker to form new government, five months after election Iraq's President Nizar Amede (C) with prime minister designate Ali al-Zaidi (R) at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad (AFP) Off The largest bloc in Iraq's parliament has chosen businessman Ali al-Zaidi as its prime minister designate, five months after the country's elections. Zaidi, a businessman with little political experience, was chosen by the Coordination Framework to try to form a new government. "President Nizar Amede has tasked Ali al-Zaidi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government," the presidency said in a statement.
Germany's Merz 'disillusioned' with US and Israel over Iran German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday evening that he had become "disillusioned" with the US and Israel over the war on Iran. "At this point I am disillusioned simply because the US and Israel claimed at the beginning that they could solve this problem within days," Merz said in televised remarks. "Now I must recognised: it is not solved.
Russia, Iran to back each other ‘under any circumstances’, defence minister says Russia’s defence minister Andrei Belousov said Moscow and Iran would continue to support each other “under any circumstances” during talks with Iranian defence official Reza Talaei-Nik, according to Press TV. The remarks come amid deepening cooperation between Russia and Iran as both countries call for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Russia's Defence Minister Andrei Belousov at the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow on 17 December 2025.
‘Zero enrichment’ stance complicates talks, analyst says Geopolitical analyst Giorgio Cafiero said a diplomatic solution between the United States and Iran would require greater flexibility from Washington on uranium enrichment levels. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he warned that insisting on a “zero enrichment” policy complicates efforts to reach an agreement. Cafiero said accepting a limited level of enrichment could open the door to a new deal that allows Iran to retain what it sees as its nuclear rights, while also enabling the US to frame the outcome as a diplomatic achievement.
Video: Iran’s UN envoy says Tehran ‘not bound’ by UN Law of the Sea Iran’s representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated on Monday that Iran is “not bound” by the UN Law of the Sea and defended his country’s maritime actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iravani argued that these measures are necessary to balance coastal security with safe navigation in a “highly volatile” environment. He also accused some international members of displaying “double standards” by ignoring the “maritime blockade” imposed by the United States.
US challenges Iran’s role in UN nuclear talks, Tehran rejects accusations US and Iran clashed at the United Nations during a conference reviewing the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, after Tehran was selected as one of the vice presidents of the meeting. Washington described the move as an “insult” to the treaty, accusing Iran of failing to meet its nuclear obligations and not fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran rejected the accusations, saying the US lacks credibility to judge compliance, noting it is the only country to have used nuclear weapons.
Araghchi says region in ‘major flux’ after talks in Russia Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he was pleased to engage with Russia “at the highest level” as the region faces heightened instability. Writing on X, he said recent developments have shown “the depth and strength” of ties between the two countries. “Recent events have evidenced the depth and strength of our strategic partnership,” Araghchi wrote, adding that Iran welcomes Russia’s support for diplomacy.
Kremlin says Putin received message from Iran’s new supreme leader Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had received a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, whose public absence has drawn scrutiny. Speaking during a meeting in St Petersburg with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, Putin asked that his “appreciation” and “best wishes for his good health” be conveyed, according to the Kremlin. Putin also praised what he described as Iran’s “courageous” defence of its sovereignty and said Russia would support efforts toward peace.
France says Iran must make ‘major concessions’ for peace France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Iran must be ready to make “major concessions” in negotiations with the United States to end the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, he said there could be no lasting solution unless Tehran “fundamentally changes its position”. Barrot added that Iran should pursue “peaceful coexistence within its region”, saying such a shift would allow its people to build their future.
