Day 44 | US-Iran talks in Islamabad end with no agreement
The 2026 Iran War began on February 28, when the United States and ‘Israel’ launched a large-scale attack on Iran, unleashing nearly 900 airstrikes within 12 hours on the Islamic Republic’s missile systems, air defenses, nuclear facilities, military bases, and leadership targets.
On April 8, the United States, Iran, and ‘Israel’ agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, with Iran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and all sides pausing military operations while negotiations continue toward a broader agreement.
The assault followed years of shadow conflict, including direct missile exchanges in 2024 and a limited 12-day war in 2025 that damaged Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials were killed in the opening strikes.
Iran responded within hours, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at ‘Israel’, US bases, and targets across the Gulf.
The fragile truce is currently hanging in the balance, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as ‘Israel’ launched a major bombardment of Lebanon.
Washington and Tehran both claimed victory after agreeing to the ceasefire and negotiations.
The deal's fractures emerged quickly as ‘Israel’ carried out its heaviest strikes on its neighbour -- including in densely packed central Beirut -- since the Iran-backed group Hezbollah joined the war in early March.
‘Israel’ said its battle against Hezbollah was not part of the US-Iran truce agreed late Tuesday, an argument echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, as he is leading the talks with Tehran in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appeared to threaten the ceasefire, posting on X that the "workable basis on which to negotiate" had already been violated, making further talks "unreasonable".
Adding to the fragility of the truce -- agreed hours before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump -- a senior US official said Iran's 10-point plan was not the same set of conditions the White House had agreed to in order to pause the war.
Thread ended
This live thread has ended. Follow our online coverage of day 45 of the war, as Trump says US will blockade Hormuz after Iran talks collapse.
Read more: Day 45 | Trump says US will blockade Hormuz after Iran talks collapse
UK says will not participate in Hormuz blockade: report
The United Kingdom has decided not to participate in any plan to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the Financial Times citing informed sources.
The move reflects a British preference for de-escalation and avoiding broader military confrontation in the strategically vital waterway.
Opposition to transit fees
A UK government spokesperson said no fees should be imposed on ships transiting the strait, rejecting any attempts to enforce new financial or sovereign conditions on international maritime traffic.
Officials stressed the importance of keeping the passage open for global trade, given its central role in energy shipments.
Focus on maritime security
Instead of joining a blockade, the UK is working with France and other international partners to form a maritime coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation.
The initiative is focused on ensuring the safety of oil tankers and maintaining secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz without escalating tensions further.
Iran dismisses Trump’s Hormuz blockade threat as “ridiculous”
- Iran rejects US blockade threats as “ridiculous”
- Navy says forces are fully prepared for confrontation
- Tehran claims constant monitoring of US naval movements
Iran’s navy commander dismissed recent statements by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, about imposing a naval blockade as “ridiculous,” signaling Tehran’s firm rejection of the proposal.
The remarks come amid rising tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
Military readiness emphasized
The commander stressed that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to confront any military escalation in regional waters, warning against what he described as potential “adventurism.”
He said Iran maintains a high level of readiness to respond to any threats in the area.
Monitoring US naval activity
Iranian officials also claimed that naval forces are continuously monitoring all US military movements in the region.
“Every US naval vessel is within our sight and fire range,” the commander said, underscoring Tehran’s warning as tensions continue to escalate.
Netanyahu says “we are changing the Middle East” during southern Lebanon visit
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited military positions in southern Lebanon on Sunday, wearing military uniform and a protective vest during what he described as a field tour inside an area he claimed is part of a “security buffer zone.”
The visit was presented by 'Israeli' media as part of efforts to reinforce 'Israel’s' narrative of maintaining operational control in areas south of the Litani River.
Claims of thwarted attacks
During the tour, Netanyahu claimed that 'Israeli' forces had foiled plans for what he described as a ground infiltration from Lebanon toward the Galilee.
He also said the army had pushed back threats posed by rockets targeting northern settlements, adding that the situation on the northern front had shifted.
“Changing the Middle East” statement
Netanyahu said, “We are changing the face of the Middle East,” arguing that 'Israel’s' adversaries had moved from offensive operations to what he described as a struggle for survival.
He added that military operations are continuing across all fronts, praising both reserve and regular forces for what he called “significant achievements” during ongoing fighting.
Footage shows drone strike targeting ‘Israeli’ troops in southern Lebanon
Video footage has emerged showing what was described as a Hezbollah drone strike targeting a position held by ‘Israeli’ army soldiers in the town of Taybeh in southern Lebanon, according to claims from affiliated sources.
The attack reportedly involved a drone striking a military site, amid continued cross-border escalation between Hezbollah and ‘Israeli’ forces along the southern Lebanon front.
Escalation continues along Lebanon-‘Israel’ border with strikes and rocket fire
Air raid sirens were activated in Nahariya and several towns in the western Galilee after rockets were detected coming from Lebanon, according to reports from the 'Israeli' Home Front Command.
The alerts prompted widespread warnings across northern areas of ‘Israel’, as authorities monitored incoming fire and assessed the situation.
Hezbollah claims artillery strike
Hezbollah had said it carried out an artillery attack targeting a gathering of 'Israeli' forces near the Al-Aassi hill area in the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
The group said the operation was part of ongoing cross-border exchanges along the frontier.
'Israeli' airstrikes hit southern Lebanon
Meanwhile, two 'Israeli' airstrikes targeted the towns of Sajad and Haboush in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera’s correspondent.
The strikes come amid continued escalation between Hezbollah and 'Israeli' forces, with near-daily exchanges of fire reported along the border area.
“I could take out Iran in one day”: Trump threatens again
- US President Trump warned he could destroy Iran’s entire civilian energy infrastructure and power grid in a single day.
- Trump declared that either all ships will be granted safe passage or none will, preventing Iran from selectively selling oil.
United States President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran during a recent interview with Fox News, claiming he could completely dismantle the country's energy infrastructure in a single day while fiercely defending his administration's planned blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The “All or None” mandate for Hormuz
During the interview, Trump emphasized that Iran will not be permitted to selectively control maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
He declared a strict "all or none" policy, insisting that either every commercial vessel is granted safe passage through the waterway, or none will be allowed to pass at all.
Read more: Trump orders Hormuz blockade, says Iran refuses nuclear deal
"We’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like," Trump followed, doubling down on his economic pressure campaign. "It’s going to be all or none, and that’s the way it is."
Expanding the Venezuela playbook
The US President compared the upcoming military and economic operation in the Middle East to the blockade previously imposed by the US on Venezuela. However, he noted that the action against Iran will be conducted on a significantly larger scale.
Furthermore, Trump suggested that the blockade and the resulting disruption to global oil markets would ultimately benefit the US economy, driving more international tankers to the United States to purchase oil.
Threats to civilian energy infrastructure
Escalating his rhetoric amid the ongoing standoff, Trump explicitly threatened to target and destroy Iran's civilian energy sector and power grid if the situation deteriorates further.
Highlighting the impact such an attack would have on the nation, he claimed: "I could take out Iran in one day… I could have their entire energy, everything, every one of their plants, their electric generating plants, which is a big deal."
Read more: Iran says US “double standards” hinder nuclear talks
Preceding blockade announcement
Trump's television remarks directly follow a series of lengthy statements he posted earlier on social media. In those posts, the US President officially ordered the immediate naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after 20-hour diplomatic negotiations in Islamabad reached an impasse over Iran's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Declaring the US military fully "locked and loaded," He also issued a severe warning regarding the rules of engagement, stating that any Iranian forces who fire at US or peaceful vessels will be "blown to hell."
Iran says US “double standards” hinder nuclear talks
- Iran briefs Russia on US talks mediated by Pakistan
- Pezeshkian blames US “double standards” for deadlock
- Tehran signals readiness for “fair and balanced” deal
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian briefed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, which are being mediated by Pakistan, according to statements from the Iranian presidency.
The call comes amid continued diplomatic efforts to revive dialogue between Tehran and Washington following recent high-level talks in Islamabad.
Read more: Trump orders Hormuz blockade, says Iran refuses nuclear deal
Criticism of US position
Pezeshkian said the main obstacle to reaching an agreement remains what he described as “double standards” and a “hegemonic approach” by the United States.
Iranian officials have repeatedly expressed skepticism over Washington’s commitments, citing past negotiations that failed to produce lasting outcomes.
Willingness for agreement
Despite the criticism, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to reach a “balanced and fair” agreement that would ensure long-term peace and security in the region.
Tehran emphasized that any future deal must respect its interests while contributing to regional stability, signaling that diplomatic channels remain open despite ongoing tensions.
Trump orders Hormuz blockade, says Iran refuses nuclear deal
- US orders naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz
- Trump says Iran rejected nuclear demands
- Washington warns of force against any threats
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that the US Navy will begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, citing Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions following lengthy negotiations in Islamabad.
Trump said US naval forces will stop and inspect all vessels attempting to enter or exit the strategic waterway. He also ordered the interdiction of ships that have paid what he described as “illegal tolls” to Iran.
Nuclear talks collapse
According to Trump, negotiations with Iran lasted nearly 20 hours and resulted in agreement on several issues, but failed on what he described as the “only point that matters,” the nuclear file.
“Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions,” he said, reiterating that the United States will not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons.
Rising tensions in Hormuz
Trump accused Iran of threatening global shipping by raising the possibility of naval mines in the strait. He said US forces will begin operations to locate and destroy any such mines.
He warned that any attack on US or commercial vessels would be met with overwhelming force, describing the situation as “world extortion.”
International involvement
Trump said multiple countries are expected to join the blockade effort, without naming them. He added that a “massive fleet” is being deployed to the region, confirming increased US naval presence near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also stated that two US destroyers had recently passed through the strait without incident.
Islamabad talks context
Trump said he had been briefed on the negotiations by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. He praised Pakistan’s leadership for facilitating the talks.
Despite the escalation, he expressed confidence that Iran would eventually return to negotiations and agree to US demands, stressing: “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Iran warns of “deadly consequences” in Strait of Hormuz, claims full control
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warned that any “wrong move” in the Strait of Hormuz would place its enemy forces in “deadly whirlpools,” according to statements carried by Iranian media.
They added that all transit movements through the strategic waterway are under the full control of Iran’s armed forces, underscoring rising tensions in one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for global energy supplies.
‘Israel’ army ordered to prepare for possible renewed war with Iran
'Israeli' media outlet Ynet reported, citing ‘Israeli’ military sources, that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered the army to prepare for the possibility of resuming war with Iran.
The report said the directive comes amid heightened regional tensions following the collapse of recent US–Iran negotiations in Islamabad.
According to the sources, the ‘Israeli’ military is assessing multiple scenarios, including renewed large-scale operations if diplomatic efforts fully break down.
Kushner, Witkoff leave Islamabad after Iran talks: Reuters
Reuters, citing a US official, reported that American envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have left the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
The departure comes after US–Iran talks concluded without a deal, despite high-level diplomatic efforts hosted in Pakistan.
The Islamabad negotiations were aimed at narrowing gaps between Washington and Tehran, but ended without any breakthrough.
Iran says 3,375 killed in war with US-‘Israel’
Iran says 3,375 people were killed during the war with the United States and ‘Israel’, according to the head of the country’s Forensic Medicine Organization.
Abbas Masjedi Arani said authorities have identified the bodies of those killed, with the toll including 2,875 men and nearly 500 women.
Shrapnel damages home in 'Israel’s' Upper Galilee
‘Israeli’ media reported that a home was damaged in the Upper Galilee after shrapnel fell from an intercepted drone in the Metula area.
Iran’s Ghalibaf says US ‘failed to gain the trust’ of Iranian delegates
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says the United States failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation during negotiations held in Islamabad, which ended without an agreement.
In his first official remarks following the talks, Ghalibaf wrote on X that Iran entered the discussions with “good faith and will,” but stressed that distrust remained due to what he described as experiences from past conflicts.
“The opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations,” he said.
Ghalibaf also thanked Pakistan for hosting the talks and facilitating the diplomatic process, describing the country as a “friendly and brotherly” partner. He extended greetings to the Pakistani people.
The comments come after US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad concluded without a deal, with both sides trading blame over the lack of progress and signalling deep differences on core demands.
‘Israel’ prepares for possible renewed war with Iran after failed talks
Reports in ‘Israeli’ media say ‘Israel’ is preparing for the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran following the collapse of US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
According to sources cited in ‘Israeli’ media, preparations include potential strikes targeting infrastructure and energy facilities inside Iran if hostilities escalate again.
The ‘Israeli’ newspaper Ynet reported that the United States continues to transfer weapons to ‘Israel’ by air, describing it as part of ongoing military coordination between the two sides.
No official confirmation has been provided regarding the scale or timing of the reported deliveries.
‘Israeli’ Education Minister Yoav Kisch was quoted as saying that anyone who believed negotiations signaled the end of the conflict was mistaken, adding: “We are still at the beginning of a war, and things can move in any direction.”
US Vice President JD Vance said after the Islamabad negotiations that no agreement was reached with Iran, stressing that Washington would not compromise on its “red lines” and that the next move was now up to Tehran.
‘Israel’ claims dismantling explosives lab in West Bank
The ‘Israeli’ military says it has dismantled what it described as an explosives manufacturing laboratory in the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank.
In a statement posted on social media, the military said its forces discovered and destroyed large quantities of materials allegedly intended for weapon production, including around 200 pipe bombs, fire extinguishers adapted for explosive use, gas cylinders, and more than 50 kilograms of improvised explosive material.
Australia expresses disappointment over Islamabad talks collapse
Australia has expressed disappointment after US–Iran talks in Islamabad ended without an agreement, according to comments reported by Australian broadcaster ABC.
The Australian foreign minister said the outcome was “disappointing,” stressing the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and returning to negotiations as soon as possible.
She urged all parties to prioritise de-escalation, warning that continued failure to reach a settlement could worsen instability.
The minister also said Australia still hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict, noting that prolonged tensions would carry significant human and global economic costs.
Iran’s delegation leaves Pakistan
Iran’s delegation has left Pakistan after high-level talks with the United States ended without an agreement, according to Iranian state media.
The delegation, which included Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, departed Islamabad following intensive negotiations mediated by Pakistan.
'Israel' claims destruction of rocket launcher in southern Lebanon
‘Israel’ said it destroyed a “loaded and ready-to-launch” rocket launcher overnight in the southern Lebanese town of Jwaya, claiming the strike prevented an imminent attack.
In a statement, the ‘Israeli’ military said the launcher was “attacked and destroyed” before it could be fired toward ‘Israel’.
