Day 54 | Trump says he will extend ceasefire with Iran until negotiations conclude
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.
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.
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 while negotiations continue toward a broader agreement.
The fragile truce has since come under strain, particularly as ‘Israel’ launched major bombardments in Lebanon and clashes with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah intensified.
Here’s the latest updates:
- US President Donald Trump said he’s extended the ceasefire with Iran until Tehran has submitted a proposal to end the conflict permanently.
- US President Donald Trump said Sunday that US forces intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach a US naval blockade.
- Trump Signals Imminent Deal: President Trump stated on April 16 that the US is "very close" to a deal, claiming Iran has agreed to "almost everything." He has even floated the possibility of traveling to Pakistan, the primary mediator, to sign a final agreement.
- The "$20 Billion for Uranium" Swap: Discussions have centered on a high-stakes proposal where Iran would hand over its entire enriched uranium stockpile (reportedly around 440 kg) in exchange for the release of $20 billion in frozen funds.
- Key Sticking Points: While Trump is optimistic, Iranian officials have called the total handover of uranium a "non-starter." Disagreements remain over the length of an enrichment pause, with the US demanding 20 years and Iran offering 3–5 years.
- Hormuz Closed Again: After a brief 24-hour reopening on April 17, Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18. Tehran cited the continued US naval blockade as a violation of the spirit of the truce.
- Contradictory Sea Rules: The situation is volatile; while Iran briefly declared the Strait "open" to commercial traffic, the US naval blockade remains in "full force." Since the blockade began on April 13, CENTCOM has intercepted at least 23 vessels.
- Economic Pressure: The blockade is costing Iran an estimated $400 million per day in revenue. Experts warn that if the blockade isn't lifted by April 26, Iranian oil wells may suffer permanent damage due to overflow.
- 10-Day Ceasefire Holding: The US-brokered ceasefire between ‘Israel’ and Lebanon, which began on April 16, is largely holding despite high tension.
- Oil Price Volatility: Oil prices initially plummeted by 11% (US Crude to ~$83) on Friday following the brief reopening of the Strait. However, prices are expected to face renewed upward pressure following Iran's Saturday decision to re-close the waterway.
Trump sets deadline for Iran talks, no progress reported
US President has set a Sunday deadline for negotiations with Iran, according to sources cited by 'Israeli' Channel 12.
Officials told The Wall Street Journal that Washington and Tehran have exchanged messages through intermediaries, but no significant progress has been made.
Iran reportedly insisted its delegation would not leave Tehran before the lifting of the blockade.
Trump says Iran will not execute eight women after his request
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran will not execute eight women who were sentenced to death, after he previously requested clemency on their behalf.
“Very good news! I have just been informed that the eight women protestors who were going to be executed tonight in Iran will no longer be killed. Four will be released immediately, and four will be sentenced to one month in prison,” Trump said on Truth Social.
On Tuesday, Iran’s judiciary denied that the eight women were at the risk of execution.
"Trump was misled once again by fake news," the judiciary's official Mizan Online website said yesterday.
"The women who were claimed to be on the verge of execution, some of them have been released, while others face charges that, if convictions are upheld, would at most result in imprisonment."
Trump had earlier said on social media that the women's release could work in Iran's favour in negotiations, re-posting an activist's claim that eight women were facing death by hanging. That claim did not give names but included photographs of the women.
“I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump said concluding his statement.
Iran’s Ghalibaf says opening Hormuz “impossible” amid US blockade
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that any “complete” ceasefire must fully lift the US naval blockade and halt ‘Israeli’ military actions on all fronts, warning that partial deals are unacceptable.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf stated: “A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated by the naval blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy, and if Zionist warmongering stops on all fronts. Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible with a flagrant violation of the ceasefire.”
He added that Iran has not yielded to military aggression or “bullying”.
“The only way is the acceptance of the Iranian nation’s rights.”
The statement comes as tensions persist over the US blockade of Iranian ports and Iran’s disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, following Trump’s recent decision to extend a ceasefire indefinitely.
Iran says appreciates Pakistan's efforts to end war
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday that the Islamic republic appreciates Pakistan's efforts to end the Middle East war, without commenting on a ceasefire extension announced by the United States.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that Baqaei was asked by journalists to comment on the truce extension, which US President Donald Trump said he approved following a request by Pakistani mediators.
"While appreciating Pakistan's efforts to end the imposed war and establish peace", Baqaei stressed that Tehran "is taking the necessary measures to safeguard Iran's national interests and security".
US using Ukrainian anti-UAV tech after Iran attacks: Reuters
The US military has been using Ukrainian anti-drone technology in recent weeks at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to sources cited by Reuters.
The base has come under attack and several US aircraft were destroyed, ever since the United States and ‘Israel’ launched strikes against Iran on February 28 and Islamic Republic retaliated by striking US military assets in the region.
Ukraine has advanced counter-drone technology, due to its prolonged war with Russia.
Earlier in the war, an E-3 AWACS plane was destroyed (or severely damaged on the ground), in addition to five US refueling aircraft.
‘Israeli’ strikes kill 3 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension
‘Israeli’ strikes killed three people in Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said, despite an ongoing 10-day ceasefire, which an official said Beirut will request an extension for in the upcoming talks with ‘Israel’ in Washington.
Ahead of the talks on Thursday, ‘Israel’ called on the Lebanese government to "work together" with it against Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
The two governments, which do not have diplomatic relations with each other, are set to hold a second round of talks under US auspices on Thursday, in a bid to end more than six weeks of war between ‘Israel’ and Hezbollah that began on March 2.
Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting with ‘Israel’, a Lebanese official told AFP.
"Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire," the Lebanese official told AFP, on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks.
The ten-day ceasefire, which expires Sunday, was announced after an initial meeting last week.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, for his part, said Wednesday that "contacts are underway to extend the ceasefire period".
He said Lebanon seeks "a complete halt on Israeli attacks and the achievement of an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory".
“Serious disagreements”
‘Israeli’ Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that ‘Israel’ does not have any "serious disagreements" with Lebanon.
"Unfortunately, Lebanon is a failed state, a state that is de facto under Iranian occupation through Hezbollah," he said.
Hezbollah -- represented in the Lebanese cabinet and parliament -- strongly opposes the direct talks with ‘Israel’ pushed by Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
A Hezbollah lawmaker however told AFP on Monday that the group might accept indirect talks mediated by the United States.
"The obstacle to peace and normalisation between the (two) countries is one -- Hezbollah," said Saar.
Despite the truce, ‘Israel’ is continuing its strikes in Lebanon, where one person was killed Wednesday in the eastern Bekaa region, and two were killed in the country's south, according to state media.
‘Israeli’ attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, according to Lebanese authorities.
‘Israeli’ forces remain in dozens of southern villages, behind what the army has called a "Yellow Line", described by the ‘Israelis’ as a 10-kilometre (six-mile) deep "security zone" along the border in southern Lebanon.
Most locals have fled the area, though residents of some Christian villages have been defying ‘Israeli’ army evacuation orders.
Hezbollah, for its part, said it carried out an attack on northern ‘Israel’ on Tuesday in response to ‘Israel's’ "flagrant" violations of the ceasefire, for the first time since it came into effect on Friday.
French President Emmanuel Macron also said on Wednesday that a second French soldier died "of the consequences of his wounds" suffered in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, which has denied responsibility.
Ambush blamed on Hezbollah kills second French peacekeeper: Macron
A second French soldier died Wednesday "of the consequences of his wounds" suffered in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, President Emmanuel Macron said.
A first soldier was shot dead in the Saturday ambush, for which Hezbollah has denied responsibility, while Wednesday's fatality was one of three troops hurt in the same attack.
Trump says Iran talks second round possible by Friday
US President Donald Trump said a second round of negotiations with Iran could be held by Friday, signaling possible rapid progress in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said discussions could move quickly, adding that a breakthrough in the talks might be reached within 36 to 72 hours.
Hezbollah says it targets ‘Israeli’ artillery position in Bayyada with drone
Hezbollah said it carried out a drone strike targeting an ‘Israeli’ artillery position in the town of Bayyada.
The group said the operation hit the artillery site, with reports indicating that fire broke out in one of its rooms following the strike.
‘Israeli’ army says it intercepted Hezbollah drone in south Lebanon
The ‘Israeli’ military said it intercepted a drone launched by Hezbollah toward its forces deployed along the frontline in southern Lebanon.
According to the ‘Israeli’ army, the drone was shot down by the air force before it could cross from southern Lebanon into ‘Israeli’ territory.
Trump seeks to end war, avoids military escalation: Axios
US President Donald Trump is seeking to end the war and avoid further military escalation, according to sources cited by Axios.
US official claims split inside Iran between negotiators and military
A US official told Axios there is a deep internal split in Iran between negotiators and the military, claiming that coordination between the two sides has weakened significantly.
The official said neither the negotiating team nor the armed forces can directly reach Iran’s Supreme Leader, suggesting a breakdown in internal communication channels.
The official also argued that Iran’s current National Security Council secretary is less effective than Ali Larijani, saying the former official had greater political influence and coordination power.
It was further claimed that Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr lacks Larijani’s ability to bridge coordination between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s political leadership.
Iran’s Araghchi criticizes Europe over Hormuz tensions, nuclear site strikes
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz stems from what he described as US violations of international law and military aggression against Iran.
Araghchi said Iran’s measures in the Strait of Hormuz are consistent with international law, adding that countries responsible for aggression would bear the consequences for the global economy.
He also said European countries’ silence over US and ‘Israeli’ attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities is “unacceptable,” accusing them of holding contradictory positions.
IRGC claims it targeted third vessel “Euphoria” off Iran coast
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has targeted a third vessel, identified as “Euphoria,” off the coast of Iran, according to the Fars News Agency.
The report said the ship was struck while stranded near Iranian waters, marking the latest in a series of incidents involving commercial vessels in the region.
Strait of Hormuz sees rise in non-Iran-linked vessel traffic
Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz has seen a notable increase in vessels not linked to Iranian ports, according to data cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The data showed that about 22 ships transited the strategic waterway last week, compared with roughly 15 vessels recorded the previous week.
The rise suggests a shift in shipping behavior, as companies may be adjusting routes and port links amid heightened tensions and recent incidents in and around the strait.
Trump claims Iran is ‘collapsing financially’
US President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that Iran is “collapsing financially,” claiming the country wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened immediately and is “starving for cash.” He also said Iran is losing “500 million dollars a day” and claimed military and police personnel are complaining they are not being paid.
The post was published by Trump due to the wider conflict over the Strait of Hormuz, a necessary shipping lane that connects the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz led to regional tensions and global market concerns.
The White House did not provide evidence in the post for the financial figures Trump cited, and the claims could not be independently verified from the post itself. Iranian officials have previously pushed back on Trump’s claims about Tehran’s intentions and economic position.
The message is the latest in a series of sharp Trump statements on Iran, which have combined military threats, ceasefire talk, and pressure over energy routes in the Gulf.
Iranian IRGC claims it targeted two commercial vessels in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted two commercial vessels that allegedly violated regulations and attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
Drone attack wounds three at camp near Erbil, Kurdish opposition group says
A drone attack in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region has wounded three Iranian Kurdish fighters, according to an exiled opposition group that accused Tehran of carrying out the strike.
The Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) said its bases were targeted by four drones in the Khabat district of Erbil province. The group said three of its fighters were injured in the attack.
PAK spokesperson Kalel Kani Sanani told AFP the wounded sustained minor injuries.
In its statement, the group blamed Iran for the strike, saying the drones targeted its positions inside the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
Pakistan’s PM meets Iran’s ambassador as ceasefire extended
Pakistan’s PM Sharif has met Iran’s ambassador to the country and discussed “ongoing regional situation and peace efforts”.
Amb. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on 22.4.2026 to discuss the ongoing regional situation and peace efforts. pic.twitter.com/8QYxDsWlQj
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 22, 2026
Iran’s Pezeshkian says Revolutionary Guard foiled “enemy plots” in recent war
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had “foiled the plots and malicious goals of the enemies” during the recent war, through what he described as “firm and intelligent responses.”
Pezeshkian said the IRGC played a decisive role in countering adversary actions, adding that its response helped block what he described as hostile objectives during the fighting.
