War latest news. Iran, White House: US discussing possible second round of negotiations with Tehran

"Our American friends keep us updated on their contacts with Iran. Our goals and those of the United States are the same'. This was stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by Haaretz. Netanyahu added that both countries want to remove Iranian enriched uranium, destroy its enrichment capabilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Israeli PM stressed that it is "too early to say how it will end" and that Israel is "prepared for any scenario, in anticipation of a resumption of fighting".

"Our forces continue to strike Hezbollah, we are on the verge of conquering Bint Jbeil. In parallel, yesterday I instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to continue strengthening the security zone." This was stated in a video posted on his social media by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. "Our American friends keep us constantly updated on contacts with Iran. Our goals are identical. In anticipation of the possibility that fighting will resume, we are ready for any scenario," the Israeli leader specified.

Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omannian side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack, as part of proposals put forward in negotiations with the US, should an agreement be reached, writes Reuters in an exclusive on the site, citing an Iranian source.

The US "has not asked for an extension of the ceasefire with Iran". This was said by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, responding to a question about some press rumours. "It's bad journalism," she added. (ANSA).

The UN Head of Humanitarian Aid, Tom Fletcher, announced that $12 million (€10.17 million) had been allocated for humanitarian support in Iran.

"Thousands of civilians killed. Infrastructure destroyed. Essential services disrupted,' he said on X, alluding to the damage caused by the 40-day war with Israel and the US. He added that these funds will help humanitarian partners provide life-saving assistance on a large scale.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council regarding the intense 8 April bombing conducted by Israel, which according to the Lebanese authorities caused over 300 deaths and 1,150 injuries. On Wednesday, Israel struck 100 targets in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon during rush hour without warning, marking one of the deadliest bombing campaigns in the country's history. The ministry stated in its letter today that most of the victims were unarmed civilians. Israel claims to have targeted Hezbollah militants and infrastructure, but provided few details on what was hit. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli attacks on Lebanese health facilities, calling them violations of international law. It said that in its latest war against Hezbollah, Israel launched 17 attacks against hospitals and 101 attacks against emergency response teams.

The Kremlin said the US has rejected Russia's proposal to transfer Iranian enriched uranium to its territory to find a solution to the nuclear dispute. 'President Putin,' spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with India Today reported by Tass, 'has been making this proposal for a long time (...), and this could indeed be a very good solution. But, unfortunately, the American side rejected this proposal. And now it is no longer on the negotiating table. However, President Putin is ready to return to this initiative'.

The US and Iran are considering extending the ceasefire for another two weeks to negotiate an agreement. This was reported by the Bloomberg news agency, citing sources, who said it is not certain that there will be an extension as the US has not yet agreed to it.

Switzerland has offered to host talks between the US and Iran and between Israel and Lebanon, a senior Swiss official told Haaretz. "I can confirm that we have offered to host the talks between the US and Iran and between Israel and Lebanon in Switzerland," he said. "We have received positive feedback from both sides regarding the talks between the US and Iran. They know Geneva, they feel comfortable there, it is logistically easy since the missions are used to having delegations and negotiations there." According to the official, Geneva 'is in a middle position, while Pakistan is really far away for the Americans. But of course we are not in competition with the Pakistanis, who have done a very good job. We are still ready to host the talks if the parties ask us to'.

This was said by the President of the Council.

US and Iranian negotiators made progress in yesterday's talks, moving closer to a framework agreement to end the war. This was stated by two US officials quoted by Axios.

Iran has theinalienable right to enrich uranium for civil purposes, just like any other country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Beijing after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stressing that "Moscow will accept any decision by Tehran that is in Iran's interests in this quater of legitimacy". Russia, he reiterated, is ready to assist a solution to the issues surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, including reprocessing Iran's highly enriched uranium (the 400 kilos enriched to 60 per cent, ed.) into fuel for nuclear power plants, or transferring a certain amount to Russia, where it could be stored.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, is in Tehran to deliver a new US message and plan a second round of talks between the parties. Press TV reports.

Munir was greeted on his arrival at Tehran airport by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had led the Islamic Republic's delegation to talks with the US on Saturday in Islamabad along with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. "Since the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran on Sunday, many messages have been exchanged (with the US, ed) via Pakistan," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said.

"I don't think it is a crisis. There are differences of opinion. The relations are historical relations'. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this at a press point in Berlin, responding to a question on relations between Italia and the United States after President Donald Trump's criticism of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "We believe in the Atlantic Alliance, we believe in transatlantic relations, we are friends of the United States. But being friends also means being frank and loyal,' explained the Farnesina titular, according to whom 'the Atlantic Alliance goes far beyond a debate on a subject on which we disagree. We did not agree on Greenland, we do not agree on what was said about Pope Leo, who is a fundamental instrument for peace'.

"There is no ceasefire in Lebanon". This was reported by an Israeli official to the Times of Israel, debunking rumours of a ceasefire with Beirut starting tonight after the security cabinet meeting. "It is in the interest of Lebanon and Israel to dismantle Hezbollah," the source added, denying having received any such proposals from the US.

Lebanon needs 'international support' in its direct negotiations with Israel. This was advocated by the country's ambassador to Italia, Carla Jazzar, during her hearing at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

"Lebanon needs international support in its direct negotiations with Israel in order to enforce UNSC Resolution 1701, silence the guns and give its citizens a glimmer of hope," Jazzar stressed, "And for diplomacy to prevail. Let me be frank: inaction or an inadequate response to the current situation could have serious consequences not only for Lebanon, but for the entire Middle East and the entire Mediterranean'.

The Israeli security cabinet will meet at 8pm (7pm Italian time) to discuss a possible cease-fire with Lebanon. This was reported by sources in Reuters, quoted by the international media. At the same time, the Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen reports, citing high-level Iranian sources, that "a cease-fire will be declaredin Lebanon from tonight". The truce - the source explains -"will last one week and will extend until the end of the truce period between Iran and the United States".

Afghanistan has purchased 530 tonnes of humanitarian aid worth a total of USD 500,000 from Egypt and delivered it to the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Ariana News portal, citing the Afghan Foreign Ministry. "Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry announced the delivery of 530 tons of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through the Egyptian Rafah crossing. The aid was collected on the directive of the prime minister's office and purchased by the Afghan delegation in Egypt,' the statement read. According to the diplomatic body, the humanitarian cargo includes food, clothing and basic necessities; the aid, transported on 42 trucks, will be distributed to some 22,000 families in Gaza. Kabul also urged the international community to take effective measures to establish a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Foreign Ministry reiterated Afghanistan's position on the Palestinian issue, stating that any solution must take into account the historical realities and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. On 10 April, the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (Msf) reported that the situation in the Gaza Strip continues to be 'catastrophic' despite the ceasefire declared six months ago. Israel and the Palestinian Islamic fundamentalist movement Hamas accuse each other almost daily of violating the ceasefire, reached after the signing of the first phase of the peace agreement proposed by the current US administration, which came into force in October 2025 with the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, the United States and Turkey. The text provided for the return of all Israeli hostages - dead and alive -, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Palestinian enclave, and the increased entry of humanitarian aid into the territory. In mid-January, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of the peace plan for the Gaza Strip, which includes the creation of a transitional technocratic government, the disarmament of Hamas, and the transition from a cease-fire to the reconstruction of the region.

US President Donald Trump called the alleged European plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without US involvement "very sad", revealed in a preview by the Wall Street Journal. "The Strait of Hormuz is already reopening, there are ships coming in and out," he told Fox News, "But how do you stand with a group of countries with that attitude? Look at Greenland: we needed it to protect the world from Russia and China'. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will chair a conference of 'non-belligerent' countries eager to 'restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz' in Paris on Friday.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was 'negative. Whoever refused to help in managing the situation with Iran, we no longer have the same relationship with that country. Just for your information: Italia receives large quantities of oil from the Straits'. Donald Trump said this in an interview with Fox.

The Iranian armed forces are threatening to blockade the Red Sea if the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues. This was announced by Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al Anbiya central headquarters, emphasising that the sea blockade creates "insecurity for Iranian commercial ships and oil tankers" and is "the prelude" to the violation of the ceasefire in force since 8 April. According to a statement released by Iranian state TV, the general added that the Iranian armed forces "will not allow any exports or imports into the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Red Sea".

Mediators have moved closer to extending the US-Iranian ceasefire and resuming negotiations to save the fragile truce before it expires next week: according to regional officials quoted by the Associated Press, the US and Iran have reached an 'agreement in principle' to extend it and allow for more diplomatic engagement

Further reading

Because this time Xi is moving with a peace plan

14 April 2026

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, had a telephone conversation with the Speaker of Tehran's Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. This was reported by the Wam news agency, pointing out that the two discussed regional developments and ways to reduce escalation in the region. The Emirates were among the Gulf countries affected by Iran's retaliation, which was triggered in response to attacks launched by the US and Israel starting on 28 February.

The Iranian military warns that it will blockade the Red Sea if the US naval blockade continues. In addition, Tehran's military has stressed that the US naval blockade will lead to the breakdown of the ceasefire

US President Donald Trump said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping not to supply arms to Iran and had received assurances from him that China was not involved in such activities. He said this in an interview with Fox Business.

"I wrote him a letter asking him not to do it, and he wrote me a letter saying that, in essence, he is not doing it".

A military summit will be held in Paris in the next few hours, attended by a number of countries, including Italia, whose theme is the planning of mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz. At the moment - according to qualified sources - nothing has been established and a possible mission in this sense could only start after the cessation of hostilities between Iran and the United States and after verifying the conditions for an intervention. The meeting is also attended by a staff from the Italian Navy, currently in Paris.

The Pentagon will send thousands more troops to the Middle East in the coming days as the Trump government tries to pressure Iran for an agreement to end the conflict. The Washington Post writes this, citing US officials. Forces arriving in the region include some 6,000 soldiers aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and several escort warships, said current and former officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another 4,200 soldiers, belonging to the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the embarked Marine task force, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are expected to arrive at the end of the month

House Dems will file five articles of impeachment against Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth today, accusing him of abuse of power, war crimes and other serious wrongdoing. Axios writes this, pointing out that the measure has virtually no chance of being passed in this Congress, but it is the latest sign that the Dems have compacted around Hegseth as their new main target in the Trump administration. Previously, the Dems had pushed for the impeachment of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, both of whom Trump removed in recent months.

Eight oil tankers obeyed the order of US forces to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal writes this, citing a US official. No interceptions have been reported and are unlikely to occur in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, more than 20 merchant ships have recently crossed the strait. The US Central Command stated that the blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented and that US forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East

An agreement with Iran by the end of April 'is possible. We've been beating them heavily, it's very possible'. President Donald Trump said this in a telephone interview with Sky News UK's Washington correspondent Mark Stone, who asked him whether the Middle East war could end before the state visit to the US by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, scheduled for 27-30 April.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera, US President Donald Trump said he was 'shocked' by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "I can't imagine that. I thought she had courage, I was wrong," Trump said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said today that Tehran supports constructive dialogue with the US, but will not allow itself to be 'forced into submission'. Iran International reports. "Iran does not seek war or instability and has always attached importance to dialogue and constructive confrontation with other countries," he said during a visit to an emergency services centre in Tehran. "Any attempt to impose its will or force the country into submission is doomed to failure," he added.

The director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said speaking from Seoul that 'Iran has a very ambitious and extensive nuclear programme' so in the event of an agreement to end the conflict with the US and Israel 'all this will require the presence of the IAEA inspectors' otherwise 'there will be no agreement. There will only be the illusion of an agreement'. Grossi argues that any agreement on nuclear technology 'requires very detailed verification mechanisms'.

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey from 15 to 18 April. This was announced by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, pointing out that Sharif will be accompanied by Deputy PM Mohammad Ishaq Dar. 'The visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar will take place in a bilateral context, where the PM will meet with leaders of both countries to discuss ongoing bilateral cooperation, as well as regional peace and security,' the statement said. 'The PM will also travel to Turkey to attend the Fifth Antalya Diplomatic Forum. During the Forum, the Prime Minister will participate in the Leaders' Panel, along with other world leaders, to present Pakistan's perspective. On the sidelines of the Forum, he will hold bilateral meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top world leaders'.

"Can someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent and completely unarmed protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to possess a nuclear bomb is absolutely unacceptable? Thank you for your attention. AMERICA IS BACK!". US President Donald Trump writes this on Truth.

Further reading

One year before the Conclave, Leo's turning point

14 April 2026

US President Donald Trump told ABC that he was not considering an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, because it will most likely not be necessary. "I think you're going to see two extraordinary days," the US president said in the context of renewed talks with Iran on a deal. "I really do. "It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild," Trump said. "They really do have a different regime now. Either way, we got rid of the radicals. They're gone, they're no longer with us," Trump continued. "If I wasn't president, the world would be in pieces," the US president concluded.

Further reading

The war in Iran, trouble in the Trump household

15 April 2026

'Almost over', the war in Iran, after the American and Israeli operations that started on 28 February were halted by a fragile truce. Donald Trump is convinced of this, as he put it in an interview with Fox News of which some previews were released. 'I think it's almost over. Yes, I mean I think it's very close to over,' he said in statements shared on X by Maria Bartiromo. Today, the tycoon claimed, Iran would already need "twenty years" for reconstruction. "And we are not finished," he said, "We will see what happens. The US president said he was convinced that Iran wants a deal after the first round of talks between the US and Iran last weekend in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, and as rumours swirled about a possible new meeting imminent.

Russia is ready to 'compensate' for the energy deficit suffered by many countries as a result of the war in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his visit to Beijing today.

"Russia can undoubtedly make up the resource deficit that has been created, both for the People's Republic of China and for all countries willing to cooperate with us in a fair and mutually beneficial manner," Lavrov said at a press conference separate from his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The US military claims to have completely blocked trade to and from Iran by sea through a naval blockade, claiming to have achieved 'maritime superiority' in the Middle East.

The blockade of Iranian ports was 'fully implemented' within 36 hours of its launch, according to a social media post by the US Central Command, which quotes Centcom chief Admiral Brad Cooper.

Iran allegedly used a Chinese spy satellite to target US bases in the Gulf. The Financial Times writes this. A possibility that - it is explained - gives the Islamic Republic a new capability to launch possible attacks against the US military in the area.