War breaking news. Iran, media: Araghchi leaves Pakistan without meeting US delegation

French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic 'in the coming days and weeks' as the tug-of-war between Tehran and Washington over naval blockades continues. Speaking at a press conference in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron warned that the panic created by geopolitical uncertainty could fuel difficulties in energy markets and contribute to possible shortages. "We are all in the same boat, and it is not a boat we chose, if I may say so. We are victims of geopolitics and we are victims of this war that started several months ago," said the Elysée chief.

The Iranian army said today that it will respond if the US maintains its blockade of Iranian ports, calling it 'banditry' and 'piracy'. In a statement released by the state-run IRIB news agency, the army's central commander, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said that if "the invading US army continues with the blockade, banditry and piracy in the region, it must be certain that it will face a response from the powerful Iranian armed forces." "We are ready and determined, and we monitor the enemy's behaviour and movements," he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised the mediation efforts of Pakistan and in particular Pakistani army commander Field Marshal Asim Munir, whom he met this morning in Islamabad. According to a note released by the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim, Araghchi and Munir discussed 'the latest developments related to the ceasefire' between the US and Iran 'and cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the West Asian region'. Araghchi praised "the Pakistani government, particularly Field Marshal Asim Munir, for establishing the ceasefire and ending the war" and shared "Iran's views and considerations on the matter," the agency continued. In turn, Munir 'announced the country's readiness to continue Pakistan's mediation efforts until a result is achieved'.

Germany will preemptively deploy naval forces in the Mediterranean to avoid delays in case the Bundestag (federal parliament) authorises an operation in the Strait of Hormuz. This was stated by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

"In order to save time, we decided to send some German units to the Mediterranean in advance, so that if we receive a mandate, no further time will be lost," the minister said in an interview with the Rheinische Post, adding that any deployment of forces in the Middle East requires a mandate from the Bundestag.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is not in Pakistan for 'nuclear talks'. This was stated by the head of Iran's National Security Committee Ebrahim Azizi, who, speaking to reporters in Tehran, said that the diplomatic chief has "no assignment related to nuclear talks", but is in Islamabad "exclusively to discuss bilateral relations". Azizi, who is also a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that talks on nuclear activity "remain one of Iran's insurmountable red lines".

The US government has decided to freeze $344 million in cryptocurrencies held "on several Iran-related wallets" as Washington attempts to increase pressure on Tehran. This was announced on X by Washington Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

"We are monitoring the money that Tehran is desperately trying to get out of the country and we are targeting all financing lines linked to the regime," Scott Bessent assured in his message.

Turkey might consider taking part in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz following a possible peace agreement between Iran and the United States. This was said by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and reported by Reuters on its website. Fidan, speaking to reporters in London last night, said that a technical team should carry out demining work in the strait after a possible agreement, adding that Turkey regards such efforts positively in principle as a humanitarian duty. Fidan pointed out that any demining work would be carried out by a technical team made up of members from different countries, formed after a possible agreement between Iran and the US, and that Turkey would have "no problem" with participating in demining operations under such conditions.

International flights from the Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran resumed this morning. This was reported by the Iranian news agency Mehr. The first passenger flights that left Tehran were to Muscat in Oman, Istanbul in Turkey and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Mashhad airport, which serves the country's second largest city in the far north-east, reopened earlier this week.

Iran has announced that it has hanged an Iranian man who worked for the Israeli intelligence services. He was accused of vandalism and violence during this year's national demonstrations, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.

The Tasnim agency indicated that Erfan Kiani, a man linked to the Mossad, had been responsible for acts of destruction and arson against public and private property, spreading panic and terror in the city of Isfahan, and that he had used a machete.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi handed over Tehran's proposal for a peace agreement with the US to Pakistani Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir during their meeting in Islamabad. This was reported by the Iranian state media. The reply was described as 'comprehensive' and reflecting all of Iran's considerations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, on a visit to Islamabad, met and discussed with the head of the Pakistani Army, Asim Munir. This was written by the official account of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on X in its English version, where pictures of the meeting are shown. Munir, together with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is a key man in the mediation between Iran and the US.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Ap that the US does not intend to renew the waiver allowing the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products currently at sea. He also said that renewing the one-time waiver for Iranian oil at sea is absolutely out of the question. "Not the Iranians," Bessent told the Associated Press. "We have the blockade and there is no oil coming out." "And we think that in the next two or three days they will have to start stopping production, which will be very damaging to their wells." Bessent's statements come at a time of heightened international tension due to the US-Israeli war in Iran, and with global energy markets in trouble due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US had originally granted a waiver for sales of Russian oil and petroleum products in March, with the intention of stabilising global energy markets after crude oil prices surpassed $100 per barrel.

The United States has reaffirmed its neutrality on the Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. This was stated by a US State Department spokesperson. "Our position on the Islands remains neutral. We recognise that there are conflicting sovereignty claims between Argentina and the United Kingdom," the spokesperson said, adding that the US recognises the "de facto UK administration" of the archipelago without taking a position on sovereignty claims.

Washington is studying revenge against Madrid and London for not having supported the Iran conflict: the hypothesis is the suspension of Spain from the Alliance and a change in the US position with respect to Great Britain's claims on the Falkland Islands. Defence Secretary Hegseth lets the European allies know that 'the time for free protection' is 'over' and calls the talks on Hormuz in France and GB 'talk'.

Further reading

Nato, Trump wants to expel Spain for non-support in Iran. But the treaty forbids it

24 April 2026

In Islamabad 'Foreign Minister Araghchi will meet with senior Pakistani officials in line with their ongoing mediation and good offices to end the American-imposed war of aggression and the restoration of peace in our region. No meeting between Iran and the US is planned. Iran's remarks will be conveyed to Pakistan'. So says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on X, denying the news spread by Axios that the US and Iranian envoys would meet on Monday.

Trump sends envoy Steve Witkoff to Islamabad to meet with Iranian negotiators. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi is also heading to Pakistan. Instead, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, who is leaving due to internal disagreements, will no longer sit at the negotiating table. "Iran will make an offer to meet US demands," says President Trump.