War breaking news. Vance's trip to Islamabad suspended. Iran: 'Negotiations only after removal of US blockade'. Israel prepares for war

The ceasefire between Iran and the United States, in force since 8 April, will expire at 3:30 a.m. Tehran time on Wednesday (2 a.m. in Italia). This was reported by Iranian state television. The timing coincides with the entry into force of the 14-day truce, although Donald Trump recently extended it until Wednesday evening, Washington time. Meanwhile, the mediator Pakistan has declared that the ceasefire will end today at 11.50 p.m. (1.50 a.m. in Italia).

The naval blockade maintained by the US in the Strait of Hormuz contributes to the ongoing uncertainty regarding a second round of talks between Iranian and US negotiators. Cnn writes this, citing officials familiar with the matter. Tehran had initially sent private signals to Washington, explaining that it was ready to send a negotiating team to Islamabad and making it clear that it expected Vice President JD Vance to attend, in which case Iran would send Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the US broadcaster explains. However, the Iranian authorities later demanded an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports before another round of direct negotiations: this would be one of the reasons behind the apparent stalemate in the negotiations.

Vice President JD Vance's trip to Islamabad has been suspended after Tehran failed to respond to the American negotiating positions. This was reported by the New York Times citing American sources, according to which without an Iranian response the diplomatic process is effectively suspended, although the trip has not been cancelled.

Vance, the White House confirmed, is engaged in some additional meetings and is now in Washington, where envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also. The plane that was supposed to take them to Islamabad via Europe this morning never took off in that direction, but merely flew them to Washington.

Israel doubts that an agreement will be reached between Iran and the US in the planned talks between the two sides and is preparing with Washington for the resumption of the conflict. This was stated by a senior security official to Israeli public broadcaster Kan. "The Iranians are trying to buy time and speak with more voices. We and the Americans are coordinated and ready to resume the war immediately," the official said, while Iran has not yet decided whether to participate in the second round of talks in Islamabad before the end of the current ceasefire. According to sources close to the matter, Israel and the US have been preparing for the resumption of hostilities since the beginning of the ceasefire, conducting fighter aircraft exercises and airborne refuelling operations throughout the Middle East.

Lebanon's willingness to negotiate with Israel does not mean that Beirut has given in or is ready to make concessions, but rather that it seeks a lasting end to the armed conflict. This was stated by the Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun.

"Negotiations do not mean concessions or surrender, but aim to solve problems. It is important that the Lebanese support their state at this time, because they are tired of these wars,' Aoun said during a meeting with parliamentarians and municipal leaders in the southern Lebanese district of Jezzine.

Tehran denies the news of the sentencing to death by hanging of eight Iranian women whose release Donald Trump called for, claiming it was 'a good start to negotiations'. "Trump has again been misled by fake news," reads the judiciary's official website, Mizan Online, "Among the women who were said to be about to be executed, some have been released, while others face charges that, if the convictions are upheld, would result in jail time at most. In a post on Truth, the US president had relayed what an American activist, Eyal Yakoby, had written on X, who had published photos of eight Iranian women he claimed were about to be hanged.

Iran has said that talks can only resume if the US lifts the blockade. This was reported by the Wall Street Journal citing sources who said that Iran had initially told the mediators that it would send a delegation to Pakistan on Tuesday, but later informed them that the US would have to lift the blockade on Iranian ports.

"We are exhausted by this war, we hope to reach a peace agreement with Israel soon". This was told to Tgr Emilia-Romagna by the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, in Rimini to represent his country at Macfrut, the exhibition dedicated to fruit and vegetables, and to sign a cooperation agreement with his Italian counterpart, Francesco Lollobrigida. "This war has a very strong impact on Lebanon, at all levels," Hani explained. A quarter of the population has had to leave their homes and the south of the country, 22% of our agricultural land is involved in the conflict, more than 50 thousand hectares. Everything is affected: people, economy, infrastructure'.

Thursday in Washington there will be a bilateral Lebanon-Israel meeting. "We decided to have direct negotiations hoping that this will lead to a more stable future for the whole region. We hope that the ceasefire will be extended, and that an agreement will be reached between our two countries'. Do you think an agreement could ever be effective? 'It has to be,' replied the minister when asked by Tgr, 'because Lebanon is exhausted by all these conflicts in our country and in neighbouring countries.

Tehran has not yet decided whether to send a delegation to Islamabad for talks with the US on ending the war. Speaking to the BBC, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said a decision had not yet been made and reiterated concern over the US naval blockade of ports and the seizure of an Iranian ship, as well as President Donald Trump's threats to destroy Iran's infrastructure.
"We went to the negotiations with good faith and seriousness, but we have a negotiating counterpart that has shown its lack of seriousness, lack of good faith.... They are frequently changing their position, these volte-faces, threats of war crimes," said Baghaei, who did not elaborate on the conditions Iran would require to return to the negotiating table, adding that the issue is still being discussed. The broadcaster learned that talks are underway to try to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations before the ceasefire expires tomorrow.

Instead of leaving for Pakistan this American morning, US Vice President JD Vance remained in the US and the trip that was supposed to take him to Islamabad for a new round of negotiations with Iraq has been delayed. A White House official told the New York Times that Donald Trump's number two is in Washington to attend further meetings at the US president's residence.

The NY Times' indiscretion confirms CNN's claim that the White House intends to 'hold further meetings at the White House in which the vice-president will participate. It is therefore unclear when Vance will leave for Pakistan where new negotiations could take place.

"No one knows for sure what will happen" as far as possible negotiations between Tehran and Washington are concerned: this is what former Pakistani ambassador to Iran Asif Ali Khan Durrani claimed, while uncertainty over Iranian participation in the peace talks in Islamabad and the imminent expiry of a ceasefire are fuelling doubts about ongoing diplomatic efforts. "The best test would be the extension of the ceasefire," adds the diplomat. Durrani, who served as Pakistan's ambassador to Iran from 2016 to 2018, told Ansa that while he expects Iran to participate in the talks, the outcome of the same remains unpredictable.

Lebanon announced that the toll in the war between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, which was ended by a fragile ceasefire on Friday, is 2,454 dead since 2 March.

According to the disaster management body, moreover,7,658 people have been injured in this conflict that has lasted more than six weeks. A fragile ten-day ceasefire has come into effect, but this official body continues to update the tally as new bodies are discovered under the rubble.

The Pentagon has released further details of President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion defence budget request for fiscal year 2027; by far the largest annual increase in military spending since the post-World War II era, Reuters reports.

In a poll posted on his own X profile, the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, provokes US President Donald Trump and the Make America Great Again movement. "Will they sell the war (as an excuse, ed) to make what great again?" is Ghalibaf's question to his followers. The suggested answers are 'inflation, economic unsustainability, oligarchs and Epsteinocracy', the latter the most popular option. All solutions play with the acronym Maga: 'Miga' (Make Inflation Great Again), 'Muga' (Make Unaffordability Great Again), 'Moga' (Make Oligarchs Great Again) and 'Mega' (Make Epsteinocracy Great Again).

Another track that the Commission indicated could be followed is to focus on paraffin imports from the US. Europe is heavily dependent on paraffin imports: in April it will only be supplied with one third of the total average monthly imports from the Middle East. The International Energy Agency a week ago indicated that the emergency for the sector would come after six weeks. Ten days ago the Airports Council International in a letter to the EU indicated that if the Strait of Hormuz did not reopen within three weeks the paraffin shortage in Europe would become 'critical'.

It is estimated that around 40% of the world's jet fuel supply transits through the Strait of Hormuz; 20% of the paraffin consumed in the EU passes through there.

Pakistan is still waiting for a formal answer from Iran on its participation in the peace talks planned in Islamabad. This was emphasised by the Pakistani Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, stressing that Islamabad, in its role as mediator, is 'in constant contact with the Iranian authorities' and continues to work to keep the negotiating channel open. According to Tarar's report on X, the current ceasefire will expire tonight at 1.50 a.m. Italian time, and a decision by Tehran on participation in the talks before the end of the two-week truce is considered "crucial".

Dozens of veterans and military family members protesting against the war in Iran were arrested on Capitol Hill. At least 62 people ended up in handcuffs during the demonstration, organised by several veterans groups in Washington, when they occupied one of the Congressional buildings (the Cannon House Office Building).
The demonstrators sat in the centre of the rotunda with red tulips in their hands to honour the Iranian dead, and a stars and stripes flag for fallen American soldiers.
The protest called for a stop to funding the conflict just as the ceasefire is about to expire and President Donald Trump rules out an extension without an agreement with Tehran.

Among those arrested was the executive director of the Center on Conscience and War, Mike Prysner, a veteran of the Iraq war, who called the conflict "already deeply unpopular and a crisis for the Trump administration".

The IDF soldier who destroyed a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon was sentenced to 30 days in prison and removed from combat duty. This was announced by an Idf spokesman. The same sentence was also imposed on the soldier who took the photo.
The news is reported by Kan News. Six other soldiers were present at the event and did not intervene to stop or denounce him. The six soldiers have been summoned for a cognitive interview to be held at a later date.

Pakistan has urged the United States and Iran to extend their ceasefire by two weeks. This was stated by Pakistan's foreign minister Ishaq Dar.

A fuel shortage is 'an extraordinary circumstance' and therefore does not necessarily give entitlement to compensation if a flight is cancelled. On the other hand, if a flight is cancelled due to the excessive cost of jet fuel, there is a right to compensation, as this is not an extraordinary circumstance.
This was stated by EU Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas at the end of the videocall of the ministers of the 27. The commissioner also added: "At this stage the market is managing the pressure and there are no indications of genuine shortages" of jet fuel.

"The 5 Star Movement was one of the few parties that were able to call what is happening in Palestine by its name: a genocide. It is not just a linguistic disquisition, because the moment you recognise that there is a genocide going on then political measures are triggered, such as the suspension of military cooperation or cooperation agreements, which at the moment give Israel preferential access to the European market'.

This was said by former Italian ambassador to Belgium and writer Elena Basile, on the sidelines of the presentation of her book 'Landing for us castaways. How to build peace', held at the Europarliament on the sidelines of the conference 'Building peace in a world of conflict', organised by M5s MEP Carolina Morace.

"A year has passed since the death of the beloved Pope Francis and the people of Italy cherish with affection and gratitude the memory of his figure and his teaching". With these words, President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella opens his speech in L'Osservatore Romano on the occasion of the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis.
The Head of State emphasises how "his pontificate went through difficult seasons of international life and left an indelible mark on the history of humanity, on the Church, on the conscience of peacemakers, of those who hunger and thirst for justice".

At the meeting of the German National Security Council, support was reiterated for the offer of Chancellor Friedrich Merz to deploy mine destroyers and reconnaissance planes to ensure the safety of merchant traffic through the Strait of Hormuz if a lasting ceasefire in the Iranian war is achieved.
The necessary conditions were also confirmed: 1) a solid international legal framework; 2) a mandate from the Bundestag; 3) a clearly defined operational plan.

US forces intercepted a ship carrying a 'gift' from China to Iran. Donald Trump told Cnbc. The ship had "a gift from China" that "wasn't very nice," the US president said.
"I was a little surprised," he added, saying he thought he had an "agreement" with Chinese President Xi Jinping not to provideaid to Tehran.

Donald Trump calls on Tehran to release eight Iranian women about to be executed by hanging. In a post on Truth, the tycoon addresses "Iranian leaders, who will soon be in talks with my representatives: 'I would greatly appreciate the release of these women. I am sure they will respect that you have done so.

Please don't hurt them! It would be a great start to our negotiations!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter,' added Trump, who attached a photo of a post with portraits of the eight young women and an appeal to save them.

"Italia consumes twice as much gas as Spain. And what is the result? Well, during the first month of the war, the difference in the price of electricity between our two countries was over 100 euro'.

This was said by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaking at the 'WindEurope 2026' event, referring to the energy crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East and the Iberian government's decision to focus on renewables.

Four Palestinians, two of them underage students, were killed today in the West Bank. This was reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa. This morning 16-year-old Muhammad Majdi al-Ja'bari, who was run over by a settler's vehicle in Hebron on his way to school on his bicycle, died. The vehicle belonged, according to Wafa, to the security escort of an Israeli government minister living in a settlement in the Hebron area. The accident occurred on Route 60, the bypass road leading to the settlement of Kiryat Arba, at the Beit Einun junction, near Hebron. The boy died instantly. Two Palestinians, one of them a student, were later killed and others wounded this afternoon by gunshots fired by Israeli settlers in the village of al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah: the Ministry of Health confirmed the killing of 14-year-old sstudent Aws Hamdi Al-Naasan and 32-year-old Marzouq Abu Naim, while three others were wounded by live bullets, during a settler attack on the al-Mughayyir boys' school.

Today, 49-year-old Raja Fadl Bitawi, who died in Jenin from wounds suffered two years ago after being shot by the Israeli army, also died.

"The blockade is an extraordinary success. We have total control of the Strait of Hormuz, just to clarify for all the fake news out there." US President Donald Trump told Cnbc's 'Squawk Box'.

The war against Iran 'is not a war we wanted and it is not a war we will participate in. If there were a UN mission, it would be a different kettle of fish'. Thus Matteo Salvini speaking about the future of the Strait of Hormuz. One thing, the Carroccio leader reasoned, is 'an international mission that involves everyone, then of course there we are. It's one thing for someone to go in random order. No one in government thinks of going in random order. So I, Crosetto and Meloni think absolutely the same way'.

"We hit their Navy, their Air Force, their leaders. We took their leaders, frankly that complicates things in a way, but their leaders are much more rational." This was said by Donald Trump, in his interview with Cnbc, adding that "this is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, it wasn't what I said I was going to do I did it indirectly".

Further reading

War on Iran: the illusion of regime change and the lesson of Gaza

28 February 2026

"With Iran we want a good deal, I'm not being rushed." This was said by Donald Trump in an interview with Cncb, reiterating that the US had 'completely won the war. If we left now, it would take Tehran 20 years to rebuild'. The president then criticised the media and said: 'I would have won in Vietnam and Iraq quickly. Look at Venezuela'.

Authorities in the Pakistani twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have restored bus terminal operations at selected locations, although heightened security measures remain in place ahead of possible talks between Iran and the United States. Officials disclosed that services at Chungi Bus Terminal No. 26, located between Rawalpindi and Islamabad along the Peshawar Road, as well as at other stations along the same road, have resumed after a temporary suspension. The deputy commissioners of both cities announced the easing of restrictions, allowing intercity travellers to use the reopened terminals. These facilities are widely used by users travelling to and from different cities in the country. The latest measures were taken even against a background of heightened vigilance in Pakistan's federal capital and surrounding areas due to possible diplomatic activities.

'We are ready to bomb' Iran again in the event of a failure to reach an agreement with the US. This was said by US President Donald Trump in a telephone interview with CNBC during which he extolled 'the best military in the world, everybody knows that'. According to the president, Iran is trying to move its missiles during the ceasefire.

Further reading

For the Maga 'war is treason'. Why Trump risks losing at home

03 March 2026

"Iran has no choice but to make a deal". Donald Trump said this in a telephone interview with Cbnc news. "I was sure they would send a delegation to Pakistan, they have no other choice," he added.

Further reading

US and Iran forced to peace by domestic causes

18 April 2026

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto today expressed his preference for a peacekeeping mission to protect free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz even if a UN Security Council resolution is blocked by the veto of some countries. In a statement, the minister said that he wanted 'a UN resolution for a peacekeeping mission to guarantee free navigation in Hormuz', claiming that 'the vast majority of the world's nations want it' and that 'the UN itself would be delighted to build it'.

The Pakistan-led mediators have received confirmation that the main negotiators, US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will arrive in Islamabad in the early hours of Wednesday (when in Italia it may still be Tuesday, ed.) to lead their respective teams in the talks: this is what the Ap writes on its website citing two officials from the region. Neither the US nor Iran has publicly confirmed the date of the talks, and Iranian state television has denied the presence of any officials in the Pakistani capital.

They were born in the Iraqi chaos more than twenty years ago. They returned to 'prominence' in the escalation in the Middle East, when during American and Israeli military operations against Iran they set off explosive-filled drones 'directed' against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. It is the Iraqi militias that have in fact allowed Iran to have more 'options' to 'respond', as they say in Tehran. And as uncertainty continues to reign over the second round of talks in Islamabad between the United States and Iran, amidst a fragile truce, the US embassy in Baghdad has issued a new alert about the risk of attacks. In the Iraqi capital, which is in at least a difficult position between the US and the Islamic Republic, the repercussions of November's parliamentary elections are still fresh and the 26 April deadline to define the country's future is approaching.

Here on Saturday was - "surprisingly", according to sources on the Iraqi website Shafaq News - the commander of the Quds Force of the Guardians of the Revolution, Esmail Qaani, for talks "with leaders of Iraqi political and armed factions". The Quds Force, the Israeli media continue to point out, is the number one supporter of the Shia militias. "Iraqi terrorist militias allied with Iran continue to plan attacks against US citizens and US-linked targets throughout Iraq, including the region of Iraqi Kurdistan," is the content of the warning posted yesterday on the website of the US embassy in Baghdad, urging American citizens to "not attempt to reach" the headquarters and consulate general in Erbil "due to significant security risks." According to the warning, "certain elements associated with the Iraqi government continue to actively provide political, financial, and operational cover to these terrorist militias" linked to Tehran.

Further reading

On the new Iraq the shadow of Tehran-controlled militias

16 November 2025

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, accompanied by Under-Secretary Maria Tripodi, is in Luxembourg this afternoon to attend the meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Today's discussion focuses first and foremost on the war of aggression against Ukraine, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participating remotely. Here, the 27 will discuss how to continue to exert pressure on the Russian Federation through the adoption of the 20th sanctions package and how to support Kyiv in its efforts to rebuild and stabilise Ukraine. The ministers will also address the repercussions of the Russian attack on the UNESCO site in Lviv, also in relation to the initiatives of the Venice Biennale 2026. The agenda will continue with a session on the Middle East and a discussion with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The focus will be on the prospects for the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and Gaza, and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Minister Tajani will reiterate Italia's readiness to contribute to multilateral initiatives for security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Italy's support for the reform path initiated by the Lebanese government and its commitment, together with its international partners, to avoid a security vacuum in the south of the country once Unifil has been concluded. The ministers will then address the ongoing developments in the South Caucasus, with particular attention to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the internal situation in Georgia. Finally, the conflict in Sudan will be addressed, to discuss the follow-up to the Berlin conference on 15 April.

It will be a two-sided informal European Council for Giorgia Meloni, the one scheduled in Cyprus on 23 and 24 April. On the one hand it should certify the prime minister's yes to greater European interventionism in the Strait of Hormuz and in Lebanon, for the post-Unifil period: an almost obligatory reaction in the face of Donald Trump's disengagement (and impasse) in Iran. On the other hand, however, it is expected to take a snapshot of the differences between the Twenty-Seven on the measures against the high energy prices proposed by the EU Commission, with Italy disappointed and in the forefront in demanding the general suspension of the Stability Pact and the temporary halt to the Ets on thermoelectric power.

"There are very important negotiations going on that we support, both those concerning the Islamabad negotiations and those concerning, another issue that is very important to us, the direct Israel-Lebanon negotiations. And so we see on the basis of what will come out of these negotiations what are the priorities we must give ourselves". So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, on the sidelines of her visit to the Salone del Mobile, when asked if the excise tax cut will be extended beyond 1 May.

Only 12 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours. This was revealed by Marine Traffic underlining how limited transit through the strait still is. Four of the 12 vessels were flying the Iranian flag and most of them used the Iranian-approved route off Bandar Abbas. According to Marine Traffic's data, there are still 12 vessels anchored or sailing in the area.

"Iran has violated the ceasefire so many times!". This was the message posted on Truth today by US President Donald Trump. The two-week ceasefire, announced on 8 April after 40 days of conflict, ends today.

The US has asked the allies to discontinue the ritual of the annual NATO summit and switch to one every two years. Several allied diplomatic sources confided this. The proposal was apparently received with some favour by Secretary General Mark Rutte but very negatively by other countries. At the moment, therefore, a sort of compromise has been reached, shifting the summit planned for 2027 in Albania to the autumn and not the summer, as is traditional. An allied official points out that the frequency of summits 'has changed over time' and that NATO, in any case, 'works 7 days a week'.

Iran's national airline Iran Air is preparing to resume operations tomorrow with its first flight after a 50-day stoppage due to the war with the United States and Israel. This was reported by the Tasnim news agency, pointing out that it is a first step towards a gradual normalisation of air traffic in the Islamic Republic. According to the Iranian media, the first plane will take off at 10 a.m. from Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, bound for Mashad in north-eastern Iran. The return flight will leave two and a half hours later. The news comes after weeks of airspace blockades and major disruptions for civil transport. The return to flights will take place gradually, with an initial phase dedicated to domestic routes and then the resumption of international connections.

The flare-up in agri-food price lists is no longer a fear, it is a reality. The outpost of price increases are vegetables: tomatoes in heated greenhouses, but also fennels, green asparagus and cauliflowers, recorded increases of more than +30% on the previous month on Monday 20 April. In detail, fennel was up 56%, white cauliflower up 46%, green asparagus up 28% and cherry tomatoes up 27%. This is what emerges from the analysis of wholesale prices of agri-food products, surveyed by the Chambers of Commerce, Wholesale Markets and National Single Commissions and analysed by the Italian Telematic Commodities Exchange (Bmti).

"The regime of the Iranian ayatollahs has planned another Holocaust. It tried to destroy us with nuclear weapons and thousands of ballistic missiles. Had we not acted against this existential threat, with determination and boldness, the names of sites like Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan could have been added to those of the Nazi death camps: Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka'. This was said by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhyau on the occasion of Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorist attacks. He added: "But this did not happen. Together with our closest ally, the United States, we preemptively dismantled the Iranian regime's machine of destruction and removed an immediate existential threat. This is the essence of this campaign: to ensure that the vital thread of the Jewish people is never interrupted'. The main memorial ceremony, which took place at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, attended in addition to the premier by President Isaac Herzog, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Supreme Court Chief Justice Isaac Amit, was met with criticism and protest. During a speech by Minister Ofir Sofer at the Kiryat Shaul military cemetery in Tel Aviv, two protesters held up signs reading 'government of death'. Clashes broke out after some people tried to snatch the placards from them. Another slogan read: 'I refuse to listen to words of comfort from a government of criminals'. During a ceremony at the military cemetery in Dimona, southern Israel, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was challenged by the crowd. Last week, over 100 bereaved families asked parliamentarians and ministers not to attend Memorial Day ceremonies at military cemeteries. In a letter sent to all coalition members, they urged them to 'sanctify life, not the ethics of sacrifice'.

Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly gave his approval for the Iranian delegation to reach Islamabad and participate in negotiations with the US. Axios writes this, explaining that the go-ahead would come "on Monday evening". According to Axios, the White House spent the entire day on Monday waiting for a signal from the Islamic Republic about its intentions for the negotiations.

"This Furniture Fair opens at a very complicated time internationally with two wars if not three and trade complications. What is hoped for today is a resumption of dialogue between the Israelis and Lebanese in Washington and between the Americans and Iranians in Islamabad, so that the ceasefire can turn into an end to the war". So said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking at the opening of the 64th edition of the Milan Furniture Fair at the Fiera di Milano in Rho.

The outlook for emerging markets is not the best given the severe shock related to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted energy flows, heightened geopolitical tensions and drove up prices. This is why now more than ever long-term investors need to look at the good fundamentals of these markets. According to a good number of analysts who follow European markets and some parts of Asia, geopolitical and/or monetary shocks will affect corporate profitability over the next 12 months. Europe seems particularly vulnerable: most expect a moderately negative impact, but a considerable number of them expect a clearly negative outcome. On the Asia Pacific region (excluding China and Japan), negative impact forecasts prevail over positive ones. On China, finally, the attitude is cautious: 54% expect a moderately or significantly negative impact on profitability.

"We consider" the suspension of the EU-Israel agreement "inappropriate". German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said this on arrival at the Foreign Council in Luxembourg, responding to reporters. "However, it is necessary to discuss the crucial issues with Israel. We have expressed our criticism of the reintroduction of the death penalty" and "we have a very clear position on settler violence, I expect the Israeli government to address it more clearly and firmly," he stressed. "Our position is also clear on respect for international law: there must be no annexation in the West Bank," he added.

The effects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf are hitting the Panama Canal, just at the other end of the world, where flows of oil, natural gas, fertilisers and chemicals travelling from the US seek an alternative outlet to reach Asian ports.

Some forty ships, most of them bound for Chinese ports, queue up to more than four hours to cover the 82 kilometres of the isthmus, while expensive auctions to win priority passage drive up ordinary costs.

"Today we are gambling our credibility. Spain, together with Slovenia and Ireland, has called for discussion on suspending the agreement with Israel. We must speak with one voice. We must tell Israel clearly that it must change, it cannot relate to its neighbours only with war. It is time to send a strong message'. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said this in Luxembourg. 'If others put other measures on the table, why not. What we cannot accept is to do nothing,' he added about other possible options besides suspending the agreement

An Iranian oil tanker re-entered Iran through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the blockade imposed by the US, and is expected to reach the island of Kharg tomorrow. This was reported by the Tasnim agency, the Pasdaran-affiliated agency. The tanker had left Iran for the Riau archipelago in Indonesia at the end of March, where it unloaded two million barrels of crude oil.

Iran executed by hanging a man named Amirali Mirjafari for 'armed activities' and for 'leading some protesters' during the January uprising in Iran, the judiciary said in a statement today. "Mirjafari has been charged with 'operations on behalf of Israel, the hostile US government and groups hostile to the country's security', for setting fire to the Gholhak mosque during the protests and for leading protesters through 'enemy-affiliated' social media," the statement added, pointing out, "he confessed to his activities, including attacking police forces, throwing objects at phone boxes and buses, and setting fire to a motorbike." According to the Irna news agency, meanwhile, 22 other people were sentenced to prison terms of up to 10 years in two provinces for 'collaboration with the enemy'.

"Iran's armed forces, with their superiority, will not allow the lying and deluded US president to exploit the situation and create false narratives about the war situation, especially regarding the control of the Strait of Hormuz," Khatamolanbia Command Commander Ali Abdollahi was quoted as saying today by Tasnim news agency, stressing, "We will respond appropriately to any violation of the commitment (of the ongoing ceasefire with the US)." "Iran is ready to give a decisive, resolute and immediate response to the enemy's threats and actions," he added in a statement issued on the anniversary of the founding of the Revolutionary Guards, two months after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"We are not in a dangerous situation but there is a possibility of a shortage of jet fuel" which "could affect every citizen. So we have to be aware and ready'. This was said by the Cypriot Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeades, on arrival at the EU Council in Brussels where he will chair an informal videoconference of transport ministers convened to discuss the energy crisis. "Europe could face a short-term fuel supply problem and a medium- and long-term demand problem," added the minister, who is representing the EU presidency.

US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that Iran will negotiate, adding that otherwise it will 'face unprecedented problems'.

"Well, they will negotiate, and if they don't, they will face problems they've never seen before," he said in a phone-in to the conservative radio programme 'The John Fredericks Show'.

The recovery of uranium in Iran will be ''long and difficult''. US President Donald Trump wrote this on the social 'Truth' reiterating that the US attacks destroyed nuclear sites in Iran. "Operation Midnight Hammer was a complete and total destruction of nuclear material sites in Iran. Therefore, recovering it will be a long and difficult process," he wrote.

Further reading

Balikatan manoeuvres raising tension in the Pacific

21 April 2026

US Vice President JD Vance will fly to Pakistan today for talks with Iran, shortly before the ceasefire ends. Axios reports this, citing three US sources. Vance is expected to be accompanied by US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner

The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the seizure of the Iranian merchant ship Touska by US forces and called in a statement for 'the immediate release of the Iranian ship, its sailors, crew and their families'.

"Trump, by imposing the blockade and violating the ceasefire, wants to turn this negotiating table into a table of surrender or justify a new wave of war provocations. We do not accept negotiations in the shadow of the threat and over the past two weeks we have been preparing to reveal new cards on the battlefield'. This was written on X by the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and negotiator, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf.