War latest news. Pasdaran: Hormuz control our strategy. Idf intensifies attacks on Hezbollah

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, fresh from his visit to Pakistan, arrived in Oman, the second stop on his three-country diplomatic tour. This was reported by Al Jazeera.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to 'strike hard at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon'. This was reported by the PM's office, as the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon looks increasingly in the balance.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his visit to Pakistan was "very fruitful" and praised Islamabad's "commitment and fraternal efforts" to help restore peace in the region, while expressing doubts about the seriousness of US diplomatic efforts. In a post on X, Araghchi said he shared Iran's position on a "workable framework to permanently end the war against Iran," adding:"I have yet to see if the US really takes diplomacy seriously". Iran International writes that.

At least three Palestinians, including a child, died in the attack launched this evening by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in northern Gaza City. This was reported by the Wafa news agency, citing Al-Shifa hospital sources. Earlier in the day a Palestinian was killed by gunfire fired by the IDF in the Jabalia refugee camp, in the north of the Palestinian enclave.

For more: Operating children where missiles pass: the story of an Italian doctor

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital strategic point for global oil and gas supplies, is Tehran's "ultimate strategy" in its conflict with the United States. "Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effect on America and White House supporters in the region is the ultimate strategy of Islamic Iran, the Guards said in a statement on their official Telegram channel.

"I just cancelled my representatives' trip to Pakistan to meet with the Iranians. Too much time wasted on travel, too much work! In addition, there is a lot of infighting and confusion within their 'leadership'. No one knows who is in charge, not even themselves. What is more, we hold all the cards; they hold none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!" Donald Trump wrote this on Truth. To later add, in a phone call with Axios, that the cancellation of the trip does not mean the resumption of the war with Iran.

"It was a pleasure to meet today in Islamabad Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, and his delegation. We had a very cordial and friendly exchange of views on the current regional situation. We also discussed issues of common interest, including the further strengthening of bilateral relations' between Tehran and Islamabad. This was stated in a post on X by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, commenting on the meeting with the Iranian representative, who leads the delegation for negotiations with the US. Pakistan is the main mediator between the two sides who, in this round of negotiations, are not supposed to have direct talks.

The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, will return to Islamabad tomorrow. This was reported by Al Arabiya, citing Pakistani sources.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner have not yet left for Pakistan. According to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, the two are still in Miami and 'there appears to be no progress at this stage'. Yesterday, the White House spokeswoman had announced that Witkoff and Kushner would leave for Islamabad this morning. Also according to Ravid, It was not planned that the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, would wait in Pakistan for the American delegation and therefore his departure for Oman has no special significance. The plan was for Araghchi to continue on to Oman and Russia and perhaps return to Pakistan at the beginning of the week to meet the two Americans.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left Pakistan without meeting US officials. This was reported by the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen. Earlier, Iranian media had reported thatTehran refused to meet with US representatives as long as the US Central Command blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continued. The Iranians officially announced overnight that they had no intention of meeting Washington envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were due to leave for Pakistan later in the day. According to Axios, Araghchi's schedule includes stops in Oman and Russia, and a possible return to Pakistan early this week to meet with the US delegation. In the meantime, however, Witkoff and Kushner are still in Miami. At the moment, there seems to be no progress on the second round of talks.

"Whether or not Europe is on our side, whether or not your journalists do their job, whether or not your politicians show the courage to act, I will fight for my people and my country. Even if I have to do it alone, I will fight until Iran is free'. This was stated by the eldest son of the last Shah of Persia, Reza Pahlavi, in a video message shared on his X account in which he explained that he had "travelled in recent weeks to Europe" with the aim of "giving a voice to millions of Iranians held hostage by the regime" in Tehran "who have been silenced". Pahlavi, who lives in the United States and had offered to lead the transition period after the fall of the regime, said he wanted to "speak directly with Europeans" and challenged those who claim that the Iranian people are not ready to live in a democracy. "Iranians are ready for democracy and thousands of people have died for it, he added. Speaking about the press conferences held in Europe, Pahlavi criticised the fact that journalists did not ask him questions about the plight of the people who demonstrated in Iran or who are detained, "they are more interested in criticising America and Israel, in getting news about the killing of Khatami, rather than criticising the regime".

Two rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel. This was reported by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), as reported by the Times of Israel. One of the rockets was intercepted, while the second hit an open area. The Israel Defence Forces claim thatthe attack represents a "blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement by the terrorist group Hezbollah".

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.