Iran vows to give talks with US in Islamabad cold shoulder as Pakistan frantically pushes for direct re-engagement of the foes
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency said on Sunday that Iran currently has no decision to send a negotiating delegation for peace talks with the United States. The Iranian team has stressed that as long as the US “anti-Iran” naval blockade remains in place, there will be no negotiation with Washington, according to the report.
Pakistan pushes ahead with plans for US-Iran talks in Islamabad as fresh violence flares in Strait of Hormuz
Two Pakistani officials said Monday that Iran has expressed a willingness to send a delegation to Islamabad. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
Prospect of permanent ceasefire in Middle East recedes as stop-and-go situation in Strait of Hormuz heightens uncertainty
Following the ceasefire in Lebanon – once a major flashpoint in the early days of the US-Iran truce – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was completely open to all commercial vessels.
US deploys more than 10 warships and dozens of aircraft to enforce ‘blockade’ Strait of Hormuz?
As a major international energy transport corridor, the Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. Twenty-five per cent of global seaborne oil trade passed through the strait in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency.
Trump likens himself to Jesus Christ, a ‘doctor who makes people better’ before says he won’t apologise to Pope Leo
US-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back on Monday on President Donald Trump’s broadside against him over the US-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.
Europe turns to Algeria as a stable gas partner in wake of Strait of Hormuz uncertainty
Algerian economic expert Mourad Kouachi said Europe’s growing reliance on Algerian gas is “not temporary, but part of a lasting strategy driven by supply security concerns, especially as tensions around key routes like the Strait of Hormuz continue.”
Chinese President Jinping joins push for Middle East peace and stability with four-point proposal
It is imperative to promote the building of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf region, he noted.
Middle East conflict sends fuel prices in Addis Ababa sky-rocketing as Ethiopia prepares to celebrate Fasika or Orthodox Easter
Ethiopia follows the Eastern Orthodox calendar, different from the widely used Gregorian calendar. In the East African country, Easter comes after a 55-day fasting from animal products, mainly meat, milk, butter and eggs.
Proselytising: Pope Leo’s visit to Algeria turn focus on often testy coexistence between Muslim and Christians
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will greet Leo upon his arrival at Algiers’ international airport before they meet formally at the El Mouradia presidential palace.
Iran: Talks with US were conducted in an atmosphere of mistrust and agreement shouldn’t have been expected
However, the talks failed to produce any breakthrough. Confirming his constant communication with US President Donald Trump and others in the administration, Vance said the US side had presented its “final and best offer” after continuous communication, adding that a number of substantive discussions were conducted in “good faith,” but the proposal had yet to secure any endorsement.
