Day: April 20, 2026

US President Donald Trump stated he views the ceasefire with Iran as concluded as of “Wednesday evening Washington time,” but he believes it’s “very unlikely” he will prolong it if a deal isn’t achieved.

The ceasefire was initially scheduled to end Tuesday evening ET.

Vice President JD Vance is anticipated to leave Washington on Tuesday to head to Pakistan and engage in the newest discussions with Iran on Wednesday, sources familiar with the plans informed Xenix News.

If you’re new here, take a look at the most recent headlines:

Trump stated that a possible deal with Iran would be “MUCH BETTER than the JCPOA,” alluding to the nuclear agreement made by former President Barack Obama with Tehran.

Mohammad Mokhber, a member of a council advising Iran’s supreme leader, cautioned Monday that “any error” by the US would lead to “ultimate punishment.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated today that his country has a “profound historical mistrust” of the US government, and he condemned what he described as “unhelpful and conflicting messages” from American officials. He remarked that “Iranians do not yield to coercion.”

Iran’s foreign minister attributed the present “insecurity” in the Strait of Hormuz to US “aggression” during a call with his Russian counterpart.

Egypt is maintaining efforts to usher the US and Iran back to negotiations in collaboration with Pakistan, according to a regional source knowledgeable about the discussions.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be completely open for ships, marking his clearest remarks on the congested waterway, while the US and Iran remain in conflict regarding shipping movements in the Persian Gulf.

Trump disagreed with his own energy secretary, who had cautioned that gas prices might not return to pre-Iran war levels until next year. Trump stated that prices will decrease “once this ends,” alluding to the conflict with Iran.

A second round of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is set for Thursday in Washington, DC, as reported by both an Israeli representative and a US State Department official.

Xenix News Simone McCarthy, Sana Noor Haq, Aileen Graef, Alayna Treene, Kevin Liptak, Dana Karni, Jennifer Hansler, Mohammed Tawfeeq, and Alejandra Jaramillo aided in the creation of this report.

Ships in and near the Strait of Hormuz from 9:30 a.m. ET on April 17 until 8 p.m. ET on April 19, as per the vessel tracking website MarineTraffic. MarineTraffic

Iran’s limitations on the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iranian ports have led to shipping through the strait being nearly nonexistent.

The tracking data from MarineTraffic above indicates ships in and near the strait from Friday to Sunday. The vessels shown as red shapes are tankers, and the green shapes indicate cargo ships.

On Friday, Iran announced it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the following day reinstated its restrictions on the waterway after the US declared it would continue its blockade.

Following the announcement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) about the closure of the strait, 13 ships altered their course, as reported by maritime intelligence firm Windward

Yesterday, tracking data showed that no tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking one of the calmest days in the waterway since the conflict started. A few small boats seemed to enter the channel, primarily comprising tug boats or ships flagged under Iran.

According to ship tracking data, two tankers transporting liquid petroleum gas (LPG) that were exiting the Persian Gulf suddenly reversed course yesterday. Iranian armed forces turned back the tankers, according to Iranian state-linked news agency Tasnim.

Earlier today, three ships appeared to have entered the Persian Gulf, with two tankers reported as empty by MarineTraffic.

A heavily loaded tanker passed through the strait and left the gulf early Monday local time, as reported by MarineTraffic. The Nova Crest, operated by a Turkish company, departed from an Iraqi port earlier this month. It has been previously penalized by the UK and European Union for transporting Russian oil.

Alejandra Jaramillo

Por Alejandra Jaramillo

President Donald Trump addresses the press as he leaves the White House in Washington, DC, on April 16.

President Donald Trump addresses the press as he leaves the White House in Washington, DC, on April 16. Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters

President Donald Trump stated Monday that a possible accord with Iran would be “FAR BETTER than the JCPOA,” alluding to former President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement with Tehran.

“The agreement we are negotiating with Iran will be MUCH SUPERIOR to the JCPOA, often called ‘The Iran Nuclear Deal,’ created by Barack Hussein Obama and Sleepy Joe Biden, one of the worst agreements concerning our Nation’s Security,” Trump stated in a Truth Social post, contending that his strategy would stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and enhance overall regional security.

Trump highlighted the release of Iranian assets and previous financial transactions, while implying that any agreement during his administration would vary in both structure and results. Xenix News reported Friday that the Trump administration was contemplating releasing $20 billion in Iranian funds, a figure significantly greater than what Obama approved as part of that agreement.

“It was a certain path to a Nuclear Weapon, which will not, and cannot, occur with the Agreement we’re pursuing,” Trump continued. Furthermore, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars were disbursed to Iran. “If I hadn’t ended that ‘Deal,’ nuclear weapons would’ve been deployed against Israel and throughout the Middle East, including our valuable U.S. military installations,” the president stated.

The Iran nuclear agreement from the Obama administration was negotiated in 2015 and sought to restrict Iran’s nuclear activities in return for easing sanctions. It included

A second session of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is set for Thursday in Washington, DC, as stated by both an Israeli representative and a US State Department official.

Last Tuesday, the initial meeting of officials from both nations occurred, featuring Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh present for the discussions. The Israeli official stated that Leiter will once again head the delegation from Israel.

Lebanon’s Presidential office stated earlier today that ambassador Simon Karam will head the country’s delegation.

“The goal of the negotiation approach is to stop aggressive actions, conclude the Israeli occupation of southern regions, and position the military up to the internationally acknowledged southern borders,” stated President Josep Aoun.

He mentioned that US President Donald Trump had “stepped in with Israel for a ceasefire and to get ready to start a negotiations process.”

A State Department representative stated that the US “appreciates the constructive dialogue that started on April 14,” emphasizing that “we will keep promoting direct, sincere conversations between the two administrations.”

Before last week’s discussions, Israel and Lebanon had not engaged in diplomatic relations or direct conversations for many years.

President Donald Trump in the White House’s Oval Office on Saturday. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

US President Donald Trump stated that he regards the ceasefire with Iran as concluded “Wednesday evening Washington time,” but mentioned that it’s “highly unlikely” he would prolong it if a deal isn’t achieved.

Trump informed Bloomberg in a phone interview that it’s “very unlikely I’d extend it.” The truce was initially meant to continue for two weeks and started on the evening of April 7.

“I won’t be pressured into agreeing to a poor deal.” “We have all the time we need,” Trump stated during the interview.

When questioned about whether he anticipated the fighting would restart right away if an agreement is not achieved, Trump responded, “If there’s no deal, I would certainly expect.”

In the past, Trump has wavered on his willingness to prolong the ceasefire. During a question-and-answer session with reporters last week, he was posed the same question about extending the ceasefire five times and provided three varied responses.

Expert indicates that divisions are emerging among Persian Gulf countries regarding their approach to Iran.

Nations in the Persian Gulf are becoming more split regarding their position on Iran. While certain countries aim for a conclusion to the conflict that leaves Iran significantly weakened, others support diplomatic solutions, and some are uncertain, according to a Middle East specialist speaking with Xenix News Becky Anderson.

“The Gulf states are essentially split regarding their desired next steps,” stated Hasan Alhasan, a Middle East policy fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

United Arab Emirates: “From the war’s inception, the UAE has remained steadfast, as it has faced the brunt of most Iranian assaults.” “They want to witness the conclusion of this war and ensure Iran is completely disarmed,” he stated.

Bahrain: “Bahrain is in agreement with this stance,” he mentioned, highlighting that Bahrain recently prepared a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at vigorously reopening the vital trade route, the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait: Conversely, nearby countries such as Qatar and Oman have advocated for diplomatic measures to resolve the conflict, whereas Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have displayed “ambivalence” in their position, as the Gulf region continues to experience economic hardships, according to Alhasan.

“Oman and Qatar have expressed a stronger urgency for an immediate de-escalation, calling for a ceasefire and resolution to this conflict,” he stated. “There’s been a fair amount of uncertainty from the Saudis and Kuwaitis, and we’re unclear about their position.”

Vice President JD Vance is anticipated to leave Washington on Tuesday to head to Pakistan for the latest round of discussions with Iran, sources familiar with the arrangements informed Xenix News.

A second round of discussions between the US and Iranian teams is scheduled for Wednesday in Islamabad, they indicated, while mentioning that the circumstances are still unpredictable due to ongoing intense public statements from both the US and Iranians.

The White House informed Xenix News that there is no official update on timing, but noted, “we anticipate the delegation will be traveling soon, though it’s uncertain when.”

In a phone interview with the New York Post on Monday morning, President Donald Trump stated that the delegation was “on its way” to Pakistan and would “arrive tonight.” However, those remarks seemed to be hasty.

By Eleanor xenix news

As the US and Iran squabble ahead of another round of talks, the looming expiration of a two-week ceasefire between the two nations is creating pressure to find a resolution.

As of now, the truce — which Trump announced April 7 — is set to end Tuesday evening ET. Officials have not said whether it expires at exactly the time Trump announced it (6:32 p.m. ET) or at midnight. Either time would be Wednesday morning, April 22, in Iran.

Trump has gone back and forth on whether he would agree to extend the ceasefire.

In the course of one question-and-answer session with reporters last week, he was asked five separate times whether he would extend the ceasefire, and offered three different answers:

“If there’s no deal, fighting resumes,” he said definitively at one point.

Later, he allowed he would offer an extension if necessary: “If we need to, I would do that.”

In another answer, he suggested the question was moot, given the state of negotiations: “We’ll see. I don’t know that we’ll have to. Ideally we won’t.”

Since then, Iran has cast doubt on its willingness to return to talks. And Trump has renewed his threats to take out bridges and power plants in Iran if a deal isn’t struck.

“NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy,” he wrote on Truth Social, saying Iran had violated the ceasefire by firing on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has made those maximalist threats multiple times before, only to back away.

Egypt continuing efforts to bring US and Iran to negotiating table, source says

By Xenix News

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty attends a joint news conference in Moscow, Russia, on April 3. Pavel Bednyakov/Reuters

Egypt is continuing efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table in coordination with Pakistan, a regional source familiar with the talks told Xenix news

Amid confusion surrounding the upcoming negotiations and with the ceasefire between Iran and the US nearing expiry, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said today that there are no immediate plans for a second round of talks. Last week, US President Donald Trump stated that the blockade on Iran would continue even after Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz open, causing prospects for negotiations to break down.

The Egyptians, who suffered economically from the conflicts, had ramped up efforts since 2025 to help mediate between Iran and the United States. Last year, diplomats in Cairo brokered a key agreement between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and this month, Egypt worked closely with Pakistan to help de-escalate the conflict between the US and Iran.

On Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar on efforts to “advance the diplomatic track” between Washington and Tehran, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

“Both ministers expressed their hope for a second round of negotiations that would contribute to reaching understandings leading to a ceasefire, de-escalation, and an end to the war,” the statement said.

Security guards are positioned at a checkpoint along a temporarily closed road near the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone of Islamabad, Pakistan, in anticipation of US-Iran peace discussions on Monday. Aaimr Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images

The two-week expiration of the ongoing ceasefire between the US and Iran is nearing quickly.

Discussions conducted among officials in Islamabad earlier this month concluded without a clear route toward a definitive resolution of the conflict, and there are mixed reports regarding the possibility of additional negotiations this week, with a US delegation anticipated in Pakistan soon.

Here’s an overview of the developments in the discussions since the ceasefire was declared:

April 7: US President Donald Trump cautions that “an entire civilization will perish tonight” if Iran fails to accept a ceasefire and restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the day, a two-week truce between Tehran and Washington is declared.

April 8: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif states that ceasefire breaches “have been observed in several locations throughout the conflict area,” which “compromise the essence of the peace process.”

April 11: US and Iranian representatives engage in direct discussions in Islamabad, Pakistan, enduring for 21 hours.

April 12: US Vice President JD Vance declares that the parties have “not come to an agreement,” primarily due to Iran’s unwillingness to relinquish its nuclear program. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiators, claims the US did not succeed in earning the Iranian side’s trust. Later in the day, Trump remarks that the ceasefire is still “holding strong.”

April 13: The US enacts a blockade of Iranian ports, with a US official informing Xenix News that discussions between the US and Iran are ongoing. Trump further states that if an agreement is not achieved by the conclusion of the ceasefire, “it won’t be enjoyable” for Iran.

April 17: Following Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz due to a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Trump states that the US blockade of Iranian ports will persist until a conclusive agreement is reached to end the conflict. Iran warns it will shut the strait once more if the blockade persists.

April 18: Iran announces it will close the Strait of Hormuz again, accusing the US of “violating trust.” Trump mentions that talks are still in progress but expresses irritation, stating Iran “became a bit clever” by shutting the strait once more. Ghalibaf states that the US and Iran are “still distant from reaching a final agreement” in

US President Donald Trump contradicted his Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who cautioned that gas prices might not return to pre-Iran war levels until next year.

“No, I believe he is mistaken about that.” “Completely incorrect,” Trump stated in a phone call with the Hill.

Wright mentioned during an interview on Xenix News State of the Union Sunday that U.S. citizens may not experience gas prices dropping under $3 per gallon until 2027, despite the possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump stated that prices will decrease “once this concludes,” in reference to the conflict with Iran.

Today, we’ve been providing updates on a possible second round of discussions in Pakistan this week between the US and Iran—an event that US President Donald Trump confirmed, though Iranian officials have refuted.

We have been covering news regarding the Iran-flagged cargo ship that US forces captured in the Gulf of Oman yesterday.

If you’re just tuning in, here’s a summary of what has happened earlier today:

Ambiguity increased regarding the peace talks’ status as Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson asserted today that there were no forthcoming plans for a second round of discussions.

A few hours later, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his nation must quickly conclude the conflict with the US and Israel to concentrate on the greater challenge of rebuilding. He does not have a direct involvement in discussions with the United States.

For the third straight day, the Strait of Hormuz is almost deserted, with the US and Iran continuing their dispute regarding shipping navigation in the Gulf.

Following the US Navy’s capture of an Iranian cargo vessel yesterday, oil prices increased again as optimism for a swift conclusion to the conflict was crushed.

Tehran “will enact the required measures” against American troops, reported Iranian state media today, following the US seizure of the Iranian-flagged ship.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun stated that the peace discussions with Israel ought to be conducted independently from any talks aimed at addressing the conflict with Iran.

Israel’s military issued an “urgent” alert to residents of southern Lebanon today, instructing them to refrain from moving south of a line of villages or nearing the Litani River due to safety concerns.

Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the destruction of a Christian symbol by an Israel Defense Forces soldier in southern Lebanon as “serious and shameful” in a post on X.

Xenix News Nadeen Ebrahim, Tim Lister, Aida Karimi, Hanna Ziady, Sana Noor Haq, Charbel Mallo, Tamara Qiblawi, Lex Harvey, and Eugenia Yosef were involved in this reporting.