Day: April 20, 2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian gives a speech at the Ministry of Sports and Youth in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday. Iranian Presidency/Anadolu/Getty Images

President Masoud Pezeshkian states that Iran must conclude the conflict with the United States and Israel quickly to concentrate on the more significant challenge of rebuilding.

During multiple gatherings with public employees in Tehran, Pezeshkian emphasized that the nation’s leaders must be truthful to maintain public confidence.

Adopting a more balanced approach than other regime leaders, Pezeshkian stated that although Iran needs to stand against “extreme demands,” we should acknowledge that prolonging the conflict serves no one’s interests — neither ours, nor the opposing side, and neither the future of the region nor future generations.

In a different meeting, he stated that “all reasonable and diplomatic avenues should be pursued to lessen tensions.”

“Once the fighting ceases, the nation will encounter difficulties in rebuilding, obtaining financial assistance, and regulating the marketplace,” he informed firefighters in the capital, as reported by Iranian media.

Pezeshkian is seen as more moderate compared to other leaders with deep connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, he does not have a direct part in discussions with the United States, nor does he have the ultimate authority in making decisions regarding the resolution of the conflict.

While visiting the Justice Ministry, Pezeshkian mentioned that although some issues arising from the conflict had been addressed, reforms were necessary.

“Individuals need to be aware of the truths about the nation.” “Offering false information or unattainable assurances does not aid in resolving problems and will also diminish public confidence,” he stated.

Iran’s unity necessitated “truthfulness in communication, clarity in actions, and building public confidence,” he noted.

Iran was already facing a severe economic crisis prior to the onset of the conflict, and its currency has significantly depreciated this year.

Last week, the government assessed that the conflict has caused $270 billion in harm to Iran but did not give specifics. Israeli assaults have inflicted significant harm on the essential steel and petrochemical sectors, along with additional infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump declared yesterday that American forces shot at and captured an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel after it attempted to breach the US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

Here’s an overview of the events related to the ship since the US seized it:

In a Truth Social post, Trump revealed the capture of the Iranian-flagged ship, stating that the boat, “almost 900 feet long and weighing close to an aircraft carrier, attempted to bypass our Naval Blockade, and it did not end well for them.”

In a post on X shortly after Trump’s announcement, US Central Command stated that a US destroyer had fired “several rounds” at the Iranian-flagged vessel named “Touska,” after it “failed to heed multiple warnings over a six-hour timeframe.”

Iran’s military cautioned that it would take action, labeling the US actions as “maritime highway robbery,” as reported by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.

Nighttime video captured by CENTCOM displayed US Marines nearing the ship. The footage features helicopters hovering above the cargo ship and an aerial perspective of metal containers beneath, as an individual descends towards them using a rope.

Naval specialists informed Xenix News that the Touska will be brought to a harbor or port for examination. After that is completed and its cargo assessed, they mentioned the vessel might ultimately be owned by the US government as a “prize.”

Iran’s state-linked news agency Tasnim stated today that Tehran “will implement the required measures” against US troops in reaction to the ship’s capture. Tasnim emphasized that the “safety of the families and crew aboard the vessel” must be guaranteed beforehand.

Xenix News Alejandra Jaramillo, Lauren Chadwick, Nechirvan Mando, Max Saltman, Laura Sharman, Ally Barnard, Brad Lendon, and Sana Noor Haq were contributors to this.

Animal rescuer Mohammed Habli in Beirut’s Dahiyeh on March 8. Mohammed Habli

Charred trees, heaps of gray debris, and partially collapsed apartment buildings mark areas of Lebanon – where inhabitants are trying to navigate the remains of Israeli bombardments.

A resident in the coastal town of Sidon noted that the extent of devastation resembles that of Gaza, where two years of Israeli airstrikes and blockades have made large areas of the territory unlivable for over 2.2 million Palestinians living there.

“When you witness regions utterly devastated like that, you feel the urge to weep.” “You will weep without control, even if it’s not your home,” said Mohammed Habli, a 20-year-old animal rescuer, in an interview with Xenix News on Monday. “When you observe your nation and the areas you frequented… ruined, it’s truly heartbreaking.” “You sense that you’re in Gaza.”

Whole communities have been wiped out, the healthcare system compromised, and at least 2,294 individuals have died in Lebanon following Israeli forces’ attacks on Hezbollah in retaliation for the Iranian-backed group’s launch of projectiles into northern Israel.

Habli has devoted the last few weeks to saving animals from the rubble of structures destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in areas of Lebanon – particularly in the capital, Beirut.

the neighborhood of Dahiyeh and the southern town of Nabatieh. Numerous owners had to escape quickly to makeshift shelters and were unable to bring their pets, he informed Xenix News .

Mohammed Habli alongside rescued animals in Dahiyeh, Beirut, on March 8. Mohammed Habli

“We are saddened for those displaced who are living in tents without anyone to attend to them,” Hableh added. “Numerous individuals abandoned their pets.” Thus, these beings are frail, and there is no one to protect them.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun participates in a press conference at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, on February 16. Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

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

Israeli and Lebanese envoys convened in Washington last week – the initial bilateral discussion between the two nations in over four decades.

In a Monday post on X, Aoun stated that “the forthcoming negotiations are distinct from any other talks because Lebanon has two choices: either the ongoing war with its humanitarian, social, economic, and sovereignty consequences, or negotiations to cease this war and attain lasting stability.”

Aoun’s administration is dedicated to dismantling Hezbollah, an armed group supported by Iran. Iran has connected the two conflicts, demanding an end to Israeli attacks on the group as a prerequisite for the ceasefire with the US that started almost two weeks ago.

Aoun stated, “The aim of the negotiation option is to stop aggressive actions, conclude the Israeli occupation of southern regions, and position the army at the internationally acknowledged southern boundaries.”

He stated that US President Donald Trump had “stepped in with Israel for a ceasefire and to set the stage for negotiations.”

Aoun stated, “We will keep communicating to uphold the ceasefire and initiate negotiations.”

A source informed Xenix News that the negotiations may carry on this week, though no precise date has been established yet. The initial phase will involve ambassadors, while the subsequent phase will be managed by a delegation headed by ambassador Simon Karam.

“I have opted for negotiation, and I am very hopeful that we can rescue Lebanon,” Aoun stated in his post on X.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, informed Pakistani mediators last week that Lebanon needs to be part of any discussions for a “comprehensive ceasefire” between Iran and the United States.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military will maintain its presence in southern Lebanon throughout the 10-day ceasefire, which is set to end at the week’s close.

Vice President JD Vance, special representative Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Getty Images

US President Donald Trump disclosed yesterday that representatives from his nation would be visiting Islamabad, Pakistan this week for “discussions.”

Iranian authorities informed Xenix News yesterday that a representative group from Tehran is set to travel to Pakistan, although Iranian state media later questioned Iran’s participation in what would be a second round of talks.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated previously that they “at this moment” have “no plans for the upcoming round of talks.”

Here’s an overview of the delegation anticipated to take part in the discussions, if they occur, representing the US:

JD Vance: A senior administration official informed Xenix News that the US vice president, who previously questioned the war in Iran, played a key role in achieving the current two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, along with the recent truce between Israel and Lebanon. The previous month, we noted that Iranian representatives favored interacting with Vance rather than other US officials.

Steve Witkoff: An affluent property developer, Witkoff has maintained a friendship with US President Donald Trump for many years. Together with Kushner, he played a role in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza and has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.

Jared Kushner: Kushner is the spouse of Trump’s daughter Ivanka. During Trump’s first term, he was a principal negotiator for the Middle East and established strong connections with regional leaders, having informally guided administration members on discussions with Arab leaders, as reported by Trump administration representatives and sources close to Kushner to Xenix News last year.

Xenix News Kristen Holmes, Kylie Atwood, Stephen Collinson, and Alayna Treene were involved in this reporting.

President Donald Trump revealed yesterday that American officials would be heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, for a second series of talks with Iran this week.

While Iranian sources knowledgeable about the discussions informed Xenix News that a team from Tehran would be heading to Pakistan for negotiations, Iranian officials have later rejected the notion of any talks occurring.

Here’s a summary of the statements made by both parties following Trump’s announcement yesterday:

In an extensive Truth Social post yesterday morning, Trump mentioned that a US team was heading to Islamabad for the discussions. “The president stated, ‘We’re proposing a quite fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they accept it, because if they refuse, the United States will eliminate every single Power Plant and every single Bridge in Iran.'”

Iranian sources knowledgeable about the discussions informed Xenix News that a delegation from Iran is set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday. The sources anticipated the team would remain unchanged from the previous round of discussions.

Despite Trump’s initial statement to reporters indicating that US Vice President JD Vance would miss the negotiations, the White House informed Xenix News that Vance would actually be attending the discussions in Islamabad.

Iranian state media indicated that Iran’s involvement in Islamabad was unverified, with certain outlets claiming that as long as the US blockade on Iranian ports persisted, a second round of discussions would not occur.

Yesterday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke on the phone with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, as per a Pakistani summary of the discussion. The readout provided no indications regarding when the upcoming round of negotiations could occur.

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, stated this morning that his nation has “no plans for further negotiations,” emphasizing: “We do not accept deadlines or ultimatums to protect Iran’s national interests.”

 Xenix News Alejandra Jaramillo, Sophia Saifi, Julia Benbrook, Alayna Treene, Ivana Kottasová, Max Saltman and Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this reporting.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar participates in a ceremony at Plaza San Martin, Buenos Aires on November 25, 2025. Agustin Marcarian/Reuters

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

Sa’ar’s remarks followed the IDF’s announcement that it is looking into a social media photo depicting an Israeli soldier apparently striking the head of a Jesus Christ statue with a hammer or axe in the mainly Christian village of Debel.

“This disgraceful act is entirely against our principles,” Sa’ar stated.

“Israel is a nation that honors various religions and their holy symbols, promoting tolerance and respect among different faiths.” We regret this occurrence and extend our apologies to all Christians whose emotions were affected.

Monitoring shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Nautical Movement

For the third day in a row, the Strait of Hormuz is nearly deserted, as the US and Iran continue to dispute shipping passage in the Gulf.

Three ships seem to have entered the Gulf in the last few hours, with two tankers indicated as empty by the ship tracking website MarineTraffic.

A tanker filled with cargo left the Gulf via the Strait 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.

On Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced the closure of the Strait again, leading to 13 vessels making a U-turn, as reported by maritime intelligence firm Windward.

A container ship was hit by gunfire on Saturday, and two other ships reported being shot at; consequently, no tankers were noted passing through the Strait on Sunday, although analysts warn that not all vessels reveal their location.

Ambrey, a maritime advisory firm, stated on Monday that “ships are recommended to cancel a scheduled transit through the Strait of Hormuz by heading back to the point of departure as soon as warned over VHF (radio).”

Multiple commercial vessels have indicated that the IRGC navy has instructed them not to continue with their passage.

The ceasefire, which the US and Iran have blamed one another for breaching, concludes on Wednesday. Xenix News reports by Ivan Watson.

US destroyer fires upon and takes control of Iranian-flagged vessel.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson states there are currently no plans for a second round of talks.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei addresses an interview concerning the U.S.-Israeli tensions with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on April 5. Majid-Asgaripour/Wana News Agency/Reuters

On Monday, uncertainty increased regarding the status of peace talks as the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry stated that there were no intentions for a second round of discussions.

“Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated Monday at a weekly press conference that there are currently no plans for the next round of negotiations.” “We support deadlines or ultimatums to protect Iran’s national interests,” he stated.

The future of a second round of US-Iran peace talks remains uncertain following the US’s seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel, which has elicited an angry reaction from Tehran.