Iran-Israel War

US President Donald Trump indicated yesterday that he was probably not going to agree with Iran’s recent offer to conclude the conflict, sources informed Xenix News, after Tehran presented a proposal that would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while postponing discussions concerning its nuclear program.

Here’s what else has been occurring.

Sources familiar with the mediation process suggest that the US and Iran, despite not having convened for a second set of discussions in Pakistan, are not as distanced from each other as they might appear.

The worldwide oil price exceeded $110 a barrel today for the first time in three weeks, as traders express concerns that the US and Iran remain far from an agreement to resolve the conflict and completely reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

BP’s earnings more than doubled in the initial three months of the year, as the firm’s oil traders capitalized on the drastic fluctuations in oil prices caused by the Iran conflict.

In Iran, millions of individuals have lost their jobs and are being driven into poverty due to the ongoing conflict.

Xenix News reporting contributed by Kevin Liptak, Nic Robertson, Hanna Ziady, Tim Lister, and Aida Karimi.

According to Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group, President Donald Trump seems to be depending on the US blockade of Iran’s ports to compel Tehran to comply with his demands.

“President Trump appears to think that the US blockade against Iran is effective and will subdue Iran soon, if not within weeks, allowing him to compel Iran to accept his conditions,” Vaez informed Xenix News‘ Rosemary Church.

However, he warned that Trump’s use of economic or military pressure on Tehran has “made Iran’s stance more difficult rather than easier.”

Vaez commented on the encounter between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting that Moscow can assist Iran “in either scenario: a return to conflict or an agreement.”

Vaez stated that Russia has already supplied Iran with intelligence and various assistance during the conflict. Should the US and Iran reach a deal, Russia, being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, might assist Iran in achieving its objectives.

Vaez stated that if Iran intends to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, it might require a resolution from the security council to do so.

Russia has proposed to hold or reprocess Iran’s enriched uranium, but the US has so far dismissed this offer, Vaez noted.

In the end, both the US and Iran must yield some demands, or they could exacerbate economic instability and food scarcity, which Vaez described as “a catastrophe for all.”

Sources close to the mediation process indicate that while the US and Iran have not conducted a second round of discussions in Pakistan, they are not as distanced from each other as it appears.

According to sources, vigorous diplomacy is still taking place out of the public eye, and current discussions revolve around a phased approach where the initial segment of a possible agreement would aim at reverting to the pre-war status and allowing unrestricted and toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The matter of Iran’s nuclear initiative – which the US and Israel both referenced as their justification for war – would be dealt with subsequently.

US President Donald Trump has asserted that any agreement would necessitate Iran relinquishing its stock of near bomb-grade uranium and abandoning enrichment, conditions that Iran has consistently rejected.

Sources indicate that mediators are pressuring both parties to come to an agreement, emphasizing that the upcoming days are particularly critical. looming above it all is the possibility that the US might choose to withdraw and revert to conflict.

A BP gas station in Lymm, Cheshire, England, on April 15, where the Iran conflict has caused disruptions in fuel supplies, leading to skyrocketing prices at the pumps. Peter Byrne/PA

BP’s earnings more than doubled in the initial quarter of the year, as the company’s oil traders capitalized on the volatility in oil prices caused by the Iran conflict.

The UK energy leader announced a first-quarter earnings of £3.2 billion ($4.3 billion), rising from £1.4 billion ($1.9 billion) in the initial three months of 2025.

BP stated in an earnings report on Tuesday that the increase was due to an “extraordinary” oil trading performance. Traders profit from significant fluctuations in oil prices, referred to as volatility, if they can correctly foresee the trend direction.

Enhanced margins in its oil refining sector contributed positively, alongside a better performance from its midstream operations, which manage the storage and transit of oil and natural gas. The firm’s stocks rose 2.8% in London, reaching £5.88 ($8).

CEO Meg O’Neill — who assumed leadership at the start of April and is the first female leader of the company — stated that BP was “working tirelessly” to ensure dependable production. “We’re collaborating with clients and governments to deliver fuel where necessary, aiding in reducing disruptions,” she stated.

Brent crude oil surpassed $110 a barrel on Tuesday, marking its highest level since early April. The global oil benchmark was priced at approximately $73 shortly before the U.S. and Israel initiated strikes on Iran on February 28. It was at $60 at the beginning of the year.

In the meantime, the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, a campaigning organization, demanded a windfall tax on companies benefiting from the energy crisis caused by the Iran war. “These huge profits serve as a shocking reminder that when conflict causes oil and (natural) gas prices to rise, energy firms benefit while families suffer,” said Simon Francis, the group’s coordinator, in a statement.

The state news agency WAM reported that the United Arab Emirates will exit the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on May 1.

This choice is consistent with the United Arab Emirates‘ long-term economic and strategic vision and the growth of its energy sector, including boosting investment in local energy production.

OPEC is an organization of significant oil-producing countries that aligns production strategies to impact worldwide oil supply and pricing.

Three weeks have passed since President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire in the conflict between the US and Iran.

Yesterday, sources informed Xenix News that Trump indicated he probably will not accept Iran’s recent proposal to resolve the conflict, following Tehran’s suggestion of a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while deferring discussions about its nuclear program.

Here’s an overview of the developments in discussions between Tehran and Washington since the ceasefire was declared:

April 7: Trump alerts that “a complete civilization will perish tonight” if Iran fails to cease the conflict and allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. A two-week ceasefire is announced hours later.

April 11: Officials from the US and Iran engage in in-person discussions in Islamabad, Pakistan, for a duration of 21 hours.

April 12: US Vice President JD Vance states that the parties have “not come to an agreement,” mainly due to Iran’s unwillingness to give up its nuclear program. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiators, asserts that the US was unsuccessful in earning the Iranian side’s trust. Later in the day, Trump states the ceasefire is still “holding strong.”

April 13: The US enforces a blockade on Iranian ports, while a US official informs Xenix News that discussions between the US and Iran are ongoing. Trump additionally states that if an agreement is not achieved by the ceasefire’s conclusion, “it will not be agreeable” 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 deal to conclude the war is reached. Iran has stated it will shut the strait once more if the blockade persists.

April 18: Iran announces it will once more close the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the US of “breaching trust.” Trump states that talks are still in progress but expresses irritation, claiming Iran “got a bit clever” when re-blocking the strait. Ghalibaf states in an interview with state television that the US and Iran are “still distant from a final agreement.”

April 19: Trump announces that US officials will be heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, for a second round of talks with Iran. Sources in Iran knowledgeable about the discussions inform Xenix News that a team from Tehran will also journey to Pakistan for discussions, although Iranian state media indicates that Iran’s attendance in Islamabad is unverified.

April 20: Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, states that they “currently” have “no plans for the upcoming round of talks,” and adds: “We do not subscribe to deadlines or ultimatums to safeguard Iran’s national interests.” Trump states it’s “very improbable” he will prolong the ceasefire, which he claims will end in two days.

April 21: Trump states he anticipates ongoing bombings of Iran if an agreement to prolong the ceasefire isn’t achieved by tomorrow. Pakistan’s information minister states he is still working to persuade Iran to join discussions. In the afternoon, Trump announces he will prolong the ceasefire until Iran provides a plan to resolve the conflict indefinitely.

April 22: Ghalibaf asserts that a “complete ceasefire” would hold significance only if it is not hindered by the US’ naval blockade. Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, emphasizes this again.

April 23: Trump states he has “all the time in the world” to finalize an agreement to conclude the conflict, also informing reporters at the White House, “don’t rush me,” when questioned about a timeline.

April 24: Sources inform Xenix News that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is anticipated to reach Islamabad in the evening. Officials from the Trump administration have informed Xenix News that Trump intends to dispatch a US delegation to Pakistan for discussions with Araghchi, but Baghaei states, “no meeting is scheduled between Iran and the US.”

April 25: In Islamabad, Araghchi has a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and departs the country later in the evening. Trump announces the cancellation of the US delegation’s planned visit to Pakistan, citing “infighting” within Iran’s leadership.

April 27: Fars, Iran’s state media, reports that Araghchi presented a list of Iran’s “red lines” to be communicated to the US during his visit to Pakistan. An informant knowledgeable about the situation informs Xenix News that Iran has提出 a new suggestion to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, yet the status of discussions regarding essential US demands remains uncertain. Sources inform Xenix News that Trump indicated he is unlikely to agree to the new proposal.

Xenix News Aileen Graef, Kit Maher, Sophia Saifi, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Sophie Tanno, Kevin Liptak, Tim Lister, Aida Karimi, Riane Lumer, Alayna Treene, Elise Hammond, Nadeen Ebrahim, Adam Pourahmadi, Donald Judd, Alejandra Jaramillo, Mitchell McCluskey, Betsy Klein, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Nic Robertson, Max Saltman, and Lex Harvey were involved in this reporting.

The preliminary hearing has started for the individual charged with attempting to assault senior administration officials during Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The 31-year-old individual, Cole Tomas Allen, faces accusations of breaching Secret Service security while armed with a shotgun, pistol, and knives during Saturday’s dinner. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several important cabinet officials were dining on another floor of the Washington Hilton.

US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced over the weekend that Allen would be charged with two offenses, one of which includes assaulting a federal officer with a lethal weapon. A federal officer was struck in a protective vest during the gunfire exchange on Saturday night and has since been discharged from the hospital.

Officials stated that Allen took a train from California to DC, where he served as a part-time tutor.

In a document that investigators claim Allen sent to his relatives on Saturday, he expressed frustration towards the administration, mocked the Secret Service for poor security at the hotel, and stated he did not “anticipate forgiveness.”

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, responds to inquiries at the press briefing on Monday. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The White House did not eliminate the possibility of altering Donald Trump’s timetable after Saturday’s shooting at a gala in Washington, which might involve making sure the president and Vice President JD Vance do not attend events at the same time.

“I certainly wouldn’t claim that changes are impossible,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters when questioned about potential protocol modifications for events held outside the White House.

“We consider it a significant duty to guarantee the utmost safety of the president, the vice president, and the whole Cabinet,” she stated. “We continuously seek methods to enhance security.”

She stated that Trump felt content with the security measures taken Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, yet reevaluating protocols remained a wise move.

She mentioned that if the dinner is moved, as Trump has asked, there would be a discussion about Vance’s attendance.

“I can guarantee that the president plans to be at the event, as he has communicated to all of you openly.” “I’m not looking to confirm or deny the vice president’s presence, but undoubtedly, that discussion will occur,” she stated.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, it was unnecessary to choose a designated survivor for the evening of the White House Correspondents’ dinner since multiple Cabinet members were absent.

Leavitt noted that discussions prior to the dinner focused on appointing a specific survivor, “but several Cabinet members in the succession line were absent for different personal reasons.”

She stated, “Therefore, appointing a single survivor was unnecessary, since we had multiple members who were absent already.”

On Monday, reporters engage with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Alex Brandon/AP

The White House called on congressional Democrats to allocate funds for the Department of Homeland Security following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“The Democrats’ hindrance is imposing a huge and completely unnecessary strain on the Secret Service, potentially leading to more fatalities.” Sufficient is sufficient. “Enough discussions on this matter,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated to reporters Monday in the White House briefing room.

“Democrats must follow President Trump’s call for funding the Department of Homeland Security, which he has made for 73 consecutive days.” “This is a national crisis, and all members of Congress must prioritize their country over their party and ensure funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” Leavitt stated.

She referred to the expired funding as a “national disgrace” that warrants greater focus.

“If Republicans cut funding for DHS, and there was another attempted assassination on a Democrat president, I would expect the media coverage to be unyielding and severe, and I wish that it remains that way with the World Cup, America 250, the 2028 Olympics, and an upcoming presidential election,” she stated.