Updated - April 19, 2026 08:50 pm IST
Police personnel stand guard at a closed road leading to the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone area of Islamabad on April 19, 2026. A second round of talks between the United States and Iran is expected in Islamabad this coming week. | Photo Credit: AFP
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency report, on Sunday (April 19, 2026). it is stated that there is currently no decision by Iran to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan “as long as there is a naval blockade.”
Earlier, the U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday (April 19, 2026) that representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan, “tomorrow night” for Iran negotiations.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran,” Mr. Trump wrote.
Also read: Trump vs Pope | Two Americans, two paths
Security in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was stepped up visibly on Sunday (April 19, 2026) ahead of peace talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days.
President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday (April 20, 2026) to resume talks on ending the war with Iran, little more than a week after face-to-face talks in Islamabad on April 11 ended without agreement.
Earlier, Iran civil aviation authority said it will resume international flights on Monday (April 20, 2026) from Mashhad airport in the country’s northeast.
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April 19, 2026 20:50
About 200 Indians, diplomats families and last students fleeing Iran return to India
Braving the conflict, a grueling drive and long waits at the border, the last batch of about 200 Indians returned to India over the weekend, including all family members of Indian diplomats based there.
The groups, that came mainly over the Azerbaijan border and flew back from Baku, were coordinated by the Indian embassy in Tehran and the Iranian government during the two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire announced on April 8, officials told The Hindu.
Among them, 34 family members of Indian diplomats and teachers at the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Tehran, including 16 children travelled through the Iran-Azerbaijan border at Astara. The route involved a nine-hour drive and then a wait of some days at the border.
A few others, including family members of those posted at the Indian consulate in Bandar Abbas travelled the longer route of about 30 hours by road to the Armenian border and then to the capital Yerevan. -- Suhasini Haidar
April 19, 2026 20:40
No decision to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan, Iran's Tasnim reports
There is currently no decision by Iran to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan “as long as there is a naval blockade,” Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday (April 19, 2026), citing its reporter. -- Reuters
April 19, 2026 20:34
Vance will lead U.S. team to Iran talks in Pakistan: White House
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will lead the US delegation for talks with Iran in Pakistan, a White House official said on Sunday (April 19, 2026), after President Donald Trump indicated Mr. Vance would not make the trip.
Mr. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will attend the talks, a White House official told AFP on condition of anonymity when asked about the makeup of the delegation after Trump’s comments. -- AFP
April 19, 2026 19:06
Vance not going to Pakistan for Iran-U.S. talks: Trump
Vice President J.D. Vance will not lead the U.S. delegation for new talks with Iran in Pakistan, President Donald Trump told ABC News on Sunday (April 19, 2026), citing security concerns — despite top officials suggesting Mr. Vance would make the trip.
Earlier in the day, both the U.S. envoy to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright had indicated that Mr. Vance would lead the round of negotiations in Islamabad from Monday (April 20, 2026).
“It’s only because of security,” Mr. Trump told ABC News of the reason Vance is not making the trip. “JD’s great.” -- AFP
April 19, 2026 18:40
Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of U.S.-Iran talks
Security in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was stepped up visibly on Sunday (April 20, 2026)ahead of peace talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days.
President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday (April 21, 2026) to resume talks on ending the war with Iran, little more than a week after face-to-face talks in Islamabad on April 11 ended without agreement. -- AFP
Pakistan enhances security in Islamabad ahead of U.S.-Iran peace talks, implementing road closures and increased police presence.
April 19, 2026 18:31
Israel says to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon despite truce if soldiers face threat
Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday (April 20, 2026) that the military had been instructed to use “full force” in Lebanon — even during the ongoing ceasefire — should Israeli troops face any threat.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to act with full force, both on the ground and from the air, including during the ceasefire, in order to protect our soldiers in Lebanon from any threat,” Mr/. Katz said at a function in the occupied West Bank.
He said that the military had also been ordered “to remove the houses in the (frontline) villages near the border that served in every respect as Hezbollah terror outposts and threatened Israeli communities,” Mr. Katz added. -- AFP
April 19, 2026 18:26
Iran Foreign Ministry says U.S. naval blockade ‘violation’ of ceasefire
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday (April 20, 2026) that the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports is a violation of the ceasefire as well as an “unlawful and criminal” act.
“The United States’ so-called ‘blockade’ of Iran’s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a post on X, just as U.S. President Donald Trump also accused Iran of ceasefire violations by firing on ships.
“Moreover, by deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to war crime and crime against humanity,” Mr. Baqaei added. -- AFP
April 19, 2026 17:59
Donald Trump says U.S. officials will be in Pakistan ‘for negotiations’
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday (April 20, 2026) that representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan, “tomorrow night” for Iran negotiations.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran,” Mr. Trump wrote. -- Reuters
Trump announces U.S. negotiations in Pakistan over Iran, warning of severe consequences if a deal isn't reached.
April 19, 2026 17:46
Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Desh Garima crosses Strait of Hormuz
Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Desh Garima safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (April 18, 2026). The vessel, with 31 Indian seafarers onboard, is expected to arrive at Mumbai on Wednesday (April 22, 2026). In the past 24 hours, two Indian vessels, VLCC Samnar Herad and Bulk Carrier Jag Arnav, reported a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, following which they returned to the Persian Gulf. There has been no injury to any crew reported. – The Hindu Bureau
April 19, 2026 17:44
India’s crude oil imports declined nearly 17% in March, says data
In the first full month of the lasting West Asia crisis, India’s crude oil imports declined 17% on a year-over-year basis in March this year, according to provisional data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).
As a result of the lower, New Delhi spent about 4.9% less during the mentioned period on its crude imports.
Although, the net import bill for oil and gas combined stayed nearly flat during the mentioned period at $11 billion, marginally down from $11.3 billion in the comparable period last year. -- The Hindu Bureau
India's crude oil imports fell 17% in March, while LNG imports surged 20.5%, reflecting shifting energy strategies amid global tensions.
April 19, 2026 17:32
Iran to resume international flights from Mashhad airport on Monday
Iran will resume international flights on Monday (April 20, 2026) from Mashhad airport in the country’s northeast, its civil aviation authority said.
“Permission to operate international passenger flights at Mashhad Airport has been issued, starting tomorrow,” state TV said, quoting the Civil Aviation Organisation.
The organisation later said travellers can now “purchase tickets for international routes to and from Mashhad Airport,” according to the official IRNA news agency. -- AFP
Iran will resume international flights from Mashhad airport on April 20, following a closure due to the ongoing conflict.
April 19, 2026 17:29
Turkiye FM accuses Israel of trying to create ‘fait accompli’ in Lebanon
Turkiye on Sunday (April 19, 2026) accused Israel of seeking to create a “fait accompli” in Lebanon despite an agreed ceasefire, with the Foreign Minister denouncing “Israeli expansionism”.
“The ongoing Iran–United States negotiations seem to be overshadowing this situation (in Lebanon). Israel appears to be trying to take advantage of this distraction to create a fait accompli,” Hakan Fidan said.
On Saturday (April 18, 2026), Fidan said Israel was attempting to occupy new territories. -- AFP
April 19, 2026 16:49
Syria foils Hezbollah missile-launching operation: state media
Syrian state media said on Sunday (April 19) that security forces thwarted a missile-launching operation by Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah from its territory.
From March 2 until a 10-day ceasefire went into force on April 17, Hezbollah was battling Israel after drawing Lebanon into the West Asian war with rocket fire aimed at Israel in support of Tehran.
Syria’s official SANA news agency, quoting an interior ministry source, said security forces “thwarted a sabotage plot orchestrated by a cell linked to the Hezbollah terrorist militia”.
It alleged the group “intended to launch missiles across the border with the aim of destabilising the country”.
Syrian authorities are hostile to Hezbollah as the group played a key role in Syria’s civil war that ended in 2024, fighting alongside the forces of now ousted leader Bashar al-Assad.
-AFP
April 19, 2026 16:33
Turkiye 'optimistic' West Asia ceasefire will be extended: Foreign Minister
Turkiye said it remained “optimistic” that a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States set to expire on Wednesday (April 22) would be extended.
“No one wants to see a new war break out when the ceasefire expires next week. We hope ... the parties will extend the ceasefire,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday (April 19) at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
“I hope there’ll be an extension. I am optimistic,” he said.
-AFP
April 19, 2026 16:28
Two foreigners arrested in Iran for importing Starlink technology, Tasnim reports
Four individuals, including two foreign nationals, were arrested in Iran’s northwest, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday (April 19), for being part of a “U.S.-Israel-linked espionage network.”
The foreigners, whose nationality was not disclosed, are accused of importing satellite internet equipment such as Starlink, which is a criminal offence in the country, which has faced seven weeks of an internet blackout.
Hundreds of Iranians have been arrested for “cooperating with enemy states” since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
-Reuters
April 19, 2026 16:26
Iranian official says U.S. 'maximalist' demands stall face-to-face talks
Iran is not yet ready to hold a new round of face-to-face talks with U.S. officials, a senior Iranian official said on Saturday (April 18), citing Washington’s refusal to abandon “maximalist” demands on key issues.
In an interview with The Associated Press on the margins of a diplomacy forum in Turkiye, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh also said his country will not hand over its enriched uranium to the United States, rejecting claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to the United States,” Mr. Khatibzadeh said.
“This is a non-starter, and I can assure you that while we are ready to address any concerns that we do have, we’re not going to accept things that are nonstarters.”
Mr. Khatibzadeh said there have been many exchanges of messages between the sides, but accused the United States of holding firm on demands Iran deems to be excessive.
-AP
April 19, 2026 16:07
Iran replenishes launchers at higher rate than pre-war, guards commander says
Iran now updates and replenishes its missile and drone launchers at a higher speed than it did prior to the war with the U.S. and Israel, the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force commander said on Sunday (April 19), according to Nournews.
Israel and the U.S. launched attacks on Iran on February 28, with one of their aims being the neutralization of Iran’s missile strike force.
Majid Mousavi’s statement was shared alongside an edited video of him inspecting an unspecified underground missile facility. The video also included footage of drones, missiles and launchers inside underground facilities as well as ground missile launches.
Reuters was unable to verify the footage.
April 19, 2026 15:56
Iran says final deal still far off as Strait of Hormuz remains closed
The Strait of Hormuz remained closed on Sunday (April 19, 2026) in the stand-off between Iran and the United States, with Iran’s powerful Speaker of Parliament signalling a final peace deal was “far” off despite movement in negotiations.
As mediation efforts continued following high-level talks in Pakistan that failed to reach a deal, Iran said it would not reopen the crucial maritime trade route until the United States ended its blockade of Iranian ports.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address on Saturday (April 18, 2026) night that there had been “progress” with Washington “but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain”.
Read the story here
Iran signals a final peace deal is distant as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed amid ongoing U.S. negotiations and tensions.
April 19, 2026 15:40
IMF, World Bank meetings show limits in mitigating shocks, reliance on U.S. for solutions
Global finance leaders, whipsawed by West Asia war news, came to grips this past week with their inability to mitigate the economic damage from increasingly frequent geopolitical shocks, and a realization that counting on U.S. leadership to resolve crises is no longer the guarantee it had long been.
At International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, participants swung from gloom over a worsening global economic outlook due to deepening energy price and supply shocks to tentative optimism as it appeared Iran may reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow flows of oil, gas, fertilizer and other commodities to resume.
By Saturday (April 18), that optimism was already fading amid new attacks on shipping. The IMF and the World Bank pledged up to a combined $150 billion in new financing assistance for developing countries hit hardest by the massive energy price shock, and celebrated their re-engagement with Venezuela’s acting government after a seven-year pause.
-Reuters
April 19, 2026 15:00
Gulf equities subdued as Hormuz uncertainty caps ceasefire optimism
Most Gulf equities were subdued in early trading on Sunday (April 19, 2026) as renewed uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz and the state of U.S.-Iran talks dampened optimism over a fragile ceasefire, with Tehran saying talks had progressed but major gaps remained.
Iran said on Saturday (April 18) it was tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz and warned mariners that the vital energy route was closed again, while President Donald Trump said Tehran could not blackmail the United States by shutting the waterway.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index fell 0.3% in a choppy trade, hit by a 0.7% drop in oil major Saudi Aramco.
On Friday (April 16), oil prices settled roughly 9% lower after Iran said commercial shipping could resume through the Strait of Hormuz for the duration of the ceasefire, and Mr. Trump said Tehran had agreed not to close the waterway again.
In Qatar, the index lost 0.2%, with telecoms firm Ooredoo falling 1.5%.
-Reuters
April 19, 2026 14:18
Iran doubles down on closing Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire inches toward expiration
Iran doubled down on its pledge to restrict ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in place, as mediators scrambled to secure further talks before the ceasefire expires this week.
Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf said in a televised interview that Tehran would continue to threaten commercial vessels transiting the critical waterway, after it fired on ships attempting to pass on Saturday (April 18).
“It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot,” Mr. Qalibaf, who is Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the United States, said.
Iran’s Navy has warned ships against transiting the strait, a chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes. After a brief uptick in transit attempts on Saturday (April 18), vessels in the Persian Gulf held their positions, wary after two India-flagged ships were fired on mid-transit and forced to turn back.
-AP
April 19, 2026 13:46
"I don't see U.S. leaving NATO": Mark Rutte
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has dismissed speculation about a possible U.S. withdrawal from NATO, saying he does not expect Washington to leave the alliance.
As reported by DW News, Mr. Rutte said in an interview with Germany’s Die Welt that the United States remains committed to the transatlantic bloc.
“I don’t see the U.S. leaving NATO,” Mr. Rutte asserted during an interview with the Sunday (April 19) edition of Germany’s Die Welt newspaper.
The NATO chief further clarified that he holds no doubts concerning Washington’s commitment to the nuclear defence of the continent.
-ANI
April 19, 2026 13:38
Iranian President insists on country's nuclear rights, ISNA reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has no justification to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights, the Iranian Student News Agency quoted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as saying on Sunday (April 19, 2026), as Washington and Tehran continue to face disagreements over nuclear issues.
“Trump says Iran cannot make use of its nuclear rights but doesn’t say for what crime. Who is he to deprive a nation of its rights?” Mr. Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.
-Reuters
April 19, 2026 13:08
Trump vs Pope | Two Americans, two paths
Conflict between the Church and the state is not uncommon in Western history. But this was the first time in the modern era that the Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful Christian-majority state got into a public war of words with the pontiff. What made it more unusual was they were both Americans. To Mr. Trump’s annoyance, Pope Leo is the more popular American.
A recent NBC News poll found the Pope to enjoy a 34-point net favourability rating, in contrast to Mr. Trump’s minus 12-point rating. Mr. Trump’s irritation with Pope Leo was not without grounds. He has faced little political resistance to ‘Operation Epic Fury’, the joint military operation with Israel that he launched against Iran on February 28. The Congress was under Republican control, and Democrat politicians were equally committed to unconditional military support for Israel. With very little pushback from establishment voices, the Trump administration sought to dress up what was essentially a war of choice as a quasi-religious mission of Christian righteousness – a so-called ‘just war’.
Read the story here
The clash between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV, two influential Americans navigating moral and political divides.
April 19, 2026 12:52
Lebanese army restores road, bridge damaged by Israeli strikes
Lebanon’s military said Sunday it had reopened a road and bridge damaged by Israeli strikes in the country’s south, as a 10-day truce holds between Hezbollah and Israel.
In a statement, the military said it “fully reopened” a road linking the city of Nabatieh with the Khardali area, and had “partially reopened the Burj Rahal-Tyre bridge”.
“Work is also underway to rehabilitate the Tayr Falsay-Tyre bridge... following damage caused by the Israeli aggression,” the army added.
Israeli strikes on bridges that cross Lebanon’s Litani river, which flows around 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Israel, have largely cut off the area south of the waterway from the rest of Lebanon, according to the army.-- AFP
April 19, 2026 12:23
Global oil shocks may hit U.S. growth, India's impact likely limited: SBI Research
Slowdown in the U.S. economy amid rising geopolitical tensions and energy shocks has raised concerns with limited but notable implications for India, noted a report by SBI research.
The report has flagged concerns over a potential slowdown in the U.S. economy amid rising geopolitical tensions and energy shocks, but noted that “this time may be different” compared to past recessionary cycles, with limited but notable implications for India.
According to the report, historical trends suggest that every major global oil shock has typically been followed by a recession in the United States. Episodes such as the 1973 oil embargo, the 1979 Iran crisis, the Gulf War, and the 2008 global financial crisis all saw sharp spikes in crude prices preceding economic contractions in the U.S..-- ANI
April 19, 2026 11:12
Hezbollah leader dismisses ceasefire paper published by U.S.
Naim Kassem, head of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, in a statement read on the group’s al- Manar TV said a paper published by the U.S. State Department that it described as the text of a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel “means nothing at the practical level, but it is an insult to our country”.
“Everyone knows that the government of Lebanon has not met or approved this statement,” he said.
The text published by the U.S. described the 10-day truce as a gesture by Israel “to enable good-faith negotiations” toward a permanent peace agreement with Lebanon.
The text gives Israel the “right to take all necessary measures in self-defence, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks”. It does not mention any similar right for Lebanon or Hezbollah.
Mr. Kassem said the truce should entail “a complete cessation of all hostilities” and that Hezbollah “will respond to enemy violations”.
-AP
April 19, 2026 10:53
Ahead of U.S.-Iran talks, Pak authorities take stringent security measures
Despite no official announcement about a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran, Pakistani authorities have begun taking stringent security measures for the safety of foreign delegates.
The U.S. and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan on April 11 and 12 aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks ended without any agreement.
Pakistan re-launched its diplomatic efforts to facilitate another round of talks in Islamabad for a final agreement to end the war between Washington and Tehran.-- PTI
April 19, 2026 10:35
Iran to reopen airspace in phased 'four-stage' plan following regional conflict
Iran is preparing to reopen its national airspace in a phased, four-stage plan following significant disruptions caused by recent regional conflicts, as reported by the Tasnim News Agency.Citing the deputy director of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, the report indicates that flight operations will resume in a graduated manner, moving from the eastern regions of the country towards the west.The proposed plan is aimed at restoring normalcy following significant disruptions triggered by recent regional conflicts. According to the state-linked news agency, the restoration of Iranian airspace will be executed across four distinct stages.-- ANI
April 19, 2026 10:17
IDF announces death of reservist in southern Lebanon
he Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday announced the death of Sergeant First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat (31), who, according to the IDF, was killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon.In an official statement, the IDF said, “The name of a fallen soldier whose family has been notified was cleared for publication,” identifying the soldier as “Sergeant First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat, aged 31, from Ashdod, a soldier in the 7106th Battalion, 769th Regional Brigade” who, according to the IDF, “fell during combat in southern Lebanon.”The military added that the incident also left multiple soldiers injured. “In the incident in which Sergeant First Class (Res.) Lidor Porat fell, an additional soldier was severely injured, four soldiers were moderately injured, and four additional soldiers were lightly injured,” the statement said.-- ANI
April 19, 2026 08:55
Israeli military says one soldier killed in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Sunday that one soldier was killed during combat in southern Lebanon, adding that nine soldiers were wounded, including one who was severely injured.-- Reuters
April 19, 2026 08:29
Trump calls Israel "great ally" that "knows how to win" in robust show of support
In a significant show of diplomatic support, US President Donald Trump has issued a robust endorsement of Israel, characterising the nation as a premier strategic partner during periods of heightened regional instability.In a recent statement shared via Truth Social, the Republican leader asserted that the Middle Eastern nation has “proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America.” Elaborating on the specific attributes of the partnership, he lauded the country as being “courageous, bold, loyal, and smart.”--- ANI
April 19, 2026 08:14
Iran fully closes Strait of Hormuz over U.S. blockade
Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions with the U.S. amid an ongoing blockade and military confrontations.
April 19, 2026 07:46
Iran 'victorious' in war with U.S., Speaker says
Iran had been “victorious in the field” during weeks of war and had only agreed to a temporary truce with the United States because its demands had been met, the Iranian parliamentary speaker said on Saturday.
The two-week ceasefire is set to end Wednesday unless it is renewed, with a permanent deal that mediators including Pakistan are pushing to get over the line still not finalised and progress on key sticking points uncertain.
“We were victorious in the field,” Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a national televised address, adding the United States had not achieved its goals and Iran controlled the strategic Strait of Hormuz maritime transit route.-- AFP
April 19, 2026 07:38
Strait of Hormuz to stay closed until port blockade lifts, Iran says
The crucial Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, Tehran said Saturday, as a top official warned that a final peace deal remained “far” off.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said in a televised address that there has been “progress” in talks with Washington “but there are many gaps and some fundamental points remain.”
“We are still far from the final discussion,” said Mr. Ghalibaf, one of Tehran’s negotiators in the talks aimed at ending the war launched by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic.
-- AFP
Published - April 19, 2026 07:38 am IST
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