Trump floats blockade idea after no deal in Iran talks
US president Donald Trump has turned to social media to signal potential next steps after talks with Iran ended without agreement, sharing an article outlining a possible naval blockade strategy.
The post on his Truth Social platform linked to a piece describing how such a move could be used to increase pressure on Tehran by restricting its oil exports.
(Truth Social/Donald Trump)
The article also referenced a similar approach used against Venezuela, where US actions were aimed at weakening the government of Nicolás Maduro.
Trump did not issue a direct statement following the breakdown of negotiations, but the post marks his first public comment since US officials left talks in Pakistan without a deal.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 06:30
Ishaq Dar urges US and Iran to honour ceasefire after talks
Pakistan foreign minister Ishaq Dar urged the US and Iran to uphold their commitment to a two-week ceasefire after talks in Islamabad ended without agreement.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire,” Dar wrote in a statement on X, adding that Pakistan would continue to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
He said Pakistan had helped mediate several rounds of “intense and constructive” negotiations over the past 24 hours, calling on both sides to continue engagement “with positive spirit” towards a lasting settlement.
The talks, led by US vice president JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, ran for around 21 hours and ended without agreement, with key disputes still unresolved.
Vance left Islamabad shortly after announcing the outcome.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 06:15
Trump says it makes ‘no difference’ to him if Iran and US reach dealTrump says it makes ‘no difference’ to him if Iran and US reach deal
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 06:00
ICYMI: No deal after 21-hour US-Iran talks in Pakistan
US-Iran talks in Islamabad ran for 21 hours and stretched overnight into Sunday before ending without agreement, leaving the fate of a fragile ceasefire uncertain.
Advance teams from both sides had already laid the groundwork in the Pakistani capital, allowing negotiators to move quickly into repeated rounds of discussions and exchanges of draft proposals once formal talks began.
US vice president JD Vance said negotiations broke down after Iran refused to accept American terms, including a commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons. He said the US was leaving with a “final and best offer”.
The discussions moved through multiple rounds, with delegation heads meeting at least three times before breaking off, according to Pakistani officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Iran, however, said progress had been made but differences over two key issues prevented a deal, with a foreign ministry spokesperson describing the talks as taking place in an “atmosphere of mistrust”.
Disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief remain unresolved.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 05:45
JD Vance leaves Pakistan after talks end without deal
US vice president JD Vance gives a thumb up sign as he boards Air Force Two after attending talks on Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday (AP)
JD Vance shakes hands with Pakistani deputy prime minister and foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar as he prepares to board Air Force Two after attending talks on Iran in Islamabad, on Sunday (AP)
(via REUTERS)
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 05:30
Iran foreign ministry says ‘mistrust’ shaped talks
Iran said negotiations with the US advanced, but differences emerged on key issues.
“We reached agreement on a number of points in the talks, but views differed on two important issues, and it did not lead to agreement,” a foreign ministry spokesperson told Iranian media.
The talks were held in an “atmosphere of mistrust,” the spokesperson added, saying it was unrealistic to expect a deal in a single round.
The negotiations in Islamabad lasted 21 hours and stretched overnight, moving through multiple rounds and draft exchanges before ending without agreement.
Iran said consultations would continue with Pakistan and “other friends” in the region, with disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief still unresolved.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 05:15
US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
United States intelligence assessments allege that China is quietly taking a more active role in the Iran war and may have even sent shoulder missiles to Iran in recent weeks, according to a new report.
The missiles in question areman-portable air-defense systems, also known as MANPADs, which are commonly used to shoot down low-flying aircraft. Sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN that China was working to route the shipments through third countries to make it difficult to trace their origin.
The intelligence is not conclusive, and there is no evidence that Chinese missiles have been used against American or Israeli troops so far, according to the New York Times.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 05:00
We asked a US Army veteran and an Iranian expert to dissect Trump’s warWe asked a US Army veteran and an Iranian expert to dissect Trump’s war
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 04:45
Iran: US used talks to ‘save face’
Iran has said the US was looking for an excuse to leave negotiations during talks in Islamabad.
“The Americans needed the negotiation for their lost face in the international arena and were unwilling to lower their expectations despite the defeat and stalemate in the war with Iran,” a source close to the Iranian delegation told Fars news agency.
“Iran has no plans for the next round of talks,” the source added.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 04:30
Iran blames US ‘overreach’ as talks end without deal
US-Iran talks in Islamabad have ended without agreement, with Tehran attributing the outcome to excessive US demands.
“The negotiations between the Iranian and American teams concluded a few minutes ago and, due to what is described as US overreach and ambitions, the two sides have so far failed to reach an agreement,” a correspondent from Iran’s Tasnim News Agency in Islamabad reported.
Issues including the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear rights, and other points remained unresolved.
US vice president JD Vance said Iran rejected terms he described as “quite flexible,” and that Washington had yet to see a “fundamental commitment” to forgo nuclear weapons.
Shahana Yasmin12 April 2026 04:15