The Iran conflict is not just reshaping geopolitics, it’s also stirring a fresh debate in global finance.
As Tehran begins accepting payments in China’s yuan for oil, talk of a “Petroyuan” is back on the table.
But can the Chinese currency really challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar, or is this momentum just temporary?
Take a look at this next report for more.

Can Yuan Replace the Dollar in Global Oil Trade

A growing sense of unease is spreading across Gulf nations as recent attacks raise questions about the reliability of the U.S. security umbrella. Reports suggest that low-cost drones managed to challenge even advanced systems like THAAD, sparking debate over their effectiveness. Voices in the United Arab Emirates are now openly questioning the value of hosting U.S. bases, with some calling them a burden. The developments hint at a deeper shift in regional security thinking.


Iran War Prompting Gulf Rethink Security Ties With US? 'US Bases A Burden, Not A Strategic Asset' 

The ongoing Iran war is casting a shadow over the United Arab Emirates’ reputation as a global financial hub, with market volatility, shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, and pressure on investor confidence raising fresh concerns. Reports indicate Gulf stock markets have slipped and capital flows face uncertainty amid escalating tensions.

UAE's Status As a Global Financial Hub Hit by Iran War 

Donald Trump is going through a similar situation to Ronald Reagan's in Lebanon 42 years ago. The latter decided to exit the country after 241 officers were killed in the barracks attacks. A former counter-terrorism official has advised Trump to leave while the US still can. 

Donald Trump is going through a similar situation to Ronald Reagan's in Lebanon 42 years ago. The latter decided to exit the country after 241 officers were killed in the barracks attacks. A former counter-terrorism official has advised Trump to leave while the US still can.&nbsp;

A lesson from 1984: Trump advised to take a page from Ronald Reagan’s Lebanon playbook for Iran

The United States Central Command on Sunday (Apr 20) released footage showing how the Marines Corps seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Sea of Oman. The US also shared a video proof of ‘repeated warnings’ issued to the crew of the ship over a six-hour period, saying that they “failed to comply”. The incident, which marked the first seizure in the US blockade of Iranian ports, re-escalated the tensions between Washington and Tehran over the weekend. In response, Iran has vowed to respond, calling the attack and seizure a violation of ceasefire.The vessel, M/V Touska, was intercepted by the American forces in the northern Arabian Sea while it was en route to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port. According to the Department of War, the ship’s propulsion was disabled by guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) that fired several rounds of 5-inch MK 45 Gun into its engine room. Following this, the US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered Touska and took custody of the vessel.Posting a video of the US Marines operation, US Central Command wrote on X, “U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 20, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s propulsion when the commercial ship failed to comply with repeated warnings from U.S. forces over a six-hour period.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 19, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s… <a href="https://t.co/mFxI5RzYCS">pic.twitter.com/mFxI5RzYCS</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2046085543348293851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-talked-into-iran-war-but-can-t-find-an-exit-here-s-how-crisis-is-unfolding-1776595244637">Trump ‘talked’ into Iran war but can’t find an exit? Here’s how crisis is unfolding</a><h2>Vessel ignored ‘repeated warnings’</h2>The US has alleged that its forces acted after Touska’s crew failed to comply with “repeated warnings” amid the blockade.“American forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranian-flagged vessel it was in violation of the U.S. blockade,” DOW Rapid Response said in a statement on X. “After Touska’s crew failed to comply with repeated warnings over a six-hour period, Spruance directed the vessel to evacuate its engine room. Spruance disabled Touska’s propulsion by firing several rounds from the destroyer’s 5-inch MK 45 Gun into Touska’s engine room. U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit later boarded the non-compliant vessel, which remains in U.S. custody.”It added that the American forces acted in a “deliberate, professional, and proportional manner to ensure compliance.” Since the blockade, US forces have directed 25 commercial vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port, it said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Sea enforced naval blockade measures against an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, April 19. Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea at… <a href="https://t.co/iyzOQd93C3">https://t.co/iyzOQd93C3</a> <a href="https://t.co/HwU4XS48Oq">pic.twitter.com/HwU4XS48Oq</a>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/2045972572236321034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Iran vows retaliation</h2>Tehran called the incident a violation of the ceasefire, denouncing the US attack and seizure as “maritime piracy” and vowing that “Iran will respond soon”.“The aggressive America, by violating the ceasefire and committing maritime piracy, attacked one of Iran’s commercial ships in the waters of the Sea of Oman by firing upon it and disabling its navigation system by deploying several of its terrorist marines on the deck of the mentioned vessel. We warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military,” Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned in a statement.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

CENTCOM released footage showing US Marines seizing an Iranian cargo ship after it ignored warnings during a blockade, disabling it and boarding with Marines. Iran condemned the action as piracy and vowed retaliation, escalating tensions.

The United States Central Command on Sunday (Apr 20) released footage showing how the Marines Corps seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the Sea of Oman. The US also shared a video proof of ‘repeated warnings’ issued to the crew of the ship over a six-hour period, saying that they “failed to comply”. The incident, which marked the first seizure in the US blockade of Iranian ports, re-escalated the tensions between Washington and Tehran over the weekend. In response, Iran has vowed to respond, calling the attack and seizure a violation of ceasefire. The vessel, M/V Touska, was intercepted by the American forces in the northern Arabian Sea while it was en route to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port. According to the Department of War, the ship’s propulsion was disabled by guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) that fired several rounds of 5-inch MK 45 Gun into its engine room. Following this, the US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered Touska and took custody of the vessel. Posting a video of the US Marines operation, US Central Command wrote on X, “U.S. Marines depart amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) by helicopter and transit over the Arabian Sea to board and seize M/V Touska. The Marines rappelled onto the Iranian-flagged vessel, April 20, after guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) disabled Touska’s propulsion when the commercial ship failed to comply with repeated warnings from U.S. forces over a six-hour period.”

CENTCOM released footage showing US Marines seizing an Iranian cargo ship after it ignored warnings during a blockade, disabling it and boarding with Marines. Iran condemned the action as piracy and vowed retaliation, escalating tensions.

WATCH | CENTCOM video shows moment US Marines took control of Iranian vessel

Iran has rejected participation in a second round of peace talks, citing “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire,” the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Sunday (April 19).&nbsp;IRNA pointed to Washington’s “maximalism and unreasonable and unrealistic demands, frequent changes of positions, constant contradictions and the continuation of the so-called naval blockade,” adding that “in these circumstances, there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations.”&nbsp;Other Iranian outlets, including Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, quoted anonymous sources as saying Tehran has not taken a final decision on participation, with the overall atmosphere described as “not very positive.” One source cited by Fars said lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports remains a key precondition for any talks.&nbsp;The developments come as US President Donald Trump confirmed that a second round of negotiations with Iran is being planned in Islamabad, Pakistan. Speaking to ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Trump expressed confidence about securing a deal while accusing Tehran of “serious violations” during the recent two-week ceasefire.&nbsp;“It will happen. One way or another. The nice way or the hard way. It’s going to happen. You can quote me,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-eight-children-killed-in-louisiana-shooting-suspect-shot-dead-after-chase-1776616362642">US: Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting, suspect shot dead after chase</a>&nbsp;In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan. They will be there tomorrow evening for negotiations.”&nbsp;“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,” he added.&nbsp;Trump also clarified that Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round of talks that failed to produce a breakthrough, would not attend the upcoming negotiations. He cited security constraints, saying the Secret Service could not arrange protection on short notice.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s only because of security,” Trump said, adding, “JD’s great.”&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in what analysts interpret as efforts to convince Tehran to join the second round of negotiations in Islamabad.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I had a warm and constructive conversation with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian this evening on the evolving regional situation. I appreciated Iran’s engagement, including its high-level delegation to Islamabad for the historic talks, and recent discussions with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Tehran,” Sharif wrote on X.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I also shared insights from my recent engagements with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye. I assured him that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains fully committed to its role as an honest and sincere facilitator of lasting peace and regional stability,” he added.&nbsp;

The developments come as US President Donald Trump confirmed that a second round of negotiations with Iran is being planned in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

Iran has rejected participation in a second round of peace talks, citing “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire,” the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Sunday (April 19). IRNA pointed to Washington’s “maximalism and unreasonable and unrealistic demands, frequent changes of positions, constant contradictions and the continuation of the so-called naval blockade,” adding that “in these circumstances, there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations.” Other Iranian outlets, including Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, quoted anonymous sources as saying Tehran has not taken a final decision on participation, with the overall atmosphere described as “not very positive.” One source cited by Fars said lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports remains a key precondition for any talks. The developments come as US President Donald Trump confirmed that a second round of negotiations with Iran is being planned in Islamabad, Pakistan. Speaking to ABC’s Jonathan Karl, Trump expressed confidence about securing a deal while accusing Tehran of “serious violations” during the recent two-week ceasefire. “It will happen. One way or another. The nice way or the hard way. It’s going to happen. You can quote me,” he said. Also Read: US: Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting, suspect shot dead after chase In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan. They will be there tomorrow evening for 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,” he added. Trump also clarified that Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in the first round of talks that failed to produce a breakthrough, would not attend the upcoming negotiations. He cited security constraints, saying the Secret Service could not arrange protection on short notice. “It’s only because of security,” Trump said, adding, “JD’s great.” Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in what analysts interpret as efforts to convince Tehran to join the second round of negotiations in Islamabad. “I had a warm and constructive conversation with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian this evening on the evolving regional situation. I appreciated Iran’s engagement, including its high-level delegation to Islamabad for the historic talks, and recent discussions with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Tehran,” Sharif wrote on X. “I also shared insights from my recent engagements with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye. I assured him that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains fully committed to its role as an honest and sincere facilitator of lasting peace and regional stability,” he added.

The developments come as US President Donald Trump confirmed that a second round of negotiations with Iran is being planned in Islamabad, Pakistan.&nbsp;

Iran to skip second round of talks in Pakistan, blames excessive US demands and Hormuz blockade: State media

US President Donald Trump’s Iran war gamble faces no clear exit, with rising tensions, oil shock from the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and a fragile ceasefire failing to stabilise the conflict.

US President Donald Trump’s Iran war gamble faces no clear exit, with rising tensions, oil shock from the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and a fragile ceasefire failing to stabilise the conflict.

Trump ‘talked’ into Iran war but can’t find an exit? Here’s how crisis is unfolding

With nearly 17,000 meals served daily, feeding the 5,000-plus crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln costs up to $455,000 every single week.


With nearly 17,000 meals served daily, feeding the 5,000-plus crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln costs up to $455,000 every single week.

‘Feeding 5,000 Sailors’: How much does it cost to feed USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew weekly?

Feeding more than 5,000 sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln requires preparing around 1,600 pounds of meat daily. While fish and lobster are served, chicken remains the undisputed favourite of the crew.


Feeding more than 5,000 sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln requires preparing around 1,600 pounds of meat daily. While fish and lobster are served, chicken remains the undisputed favourite of the crew.

‘Chicken, fish, or both’: What do sailors eat most on USS Abraham Lincoln?

A nearly seven-week war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel is now exposing a major vulnerability, not just on the battlefield, but in the global economy.

Iran War Exposes Trump’s Economic Weak Spot 

Just nine days after President Donald Trump announced in a pre-dawn social media post that America had attacked Iran, the president said: “We have already won in many ways.”Two days later, at a campaign rally in Kentucky: “We won in the first hour.” By the end of March, there were several additional declarations of victory, including “We won. The war is over.”Fifty days after the February 28 war announcement, the only place where the war is actually over, and peace is near, is in the alternative universe inhabited by Trump.On April 18, four days before a fragile two-week ceasefire was to end, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz just a day after having declared it open to traffic. Iranian state media declared the U.S. had failed to hold up its end of the bargain by blockading Iranian ports.How the present stalemate will be resolved is anyone’s guess, but it confirms that the American war of choice, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by Washington, would better be called Operation Epic Miscalculation.Trump’s repeated claims of victory are based on the fact that the American attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and the top tier of the Iranian government on the first day and damaged or destroyed dozens of missile factories and industrial; installations.It left intact the institutions of a dictatorial state and failed to crush its most powerful military establishment, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its units responded to the American attack by using its sizeable arsenal of missiles to attack Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases.A series of confused, contradictory and often extreme statements since the beginning of the war have stirred a growing and unusually public debate over the mental acuity of Trump. He turns 80 in June and began his second term in office as the oldest person ever to move into the White House.You might be forgiven for thinking that the war with Iran and its global implications – the Straits of Hormuz carries twenty per cent of the world’s oil – would keep the president too busy to pick rhetorical fights with high-profile critics.Such as Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, is the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The pope enraged his fellow Americans by condemning the war on Iran and branding as “unacceptable” Trump’s actions and rhetoric, specifically a threat to destroy Iran’s civilisation.In a social media post, Trump responded by calling the pope “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.”This had a foreign policy follow-up: A noisy row with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, a right-wing conservative long considered the European leader closest to Trump. She described Trump’s attack on the pope as “unacceptable” and he shot back by accusing her of being indifferent to the threat of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.This dispute did not go down well with many of the 53 million Roman Catholics in the United States, and neither did an AI-generated social media image he posted showing himself as a Christ-like figure. The image prompted so many complaints that it was taken down from his Truth Social platform.Trump explained that the picture showed him not as Christ but as a doctor tending to a sick patient.This and a long string of confusing and contradictory statements on the war have left many Americans with what New York Times writer Peter Baker described as “the impression of a deranged autocrat mad with power.”Presidential historians say that the mental stability of a president has never been discussed as publicly, not even that of Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, who declined visibly after a disastrous debate performance with Trump.How widely debated Trump’s mental acuity is was thrown into sharp focus by a reporter’s question during a televised press conference. “What is your response to critics who say that it is your mental health that should perhaps be examined as this war continues?”The question, from Danny Kemp, a reporter for Agence France-Presse, followed a Trump social media posting which said: “Open the f****ng Strait (of Hormuz), you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in hell.”While other presidents have used profanities when talking about adversaries, they did so in private to aides, not in public at a nationally televised press briefing.Democrats have long advocated removing Trump from power for disability to serve through the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution. But these are hollow words: such a move requires the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to inform Congress in writing that the President cannot serve.Remarkably, questions about Trump’s mental state are being asked by retired generals, diplomats and late-night comedians. Perhaps the most notable are charges from several prominent figures and former allies on the political right.Such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican who was long one of the president’s closest allies but recently broke with him. In a CNN interview on the war Trump started, she said the president’s apocalyptic threats were “not tough rhetoric but insanity.”

Democrats have long advocated removing Trump from power for disability to serve through the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution. But these are hollow words: such a move requires the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to inform Congress in writing that the President cannot serve.

Just nine days after President Donald Trump announced in a pre-dawn social media post that America had attacked Iran, the president said: “We have already won in many ways.” Two days later, at a campaign rally in Kentucky: “We won in the first hour.” By the end of March, there were several additional declarations of victory, including “We won. The war is over.” Fifty days after the February 28 war announcement, the only place where the war is actually over, and peace is near, is in the alternative universe inhabited by Trump. On April 18, four days before a fragile two-week ceasefire was to end, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz just a day after having declared it open to traffic. Iranian state media declared the U.S. had failed to hold up its end of the bargain by blockading Iranian ports. How the present stalemate will be resolved is anyone’s guess, but it confirms that the American war of choice, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by Washington, would better be called Operation Epic Miscalculation. Trump’s repeated claims of victory are based on the fact that the American attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and the top tier of the Iranian government on the first day and damaged or destroyed dozens of missile factories and industrial; installations. It left intact the institutions of a dictatorial state and failed to crush its most powerful military establishment, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Its units responded to the American attack by using its sizeable arsenal of missiles to attack Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases. A series of confused, contradictory and often extreme statements since the beginning of the war have stirred a growing and unusually public debate over the mental acuity of Trump. He turns 80 in June and began his second term in office as the oldest person ever to move into the White House. You might be forgiven for thinking that the war with Iran and its global implications – the Straits of Hormuz carries twenty per cent of the world’s oil – would keep the president too busy to pick rhetorical fights with high-profile critics. Such as Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, is the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. The pope enraged his fellow Americans by condemning the war on Iran and branding as “unacceptable” Trump’s actions and rhetoric, specifically a threat to destroy Iran’s civilisation. In a social media post, Trump responded by calling the pope “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” This had a foreign policy follow-up: A noisy row with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, a right-wing conservative long considered the European leader closest to Trump. She described Trump’s attack on the pope as “unacceptable” and he shot back by accusing her of being indifferent to the threat of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon. This dispute did not go down well with many of the 53 million Roman Catholics in the United States, and neither did an AI-generated social media image he posted showing himself as a Christ-like figure. The image prompted so many complaints that it was taken down from his Truth Social platform. Trump explained that the picture showed him not as Christ but as a doctor tending to a sick patient. This and a long string of confusing and contradictory statements on the war have left many Americans with what New York Times writer Peter Baker described as “the impression of a deranged autocrat mad with power.” Presidential historians say that the mental stability of a president has never been discussed as publicly, not even that of Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, who declined visibly after a disastrous debate performance with Trump. How widely debated Trump’s mental acuity is was thrown into sharp focus by a reporter’s question during a televised press conference. “What is your response to critics who say that it is your mental health that should perhaps be examined as this war continues?” The question, from Danny Kemp, a reporter for Agence France-Presse, followed a Trump social media posting which said: “Open the f****ng Strait (of Hormuz), you crazy b*****ds, or you’ll be living in hell.” While other presidents have used profanities when talking about adversaries, they did so in private to aides, not in public at a nationally televised press briefing. Democrats have long advocated removing Trump from power for disability to serve through the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution. But these are hollow words: such a move requires the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to inform Congress in writing that the President cannot serve. Remarkably, questions about Trump’s mental state are being asked by retired generals, diplomats and late-night comedians. Perhaps the most notable are charges from several prominent figures and former allies on the political right. Such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican who was long one of the president’s closest allies but recently broke with him. In a CNN interview on the war Trump started, she said the president’s apocalyptic threats were “not tough rhetoric but insanity.”

Democrats have long advocated removing Trump from power for disability to serve through the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution. But these are hollow words: such a move requires the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to inform Congress in writing that the President cannot serve.

Trump 2.0: At home and abroad, doubts over the president’s sanity

Iran is not ready to hold a new round of face-to-face talks with the United States due to Washington’s refusal to abandon “maximalist” demands on key issues, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said. He added that his country will not give up its enriched uranium to the US, dismissing claims made by US President Donald Trump. This comes after Tehran reimposed restrictions on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, accusing the US of “breaches of trust” amid the fragile ceasefire. Meanwhile, Trump has said that negotiations were ongoing but warned Tehran that the US won’t tolerate “blackmail” over the strait.In an interview with The Associated Press, Khatibzadeh said, “I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to the United States.” He added, “This is 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.”Earlier on Friday, Trump said the US will go into Iran and “get all the nuclear dust.” It is believed that 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium were buried under nuclear sites that were severely damaged after being targeted by US strikes last year.Khatibzadeh said that while there have been many exchanges of messages between both sides, the US was holding firm demands that were viewed as excessive by Iran.“We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” he said, adding that Tehran was seeking the finalisation of a “framework agreement” before moving to in-person discussions.“The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them to revolt against the political structure inside Iran,” Khatibzadeh said.When asked whether Tehran would respond to renewed Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire, Khatibzadeh said that “Iran has no option, just to stop aggressors once and forever.”Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran has rejected US “maximalist” demands, with Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stating it will not hand over enriched uranium.

Iran is not ready to hold a new round of face-to-face talks with the United States due to Washington’s refusal to abandon “maximalist” demands on key issues, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said. He added that his country will not give up its enriched uranium to the US, dismissing claims made by US President Donald Trump. This comes after Tehran reimposed restrictions on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, accusing the US of “breaches of trust” amid the fragile ceasefire. Meanwhile, Trump has said that negotiations were ongoing but warned Tehran that the US won’t tolerate “blackmail” over the strait. In an interview with The Associated Press, Khatibzadeh said, “I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to the United States.” He added, “This is 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.” Earlier on Friday, Trump said the US will go into Iran and “get all the nuclear dust.” It is believed that 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium were buried under nuclear sites that were severely damaged after being targeted by US strikes last year. Khatibzadeh said that while there have been many exchanges of messages between both sides, the US was holding firm demands that were viewed as excessive by Iran. “We are still not there yet to move on to an actual meeting because there are issues that the Americans have not yet abandoned their maximalist position,” he said, adding that Tehran was seeking the finalisation of a “framework agreement” before moving to in-person discussions. “The other sides also should understand and address our main concerns, which are illegal unilateral sanctions that Americans have imposed on Iranians and this economic terrorism which has targeted Iranian people to suffocate them and make them to revolt against the political structure inside Iran,” Khatibzadeh said. When asked whether Tehran would respond to renewed Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire, Khatibzadeh said that “Iran has no option, just to stop aggressors once and forever.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran has rejected US “maximalist” demands, with Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stating it will not hand over enriched uranium.

‘Non-starter’: Iran blames US ‘maximalist’ demands for stalling face-to-face talks, rejects giving up uranium

Asia’s economic outlook is facing a growing risk from the ongoing negotiations in West Asia. According to the International Monetary Fund, the region is more vulnerable to an energy shock than others due to its heavy reliance on fuel imports from the Gulf.

Asia Faces High Risk From Energy Shock: IMF Warns Asia Most Exposed

The Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” said IRGC’s joint military command in a statement on Saturday (April 18). The move, according to IRGC is being taken due to US’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports. The head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, too reacted and mocked United States by saying, "We warned you, but you ignored it. Now ENJOY the Strait of Hormuz returning to the status quo."&nbsp;While the IRGC warned US that the status of the Strait of Hormuz will not change "as long as the passage of vessels from Iranian origin to Iranian destination remains under threat," due to the continued naval blockade by US.&nbsp;"Every breach of promise by America will be met with a fitting response. As long as the passage of vessels from Iranian origin to Iranian destination remains under threat, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in its previous state. By the will of Allah," IRGC said.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-iran-talks-strait-of-hormuz-nuclear-deal-differences-1776500874880">Trump acknowledges possible remaining gaps after claiming Tehran 'agreed to everything'</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile the United Kingdom has urged for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Saturday that normal maritime operations had not yet resumed despite the truce in the Iran war. “We are at a critical diplomatic moment with a ceasefire now in place, but we don’t yet have normal passage through the strait,” Cooper was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye.<h2>What Trump said on Hormuz?</h2>&nbsp;On Friday both Iran and US had said the Strait of Hormuz is open for passage of commercial ships.&nbsp;Trump took to Truth Social to announce “The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete. This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated. Thank you for your attention to this matter!."&nbsp;The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments.&nbsp;The opening is likely to provide relief to the global economy that has been hit hard ever since the war between Iran and US began in late February.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The IRGC warned US that the status of Strait of Hormuz will not change as long as the passage of vessels from Iranian origin to Iranian destination remains under threat, due to US blockade.

The Strait of Hormuz has now “returned to its previous state” said IRGC’s joint military command in a statement on Saturday (April 18). The move, according to IRGC is being taken due to US’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports. The head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, too reacted and mocked United States by saying, "We warned you, but you ignored it. Now ENJOY the Strait of Hormuz returning to the status quo." While the IRGC warned US that the status of the Strait of Hormuz will not change "as long as the passage of vessels from Iranian origin to Iranian destination remains under threat," due to the continued naval blockade by US. "Every breach of promise by America will be met with a fitting response. As long as the passage of vessels from Iranian origin to Iranian destination remains under threat, the status of the Strait of Hormuz will remain in its previous state. By the will of Allah," IRGC said. ALSO READ: Trump acknowledges possible remaining gaps after claiming Tehran 'agreed to everything' Meanwhile the United Kingdom has urged for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Saturday that normal maritime operations had not yet resumed despite the truce in the Iran war. “We are at a critical diplomatic moment with a ceasefire now in place, but we don’t yet have normal passage through the strait,” Cooper was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye. What Trump said on Hormuz? On Friday both Iran and US had said the Strait of Hormuz is open for passage of commercial ships. Trump took to Truth Social to announce “The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete. This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated. Thank you for your attention to this matter!." The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments. The opening is likely to provide relief to the global economy that has been hit hard ever since the war between Iran and US began in late February.

The IRGC warned US that the status of Strait of Hormuz will not change "as long as the passage of vessels from Iranian origin to Iranian destination remains under threat," due to US blockade.

'Now enjoy Strait of Hormuz returning to status quo': Iran mocks Trump over naval blockade

Amid tensions in West Asia, the United States and Iran are reportedly engaged in high-stakes negotiations over a proposed three-page framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Reports suggest that one key element under discussion involves the potential release of up to $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Tehran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.According to an Axios report, citing US officials and other sources, the negotiations are expected to continue in Islamabad, with Pakistan acting as the primary mediator, backed by Egypt and Turkey. The outlet added that the discussions are focused on addressing concerns over Iran’s nearly 2,000 kg of enriched uranium, including a significant portion enriched to 60 per cent purity, which is close to weapons-grade levels.While the US has pushed for Iran to transfer its nuclear material out of the country, Tehran has resisted, proposing instead to “down-blend” the uranium domestically under international supervision. Reportedly, a compromise is being explored that would involve sending part of the material to a third country while processing the rest within Iran.Meanwhile, the US has called for a 20-year halt, while Iran has suggested five years, leaving mediators to bridge the gap. The draft agreement also outlines provisions allowing Iran to operate civilian nuclear reactors for medical purposes, while requiring its underground nuclear facilities to remain inactive.The discussions also involve broader regional concerns, including security around the Strait of Hormuz, though significant disagreements remain. If successful, the deal could end hostilities, but it risks political backlash, particularly from hardliners who oppose concessions to Tehran.Trump called the report “totally false”, adding that “No money is changing hands”. Although he did not specifically refer to the possibility of unblocking Iranian funds.According to Axios, the US was ready to release $6 billion for Iran to purchase food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies in an earlier stage of the talks. However, Tehran demanded $27 billion. It added that the latest amount that was discussed by the two nations is $20 billion.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The United States and Iran are in talks to end the conflict, reportedly discussing a possible $20 billion deal tied to uranium limits. Here’s what we know about it.

Amid tensions in West Asia, the United States and Iran are reportedly engaged in high-stakes negotiations over a proposed three-page framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Reports suggest that one key element under discussion involves the potential release of up to $20 billion in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for Tehran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium. According to an Axios report, citing US officials and other sources, the negotiations are expected to continue in Islamabad, with Pakistan acting as the primary mediator, backed by Egypt and Turkey. The outlet added that the discussions are focused on addressing concerns over Iran’s nearly 2,000 kg of enriched uranium, including a significant portion enriched to 60 per cent purity, which is close to weapons-grade levels. While the US has pushed for Iran to transfer its nuclear material out of the country, Tehran has resisted, proposing instead to “down-blend” the uranium domestically under international supervision. Reportedly, a compromise is being explored that would involve sending part of the material to a third country while processing the rest within Iran. Meanwhile, the US has called for a 20-year halt, while Iran has suggested five years, leaving mediators to bridge the gap. The draft agreement also outlines provisions allowing Iran to operate civilian nuclear reactors for medical purposes, while requiring its underground nuclear facilities to remain inactive. The discussions also involve broader regional concerns, including security around the Strait of Hormuz, though significant disagreements remain. If successful, the deal could end hostilities, but it risks political backlash, particularly from hardliners who oppose concessions to Tehran. Trump called the report “totally false”, adding that “No money is changing hands”. Although he did not specifically refer to the possibility of unblocking Iranian funds. According to Axios, the US was ready to release $6 billion for Iran to purchase food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies in an earlier stage of the talks. However, Tehran demanded $27 billion. It added that the latest amount that was discussed by the two nations is $20 billion. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The United States and Iran are in talks to end the conflict, reportedly discussing a possible $20 billion deal tied to uranium limits. Here’s what we know about it.

Is US paying Iran $20 billion for its uranium? Here’s the truth

Strait of Hormuz shutdown again as Iran delivered on its promise to resume "strict management" of the vital passage if US troops continue to enforce a blockade ordered by US President Donald Trump.

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Strait of Hormuz shutdown again as Iran delivered on its promise to resume "strict management" of the vital passage if US troops continue to enforce a blockade ordered by US President Donald Trump.Scroll down to read more.

Strait of Hormuz shut again as over 10,000 US troops continue to enforce Iran blockade

The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad, in a X post on Friday (Apr 17), mocked America's "Expensive Failure," claiming that the United States has lost 42 aircraft during the Iran war. The Iranian embassy in a graphic listed losses including an F-35 Lightning II and 17 MQ-9 Reapers. The post is a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent claim on Truth Social that the US has "completely destroyed" Iran's air force. It also includes a screenshot of the said post. According to the Iranian estimates, these losses have cost the US a whopping $1.878 billion, including one aircraft that alone costs $700 million.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-fake-jesus-iran-turns-trump-s-deleted-ai-image-into-a-viral-lego-diss-track-amid-pope-row-in-pics-1776326285612">'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics</a><h2>Iran war: The digital frontline</h2>In recent days, the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran have moved from the ground to online space. This is especially true on Iran's end, with the many Iran embassies feeding social media timelines a steady stream of memes and videos slamming Trump, the US, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his country.This latest graphic by Iran's embassy in India's Hyderabad purposefully juxtaposes high-tech marvels of American engineering against a backdrop of wreckage, seemingly aiming to maker Trump eat his words about US winning the war.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Expensive Failure.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WarOnIran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WarOnIran</a> <a href="https://t.co/9HNR0m7QCF">pic.twitter.com/9HNR0m7QCF</a>&mdash; Iran Consulate - Hyderabad (@IraninHyderabad) <a href="https://twitter.com/IraninHyderabad/status/2045196106230047193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Breaking down the "Expensive Failure"</h2>The list provided by the Iranian mission is a "who's who" of American aerial supremacy. It alleges that in the 47 days since Trump launched the war on Iran on February 28, the US has already lost 45 aircraft.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-maybe-i-won-t-extend-it-trump-not-interested-in-extending-ceasefire-insists-us-will-continue-blockade-of-iran-ports-1776484728184">'Maybe I won't extend it': Trump not interested in 'extending' ceasefire, insists US will continue blockade of Iran ports</a>The list, according to Iran includes:- E-3 Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning &amp; Control)Quantity: 1Cost: $700 Million&nbsp;- MQ-4C Triton (High-Altitude Maritime Drone)Quantity: 1Cost: $240 Million&nbsp;- MC-130J Commando II (Special Ops Transport)Quantity: 2Cost: $228 Million ($114M each)&nbsp;- F-35 Lightning II (Stealth Fighter)Quantity: 1Cost: $110 Million&nbsp;- F-15E Strike Eagle (Multirole Fighter)Quantity: 4Cost: $360 Million ($90M each)&nbsp;- MQ-9 Reaper (Armed Surveillance Drone)Quantity: 17Cost: $510 Million ($30M each)&nbsp;- KC-135 Stratotanker (Aerial Refueler)Quantity: 8Cost: $320 Million ($40M each)&nbsp;- A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)Quantity: 1Cost: $18.8 MillionNote: Iran claimed to have shot down near the Strait of Hormuz on April 3 during a combat search-and-rescue support mission. However, reports suggest that the pilot ejected safely and was rescued.&nbsp;- AH/MH-6 Little Bird HelicoptersQuantity: 4Cost: $18-30 Million ($4.5-7.5M each)&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Has the US really lost aircraft worth billions in the Iran war? An Iranian mission claims dozens of American aircraft worth $1.87 billion have been downed, calling it an “expensive failure” and pushing back at Donald Trump’s victory claims.

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The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad, in a X post on Friday (Apr 17), mocked America's "Expensive Failure," claiming that the United States has lost 42 aircraft during the Iran war. The Iranian embassy in a graphic listed losses including an F-35 Lightning II and 17 MQ-9 Reapers. The post is a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent claim on Truth Social that the US has "completely destroyed" Iran's air force. It also includes a screenshot of the said post. According to the Iranian estimates, these losses have cost the US a whopping $1.878 billion, including one aircraft that alone costs $700 million. Also read | 'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics Iran war: The digital frontline In recent days, the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran have moved from the ground to online space. This is especially true on Iran's end, with the many Iran embassies feeding social media timelines a steady stream of memes and videos slamming Trump, the US, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his country. This latest graphic by Iran's embassy in India's Hyderabad purposefully juxtaposes high-tech marvels of American engineering against a backdrop of wreckage, seemingly aiming to maker Trump eat his words about US winning the war.

Has the US really lost aircraft worth billions in the Iran war? An Iranian mission claims dozens of American aircraft worth $1.87 billion have been downed, calling it an “expensive failure” and pushing back at Donald Trump’s victory claims.Scroll down to read more.

Iran mocks the US's 'expensive failure,' claims America already lost 45 aircraft worth $1.87 billion during Iran War

Iran announced on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all ships following the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal. If the deal holds, it will release millions of barrels of crude oil and gas trapped in the Persian Gulf. However, tanker owners and oil dealers have reacted cautiously to the reopening announcement.

Majority of Ship Owners & Traders: Deal Lacks Details

The cost of the West Asia conflict on heavily sanctioned Iran’s already faltering economy is estimated to be much more than the U.S. and Israel put together. Hopes of an extension to the ceasefire and a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran have helped markets recoup the severe losses from the war month. But for the Islamic Republic, recovery requires heavy rebuilding efforts and funding. We decode that and more in this next report.

Iran War: Estimates Put Iran's Cost of War at $100 Bn

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Apr 17) said he may not extend the US-Iran ceasefire, which is due to expire on Wednesday (Apr 22). Trump also insisted that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place. This comes as Iran threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz once again if the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports. In a X post, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote, "With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open". He also said that passage through the waterway would require authorisation from Iran.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-issues-second-russian-oil-sanctions-waiver-despite-scott-bessent-s-pledge-not-to-what-does-it-mean-for-india-1776480327746">US extends Russian oil sanctions waiver despite Scott Bessent's pledge not to. What does it mean for India?</a><h2>US-Iran deal 'very soon'?</h2>Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump insisted that the blockade of Iran's ports is "going to remain".&nbsp; "Maybe I won't extend it, but the blockade is going to remain," he told reporters when asked about the ceasefire's future. He added that he still believes a broader peace deal is achievable. "I think it's going to happen," he said.Trump also ruled out another Iranian proposal that had surfaced during the Pakistan talks — the imposition of tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "There are not going to be tolls," he said flatly.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-peace-talks-expected-in-pakistan-on-monday-as-trump-eyes-nuclear-dust-1776475229677">US-Iran peace talks expected in Pakistan on Monday as Trump eyes nuclear 'dust'</a>In a separate statement to AFP, he said that a peace deal was 'very close' and that the Iranians have agreed to surrender their nuclear materials. Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the POTUS's claims.<h2>China ‘very happy’ about the re-opening of Hormuz</h2>On a more optimistic note, Trump posted on Truth Social that Chinese President Xi Jinping was "very happy" about the strait's reopening, and referenced an upcoming summit in Beijing in May. "Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic," he wrote — a signal that Trump sees the broader geopolitical moment as connected to his China diplomacy as well.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. &nbsp;

Will the US extend its ceasefire with Iran, or is another escalation coming? US President Donald Trump says he may not extend the truce and will keep the naval blockade in place. Iran meanwhile, has issued a fresh warning over the Strait of Hormuz.

What happens next? Scroll down to read

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Apr 17) said he may not extend the US-Iran ceasefire, which is due to expire on Wednesday (Apr 22). Trump also insisted that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place. This comes as Iran threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz once again if the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports. In a X post, Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote, "With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open". He also said that passage through the waterway would require authorisation from Iran. Also read | US extends Russian oil sanctions waiver despite Scott Bessent's pledge not to. What does it mean for India? US-Iran deal 'very soon'? Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump insisted that the blockade of Iran's ports is "going to remain". "Maybe I won't extend it, but the blockade is going to remain," he told reporters when asked about the ceasefire's future. He added that he still believes a broader peace deal is achievable. "I think it's going to happen," he said. Trump also ruled out another Iranian proposal that had surfaced during the Pakistan talks — the imposition of tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "There are not going to be tolls," he said flatly. Also read | US-Iran peace talks expected in Pakistan on Monday as Trump eyes nuclear 'dust' In a separate statement to AFP, he said that a peace deal was 'very close' and that the Iranians have agreed to surrender their nuclear materials. Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the POTUS's claims. China ‘very happy’ about the re-opening of Hormuz On a more optimistic note, Trump posted on Truth Social that Chinese President Xi Jinping was "very happy" about the strait's reopening, and referenced an upcoming summit in Beijing in May. "Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic," he wrote — a signal that Trump sees the broader geopolitical moment as connected to his China diplomacy as well. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Will the US extend its ceasefire with Iran, or is another escalation coming? US President Donald Trump says he may not extend the truce and will keep the naval blockade in place. Iran, meanwhile, has issued fresh warning over the Strait of Hormuz.What happens next? Scroll down to read

'Maybe I won't extend it': Trump not interested in 'extending' ceasefire, insists US will continue blockade of Iran ports

The next round of diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran is expected to happen in Pakistan on Monday (Apr 20), according to reports. According to CNN, citing Iranian sources, delegations from both sides are expected to travel to Islamabad on Monday. Notably, Washington has yet to confirm the schedule. This comes as US President Donald Trump on Friday (Apr 17) told AFP that a peace deal was 'very close' and that the Iranians have agreed to surrender their nuclear materials. Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the POTUS's claims.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-fake-jesus-iran-turns-trump-s-deleted-ai-image-into-a-viral-lego-diss-track-amid-pope-row-in-pics-1776326285612">'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics</a><h2>A peace deal is 'very close'</h2>In a telephonic conversation with the news agency, Trump insisted, "We're very close. Looks like it's going to be very good for everybody. And we're very close to having a deal".As Iran moved to open the Strait of Hormuz, he also said that there were "no sticking points at all" left with Tehran. "The strait's going to be open; they already are open. And things are going very well."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-they-sure-get-to-die-for-them-though-iran-mocks-reports-of-food-shortages-on-uss-tripoli-and-uss-abraham-lincoln-warships-iran-war-1776414073483">'They sure get to die for them, though!': Iran mocks reports of food shortages on USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln</a><h2>Iran not ready to transfer its uranium stockpile</h2>Iran's foreign ministry, in a statement, insisted that the nation would not transfer its uranium stockpile "anywhere". "Enriched uranium is as SACRED to us as the soil of Iran" said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, adding, "Will NOT be transferred anywhere under any circumstances”. &nbsp;However, Trump insists that the USA will take possession of the "nuclear dust".President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States and Iran would jointly remove uranium from Tehran's nuclear sites with excavators under any peace deal, before the material is transferred to US territory. Despite Iran's Foreign Ministry's rejection of the claims, the US president insisted that his nation would use the "biggest excavators" to get to the stockpile."Somebody said, how are we going to get the nuclear dust? We're going to get it by going in with Iran, with lots of excavators," Trump told a gathering of the conservative Turning Point USA movement in Phoenix, Arizona."We need the biggest excavators you can imagine," he answered, adding, "But we're going to go in together with Iran. We're going to get it. We're going to take it back home to the USA very soon."&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US and Iran on the brink of a deal? Reports suggest that the next round of truce talks may happen in Pakistan on Monday. Donald Trump says a breakthrough is “very close,” even as Tehran rejects key claims on its nuclear programme.

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The next round of diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran is expected to happen in Pakistan on Monday (Apr 20), according to reports. According to CNN, citing Iranian sources, delegations from both sides are expected to travel to Islamabad on Monday. Notably, Washington has yet to confirm the schedule. This comes as US President Donald Trump on Friday (Apr 17) told AFP that a peace deal was 'very close' and that the Iranians have agreed to surrender their nuclear materials. Iran, meanwhile, has rejected the POTUS's claims. Also read | 'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics A peace deal is 'very close' In a telephonic conversation with the news agency, Trump insisted, "We're very close. Looks like it's going to be very good for everybody. And we're very close to having a deal". As Iran moved to open the Strait of Hormuz, he also said that there were "no sticking points at all" left with Tehran. "The strait's going to be open; they already are open. And things are going very well." Also read | 'They sure get to die for them, though!': Iran mocks reports of food shortages on USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln Iran not ready to transfer its uranium stockpile Iran's foreign ministry, in a statement, insisted that the nation would not transfer its uranium stockpile "anywhere". "Enriched uranium is as SACRED to us as the soil of Iran" said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, adding, "Will NOT be transferred anywhere under any circumstances”. However, Trump insists that the USA will take possession of the "nuclear dust". President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States and Iran would jointly remove uranium from Tehran's nuclear sites with excavators under any peace deal, before the material is transferred to US territory. Despite Iran's Foreign Ministry's rejection of the claims, the US president insisted that his nation would use the "biggest excavators" to get to the stockpile. "Somebody said, how are we going to get the nuclear dust? We're going to get it by going in with Iran, with lots of excavators," Trump told a gathering of the conservative Turning Point USA movement in Phoenix, Arizona. "We need the biggest excavators you can imagine," he answered, adding, "But we're going to go in together with Iran. We're going to get it. We're going to take it back home to the USA very soon." Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US and Iran on the brink of a deal? Reports suggest that the next round of truce talks may happen in Pakistan on Monday. Donald Trump says a breakthrough is “very close,” even as Tehran rejects key claims on its nuclear programme.Scroll down to read more.

US-Iran peace talks expected in Pakistan on Monday as Trump eyes nuclear 'dust'

Rising tensions in West Asia are now fuelling a deepening global food crisis, with the World Bank warning that millions more could slip into acute hunger. Disruptions in supply chains, surging food prices, and conflict-driven instability have left over 300 million people facing food shortages. Experts caution that without urgent global action, the crisis could escalate further, hitting the world’s most vulnerable populations the hardest.


War In West Asia Drives Millions Toward Global Hunger Crisis

Iran has raised the stakes ahead of crucial talks with the U.S., demanding a staggering $270 billion in war reparations. At the centre of its strategy is the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy routes. By signalling control over this vital passage, Tehran is building pressure as negotiations approach. The move highlights how geopolitics and global energy security are tightly linked in this high-stakes diplomatic moment.


Strait of Hormuz Emerges As Key Bargaining Chip for Iran, Tehran Builds Leverage Ahead of US Talks

The US and Israel bombed Iran for six weeks straight. They hit over 11,000 targets. They declared victory over Iran's air power. But deep inside granite mountain ranges, Iran's missile tunnels survived, and now, satellite images show them being cleared and restored while the ceasefire holds. At the same time, US intelligence says China may be secretly shipping weapons to Tehran. The United States is sending additional troops to the Middle East as the fragile ceasefire holds.


Invincible Iran? Iran Rearming Fast | US Rushes More Troops to West Asia 

Fresh U.S. intelligence claims have raised alarm over a possible China-Iran link, with reports suggesting Beijing may supply radar systems and that Chinese satellite technology may have helped Iran improve strike accuracy. Investigations indicate Iran may have used a Chinese-built satellite to monitor and target U.S. bases, intensifying concerns over covert military cooperation. China, however, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them baseless amid rising geopolitical tensions.


Iran War: Reports Suggest Tehran Covertly Used Beijing's Satellite Against Washington

The USS Abraham Lincoln uses high-pressure steam catapults to launch 30-ton fighter jets from zero to 160 mph in two seconds. For recovery, advanced hydraulic arresting gear and steel cables safely decelerate incoming aircraft in just 315 feet.

The USS Abraham Lincoln uses high-pressure steam catapults to launch 30-ton fighter jets from zero to 160 mph in two seconds. For recovery, advanced hydraulic arresting gear and steel cables safely decelerate incoming aircraft in just 315 feet.

‘Takeoff to landing’: How USS Abraham Lincoln launches and recovers fighter jets

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) leads US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, with 10,000+ troops, 12 ships and 100 aircraft deployed amid tensions with Iran.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) leads US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, with 10,000+ troops, 12 ships and 100 aircraft deployed amid tensions with Iran.

PICS | USS Abraham Lincoln conducts US blockade operations in Arabian Sea

Iran on Friday (Apr 17) mocked the United States for feeding its soldiers pitiful portions, as reports suggest that US warships deployed in the Middle East are battling food shortages. In a post on X, the Iranian embassy in Sierra Leone shared images showing meagre food portions allegedly being served to US troops. The post took aim at Washington's role in the region, referring to American soldiers as "Israel’s foot soldiers" amid the Iran war. "They sure get to die for them, though!," it added mockingly. This comes as concerns grow among families of service members over dwindling supplies and declining morale at sea.<h2>'They sure get to die for them, though!'</h2>Amid the Iran war, Iran has significantly stepped up its meme warfare, posting a spate of posts, including videos, trolling both of its adversaries: the US and Iran. On Day 47 of the conflict in West Asia, Iran took aim at the food being served to active duty personnel. "No goodies on the table for Israel's foot soldiers..." it said."They sure get to die for them, though!," added the post. Since the war began on February 28, at least 13 US soldiers have been killed, and another 365 have been injured.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-hungry-all-the-time-uss-tripoli-and-uss-abraham-lincoln-crews-report-food-shortages-amid-supply-delays-amid-deployment-in-middle-east-1776387104914">'Hungry all the time': USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln crews report food shortages amid supply delays amid deployment in Middle East</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">No goodies on the table for Israel&#39;s 🇺🇸 foot soldiers... They sure get to die for them, though! <a href="https://t.co/zklCMGTNGe">pic.twitter.com/zklCMGTNGe</a>&mdash; Iran Embassy in Sierra Leone (@IRANinSalone) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinSalone/status/2044938546461507903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Reports flag alarming food shortages at sea</h2>The remarks come as accounts from families and service members suggest that conditions aboard ships like the USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln have become increasingly strained.Dan F, whose daughter is a Marine stationed on the Tripoli, said he was alarmed after seeing a photo of her meal. "A lunch tray, two-thirds empty," he told USA Today, describing a portion that included "one small scoop of shredded meat and a single folded tortilla."Another image, reportedly from the Abraham Lincoln, showed what was described as a limited serving, a small portion of vegetables alongside processed meat.<h2>Families raise concerns</h2>Relatives of deployed personnel say food supplies are being rationed as conditions tighten.Dan said his daughter told him fresh produce is no longer available and that provisions are running low. "We have the strongest military in the world. You shouldn’t be running out of food," he said.A sailor aboard the Tripoli echoed similar concerns in a message home, saying crew members are eating irregularly and sharing portions. "Supplies are going to get really low… morale is going to be at an all-time low," the message said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-fake-jesus-iran-turns-trump-s-deleted-ai-image-into-a-viral-lego-diss-track-amid-pope-row-in-pics-1776326285612">'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics</a><h2>Mail disruptions add pressure</h2>Efforts by families to send food and essential items have also been affected. The United States Postal Service has suspended deliveries to 27 military ZIP codes in the region, citing airspace closures and logistical disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict.According to US Army spokesperson, Maj. Travis Shaw, the suspension will remain in place "until further notice." Packages already sent, including food and hygiene supplies, are being held until delivery becomes possible. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran mocks US over food shortages amid Iran war: Images of the food being served to crews aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli have gone viral, raising concerns about conditions at sea. 

Is this just propaganda—or a real sign of strain inside the US military?

Iran on Friday (Apr 17) mocked the United States for feeding its soldiers pitiful portions, as reports suggest that US warships deployed in the Middle East are battling food shortages. In a post on X, the Iranian embassy in Sierra Leone shared images showing meagre food portions allegedly being served to US troops. The post took aim at Washington's role in the region, referring to American soldiers as "Israel’s foot soldiers" amid the Iran war. "They sure get to die for them, though!," it added mockingly. This comes as concerns grow among families of service members over dwindling supplies and declining morale at sea. 'They sure get to die for them, though!' Amid the Iran war, Iran has significantly stepped up its meme warfare, posting a spate of posts, including videos, trolling both of its adversaries: the US and Iran. On Day 47 of the conflict in West Asia, Iran took aim at the food being served to active duty personnel. "No goodies on the table for Israel's foot soldiers..." it said. "They sure get to die for them, though!," added the post. Since the war began on February 28, at least 13 US soldiers have been killed, and another 365 have been injured. Also read | 'Hungry all the time': USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln crews report food shortages amid supply delays amid deployment in Middle East

Iran mocks US over food shortages amid Iran war: Images of the food being served to crews aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli have gone viral, raising concerns about conditions at sea.&nbsp;Is this just propaganda—or a real sign of strain inside the US military?

'They sure get to die for them, though!': Iran mocks reports of food shortages on USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln

The United States and Iran may soon come back to the table for talks, and this time, Pakistan is trying to help both sides move forward. There is fresh hope that discussions could reduce tensions and possibly stop the ongoing conflict in West Asia. But there is one big issue standing at the centre of everything — Iran wants access to its money that is frozen in different countries.This frozen money is not small. It is estimated to be over $100 billion (around ₹9.3 lakh crore). For any agreement to happen, Iran is likely to push strongly to get at least part of this money released.So, what exactly is this frozen money, and why does it matter so much?Frozen assets simply mean money or property that a country owns but cannot use. This happens because other countries or international bodies block access due to sanctions or legal reasons. In Iran’s case, much of this money is sitting in foreign banks, untouched.Earlier, Iran used to earn large amounts of foreign currency like dollars and euros through oil exports and trade. This money was stored in global banks as reserves. These reserves are important for any country because they help maintain the value of its currency and give confidence to its economy.But things changed after 1979. That year, a major crisis took place when American citizens were held inside the US embassy in Tehran for more than 400 days. This incident broke relations between the two countries. Soon after, the United States froze about $12 billion (around ₹1.12 lakh crore) of Iran’s assets.In 1981, an agreement called the Algiers Accords helped resolve the hostage crisis. Some of Iran’s money was released, and the hostages were freed. However, trust between the two countries never fully returned.Over the years, the US continued to impose sanctions on Iran, mainly because of concerns over its nuclear programme and missile development. These sanctions stopped Iran from accessing its money stored abroad.There were moments of relief. In 2014, Iran got access to $4.2 billion (around ₹39,000 crore) after an interim nuclear deal. In 2015, a bigger agreement called the JCPOA allowed Iran to use most of its overseas money again.But this did not last long. In 2018, the US withdrew from the deal and brought back strict sanctions. Once again, Iran’s money became locked.As highlighted in Firstpost, even in 2023, when both countries agreed on a prisoner swap, only $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore) of Iran’s funds were released as part of that deal. Compared to the total amount, this was just a small portion.Today, Iran’s money is spread across many countries. Japan holds about $1.5 billion (around ₹13,950 crore), Iraq around $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore), China about $20 billion (around ₹1,86,000 crore), and India around $7 billion (around ₹65,100 crore). The United States itself holds about $2 billion (around ₹18,600 crore), while European countries like Luxembourg have nearly $1.6 billion (around ₹14,880 crore).This money is not easy to access because banks and governments must follow international rules and US sanctions. Even if the money belongs to Iran, it cannot simply withdraw it.Now, why is Iran so desperate to get this money back?The answer is simple — its economy is under serious pressure.Due to years of sanctions, Iran’s oil exports have reduced, foreign investment has slowed down, and industries have struggled to grow. Inflation has become a major problem. In fact, it rose to 68.1% recently, one of the highest levels seen in decades.For a common person in Iran, this means daily life has become very expensive. Prices of basic goods rise quickly, and the value of their currency keeps falling.As also explained in Firstpost, unlocking this frozen money could change things significantly. Since this amount is almost one-fourth of Iran’s total economy, even partial access could bring big relief.With this money, Iran can stabilise its currency, reduce inflation, and rebuild important sectors like oil, electricity, and water systems. Many of these systems are old and need urgent repair.It would also help Iran pay foreign companies, restart projects, and create jobs. For ordinary people, this could mean better services, more stability, and fewer sudden economic shocks.There is also a social angle. In recent times, Iran has seen protests due to rising prices and economic struggles. If the government gets access to its funds, it may help rebuild public trust and reduce unrest.Right now, Iran is reportedly asking for at least $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore) as a first step during the talks. This is being seen as a trust-building move.Whether the United States agrees or not will play a huge role in deciding the future of these discussions. If some money is released, it could open the door for a broader agreement. If not, tensions may continue.In simple terms, this is not just about money. It is about economic survival for Iran and a possible path to peace in a region that has seen long periods of conflict.What happens next will depend on how both sides balance trust, pressure, and practical needs. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Today, Iran’s money is spread across many countries. Japan holds about $1.5 billion (around ₹13,950 crore), Iraq around $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore), China about $20 billion (around ₹1,86,000 crore), and India around $7 billion (around ₹65,100 crore). 

The United States and Iran may soon come back to the table for talks, and this time, Pakistan is trying to help both sides move forward. There is fresh hope that discussions could reduce tensions and possibly stop the ongoing conflict in West Asia. But there is one big issue standing at the centre of everything — Iran wants access to its money that is frozen in different countries. This frozen money is not small. It is estimated to be over $100 billion (around ₹9.3 lakh crore). For any agreement to happen, Iran is likely to push strongly to get at least part of this money released. So, what exactly is this frozen money, and why does it matter so much? Frozen assets simply mean money or property that a country owns but cannot use. This happens because other countries or international bodies block access due to sanctions or legal reasons. In Iran’s case, much of this money is sitting in foreign banks, untouched. Earlier, Iran used to earn large amounts of foreign currency like dollars and euros through oil exports and trade. This money was stored in global banks as reserves. These reserves are important for any country because they help maintain the value of its currency and give confidence to its economy. But things changed after 1979. That year, a major crisis took place when American citizens were held inside the US embassy in Tehran for more than 400 days. This incident broke relations between the two countries. Soon after, the United States froze about $12 billion (around ₹1.12 lakh crore) of Iran’s assets. In 1981, an agreement called the Algiers Accords helped resolve the hostage crisis. Some of Iran’s money was released, and the hostages were freed. However, trust between the two countries never fully returned. Over the years, the US continued to impose sanctions on Iran, mainly because of concerns over its nuclear programme and missile development. These sanctions stopped Iran from accessing its money stored abroad. There were moments of relief. In 2014, Iran got access to $4.2 billion (around ₹39,000 crore) after an interim nuclear deal. In 2015, a bigger agreement called the JCPOA allowed Iran to use most of its overseas money again. But this did not last long. In 2018, the US withdrew from the deal and brought back strict sanctions. Once again, Iran’s money became locked. As highlighted in Firstpost, even in 2023, when both countries agreed on a prisoner swap, only $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore) of Iran’s funds were released as part of that deal. Compared to the total amount, this was just a small portion. Today, Iran’s money is spread across many countries. Japan holds about $1.5 billion (around ₹13,950 crore), Iraq around $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore), China about $20 billion (around ₹1,86,000 crore), and India around $7 billion (around ₹65,100 crore). The United States itself holds about $2 billion (around ₹18,600 crore), while European countries like Luxembourg have nearly $1.6 billion (around ₹14,880 crore). This money is not easy to access because banks and governments must follow international rules and US sanctions. Even if the money belongs to Iran, it cannot simply withdraw it. Now, why is Iran so desperate to get this money back? The answer is simple — its economy is under serious pressure. Due to years of sanctions, Iran’s oil exports have reduced, foreign investment has slowed down, and industries have struggled to grow. Inflation has become a major problem. In fact, it rose to 68.1% recently, one of the highest levels seen in decades. For a common person in Iran, this means daily life has become very expensive. Prices of basic goods rise quickly, and the value of their currency keeps falling. As also explained in Firstpost, unlocking this frozen money could change things significantly. Since this amount is almost one-fourth of Iran’s total economy, even partial access could bring big relief. With this money, Iran can stabilise its currency, reduce inflation, and rebuild important sectors like oil, electricity, and water systems. Many of these systems are old and need urgent repair. It would also help Iran pay foreign companies, restart projects, and create jobs. For ordinary people, this could mean better services, more stability, and fewer sudden economic shocks. There is also a social angle. In recent times, Iran has seen protests due to rising prices and economic struggles. If the government gets access to its funds, it may help rebuild public trust and reduce unrest. Right now, Iran is reportedly asking for at least $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore) as a first step during the talks. This is being seen as a trust-building move. Whether the United States agrees or not will play a huge role in deciding the future of these discussions. If some money is released, it could open the door for a broader agreement. If not, tensions may continue. In simple terms, this is not just about money. It is about economic survival for Iran and a possible path to peace in a region that has seen long periods of conflict. What happens next will depend on how both sides balance trust, pressure, and practical needs. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Today, Iran’s money is spread across many countries. Japan holds about $1.5 billion (around ₹13,950 crore), Iraq around $6 billion (around ₹55,800 crore), China about $20 billion (around ₹1,86,000 crore), and India around $7 billion (around ₹65,100 crore).&nbsp;

Frozen billions: Iran’s money and peace talks explained

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 16) said that he had a “very good conversation” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling the Indian leader a “friend”, Trump said that they discussed regional security concerns during the 40-minute phone conversation. This comes after PM Modi confirmed that he received a call from the US president, adding that they discussed the West Asia conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.“I had a very good talk with him, and he’s a friend of mine from India, and he’s doing great. We had a very good conversation,” Trump told reporters when asked about the call.&nbsp;Earlier, PM Modi wrote in a post on X, “Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas.”He added, “We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.”US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, considered a close aide to President Trump, described the conversation as “very positive and productive”.“A very positive and productive call! Stay tuned...,” he said in a post on X in response to Modi’s remarks.The conversation marked the first between the two leaders since a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect on April 8 after intense hostilities in the region. Meanwhile, Trump also announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump said he had a “very good” 40-minute call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing West Asia tensions and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Apr 16) said that he had a “very good conversation” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling the Indian leader a “friend”, Trump said that they discussed regional security concerns during the 40-minute phone conversation. This comes after PM Modi confirmed that he received a call from the US president, adding that they discussed the West Asia conflict and the Strait of Hormuz crisis. “I had a very good talk with him, and he’s a friend of mine from India, and he’s doing great. We had a very good conversation,” Trump told reporters when asked about the call. Earlier, PM Modi wrote in a post on X, “Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas.” He added, “We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.” US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, considered a close aide to President Trump, described the conversation as “very positive and productive”. “A very positive and productive call! Stay tuned...,” he said in a post on X in response to Modi’s remarks. The conversation marked the first between the two leaders since a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect on April 8 after intense hostilities in the region. Meanwhile, Trump also announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump said he had a “very good” 40-minute call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing West Asia tensions and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

‘Had a very good talk’: Trump calls PM Modi ‘friend’ after 40-minute call amid West Asia conflict

India on Thursday (Apr 16) issued its strongest diplomatic rebuke yet regarding the ongoing maritime crisis, labelling the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz as "unacceptable." Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Harish P emphasised that the targeting of commercial vessels directly threatens India’s national energy security and has already claimed the lives of Indian seafarers.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-could-do-whatever-we-want-trump-says-iran-war-going-swimmingly-signals-deal-could-be-close-1776386739086">US could 'do whatever we want': Trump says Iran war ‘going swimmingly’, signals deal could be close</a><h2>India deplores military attacks on civilian vessels</h2>The Ambassador explicitly linked the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to India’s energy and economic security. As a primary maritime corridor for global oil and gas, any prolonged "impeding" of this route poses an existential threat to India’s domestic price stability and industrial output, he noted.India’s Stance on Middle East Maritime Tensions Ambassador Harish P emphasised that the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region—escalating since February 28, 2026—poses a direct threat to international trade.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-fake-jesus-iran-turns-trump-s-deleted-ai-image-into-a-viral-lego-diss-track-amid-pope-row-in-pics-1776326285612">'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics</a><h2>India confirms human cost of Hormuz crisis</h2>Highlighting the human cost of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian ambassador noted that Indian nationals have been among the victims. "The precious lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships have been lost during the course of the conflict," he added.Strongly condemning the attacks on civilian maritime vessels, he called for adherence to international norms.“We reiterate that the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable.”"International law in this regard must be fully respected. We strongly urge that safe and unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz be restored at the earliest," Harish added.<h2>India’s 3-point plan for regional stability</h2>Sharing India's plan for the region's stability, Harish stressed the importance of de-escalation, sovereignty, and diplomacy."Since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on the 28th of February 2026, India had expressed deep concern and urged all states to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize safety of civilians," he said.India also urged sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve the underlying issues. "We have urged all states to promote dialogue and diplomacy and de-escalation of tensions and to purposefully address underlying issues," he added.Reaffirming its stance on sovereignty, Harish said, “We have also called for respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.” &nbsp;&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.&nbsp;

India calls out 'unacceptable' attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz, flags lost 'precious lives' of Indian seafarers

India on Thursday (Apr 16) issued its strongest diplomatic rebuke yet regarding the ongoing maritime crisis, labelling the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz as "unacceptable." Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Harish P emphasised that the targeting of commercial vessels directly threatens India’s national energy security and has already claimed the lives of Indian seafarers. Also read | US could 'do whatever we want': Trump says Iran war ‘going swimmingly’, signals deal could be close India deplores military attacks on civilian vessels The Ambassador explicitly linked the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to India’s energy and economic security. As a primary maritime corridor for global oil and gas, any prolonged "impeding" of this route poses an existential threat to India’s domestic price stability and industrial output, he noted. India’s Stance on Middle East Maritime Tensions Ambassador Harish P emphasised that the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region—escalating since February 28, 2026—poses a direct threat to international trade. Also read | 'Fake Jesus!': Iran turns Trump's deleted AI-image into a viral LEGO diss track amid Pope row | In pics India confirms human cost of Hormuz crisis Highlighting the human cost of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian ambassador noted that Indian nationals have been among the victims. "The precious lives of Indian seafarers aboard ships have been lost during the course of the conflict," he added. Strongly condemning the attacks on civilian maritime vessels, he called for adherence to international norms. “We reiterate that the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptable.” "International law in this regard must be fully respected. We strongly urge that safe and unimpeded freedom of navigation and global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz be restored at the earliest," Harish added. India’s 3-point plan for regional stability Sharing India's plan for the region's stability, Harish stressed the importance of de-escalation, sovereignty, and diplomacy. "Since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on the 28th of February 2026, India had expressed deep concern and urged all states to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize safety of civilians," he said. India also urged sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve the underlying issues. "We have urged all states to promote dialogue and diplomacy and de-escalation of tensions and to purposefully address underlying issues," he added. Reaffirming its stance on sovereignty, Harish said, “We have also called for respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

India calls out 'unacceptable' attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz, flags lost 'precious lives' of Indian seafarers

India calls out 'unacceptable' attacks on ships in Strait of Hormuz, shares 3-point plan for regional stability

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