April 25, 2026
Iran said it would not hold direct talks with US envoys in Islamabad as diplomatic activity continued around a fragile ceasefire that has paused full-scale fighting for roughly two months.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Friday, meeting Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with the interior minister and national security adviser also present. Tehran said Araghchi would convey Iran’s observations to Pakistani hosts and would not meet the US delegation directly. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were expected to travel to Islamabad to engage with Pakistani interlocutors and, indirectly, with Iranian representatives. The White House said it had seen some progress from Iran and hoped talks would move toward a deal.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry and state media reiterated that direct negotiations with US officials were not an option, even as Pakistan pressed for a second round of talks after a 21-hour first session led by US Vice President JD Vance produced no breakthrough.
Iran’s military criticized what it called ‘banditry’ and ‘piracy’ in the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, warning that the blockade would elicit a response from Iran’s armed forces. The military central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said forces were monitoring enemy movements and remained ‘ready and determined.’ Iran’s Defense Ministry also said the country retained a substantial missile inventory and continued domestic arms production, including missiles and drones; independent verification is not available, and US officials say Iranian capabilities have been degraded during the conflict.
Turkey indicated it would consider participating in mine-clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz if the US and Iran reached a peace deal, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, adding Ankara would avoid being seen as a party to renewed fighting and envisaged arrangements to restore toll-free passage if a deal ended the conflict.
Commercial life in Iran showed limited signs of normalization: flights resumed from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport to destinations including Istanbul, Muscat and Medina for the first time since the war began. Iran had partially reopened its airspace earlier in April during a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire.
A Defense Ministry spokesperson framed US efforts as seeking a ‘face-saving’ exit, portraying Iran’s military power as dominant and accusing the US of looking for a way out of a ‘war quagmire.’ Iranian state media again rejected direct US-Iran talks while diplomatic channels via Pakistan continued.
Separately, Iran said it executed a man accused of working for Israel’s intelligence service and of participating in vandalism and violence during mass anti-government protests in January. Semi-official Tasnim named the individual as Erfan Kiani; the judiciary said Kiani was hanged after the Supreme Court upheld his sentence. Authorities charged him with arson, use of Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon and other crimes. The execution is one of several carried out recently on protest-linked charges.
Germany’s defense minister said Berlin would deploy a minesweeper and a command and supply ship to the Mediterranean as part of preparations for a possible role in securing the Strait of Hormuz, pending a sustained ceasefire, an international legal mandate and parliamentary approval. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Germany would be ready to contribute to a multinational mission, particularly in mine clearance and maritime reconnaissance.
On sanctions and economics, the US Treasury sanctioned a China-based independent ‘teapot’ refinery, Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian), accusing it of buying billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil and helping sustain Tehran’s oil economy. The US also designated about 40 shipping firms and vessels it described as part of Iran’s ‘shadow fleet.’ China opposes unilateral US sanctions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled that temporary waivers permitting purchases of Russian oil at sea were unlikely to be renewed and said waivers for Iranian supplies under the naval embargo would not be extended, warning Iran might be forced to shutter production facilities if the blockade continued.
European Union leaders reacted skeptically to German proposals to ease sanctions in return for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Iran must deescalate, end nuclear threats and halt domestic repression before sanctions relief could be considered.
In the Gulf, a Kuwaiti court acquitted US-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin of charges after nearly two months of detention related to social media posts about the Iran-US war; he left Kuwait following his release.
The ceasefire mediated by Pakistan since April 8 remains in place, but obstacles to a comprehensive agreement persist: the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively impeded by the threat of Iranian attacks and US measures against Iran-aligned shipping; the parties dispute whether direct US-Iran talks will take place in Islamabad; and wider international concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, human rights record and regional security complicate a quick resolution.
As diplomacy continues in Islamabad and beyond, Pakistan is trying to shepherd indirect negotiations while avoiding being drawn into the conflict. Observers say progress will depend on concrete measures to secure maritime routes, clarity on sanctions relief, and assurances that any agreement addresses the core security and political concerns of the parties involved.