THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 16, 2026, 03:09:42 IST
US-Iran-Israel War News Live Updates: Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to revive stalled US-Iran talks, with its army chief arriving in Tehran for high-level discussions aimed at securing a second round of negotiations after nearly seven weeks of conflict. Islamabad, which hosted rare direct talks between the two sides, is emerging as a key mediator, with any fresh round likely to be held again in the Pakistani capital.
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said that the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is likely to be held in Pakistan.
Responding to a question on the venue of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the discussions would “very likely” take place at the same location as the previous round.
“They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time,” Leavitt said during a press briefing.
Emphasising Islamabad’s role, she added, “They (Pakistan) are the only mediator in this negotiation, while there have been many countries around the world that want to offer their help.”
Even as backchannel diplomacy continues, tensions remain high. The United States has maintained a naval blockade on Iranian ports for a third straight day, ramping up economic pressure on Tehran. Officials in Washington have warned of further sanctions on countries and entities doing business with Iran, signalling what one senior official described as the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.
The US has deployed naval assets to monitor and control access to Iranian ports, aiming to restrict Tehran’s oil exports, a key source of revenue. While Washington says non-Iran-linked shipping can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz, military activity in the region has intensified.
President Donald Trump reinforced the hardline stance, announcing a sweeping blockade. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, warning that “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
Iran responded with strong warnings of its own, with the Revolutionary Guards cautioning that any misstep would trap adversaries in a “deadly” situation in the strategic waterway, which Tehran says it fully controls.
Markets have reacted nervously. Oil prices have surged back above $100 per barrel, while global equities have declined amid fears of prolonged disruption to energy supplies. Analysts warn that the blockade risks being seen as a continuation of hostilities, raising the possibility of further escalation, including strikes on critical energy infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
The White House clarified that the United States has not formally sought an extension of the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, even as diplomatic engagements between the two sides continue.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed media reports suggesting otherwise. “Bad reporting this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment,” she said during a press briefing.
“We remain very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks. You heard from the Vice President and the President this week that these conversations are productive and ongoing, and that’s where we are right now,” she added.
US-Iran war: Iran supreme leader’s adviser threatens to sink US ships in Hormuz strait
A senior military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has warned that US naval forces could be targeted in the Strait of Hormuz if Washington attempts to “police” the strategic waterway.
Mohsen Rezaei, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, said Iran would respond forcefully to any US military presence enforcing control over the strait. “Mr Trump wants to become the police of the Strait of Hormuz. Is this really your job?” he said on state television.
“These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles… we can destroy them,” he added, warning of serious risks for US forces in the region. His remarks come as the United States enforces a military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz following weeks of conflict, now paused under a fragile two-week ceasefire.
Rezaei, known for his hardline views, also said he personally opposed extending the ceasefire and claimed that any potential US ground invasion would be met with strong retaliation.
Iran war news: Iran’s Araghchi thanks Pakistan for ‘gracious hosting of dialogue’
Iran War News: ‘Discontinue transit to Iran’, Trump shares US Navy video announcing Hormuz blockade
US Iran war: White House says US did not seek ceasefire extension
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, “I saw some reporting, again, bad reporting this morning that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment. We’ve remained very much engaged in these negotiations, in these talks. You heard from the Vice President directly and the President this week that these conversations are productive and ongoing, and that’s where we are right now. I’ve also seen some reporting about the potentiality for in-person discussions.”
“Again, those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House. But we feel good about the prospects of a deal. The President mentioned that in his interview yesterday. And it’s obviously in the best interest of Iran to meet the President’s demands. I think he’s made his red lines in these negotiations very clear to the other side, and so we are continuing to see how these conversations go,” she added.
Iran war news: Iran used Chinese satellite to target US bases, report claims; Beijing rejects allegation
Iran secretly acquired a Chinese satellite that was used to monitor and target US military bases across West Asia during the ongoing conflict, the Financial Times reported, citing leaked Iranian military documents, a claim China has denied.
According to the report, the TEE-01B satellite, built and launched by Chinese firm Earth Eye Co, was obtained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force after its deployment. Iranian commanders allegedly used it to track key US military sites, with images captured in March before and after drone and missile strikes.
The report said the deal also gave Iran access to commercial ground stations operated by Beijing-based Emposat, enabling satellite control and data services across multiple regions.
China’s foreign ministry dismissed the claims as false. “Recently, some forces have been keen on fabricating rumours and maliciously associating them to China,” it said in a statement. “China firmly opposes this kind of practice driven by ulterior motives.”
Iran war news: Senate Republicans reject effort to halt Iran war
The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, turning aside a resolution that would require the US to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.
The 47-52 vote was the fourth time this year that the Senate has voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. Republicans say they will keep faith in Trump’s wartime leadership, for now, citing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the potential for ongoing talks and the high stakes of withdrawal.
Still, GOP lawmakers are anxious for the conflict to end, and some are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on. And the outcome of a war powers vote in the House, expected this week, is uncertain.
Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days of its start — a deadline that will arrive at the end of this month. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension of that deadline, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the administration to soon lay out a plan for the end of the conflict.
After the 60-day or 90-day deadline, “it’s time to fish or cut bait,” said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. “I think that the administration would be wise to put together what would look like a well-founded authorization of military force and a funding strategy.”
Iran war news: US says Xi assured China ‘not supplying Iran with weapons’
The White House said Chinese President Xi Jinping has assured US President Donald Trump that Beijing is not supplying weapons to Iran during the ongoing conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Xi assured the President that they are not supplying Iran with weapons throughout this conflict, and that assurance was made to the President. It is obviously something the administration is keeping close tabs on.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is closely monitoring financial flows linked to Iran and warned Chinese banks of potential action.
“I do not have an update on the tariffs, but I do have an update on sanctions. Iran is, or used to be, the largest state sponsor of terrorism. China was purchasing more than 90 percent of their oil, which is about 8 percent of China’s energy needs. We believe that with this blockade in the straits, there will be a pause in Chinese buying,” Bessent said.
He added that two Chinese banks had received letters from the US Treasury. “I am not going to identify the banks, but we told them that if we can prove that Iranian money is flowing through your accounts, then we are willing to impose secondary sanctions.”
Israel-Iran War: Xi told Trump China not supplying weapons to Iran, says US President
US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing is not providing weapons to Iran, following an exchange of letters between the two leaders ahead of a planned summit.
Speaking in a Fox Business interview, Trump said he had written to Xi after reports that China was supplying arms to Tehran. “I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that, essentially, he’s not doing that,” Trump said.
Trump has warned that countries supplying weapons to Iran could face steep penalties, including tariffs of up to 50 per cent, a move that could strain US-China trade ties if implemented.
The exchange comes ahead of Trump’s scheduled May 14–15 visit to Beijing, at a time when relations between the world’s two largest economies are already under pressure from the ongoing Iran conflict.
While Beijing does not directly supply arms to Iran, it has been reported to provide dual-use technology. The war has further complicated ties, especially with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Washington’s move to impose a blockade on Iranian ports after failed ceasefire talks.
‘Secondary sanctions if Iranian funds traced’: US warns Chinese banks amid Hormuz blockade
Iran war news: Pakistan ‘very likely’ to be venue for next US-Iran negotiation talks, says White House
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is likely to be held in Pakistan.
Responding to a question on the venue of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the discussions would “very likely” take place at the same location as the previous round.
“They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time,” Leavitt said during a press briefing.
Emphasising Islamabad’s role, she added, “They (Pakistan) are the only mediator in this negotiation, while there have been many countries around the world that want to offer their help.”
Leavitt further said that the US administration sees value in maintaining a streamlined communication channel through Pakistan. “The President feels it’s important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis, and so that’s what continues to take place,” she said.
The remarks come amid intensified diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran following the inconclusive “Islamabad Talks,” which failed to yield a breakthrough on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
In a parallel development, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir recently arrived in Tehran, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in what is being viewed as a last-ditch attempt to reinvigorate stalled talks. The delegation was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with reports suggesting that Islamabad is carrying a fresh US proposal outlining a framework for renewed negotiations.
The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire and rising tensions in the region, including a looming US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
US-Iran-Israel War News Live Updates: The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said that the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is likely to be held in Pakistan.
Responding to a question on the venue of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the discussions would “very likely” take place at the same location as the previous round. “They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time,” Leavitt said during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran for talks aimed at easing tensions and paving the way for a second round of US-Iran negotiations after nearly seven weeks of war.
Islamabad, which hosted rare direct talks between the two sides, has emerged as a key mediator, with any fresh dialogue likely to take place in its capital.
Meanwhile, the United States has continued its naval blockade of Iranian ports for a third consecutive day, intensifying pressure on Tehran. US forces have said they will intercept or divert vessels operating along Iran’s coastline as part of efforts to curb the country’s oil exports.
Washington has maintained that international shipping not linked to Iran will still be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, even as military activity in the region increases.
US President Donald Trump reinforced the hardline stance, announcing that the Navy would enforce the blockade. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
He warned of severe retaliation, adding, “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
The latest developments follow the collapse of marathon talks in Islamabad led by Vice President JD Vance, which ended without agreement.
The US blamed Iran’s refusal to give up its nuclear programme, while Tehran accused Washington of “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.”
The breakdown has put a fragile ceasefire at risk and raised fears of a broader regional escalation. Analysts warn that the blockade could be viewed as a continuation of hostilities, increasing the risk of further escalation, including potential strikes on energy infrastructure with far-reaching global consequences.
