US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will journey to Pakistan, as Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad.
Revealed On 25 Apr 2026
United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday for talks with Iran, the White Home has mentioned, whereas Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad.
The go to comes amid deadlocked negotiations between the US and Iran, with uncertainty lingering for days over whether or not Tehran will return to the desk.
US Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth mentioned Iran nonetheless had an “open window” to strike a deal and abandon its pursuit of a nuclear weapon in “significant and verifiable methods”.
Here’s what has been occurring on day 57 of the battle:
In Iran
- US freezes $344m in cryptocurrency: The US has frozen $344m in cryptocurrency belongings linked to Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned, as Washington seeks to lift stress on Tehran amid vitality provide disruptions as a result of battle.
Conflict diplomacy
- Diplomatic visits to Pakistan: Araghchi arrived in Islamabad with a small staff for conferences, whereas the White Home introduced that Witkoff and Kushner would journey to Pakistan on Saturday morning.
- Deadlocked negotiations: The journeys come amid uncertainty over whether or not Iran will take part in renewed negotiations.
- Hormuz ‘should reopen’: The Strait of Hormuz should reopen instantly “with out restrictions and with out tolling”, European Council President Antonio Costa mentioned after talks with leaders from Lebanon and Syria.
- ‘Diplomacy will not be closed’ between Iran and US: Al Jazeera’s Almigdad Alruhaid experiences from Tehran mentioned that no talks are deliberate in Islamabad for now, although diplomatic efforts proceed, with Araghchi touring regional capitals as Pakistan mediates.
- Pakistan ‘cautiously optimistic’: Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid experiences from Islamabad that mediators see indicators of progress, although there may be nonetheless no readability on direct talks.
Within the Gulf
- Kuwait drone incident: Two drones launched from Iraq hit northern Kuwaiti border posts, inflicting harm however no casualties, in response to Kuwaiti authorities. Iraq has opened an investigation, Inside Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari mentioned.
Within the US
- US guidelines out oil waiver extensions: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed The Related Press that Washington is not going to renew waivers for Russian oil shipments in transit, and that any extension for Iranian oil is “fully out of the query” in gentle of the continuing blockade.
- US sanctions goal Iran oil community: Washington imposed sanctions on a significant China-based refinery and about 40 transport companies and tankers concerned in transporting Iranian oil.
- US buildup: The US army famous that it now has three plane carriers within the Center East for the primary time for the reason that 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In Israel
- Netanyahu ‘sabotage’ declare: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to “sabotage” efforts to succeed in a “historic” peace take care of Lebanon.
In Lebanon and Gaza
- Israel kills six: The Israeli army mentioned it had killed six Hezbollah fighters in a southern Lebanese city “throughout an change of fireplace.”
- Hezbollah downs drone: The Israeli army confirmed an announcement by Hezbollah that it used a missile to shoot down an Israeli drone in southern Lebanon.
- Israeli assaults kill at the very least 12 in Gaza: At the very least 12 Palestinians, together with six law enforcement officials, have been killed, in response to medics and officers in Gaza.
Oil and fuel
- ‘Tight’ fuel markets: The marketplace for liquefied pure fuel (LNG), which has been strained by the battle, will stay “tight” by way of 2026 and 2027, the Worldwide Vitality Company mentioned.
- Oil combined, shares at document highs: Oil costs had a combined day, with Brent oil futures edging increased to complete above $105 a barrel, whereas West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, dropped 1.5 p.c to $94.40 a barrel. The S&P 500 rose 0.8 p.c, taking the benchmark for US shares to an all-time excessive.
