Iran has ‘open window’ to negotiate, but ‘clock is not on their side,’ Pete Hegseth says
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth discussed the prospect of negotiations with Iran.
· Samuel Chamberlain
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Iran continuing to lay mines in Strait of Hormuz, US official says
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dropped more mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, Axios reported on Thursday, citing a US official and a souce with knowledge.
· ARIELLA ROITMAN
Israel threatens to bomb Iran into ‘the Stone Age’
Israel is waiting for a go-ahead from the US to resume the campaign against Iran and bomb the Islamic Republic back to “the Stone Age,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated.
· RT
US considers suspending Spain from NATO – Reuters
The US is allegedly weighing unprecedented measures to punish NATO members it believes failed to support its war against Iran, Reuters reported on Friday, citing an internal Pentagon email. The options are said to include the possible suspension of Spain from the bloc, according to the outlet.
· RT
Iran-Iraq Tanker War redux? Why the Strait of Hormuz crisis is different
On April 20, the United States fired at and then seized an Iranian-flagged container ship close to the Strait of Hormuz in the northern Arabian Sea, amid its blockade of Iranian ports.
· Priyanka Shankar
Netanyahu delayed revealing prostate cancer diagnosis over Iran war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed that he was treated for prostate cancer. (Reuters: Ilia Yefimovich )
Keir Starmer suggests he will ban Iran's IRGC in 'next parliament'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer seemingly promised to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the "next parliament" during a visit to a synagogue in London that was the subject of an arson attack.
· Middleeasteye
Leaked Pentagon email shows US wants to punish NATO allies over Iran war
Falkland islanders voted almost unanimously to stay under British rule in a 2013 referendum. (Reuters: Marcos Brindicci)
Pentagon chief Hegseth says US blockade on Iran 'going global'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that the US blockade on Iran is going global, adding Tehran had a chance to make a "good deal" with Washington.
· REUTERS
Saudi Arabia ramps up diplomatic outreach to Lebanon | The National
In one eventful week for the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has intensified its engagement with Lebanon through high-level contacts, providing a significant political boost towards efforts to consolidate the ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
· Vanessa Ghanem
Iran's top diplomat expected in Pakistan Friday night to discuss peace plans: MS NOW
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to head to Islamabad Friday night to discuss the next steps in stalled peace negotiations with the U.S., a Pakistani official involved in the matter told MS NOW.
· Kevin Breuninger
Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan, indicating steps towards US talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will be traveling to Islamabad with a delegation of officials, indicating a step towards resuming US-Iran talks to end the war, according to Al Jazeera.
· Middleeasteye
Top US military official discusses ongoing blockade of Strait of Hormuz
United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine provided updates on the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing maritime operations against Iran, in a press conference alongside US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
· Middleeasteye
Falklands is a pressure point for the UK – and the US knows it
If you need evidence of the geopolitical waves caused by the US war with Iran, the fact that they have now reached the shores of this remote archipelago provides it.
· Joe Inwood
US expanding naval blockade of Iranian ports, Hegseth says | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on Iran war
· Thomas Watkins
EU must stop being ‘distant observer’ in Middle East, Cyprus warns
NICOSIA — European countries need to step up strategically in the Middle East, strike deals with partners across the region and try to bring an end to the Iran war, Cyprus’ foreign minister said Friday.
· Gabriel Gavin
UK position on Falklands will not change, No 10 says after leaked Pentagon memo
Internal email proposes US should reassess support for UK claim to islands because of lack of support for Iran war
· Dan Sabbagh, Samjones, Peterwalker
Benjamin Netanyahu reveals he was quietly treated for early-stage prostate cancer
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed he underwent treatment for prostate cancer — but kept it quiet fearing it would be used as propaganda by Iran.
· Patrick Reilly
US Secretary of War Hegseth: “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon”
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed journalists in a news conference on Friday morning, stating that “ultimately, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
· Middleeasteye
Keir Starmer suggests he will ban Iran's IRGC in 'next parliament'
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer seemingly promised to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the "next parliament" during a visit to a synagogue in London that was the subject of an arson attack.
· Middleeasteye
Global LNG supply drops by 20% as Iran war ripples through energy markets | The National
The global gas market has flipped from double-digit growth to a sharp drop in just a month, losing about a fifth of global supply, as the conflict between the US and Iran ripples through energy markets, the International Energy Agency has said.
· Alvin R Cabral
Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver For 90 Days To Counter Fuel Price Pressures
On Friday, President Donald Trump extended a temporary waiver of the century-old Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) for an additional 90 days. The move allows foreign-flagged vessels to transport fuel, oil, fertilizer, and other essential goods between U.S. ports, aiming to stabilize domestic supply chains and …
· Tyler Durden
US and Iran do not want to return to war, UAE's Dr Gargash says | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on Iran war
· The National
S&P Futures Jump To Record, Oil Tumbles On Report Iran Foreign Minister Going To Pakistan
US equity futures jumped to a new all time high, reversing modest overnight losses, and oil tumbled to session lows on reports that Iran is sending a delegation to Pakistan today for talks, boosting hopes of ceasefire extension or more. Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad at 22:00 loc…
· Tyler Durden
China stages navy drill as US and Philippines embark on Balikatan 2026
The Liaoning aircraft carrier appears to be among 14 large naval vessels snapped on manoeuvres in a satellite image circulating online
· Amber Wang
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expected to arrive in Islamabad | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on Iran war
· Sulaiman Hakemy
Oil prices pull back from gains amid simmering Strait of Hormuz tensions | The National
Live updates: Follow the latest news on Iran war
· Alvin R Cabral
Tokyo workers encouraged to wear shorts to cut energy costs and keep cool
Officials hope more casual attire for public servants will save electricity during Iran war as summer heat approaches
· Justinmccurry
Oil hits highest level since US-Iran ceasefire began, as conflict hurts Gulf crude production – business live
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
· Graemewearden, Sarahbutler
Pakistan's new clout puts it at centre of fragile geopolitical web
Long ignored or dismissed as a marginal player in world affairs, Pakistan is suddenly asserting itself. Its role in seeking to broker peace in Iran has propelled it onto front pages, but this shift has been long in the making. It is driven not by Pakistan's skills at diplomacy, but by its growing military power.
· Middleeasteye
US tightens grip on Lebanese army aid as delays bite in Beirut | The National
The US is tightening conditions on its support for the Lebanese army, as discussions in Congress link future funding more explicitly to the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, US and Lebanese sources have told The National.
· Vanessa Ghanem
Germany’s economy was set to rebound. But soaring energy prices have derailed Europe's biggest comeback
Europe's biggest economy was set for a rebound, but now it's being hammered by soaring energy costs caused by the Iran war, prompting the federal government to halve growth forecasts.
· Hugh Leask
With 3,000 containers stuck in Pakistan, Iran explores more land routes
Karachi, Pakistan — At Karachi port, the largest in Pakistan, 3,000 stranded containers hold cargo that was meant to be shipped to Iran. What’s in them is not known.
· Osama Bin Javaid
Flurry Of Reports Signal 'Breakthrough' In US, Iran Getting Back To The Table In Pakistan, As Third US Carrier Arrives
After signaling all day yesterday that it has not decided to engage the United States in a second round of peace talks, Friday morning has seen a flurry of headlines out of Saudi and regional media speculating that today is different. "Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may arrive tonight accompanied by a small…
· Tyler Durden
Iran delegation heading to Pakistan as cease-fire talks with US hang in balance
ISLAMABAD — Senior Iranian leadership will come to Pakistan Friday or Saturday — as the world watches and waits for Tehran to agree to a second round of peace talks with the US, Iranian and Pakistani government sources told The Post.
· Caitlin Doornbos
Best photos of April 24: From Azalea festival in South Korea to train crash in Denmark | The National
Previous slideNext slide Flowers in full bloom during the annual Azalea Festival in Gunpo, South Korea. AFPInfo About 20,000 teddy bears are displayed in Washington, with organisers saying they symbolise the abduction of Ukrainian children during the war with Russia. ReutersInfo Bags and belongings are laid out at V…
· The National
How long can Iran survive the US’s Hormuz blockade?
United States President Donald Trump has claimed Iran is “collapsing financially” and said the country is losing millions of dollars a day due to Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports.
· Priyanka Shankar
Pakistán avanza en los esfuerzos diplomáticos para acercar a Irán y EEUU al diálogo
La torre de telecomunicaciones Milad, en el perfil de la ciudad de Teherán, Irán, el 23 de abril de 2026. (AP Foto/Vahid Salemi)
· Munir Ahmed
US mulls expelling Spain from Nato for failing to back war on Iran
The US has threatened to "punish" its Nato allies for their lack of support in the war on Iran, including ejecting Spain from the alliance.
· Middleeasteye
Netanyahu declared cancer-free after hiding diagnosis during Iran war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been given a clean bill of health following successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, revealed publicly for the first time, according to an official medical report released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday.
· AMICHAI STEIN, TOBIAS SIEGAL
US considers suspending Spain from NATO, reported internal email suggests
An email has circulated within the United States Defense Department laying out potential measures the US could take against NATO allies it believes have not sufficiently supported its war on Iran, such as Spain and the United Kingdom, according to a US official quoted by the Reuters news agency.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Iran and Pakistan discuss ceasefire details in push for talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he has ordered the U.S. military to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines to choke traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
· Munir Ahmed
Former NATO envoy warns of ‘huge folly’ in criticizing Trump on Iran
The former U.S. ambassador to NATO is urging British and European politicians not to alienate Donald Trump by criticizing his administration’s handling of the Iran war and its fallout.
· Anne McElvoy, Peter Snowdon
Sánchez evita disputa España-EEUU en la OTAN y resta importancia a un mail del Pentágono
El presidente del gobierno de España, Pedro Sánchez, llega a la cumbre de la UE en Nicosia, Chipre, el 24 de abril de 2026. (AP Foto/Petros Karadjias)
· Menelaos Hadjicostis
Nuclear experts needed at talks to avoid a 'more dangerous Iran', says EU’s Kaja Kallas | The National
The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Friday warned that nuclear experts were needed in future talks with Tehran's nuclear programme or the world "will end up with a more dangerous Iran."
· Sunniva Rose
EU: War on Iran has negatively impacted European economy
The US-Israel war on Iran has impacted the European Union’s economy by 0.2 to 0.6 percent, according to EU Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Valdis Dombrovskis, Al Jazeera reported.
· Middleeasteye
Nato says US cannot suspend Spain from alliance, after reported Pentagon email
Nato says there is no provision for member states to be suspended or expelled from the military alliance after a report said the US could seek to suspend Spain over its Iran war stance.
· Amy Walker
En los 80, EEUU protegió barcos de Irán en el estrecho de Ormuz. ¿Podría volver a hacerlo?
Un portacontenedores, visto en el estrecho de Ormuz, frente a la costa de la isla Qeshm, Irán, el 18 de abril de 2026. (AP Foto/Asghar Besharati)
· Jon Gambrell
Sánchez dismisses US notion of suspending Spain from NATO
NICOSIA — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday downplayed a leaked Pentagon email suggesting Spain could be penalized for not supporting the war in Iran by having its NATO membership suspended.
· Aitor Hernández-Morales, Gordon Repinski, Sonja Rijnen, Victor Jack
DoJ watchdog will investigate release of Epstein files – US politics live
An internal watchdog will review the agency’s handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, including whether relevant documents were properly redacted
· Tom Ambrose