US-Iran ceasefire on edge: Trump extends deadline; UAE addresses rumours of external financial backing

Day 52: Fighting to resume as ceasefire ends Wednesday: Trump

Day 51: Iran refuses new round of talks, say reports

Day 50: Indian ships reverse course in Strait of Hormuz

Day 49: Trump says Iran agrees to 'never' close Hormuz strait again

Day 48: Trump: Iran agreed to hand over its enriched uranium

Day 47: US optimistic about reaching peace deal with Iran

Day 46: 2 days to US-Iran talks in Pakistan? Trump thinks so

Day 45: US, Iran discuss 'another round' of direct talks

Day 44: US to begin 'blockade' of Iranian ports on Monday

Day 43: 3-way talks with the US and Iran begin in Pakistan

Day 42: Trump says Iran has 'no cards' as Vance heads for talks

Day 41: Kuwait condemns drone attacks, US warns vs Hormuz toll

Day 40: Trump agrees to suspend attack on Iran by two weeks

The US president has made a series of statements about next steps in the US war against Iran, declaring that he’s in no rush to end the conflict while also expressing confidence that more negotiations with Tehran will soon happen in Pakistan.

Trump whipsawed in telephone interviews and social media posts on Monday between measured optimism that a deal could soon be reached and warning that “lots of bombs” will “start going off” if there’s no agreement before the ceasefire expires at 0000 GMT Wednesday (8pm ET Tuesday.)

The US president says he expects fighting to resume if there's no deal as a second round of talks in Islamabad remains uncertain.

Iran has informed mediators that it will send a delegation to Islamabad on Tuesday to take part in negotiations, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing "sources".

Depending on what it was carrying, the Iran-flagged cargo ship seized by the US Navy could be taken as "spoils of war", according to US media report.

The US Central Command followed through Sunday on its warning to board and seize any vessel defying its blockade of Iran’s ports, with footage showing a guided-missile destroyer firing on the Iran-linked M/V Touska before Marines rappelled onto the ship after it was disabled.

The incident came after the Trump administration said it expected peace talks with Iran to resume on Tuesday in Islamabad, Pakistan. Iran has vowed retaliation over the seizure of the merchant vessel and has not yet formally agreed to the talks.

Oil prices fell in early Tokyo trading Tuesday (April 21, 2026) as markets focused on expectations for fresh Iran-US talks in Islamabad, with traders betting diplomacy could ease Middle East supply risks.

US President Donald Trump has claimed late on Monday that the US is in a "strong position" in its ongoing conflict with Iran, asserting that American military actions have weakened Tehran, even as fresh diplomatic talks are set to begin. He said the US was "winning" and that Iran's military capabilities had been significantly reduced, while also criticising sections of the media for portraying the situation differently.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "I'm winning a War, BY A LOT, things are going very well, our Military has been amazing ...

He also lambasted the US media for portraying his administration in a bad light amid the conflict.

"The enemy is confused, because they get these same Media "reports," and yet they realize their Navy has been completely wiped out, their Air Force has gone onto darker runways, they have no Anti Missile or Anti Airplane Equipment, their former leaders are mostly gone (This has been, in addition to everything else, Regime Change!), and perhaps, most important of all, THE BLOCKADE, which we will not take off until there is a "DEAL," is absolutely destroying Iran."

Iran's parliament speaker said his country has been "preparing to show new cards on the battlefield" against the United States, if fighting resumes following a two-week ceasefire.

"By imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, Trump wants to turn this negotiating table into a surrender table or justify renewed hostilities, as he sees fit," said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who headed the Iranian delegation to previous talks in Pakistan.

"We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the last two weeks we have been preparing to show new cards on the battlefield," he wrote on X.

A deal with Iran under Trump would unlock a broader security framework that benefits not just Israel and the Middle East, but also Europe, the United States and other regions tied to energy, trade and shipping stability, the White House argues in a post.

US Central Command said American forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to Iranian ports since the blockade of Iranian maritime routes began last week.

According to the military statement, the measure targets ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal waters, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

Trump has again criticised US media over coverage of last year’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, using Truth Social to attack CNN and other outlets.

He described “Operation Midnight Hammer” as a “complete and total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying recovery would be “a long and difficult process”.

Trump accused CNN and other networks of failing to credit US pilots, claiming they “demean and belittle” their work.

In earlier posts, he said the US was “winning” against Iran “by a lot”, but claimed coverage from major newspapers distorted the situation.

He also alleged media reporting was confusing the “enemy” and insisted, “it’s not going to happen, because I’m in charge.”

Iran has called for the immediate release of a cargo vessel seized by US forces, condemning the operation as a violation of international law.

In a statement published on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry demanded the “immediate release of the Iranian vessel, its sailors, crew and their families” following the seizure of the ship Touska.

The US Navy reportedly fired on and seized the Iranian-flagged vessel on Sunday after it attempted to breach a US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, according to President Donald Trump. Military footage showed a guided-missile destroyer engaging the ship, followed by Marines descending from helicopters to board it.

Iran described the incident as “extremely dangerous” and “criminal”, warning it would respond to protect its national interests and citizens.

“There is no doubt that the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capacities to defend Iran’s national interests and security,” the ministry said, adding that “full responsibility for any further escalation lies with the United States.”

Trump said the United States obtaining uranium from Iran would be "long" and "difficult" in the aftermath of last year's US strikes on Tehran's nuclear sites.

"Operation Midnight Hammer was a complete and total obliteration of the Nuclear Dust sites in Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding: "Therefore, digging it out will be a long and difficult process."

The US leader regularly uses the term "nuclear dust" to refer to Iran's stock of enriched uranium, which the United States accuses Iran of hoarding in order to make an atomic bomb.

Shares are mixed in Asia and oil prices have slipped following the latest rise of US-Iran tensions.

The lackluster start to trading followed a modest retreat on Wall Street.

On Monday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from its all-time high and the Dow industrials edged less than 0.1% lower. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil remains above $95.

Financial markets have had vicious swings, both up and down, since the war began because of uncertainty about how long it may last.

US Vice President JD Vance is set to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for a fresh round of talks related to the ongoing tensions with Iran, according to a report by Axios, which cited US sources.

The development comes amid rising geopolitical strain in the region, although Iran has not yet confirmed its participation in the proposed negotiations.

The Sultanate of Oman has condemned and denounced any acts or plots targeting the security and stability of the UAE, or interfering in its internal affairs, expressing its continued solidarity with the UAE in all measures it takes to safeguard its territory, security and the safety of its society.

In a statement carried by the Oman News Agency, the Foreign Ministry reiterated Oman’s firm stance rejecting all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, as well as incitement to them, regardless of motives or justifications.

It also affirmed its commitment to good neighbourliness relations and constructive cooperation with all brotherly and friendly countries in confronting such acts.

Global crude oil prices witnessed decline, reversing the previous session's gains, amid expectations that upcoming talks between the US and Iran could ease tensions.

International oil benchmark Brent crude futures declined as much as 1.31 per cent to $94.22 per barrel, hitting an intraday low.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at $85.5, down 2.19 per cent from the previous close.

However, both crude benchmarks had rallied strongly on Monday, with Brent rising 5.6 per cent and WTI surging 6.9 per cent after Iran again shut the Strait of Hormuz.

On the domestic front, crude oil on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was trading 1.75 per cent lower at Rs 8,040, an intraday low.

Iran’s judiciary chief has said the country must remain on high alert for possible further US attacks.

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said Tehran must “maintain 100% readiness” in case of renewed strikes, according to video statements shared by Iranian state-affiliated media Fars.

He warned there is a “strong possibility” of additional attacks, claiming the US has not achieved its war objectives despite targeting senior Iranian officials.

In separate remarks, also carried by Fars, Ejei said Iran would respond to the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday, describing it as a violation of the ceasefire.

“The naval blockade that talking about is undoubtedly a clear violation, and the Islamic Republic will definitely respond,” he said.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that his country's campaign in Lebanon relied both on military and diplomatic pressure to disarm Iran-allied Hezbollah.

"The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah and remove the threat to the northern communities (of Israel), through a combination of military and diplomatic measures," Katz said during a ceremony marking Israel's national day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Though a truce between Israel and Lebanon took effect Friday, Israeli troops are still present and actively fighting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon's south, with Katz saying Sunday that troops would use "full force" if threatened.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has expressed his strong condemnation and denunciation of any malicious acts or plots targeting the UAE’s security and stability.

He lauded the vigilance and professionalism of the UAE’s security authorities, which efficiently thwarted the terrorist plots, uncovered their details and apprehended those involved, reflecting an advanced model in safeguarding national security and protecting state capabilities.

Albudaiwi affirmed the GCC’s firm and unwavering solidarity with the UAE, reiterating its full support for all measures taken to preserve its security and stability, and to protect its territory from any threats.

He also renewed the GCC’s rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, as well as incitement thereto, regardless of motives or justifications.

Russia’s Transport Ministry announced Monday that Rosaviatsia, Russia’s civil aviation authority, “lifted recommendations for Russian airlines to temporary halt sales of tickets to flights to and from the UAE,” Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Restrictions on flights via Iranian airspace have also been lifted, the report quoted the ministry as saying in an online statement.

Flights to Iranian airports and transit flights over the country will be carried out with recommendations from local aviation authorities taken into account, the report said.

Restrictions on flights to the Middle East were introduced in February.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, to discuss the latest regional developments, as part of a diplomatic push linked to a possible second round of talks between the US and Iran.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry in Islamabad said both leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement for peace and stability and agreed to remain in close contact.

The statement gave no further details.

Iran’s state television has said that no delegation from Tehran has travelled to Islamabad “so far”, as speculation grows over possible talks with the United States.

Iranian officials have repeatedly pushed back on such claims, insisting that no formal delegation has been dispatched and that any engagement remains unconfirmed.

Israeli strikes killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, hospital authorities said.

Four suspected militants were killed when a drone strike hit a security point just after midnight in the southern city of Khan Younis, the Nasser hospital said.

Another man was wounded in the strike, it said.

The militant-manned point was around 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) west of the so-called Yellow Line, separating the Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of Gaza, according to relatives of those killed.

In the northern town of Beit Lahiya, a 30-year-old woman was killed when the Israeli navy opened fire toward tents sheltering displaced people early Tuesday, the Shifa hospital said.

The Israeli military said it wasn’t aware of attacks in Beit Lahiya.

The deaths were the latest among Palestinians in Gaza since a fragile October ceasefire deal took hold to halt a more than two-year war between Israel and Hamas.

China said it hopes all parties can maintain the momentum for peace talks, as the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war is set to expire Wednesday.

“The current situation is at a critical stage of transition between war and peace. At such a moment, it is all the more necessary for all parties to show the utmost sincerity, remain committed to a political solution, maintain the momentum of the ceasefire and negotiations,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

China’s Xi Jinping called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz Monday.

While it’s not directly involved in ongoing mediation efforts, diplomats have said China had pressed for Iran to attend the first round of negotiations.

Lebanon’s public works and transport minister says the bridges have been either damaged or destroyed during the latest war.

Fayez Rasamny has told the local LBC TV channel that the government still doesn’t have a final damage estimate. But he believes that the losses could be between $7-8 billion.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war, which began around seven weeks ago, has been halted by a 10-day ceasefire that went into effect last week.

The head of the UN maritime agency appealed on Tuesday for help for thousands of seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, as the Middle East war paralyses the vital shipping route.

Around 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 ships have been stranded in the waterway since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that triggered the war, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Around one-fifth of the world's crude and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told a maritime conference in Singapore on Tuesday that stranded sailors were suffering from stress and fatigue.

"We need to know everything that they're going through," he said.

Dominguez urged shipping companies to provide remote support to the sailors on areas like mental health.

He said some countries have established round-the-clock helplines for the seafarers, while others have been providing them with food.

But more could be done on a personal level, such as proactively reaching out to sailors to listen to them so they feel less isolated.

Shipping remained curtailed on the strait as the United States and Iran both warned they were ready for war, while the clock ticked down on a ceasefire set to expire Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Iran of repeatedly violating the ceasefire with the US in the war in the Middle East, as both countries deliberate over a possible new round of peace negotiations.

"Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!" Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to the two-week truce set to expire by Wednesday, after which the Middle East potentially could plunge back into open conflict.

Oil prices dipped and stocks edged higher Tuesday as investors held out hope that despite conflictual rhetoric there was scope for a deal to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas shipments.

Iran had not yet sent a delegation to neighbouring Pakistan for a new round of peace talks with the United States, even as the two-week ceasefire is set to expire by Wednesday.

Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark, was down around one per cent after surging the previous day after Iran reclosed the Strait of Hormuz.

In Europe, the London, Paris and Frankfurt stock markets all traded higher in midday deals after gains in Asian markets.

"There is a reluctance for investors to price in the worst-case scenario for the conflict in the Middle East, and there is optimism within the market that the US/Iran ceasefire will be extended," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at trading group XTB.

Britain's government Tuesday announced measures aimed at weakening the link between world market gas prices and the cost of UK electricity as the Middle East crisis fuels energy bills.

The move heads plans by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour administration to accelerate a clean-energy drive it began on winning power nearly two years ago.

Pointing to "the second fossil fuel shock in less than five years" caused by the Russia-Ukraine and US-Iran wars, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said "the era of fossil fuel security is over".

He added in a London speech that "the era of clean energy security must come of age.

"For Britain and so many other countries, clean energy is now the only route to financial security, energy security and indeed national security."

Day and night, drivers queue for hours for the chance to refill fuel tanks, as import-dependent Bangladesh grapples with shortages due to the Middle East war.

While the government insists there is no crisis, the situation has become so severe that those who can afford it hire others to wait for them, with one company even creating an online app for queue waiters.

US President Donald Trump touted the strong negotiation position of the United States on Tuesday as his envoys prepared for talks with Iran in Pakistan to end the Middle East conflict.

"We're going to end up with a great deal. I think they have no choice... We're in a very, very strong negotiating position," Trump told broadcaster CNBC.

A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was expected to leave shortly from Washington for Islamabad, which earlier this month hosted a first round of talks, ending without progress.

Trump is demanding Iran give up its uranium stockpile and end attempts to control the strategic Hormuz waterway used to transport Middle East oil and other commodities.

Despite being hit by weeks of US and Israeli bombing before a temporary ceasefire was declared, Iran has so far refused those conditions. The ceasefire was due to expire late Wednesday in Washington, according to the White House.

Trump was unclear in the interview with CNBC about whether he would extend the ceasefire if there is no progress in Pakistan.

"Iran can get themselves on a very good footing if they make a deal," he said.

Asked if he would carry out his previous threats to bomb Iran's bridges and power plants - something many analysts say could constitute war crimes - Trump said "it's not my choice but it will also hurt them."

, "So far, no delegation from Iran has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan," Iranian state TV said on Tuesday, meanwhile, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said US forces intercepted a ship carrying a "gift" to Iran from China as Tehran tries to restock its military during a ceasefire period.

The ship had "a gift from China" which "wasn't very nice," Trump told CNBC. "I was a little surprised," he added, saying he thought he had an "understanding" with China's President Xi Jinping.

A week ago, Trump announced that Xi had assured him there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran, a close partner with Beijing for years.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that its forces intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel as part of Washington's efforts against networks that provide support to Iran.

"Overnight, US forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility," the department posted on its X page.

The statement said the United States was determined "to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran - anywhere they operate."

The exact location of the operation was not made clear. INDOPACOM is the US Indo-Pacific Command, which oversees a broad region that includes the Pacific and Indian oceans.

It is not responsible for the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz, which fall under US Central Command.

"International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels," the Pentagon said in its post, which included video footage showing helicopters landing on a large, bright orange tanker.

AFP has identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to maintain a blockade on Iran "until there is a deal" to end the war.

Germany and Italy on Tuesday rebuffed calls to suspend an EU cooperation deal with Israel, despite rising anger over the war in Lebanon and the situation in the West Bank.

Spain and Ireland had put the issue of halting the June 2000 agreement back on the table at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the proposal "inappropriate".

"We have to talk with Israel about the critical issues," he said at the start of the meeting, adding: "That has to be done in a critical, constructive dialogue with Israel."

Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani pushed back as well, saying that "no decision will be taken today".

Attitudes towards Israel among EU member states, already hardened over its conduct in the war in Gaza, have stiffened further after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and a new law on the death penalty for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Iranian authorities have arrested more than 3,600 people on charges related to the US-Israeli war ranging from sharing videos with media outlets based overseas to possessing Starlink internet terminals, an NGO said on Tuesday.

Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) said the figure, based on state media reports and its own research, represented a minimum given the current internet restrictions in the Islamic republic, and that the actual number of arrests was "likely much higher".

It said at least 3,646 people had been arrested since the war broke out on February 28, with at least 767 of the cases reported after the start of a ceasefire on April 8.

"The charges levelled against the detainees predominantly include espionage, communicating with foreign intelligence services, transmitting images or coordinates of sensitive locations to foreign-based media, and attempting to establish operational cells or conduct armed activities," it said.

Mediator Pakistan has yet to receive a formal response from Iran on whether it would send a delegation for a second round of talks with the United States, Islamabad's information minister said on Tuesday.

"Formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited," Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X, saying that a decision was "critical" as just hours remained until the two-week ceasefire struck between the warring sides expires.

Pakistan has urged the United States and Iran to extend their two-week ceasefire, the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised the issue during a meeting with Natalie A. Baker, the US chargé d’affaires in Pakistan, stressing the need for continued engagement between Washington and Tehran, the statement said.

Pakistan has called on both sides to consider extending the ceasefire, it added.

"Ceasefire ends at 4:50 am PST, 22 April," Information Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X, referring to Pakistan Standard Time.

However, in comments to Bloomberg, Trump said it would only expire a day later, on Wednesday evening Washington time.

Trump said it was "highly unlikely" he would agree to extend it.

Iran state TV, meanwhile, says ceasefire to expire at midnight GMT.

The Israeli military said it struck a Hezbollah rocket launcher on Tuesday after the Iran-allied group fired at troops in southern Lebanon.

"A short while ago, the Hezbollah terrorist organisation launched several rockets toward IDF soldiers operating south of the Forward Defence Line, in the area of Rab Thalathin," a military statement said, referring to the boundary marking the area occupied by Israeli forces. "In response, the IDF struck the launcher from which the rockets were launched."

The US Vice President JD Vance is reportedly still in Washington, with the timing of his planned departure to Pakistan unclear, according to CNN citing informed sources.

The sources said the White House is planning additional meetings on Tuesday to discuss the next steps, with Vance expected to take part. A White House official confirmed that further policy meetings are being held at the White House, adding that the vice president will attend.

Vance had been expected to depart for Islamabad on Tuesday morning, but uncertainty remains over whether an Iranian delegation will also be present.

Iran has stepped up repression during the Middle East war with high-profile executions and hundreds of arrests, activists said on Tuesday, urging Washington to put human rights at the centre of any talks with the Islamic republic.

There has been no let up during the two-week ceasefire now due to end, with hangings of convicts seen as political prisoners a near daily occurrence and people arrested on charges such as simply sending videos to a media outlet abroad, according to rights groups.

This has come against the background of severe internet restrictions that monitor Netblocks said was a blackout that had now left Iranians disconnected from global networks for 53 days.

"The immediate release of all political prisoners arrested before or after the outbreak of the war must be a central condition of any agreement with the Islamic republic," said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights.

IHR said on Tuesday that at least 3,646 people had been arrested since the war broke out on February 28, with at least 767 of the cases reported after the start of the ceasefire on April 8.

Kuwait has declared force majeure on shipments of crude oil and refined products after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz prevented some vessels from entering the Gulf. The move follows renewed tensions after the United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel in the waterway, according to Reuters. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has notified customers that contractual clauses may be invoked to delay certain deliveries, though a full halt to supply is not expected.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday the country needed 500 million euros to address the humanitarian fallout, as a fragile 10-day ceasefire holds between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

"Lebanon needs 500 million euros to tackle the humanitarian crisis over the next six months," Salam said during a press conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, after Lebanon raised the toll from six weeks of war to more than 2,450 dead and more than 7,600 wounded in the conflict.

The United States imposed new Iran-related sanctions on Tuesday, targeting individuals and companies linked to trade and air travel, according to the Treasury Department’s website. The move is part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran, although further details on those targeted were not immediately disclosed.

A US official said Vice President JD Vance's trip to Islamabad for potential ceasefire talks with Iran has been called off and put on hold, but cautioned that US President Donald Trump could change his mind at any minute.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, said Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for consultations about how to proceed.

The official declined to predict what would happen if the current ceasefire expires without another meeting in Islamabad but noted that Trump retains options short of restarting airstrikes.

Iran’s envoy to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani said Tehran has made clear that lifting the blockade is a key precondition before any next round of negotiations can take place. Meanwhile, an American official, cited by AP, said it is difficult to predict what may happen if the ceasefire ends without a meeting in Islamabad, noting that Donald Trump has alternative options that fall short of resuming airstrikes on Iran.

Any suggestion that the UAE requires external financial backing misreads the facts, Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s Ambassador to the United States, said, stressing that the UAE is one of the world’s most financially resilient economies, underpinned by more than $2 trillion in sovereign investment assets.

“We very much appreciate President Trump’s recognition of the UAE as one of America’s most important economic and trade partners. That recognition reflects the depth of a relationship built on mutual interest, mutual investment and long-term strategic confidence,” he said.

Iran's foreign minister said on Tuesday the Islamic republic knew how to "resist bullying", as a ceasefire was due to expire and Tehran had yet to formally respond to an invite to talks with the US in Islamabad.

"Iran knows how to neutralise restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying," Abbas Araghchi said on X, denouncing a US blockade of Iranian ports as "an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire".

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday threatened to end oil production in the Middle East if the Islamic republic faced attacks launched from its Gulf neighbours' territory.

"The southern neighbours should know that if their geography and facilities are used in the service of the enemies to attack the Iranian nation, they should bid farewell to oil production in the Middle East," the commander of Guards' aerospace force, Majid Mousavi, was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.

Iran has decided not to attend talks in Pakistan on Wednesday, according to Tasnim News Agency, which said the decision is final. Tehran informed the United States through a Pakistani intermediary that its negotiating team would not be present in Islamabad for “various reasons” and that there is currently no prospect of participation in the talks.

 In total, 20,000 short-haul flights will be removed from Lufthansa's schedule through October, equivalent to approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. The planned consolidation of the European network is being carried out across Lufthansa Group's six hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome. With the cancellation of routes from Frankfurt to Bydgoszcz and Rzeszów (Poland) as well as Stavanger (Norway), at least three destinations have been temporarily removed from the current flight schedule. 

US President Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social asserting that he was extending the ceasefire with Iran. He wrote: "Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.

"I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other."

The Middle East conflict and the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz are shaking confidence in the world’s most important oil chokepoint, according to International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol. He warned that even if the waterway reopens quickly, the oil market will not simply snap back to normal, because restoring output, shipping flows and investment "will take time".

US forces have boarded the crude oil tanker M/T Tifani in the Indian Ocean, marking what appears to be a new escalation in efforts to disrupt Iran-linked shipping. The move, confirmed by Pentagon, came as the 330-metre very large crude carrier (VLCC), built in 2003, was sailing far away from Hormuz while appearing fully laden with crude. The Tifani was reportedly carrying about 2 million barrels of crude loaded at Kharg, a key Iranian oil export hub, earlier this month. Tracking data showed the vessel passed Dondra Head on April 19 and entered Southeast Asia on April 20 before being boarded by US Marines.

US President Donald Trump has said the US will not lift the Hormuz blockade until a "deal" made. The US president's comments come amid uncertainty as Iran skips peace talks in Pakistan, and Iran-linked ships are seized by the US Navy.

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