The ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran entered its eleventh day on Saturday, April 18, with President Donald Trump warning that the truce may not be extended if negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
The developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and continued tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.
Latest developments here
Trump vows to restore Lebanon to ‘former greatness’
US President Donald Trump said the United States would help restore Lebanon to its “former greatness”, claiming the country had been overlooked by the international community, Al Jazeera reported.
“We will restore Lebanon to its former greatness after the world forgot about it,” he said.
Iran conflict triggers largest global oil supply disruption in modern history
The ongoing Iran conflict has removed around 500 million barrels of crude oil from the global market — the largest energy supply disruption in modern history — according to data from analytics firm Kpler, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
Trump floats White House ‘party’
US President Donald Trump said he would host a “party” at the White House once the war with Iran ends, expressing optimism about reaching a deal.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said recent developments were encouraging but warned that the ceasefire may not be extended if negotiations fail.
Trump added that military action could resume, saying the United States could “start dropping bombs again” if no agreement is reached — underscoring the fragile nature of the current truce.
Hegseth dismisses claims of shortages on US Navy vessels
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has rejected claims of food shortages aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli, describing them as “fake news”.
Backing a US Navy statement, he said both vessels have more than 30 days of food supplies, adding that logistics are monitored on a daily basis.
Hegseth also assured that sailors deployed on the ships continue to receive adequate support during operations.
Trump signals optimism ahead of China meeting
US President Donald Trump said China’s leadership was “very pleased” with wdevelopments around the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the waterway was open or moving towards reopening.
He also said his upcoming meeting in China with President Xi Jinping could be “specialq1¹@ and perhaps historic”.
“I am eagerly looking forward to meeting President Xi; much will be accomplished,” Trump said, adding that recent developments involving Iran were encouraging.
“We received some good news 20 minutes ago and things seem to be going well with Iran,” he said, while reiterating that Tehran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.
Trump cautioned that the ceasefire may not be extended beyond Wednesday, April 22, if no agreement is reached, though he indicated that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
Iran rejects transfer of enriched uranium
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would not agree to transfer its enriched uranium under any circumstances, underscoring a key sticking point in negotiations.
“Enriched uranium is as sacred to us as the soil of Iran, and it will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances,” he said in a statement shared on X.
Talks set for Islamabad
A new round of US–Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday, April 20, with delegations from both sides likely to arrive on Sunday, April 19, according to Iranian officials. The talks follow earlier high-level discussions in Pakistan that ended without a breakthrough but kept diplomatic channels open.
US officials, however, indicated that while Monday is the earliest possible date, final details regarding timing and participation remain undecided.
Iran issues Hormuz warning
Despite signs of de-escalation, Tehran warned it could again restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz if Washington maintains its naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticised US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks as “false”, asserting that decisions regarding the vital waterway would be enforced “on the ground, not on social media”.
The warning comes amid a fragile reopening of the strait, a key global energy route through which around a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Trump said on Friday, April 17, that the US blockade would be lifted once an agreement is reached, expressing confidence that a deal with Iran is “close”. He also suggested that any agreement could involve US oversight of Iran’s nuclear material, a proposal Tehran is likely to reject.
