US-Iran peace talks highlights: No deadline on Iran plan amid Trump's truce extension; oil prices spike 4%

Iran has said that it is fully prepared for its national football team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted in the US.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told state broadcaster IRIB that the Ministry of Sports and Youth has ensured all necessary arrangements for the team’s participation.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week that Iran is expected to participate in the World Cup, set for June 11 to July 19.

US President Donald Trump said in March that while Iran’s team would be welcome at the tournament, he questioned whether it would be appropriate for them to attend because of their “life and safety”.

US Iran war LIVE updates: A French soldier serving as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), who got injured in firing by Hezbollah last week in Lebanon, died on Wednesday, said French President Macron.

“He died for France,” he said.

“The Nation, which will pay tribute tomorrow to Warrant Officer Florian Montorio, mortally wounded during the same ambush, salutes with emotion the memory of Corporal Anicet Girardin and his sacrifice. It also extends its most sincere thoughts and deepest compassion to his family, his loved ones, as well as to the families of the other wounded,” he added.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Pakistani sources told the New York Post that there is a possibility that a fresh round of talks can happen within the next “36 to 72 hours", citing optimistic mediation efforts with Iran. When Trump was asked about the same, he said, “It’s possible! President DJT" in a text message, the report said.

US Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump shared “good news” on peace talks with Iran and said that the second round of talks can happen between as soon as Friday, New York Post reported citing President Trump and Pakistani sources on Wednesday.

US Iran war LIVE updates: India on Wednesday welcomed the extension of the US-Iran ceasefire in the ongoing West Asia conflict, saying it would help create space for diplomatic efforts toward a lasting resolution.

Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has consistently backed initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability.

"India has always been in favour of peace. We welcome all initiatives and steps that lead to peace and stability. As you know, we have already welcomed the ceasefire that has been reached and hope that it will lead to lasting peace in West Asia," Jaiswal said.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan discussed the latest developments in talks between the United States and Iran in a call with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar on Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported citing a Turkish diplomatic source.

US Iran war LIVE updates: During his three-day visit to Germany, defence minister Rajnath Singh addressed the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security on the first day and spoke about the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

Singh said that the what is happening in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key energy trade waterway and is currently under restrictions from both Iran and the United States, are not distant events but have major global implications, particularly on India as it depends on imports for its energy requirements.

"For a developing country like India, which relies on the West Asian region for a significant share of its energy requirements, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are not distant events, they are stark realities with direct implications for our security and economic stability," he said.

He added, however, that India has adopted a proactive and coordinated strategy to deal with these issues.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Gold regained some ground after a two-day decline, as US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran and allowed more time to arrange fresh peace talks.

Bullion rose as much as 1.1% to above $4,770 an ounce, after falling more than 2% in the previous session. Trump said he would hold off on further strikes until Iran submits a new proposal “and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” But the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to shipping, with Iran saying it won’t reopen the vital waterway while the US maintains its own blockade of vessels coming to and from the Islamic Republic.

Oil edged higher on Wednesday, with Brent close to $100 a barrel, while a gauge of the dollar reversed a gain in the previous session to slip 0.2%, boosting gold that’s priced in the same currency. (Bloomberg)

US Iran war LIVE updates: Germany on Wednesday cut its growth outlook for the year, citing the energy shock caused by the Middle East war as a major drag on Europe’s largest economy, reported AFP.

The economy ministry now expects GDP to grow by 0.5% in 2026, down from its January forecast of 1%. It also lowered its 2027 projection to 0.9%, from 1.3%.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly been seized by Iran’s IRGC for “manipulating navigation systems and endangering safety in the Strait of Hormuz”, and are being taken to Iran, according to state media.

"Two violating ships, "MSC-FRANCESCA" (linked to the Zionist regime) and "EPAMINODES," which endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems, were seized by the IRGC Navy and directed to the coast of Iran," the IRGC Navy said in a statement.

“Disruption of order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line.”

The vessels are identified as MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINONDES. According to Marinetraffic website, EPAMINONDES – a container ship sailing under the flag of Liberia – was headed to Gujarat from Jebel Ali in Dubai. Read more.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The impact of the Iran war is reaching unlikely places, even plush toys with names such as Snuggle Glove, Bizzikins and Wobblies. As oil shipments from the Middle East are affected due to tensions between Iran and the United States, the effects are being felt across industries.

These toys, like many others, are developed by a manufacturer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and are made with polyester and acrylic, synthetic fibres derived from petroleum. Within three weeks of the conflict, suppliers in China told Aleni Brands that their costs had already climbed 10% to 15%, according to CEO Ricardo Venegas, reported Associated Press.

“I think this situation demonstrates how much oil permeates throughout our system, and we can't get away from it,” Venegas said.

"Who would have thought that the price of a toy would have a direct relationship with oil?" he added.

US Iran war LIVE updates: One of the ships that Iran's IRGC stopped and seized in the Strait of Hormuz, identified as EPAMINONDAS and sailing under the flag of Liberia, was heading to India's Mundra port. It is a container ship.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The IRGC Navy Command said in a statement that it seized two ships trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz as they “endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits and tampering with navigation systems”. The ships were directed to the coast of Iran.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The natural gas demand destruction currently resulting from the Iran war as governments implement measures to mitigate the crisis risks becoming structural if the conflict persists, the head of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum said on Wednesday.

Since the Middle East crisis began at the end of February, more than 500 million barrels of crude and condensate have been knocked out of the global market, according to Kpler data - the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Countries dependent upon Gulf supplies have reacted by switching to burning coal and accelerating the switch to renewables. (Reuters)

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that they identified and stopped two ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz. They added that the ships were directed to Iran's territorial waters.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships," the Guards said in a statement.

“The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast,” they added.

One of the ships, identified as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, belonged to the “Zionist regime”, the guards said, another one identified as "EPAMINONDAS", was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security”, they said.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran's ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam called on Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on April 22 to discuss the ongoing regional situation and peace efforts, said Pak PMO's office.

US Iran war LIVE updates: to counter them, mainly for a massive increase for a little-known office working with US commandos to test and evaluate various systems, according to defense officials.

The drone-funding proposal includes $54.6 billion for the Defense Autonomous Working Group, or DAWG, from just $225.9 million this year. That would appear to be the largest single year-over-year boost of any defense program or office, meaning it’s likely to draw particular congressional and public scrutiny in an already eye-catching $1.5 trillion request that’s 42% larger than this year’s budget.

The big boost for the Pentagon’s little-known drone unit comes as the US and Israeli war against Iran illustrates how drones can help level the playing field against even the world’s most well-funded armed forces. Tehran has sent volleys of its cheap Shahed one-way attack drones into energy facilities and other buildings across the Persian Gulf, closing the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic, raising global energy prices and putting pressure on President Donald Trump to find a diplomatic off-ramp. (Bloomberg)

US Iran war LIVE updates: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said that its troops and air force carried out a strike in Southern Lebanon after claiming the violation of ceasefire by Hezbollah involving two members crossing the "Forward Defence Line" and approaching the Israeli soldiers.

In a statement, the IDF said the incident took place in the Saluki area in southern Lebanon, where the IDF claimed to detect a potential threat.

"Yesterday (Tuesday), IDF soldiers identified in the area of the Saluki in southern Lebanon, two terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings, crossed the Forward Defence Line and approached the soldiers, posing an immediate threat," said the IDF in an official statement. (ANI)

US Iran war LIVE updates: Israel’s foreign minister on Wednesday called on Lebanon to ‘work together’ with Israel against Hezbollah.

US Iran war LIVE updates: At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

Iran has imposed restrictions on ships using the strait, first in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli bombardment of the country, and then in response to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.

A Liberia-flagged container ship sustained damage to its bridge after being hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades northeast of Oman.

The UKMTO said the master of the vessel reported being approached by an IRGC gunboat. The vessel, it said, was subsequently fired upon. All crew members were safe and there was no fire or environmental impact due to the incident. (Reuters)

US Iran war LIVE updates: Trump later announced the extension of the ceasefire, citing a request from Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif. He also cited “facts that the government of Iran is seriously fractured.”

US President said that he has been asked to hold their attacks on Iran, “until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”

However, along with the extension of the ceasefire, Trump also said that the US will continue its naval blockade and, “in all other respects, remain ready and able.”

US Iran war LIVE updates: Cargo ship leaving Iran fired upon, stopped in water, says Maritime agency
(AFP)

US Iran war LIVE updates: UKMTO says it received a report of an incident 8 nautical miles west of Iran, with details still awaited.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran fired on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, damaging the vessel and complicating efforts to bring the United States and Iran together in Pakistan for talks to end the war.

The morning attack by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard came after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, which had been due to expire on Wednesday, to give Tehran time to come up with a “unified proposal” ahead of possible negotiations.

Iran has offered no formal acknowledgment of Trump's ceasefire extension.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for agreeing to the extension, saying it would buy time for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“With the trust and confidence reposed in us, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict,” he wrote on X. (AP)

US Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump indefinitely extended a ceasefire with Iran just before its expiration, while maintaining a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after planned peace talks between the two sides fell apart.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that Pakistan, which is mediating, asked the US to hold off on fresh strikes. The US is extending the ceasefire until Iran submits a new proposal “and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” In another post, the president said that without the blockade, “there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!”

Vice President JD Vance had been set to travel to Pakistan to resume talks with Iran, but representatives from Tehran refused to attend, citing what they said were unreasonable American demands. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said there is currently no prospect of Iran participating in negotiations. (Bloomberg)