Day 44: All you need to know about US-Israel war on Iran

This live blog covered developments on Day 44 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 43, go here, and for Day 45 updates, click here.

• Tehran says no one had expectation of reaching agreement with US in one session: State TV
• Tehran says 'confident' its contact with Pakistan would continue: Iranian media
• Australia urges Mideast ceasefire continuation after US-Iran talks end
• Washington says presented ‘final and best offer’
• Iran Guards say will deal 'severely' with military ships transiting Strait of Hormuz

US oil benchmark jumps 8%, surpasses $100 after US-Iran talks in Islamabad

Published: April 12, 2026 | 23:28GMT | By AFP

The US oil benchmark rebounded above $100 a barrel after peace talks between the United States and Iran concluded, and with US President Donald Trump ordering a blockade of Iranian ports.

Shortly after trading began, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May delivery rose around 8% to $104.50, while June delivery of international benchmark Brent rose 7% to $102.

Iran says was 'inches away' from deal with US in Islamabad

Published: April 12, 2026 | 22:35GMT | By AFP

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran had been just "inches away" from a deal with Washington during weekend talks with the United States in Islamabad.

"Iran engaged with US in good faith to end war," he said in a post on X.

But when "just inches away" from an agreement in Islamabad, "we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade," he added.

US military says to begin blockade of all Iran ports at 1400 GMT Monday

Published: April 12, 2026 | 21:35GMT | By AFP

The US military announced it will begin blockading all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday at 1400 GMT, and will allow ships not coming or going to Iran to pass through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

"The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X on Sunday.

"CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports," it added, appearing to walk back President Donald Trump's earlier post in which he said "any and all Ships" would be blocked.

Iran navy chief calls Trump threat to block Hormuz strait 'ridiculous': state TV

Published: April 12, 2026 | 21:23GMT | By AFP

Iran's navy chief Shahram Irani on Sunday called US President Donald Trump's threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz "ridiculous", after marathon talks between Tehran and Washington in Pakistan could not deliver a deal to end the Middle East war.

"The brave men of the naval force of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran are monitoring and supervising all the movements of the aggressive American army in the region. The threats of the US president to blockade Iran at sea... are very ridiculous and funny," he said, according to state TV.

Lebanon PM says working to achieve Israeli troop withdrawal

Published: April 12, 2026 | 20:17 GMT | By AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a televised address that he was working to stop the Israel-Hezbollah war, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops in south Lebanon that the fight there was far from over.

"We will continue to work to stop this war, to ensure the Israeli withdrawal from all our lands," Salam said in a speech on the eve of the anniversary of the start to the country's 1975-1990 civil war.

"We are continuing our efforts ... to negotiate to stop the war," he added, ahead of planned talks on Tuesday in Washington between Lebanese, Israeli and US officials.

Iran envoy says Islamabad Talks lay foundation for diplomacy

Published: April 12, 2026 | 19:10 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said late Sunday the Islamabad Talks have laid the groundwork for a broader diplomatic process aimed at achieving a sustainable and inclusive framework for all parties.

In a post on X, the envoy said the discussions helped establish a foundation that could “create a sustainable framework addressing the interests of all parties,” signalling Tehran’s support for continued engagement following the initial round of negotiations.

He also expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, for what he described as an “initiative of goodwill” and effective facilitation of the talks.

The ambassador praised the overall arrangements, saying the process was conducted in a “calm, orderly, and secure environment,” with coordinated efforts by the government, security institutions and other stakeholders ensuring a dignified and balanced setting for both delegations.

Oman FM says success in US-Iran talks may require 'painful concessions'

Published: April 12, 2026 | 14:15 GMT | AFP

Oman's foreign minister called for more talks between Iran and the US and for the ceasefire to be extended, hours after negotiations failed to reach a deal during a high-stakes meeting in Pakistan.

"I urge that the ceasefire be extended and talks continue," Badr al-Busaidi wrote in a post on X.

"Success may require everyone to make painful concessions, but this is nothing as compared to the pain of failure and war."

Trump says US to soon begin naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz
Published: April 12, 2026 | 13:14 GMT | By AFP

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran's "unyielding" refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions during peace talks in Islamabad.

While acknowledging that the marathon talks in Pakistan had gone "well" and "most points were agreed to," Trump said Tehran had refused to concede on the issue of its nuclear program.

"Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

Diplomacy 'essential' to resolve Middle East war: EU
Published: April 12, 2026 | 12:23 GMT |  By AFP

Diplomacy is "essential" to resolve the war in the Middle East, a European Union spokesman said Sunday.

Talking about the Islamabad Talks hosted by Pakistan, EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni said "we salute Pakistan for its mediation efforts" and added Brussels would contribute to further efforts to reach a settlement in coordination with its partners.

Pope says he is 'closer than ever' to Lebanese people

Published: April 12, 2026 | 10:41 GMT | By AFP

Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to the people of Lebanon on Sunday, saying there was a "moral obligation" to protect them while calling on warring parties to seek peace.

"I am closer than ever, in these days of sorrow, fear, and unconquerable hope in God, to the beloved Lebanese people," the pope told the crowd at St Peter's Square following his Regina Coeli prayer, citing "a moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war."

Lebanese PM calls for unity, ‘overcoming danger’

Published: April 12, 2026 | 09:03 GMT | By Web Desk

In a post on X commemorating Orthodox Easter, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged people to “elevate the language of reason”.

Iran hopes to restore most of its refining capability in two months: Al Jazeera

Published: April 12, 2026 | 09:03 GMT | By Web Desk

Iran is pushing to restore its damaged refining and distribution facilities to about 70 to 80% of prior capacity over the next two months, Deputy Minister of Oil ⁠Mohammad Sadegh Azimifar says, according to Al Jazeera.

Azimifar said Iran’s refineries, transmission lines, oil depots and aircraft refueling facilities were “repeatedly attacked in all parts of the country”.

Teams have been deployed to remove debris and replace damaged equipment, including at a refinery on Lavan Island, Azimifar said.

Officials plan to relaunch operations at part of the refinery within the next 10 days, he added.

Saudi says east-west pipeline, energy facilities restored to 'operational capacity'

Published: April 12, 2026 | 07:07 GMT | By AFP

Saudi Arabia's energy ministry said on Sunday that its key east-west oil pipeline and other facilities had been restored following attacks by Iran.

"Energy facilities and the east-west pipeline damaged by attacks have recovered and regained their operational capacity, enhancing the reliability of supplies," the official Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an energy ministry statement.

In call with Macron, Iranian president says Iran never sought conflict 

Published: April 12, 2026 | 06:50 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss the latest developments regarding the ceasefire efforts, the Islamabad Talks, and the escalating situation in Lebanon, Iranian state-run Tasnim News Agency reported.

During the call, the Iranian president recalled past US breaches of commitments in previous talks and said that Washington imposed two wars and committed numerous crimes against the Iranian nation, the report said.

Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran has never sought conflict, emphasizing that Tehran has consistently supported resolving issues through dialogue based on international law, it said. 

However, he underlined that Iran will not hesitate in defending its legitimate rights and territorial integrity.

President Macron said France has condemned the war from the outset and supports a ceasefire, emphasizing the need to stop attacks on Lebanon. 

He expressed hope for progress in the Islamabad talks and reaffirmed France’s readiness to help restore peace and stability in the region, the state-media report said.

'Differences of opinion on 2-3 important' matters, says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson  

Published: April 12, 2026 | 04:24 GMT | By Web Desk

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the talks between Iran and the US in Islamabad, Pakistan, has failed to yield results, but at the same time noted that diplomacy never ends, Iranian state-run Tasnim News Agency reported.

Regarding the talks, Baqaei said Iran and the US have “reached an understanding on a number of issues” and that there were “differences of opinion on 2-3 important” matters.

The spokesman also noted that this round of talks was the longest in the past year, lasting a total of 24 or 25 hours.

“These negotiations were held after 40 days of imposed war and were held in an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. It is natural that we should not have expected from the beginning to reach an agreement within one meeting,” he said. “No one expected that either.”

He emphasized that “diplomacy never ends,” and said, “This tool is for protecting national interests, and diplomats must perform their duties both in times of war and peace.”

Baqaei said the success of the talks depended on the “seriousness and good faith of the opposing side” and the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also pointed out the complexity of the issues, saying, “Some new issues, such as the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, were added to these negotiations, each of which has its own complexities.”

Baqaei continued by stating that “in any situation, the diplomatic apparatus must pursue the rights and interests of the Iranian people.”

He also thanked the government and people of Pakistan and its officials, including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the state-run news agency reported.

“We thank them for their kind hospitality and are confident that contacts between Iran, Pakistan, and our other friends in the region will continue.”

Tehran says no one had expectation of reaching agreement with US in one session: State TV

Published: April 12, 2026 | 04:24 GMT | By AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said no one had held any expectation that talks with the United States could have reached an agreement within one session after the negotiations in Islamabad ended on Sunday.

"Naturally, from the beginning we should not have expected to reach an agreement in a single session. No one had such an expectation," ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

He said Tehran was "confident that contacts between us and Pakistan, as well as our other friends in the region, will continue".

Tehran says 'confident' its contact with Pakistan would continue: Iranian media

Published: April 12, 2026 | 04:07 GMT | By AFP

Tehran says 'confident' its contact with Pakistan would continue, AFP reported quoting Iranian media.

It further reported Tehran saying no one had expectation of reaching agreement with US in one session.

Australia urges Mideast ceasefire continuation after US-Iran talks end

Published: April 12, 2026 | 04:07 GMT | By AFP

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Sunday urged a continuation of the Middle East ceasefire after US-Iran talks ended with no deal.

"The priority now must be to continue the ceasefire and return to negotiations," Wong said in a statement, adding it was "disappointing that the Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran have ended without agreement".

Washington says presented ‘final and best offer’

Published: April 12, 2026 | 02:50 GMT | By Web Desk

After 21 hours of high-stakes Iran–US negotiations in Pakistan’s capital, Washington said it had presented a “final and best offer,” while Tehran stressed that progress depends on “seriousness and good faith” and respect for its rights and interests.

US Vice President JD Vance said the proposal outlines Washington’s key red lines, while Iranian officials indicated discussions must address broader issues including sanctions relief, the Strait of Hormuz and an end to hostilities, reflecting differing positions as talks pause at this stage.

Iran Guards say will deal 'severely' with military ships transiting Strait of Hormuz

Published: April 11, 2026 | 21:37 GMT | By AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to deal "severely" with any military vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, state TV reported Sunday, after the US Central Command said two US Navy warships had transited the strategic waterway to clear mines laid by Tehran.

"Any attempt by military vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will be dealt with severely. The IRGC Navy has full authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz intelligently," the Guards' Navy Command said, according to state broadcaster IRIB, adding passage of the strait would only be "granted to civilian vessels under specific conditions".