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US/Israel Iran War recap for day 18 (April 26) featured a lot of talk about Iranian FM Araghchi’s travels around Oman, Pakistan and onto Russia, while other news saw Somalia hijack a second ship and the US considering listing Iraq as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Negotiations:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made a return trip to Pakistan via Oman, utilising Pakistani military aircraft over the sensitive US controlled skies, where Araghchi met with counterparts to discuss regional issues in bilateral talks, in which Araghchi said that the nuclear issue was completely off the table for negotiations and not open to be discussed at all.
Tasnim News Agency reported that during the latest trip to Islamabad, discussions weren’t just about bilateral relations, but also conveying Iran’s conditions for ending the war, with topics to include implementing a new legal regime over the Strait of Hormuz, receiving compensation, guaranteeing no renewed military aggression, lifting the naval blockade, and other issues that weren’t nuclear-related.
It appeared the decision infuriated President Donald Trump who said on Fox News on Sunday that the nuclear issue was the main sticking point in the negotiations, after which the war could be over and the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz lifted, which Tanker Trackers claimed has cost Iran $1 billion in lost revenue due to returned ships by the US Navy, the Middle East Observer reported, but they also claimed that 4-and-a-half million barrels of oil were loaded at terminals meaning around four million barrels of oil slipped through the blockade, Israeli N12 reported.
Soon after landing at the Nun Khan Airbase near Islamabad, informed sources in Pakistan claimed that the direct negotiations were suspended indefinitely because the conditions hadn’t been met, reported IraninArabic News, stating that the visit to the Iranian FM was very important, especially given their long role in mediating between Washington and Iran previously.
Head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Ibrahim Azizi said that negotiations should always be from a position of strength, stating that unity, leadership, the people, the armed forces, regional geopolitics, and nuclear capability are the foundations that make up Iran’s strength, and emphasized that the new navigation system is now in place in the Strait of Hormuz, which had become one of the fundamental pillars of Iran’s power, noting the end of the era of hospitality, which lasted 47 years, as all ships wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz must pay transit fees.
After rumours that the Pakistan mediation had failed and talks were completely over, the Qatari Foreign Minister said that they welcomed Iran’s diplomatic approach and confirmed the country’s readiness to continue playing an active role in the mediation process and facilitating dialogue, Al Mayadeen reported.
Iran presented the new proposal through mediators, focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war, while postponing nuclear negotiations to a later stage, Axios reported, claiming that during talks in Islamabad, Araghchi discussed the plan with regional counterparts, noting there was no clear consensus within Iran’s leadership on how to meet the US demands for a long-term suspension of enrichment and the removal of enriched uranium. Instead, the proposal prioritises resolving the Strait of Hormuz crisis and lifting the blockade first, potentially through a prolonged ceasefire or a permanent end to the conflict, and only after these steps were completed could nuclear talks resume, which Pakistani intermediaries have conveyed to the White House, though it remains unclear whether Washington is willing to consider it.
Other News:
France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and FM Araghchi held a telephone conversation on Sunday, where Araghchi briefed his french counterpart on the latest situation and developments related to the ceasefire and the diplomatic efforts to end the ‘imposed war’ emphasising the importance of European countries playing a constructive role in the process, while the French FM emphasised his country’s position in support of continuing the diplomatic approach, hoping that talks could resume soon so that peace could be established in the region.
Iraq: The US warned it could designate Iraq a state sponsor of terrorism after Abu Alaa al-Walai, head of the Iran-aligned Kata’ib Sayyid ul-Shuhada, participated in a recent government meeting to select the next prime minister, reported UTV Iraq.
Iran: The cargo ship MS Francisco was stopped by the Revolutionary Guard at the entrance to Hormuz and was flying the Panamanian flag while being owned by Israel, reported IraninArabic News, stating that in response to the detention of ships, Iran witnessed their first arrest of a container ship belonging to hostile countries.
Iran: What appeared to be the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska was spotted on Sunday morning 170km east of the coast of Oman, around 400km south of the area where the US Navy intercepted the vessel, and can be seen shadowed by an unknown warship on footage published by Warfront Witness.
Iran: FM Araghchi said in a statement that he expected countries of the region to take a responsible stance in finding a mechanism for collective security that was free from American interference.
Iran: An execution took place on Sunday morning of Amer Ramesh, who was accused of being a member of the Baloch Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl and of carrying out attacks on Iranian security forces.
Iran: An investigation by Tasnim News found that two Iranian F-5 aircraft had attacked infrastructure of an American base in Kuwait that targeted the base itself, claiming the two aircraft then landed safely at the sixth Bushehr Air Base after penetrating the sophisticated US air defence system and succeeded in carrying out the aerial attack, alleging the attack was on March 29, just a few hours after a joint alleged Saudi-American airstrike on Iran.
Iran: MP Maleki dismissed US claims of division among Iranian officials as baseless and an attempt to sow discord, claiming the real division was in America, where many senior military, political and security officials had either been fired or resigned during the war.
Iran: FM Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran will not return the Strait of Hormuz to its previous state under any circumstances because this is the Leader of the Revolution’s decision.
Iran: Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf wrote a cryptic message on X, appearing to warn that summer could be cancelled in the US if the war continues.
Iran: Two supertankers could be seen earlier loading at Kharg Island, which may suggest Iran still sees seaborne oil export as potentially profitable despite the naval blockade, reported Warfront Witness, stating that it could also be a way to store oil products as land storages become full, because the ships are less vulnerable to enemy strikes due to the risk of oil slicks being too high.
Iran: FM Araghchi arrived in St. Petersburg ahead of talks with Russian officials and President Vladimir Putin, where Araghchi said he is maintaining close consultations with Russia on regional issues, following his recent visits to Pakistan and Oman, while stating that talks with Pakistan focused on mediation in Iran-US negotiations that stalled over US demands, and noted ongoing coordination with Oman on Hormuz security and safe passage.
Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the leak to Israeli Channel 12 announcing the timing of an Israeli military operation in Iran was the ‘most criminal leak in decades’ in an interview with Channel 14: “It provided a warning to Khamenei and their defence systems against our attacks – this is the most criminal leak I have known in decades,” he said at a government meeting, noting that the investigation was being carried out by Shin Bet and the Defence Ministry’s security directorate, and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen warned the leak could have caused a diplomatic disaster with the United States.
Israel: Around 12 US KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft were seen stationed at Ramon Airport in Eilat, southern Israel, which could show a potential build up of future aggression by Israel in the near future.
Israel: Kan News reported that Israel’s restricted cabinet met on Sunday night amid tensions with Iran, noting that while President Trump says the war is coming to an end, Israeli officials say he remains committed to removing the enriched uranium from Iran, by deal or military action, adding that Trump also ruled out sending more envoys to Pakistan, effectively closing the door to direct negotiations.
Oman: Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Sunday they shared a good discussion on the Strait of Hormuz with FM Araghchi, saying that as littoral states, they recognise shared responsibilities to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long, adding that much of the diplomacy was required and practical solutions needed to ensure lasting freedom of navigation.
Qatar: Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a telephone call between FM Araghchi and his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani had taken place in which they discussed diplomatic pathways, as Araghchi reviewed the various dimensions of the current situation, briefing his Qatari counterpart on the latest diplomatic initiatives and efforts.
Qatar: The Prime Minister is discussing the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran in a call with the Saudi Foreign Minister, emphasising the need to address the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means, thereby preventing escalation from reoccurring, Al Jazeera reported.
Russia: Iran’s FM Araghchi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit on Monday, ISNA reported, stating that Araghchi is also due to meet other Russian officials to discuss the latest status of negotiations, the ceasefire and other related developments.
Somalia: UKTMO reported unauthorised persons had taken control of a large cargo vessel six nautical miles of Garacad, Somalia, and then redirected it to within Somalian waters.
Turkey: A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told Reuters that Turkish Foreign Minister had held calls with Washington and Tehran to discuss developments with the US negotiators, alsaa_plus reported.
UAE: Israel sent an Iron Dome air defence system with several dozen IDF operators to the United Arab Emirates early in the war with Iran, intercepting dozens of Iranian missiles on their behalf in what was officially the first time Israel had deployed the system outside the US and Israel, reported Axios, adding that the Israeli Air Force also conducted strikes in southern Iran to prevent short-range missiles from hitting UAE and other Gulf States, as a senior Emirati Official said: “We are not going to forget it.”
USA: The Marine Corps amphibious assault ship/aircraft carrier USS Tripoli was spotted this morning approximately 140km south of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier located off the coast of Oman after being escorted by a destroyer which opened the way, and both seemed to be repositioning closer to the carrier and nearer to the Strait of Hormuz.
USA: Gasoline prices are set to get more expensive, stated Fars News Agency citing an American Automobile Association report, which showed that the price of gasoline remained stable for around two weeks of the ceasefire before rising again, and Reuters also wrote that the average price of fuel had now returned to over $4 per gallon and that 77% of Americans blame Trump for the increase in prices, noting that with the renewed increase in restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have also taken an upward trend and the market went into the weekend break with prices over $105 per barrel.
USA: The US has consumed ‘billions of dollars’ of its vital arms reserves in the Iran war, reported the Independent, claiming that according to a study conducted by the American Enterprise Institute, the US had used a massive amount of advanced ammunition during the Iran war, including interceptor missiles and precision weapons, with the cost of this operation reaching billions of dollars, while Irib News reported that in just the first 16 days, more than 11,000 munitions worth around $26 billion were used, while the total costs were estimated between $25-$35 billion dollars, raising concerns about the depletion of strategic reserves and military readiness for future conflicts.
USA: Central Command reported they had turned one more ship around on Sunday towards Iran, claiming to have redirected 38 ships since the blockade began.
USA: President Trump is expected to hold a Situation Room meeting on Monday with senior national security and foreign policy officials to discuss Iran, including the ongoing stalemate in negotiations and potential next steps in the conflict, reported Axios, citing three US officials.
