Putin praises Iran’s ‘courage’ as Iranian foreign minister Araghchi visits Moscow
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia for high-level talks with president Vladimir Putin as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation.
Araghchi said he travelled to Russia “with the aim of continuing close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues” and described his meeting as “a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation”.
“I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance,” he added.
During the meeting, Putin expressed support for Iran. “We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty,” Putin told Araghchi. He added that he hoped they could get through a “difficult period” and that peace would prevail.
“For our part, we will do everything that serves your interests, the interests of all the people of the region, so that peace can be achieved as soon as possible,” Putin said, according to Russian state media.
Maroosha Muzaffar28 April 2026 06:00
Trump not satisfied with Iran’s peace proposal – report
President Trump is not satisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, according to officials cited by The New York Times.
The Iranian proposal would decouple the issues of the Strait and Iran’s nuclear programme, leaving the latter to be discussed further at a later date.
US officials said accepting the deal could deny Trump a political victory while the White House stressed that “the president will only make a deal that’s good for the American people and the world”.
The talks remain deadlocked, with Iran insisting it will not make any immediate concessions on its nuclear programme.
Maroosha Muzaffar28 April 2026 05:43
US is being ‘humiliated’ by Iran’s leadership, says Friedrich Merz
Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the US is being “humiliated” by Iran in stalled negotiations, arguing Tehran is outwitting the Trump administration at the bargaining table.
“The Iranians are obviously very skilled at negotiating, or rather, very skilful at not negotiating, letting the Americans travel to Islamabad and then leave again without any result,” he said.
“An entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, especially by these so-called Revolutionary Guards. And so I hope that this ends as quickly as possible.”
US-Iran talks have stalled, with a recent round in Islamabad ending without progress and Trump cancelling a follow-up negotiation trip.

On Monday, Iran proposed a new ceasefire plan centred on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while postponing talks on nuclear weapons, missiles, sanctions, and other issues, according to regional officials.
The proposal also includes a draft bill in Iran’s parliament that would require shipping companies to pay Tehran for “services” linked to transit through the strait, fees that were not in place before the war.
Maroosha Muzaffar28 April 2026 05:30
UK minister warns Tehran is ‘holding the rest of the world to ransom’
The UK does not support the US blockade of Iranian ports, but backs international efforts to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for global shipping, Stephen Doughty, the UK minister for Europe and North America, has said.
Speaking ahead of a UN Security Council meeting, Doughty said Iran is effectively “holding the rest of the world to ransom”.
Maritime traffic must flow safely and unimpeded through the strait, he said in comments reported by the Associated Press, and “that includes no tolls, no security risk and, of course, adherence to the international laws on freedom of navigation”.

He later said in a statement to the council: “This crisis is not just affecting international shipping, it is driving up costs and sending shockwaves throughout energy markets and supply chains far beyond the region with impact for all of our citizens, our communities and their cost of living.
“So, we must get the strait reopened fully and unconditionally.
“Freedom of navigation must be restored, in line with international law. Shipping and seafarers must not be used as leverage, and there is no place for tolls or permissions in international straits.
“Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free.
“Throughout this crisis, the UK has been clear: Iran must not be able to hold the global economy hostage or indeed threaten regional and international security.”
Maroosha Muzaffar28 April 2026 05:00
Trump discusses new Iran proposal with national security aides, White House says
Donald Trump met with his national security team to review a new Iranian proposal to end the war, the White House said.
The proposal reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and delaying discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme, while Trump’s core demand, that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons, remains unchanged.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “What I will reiterate is that the president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very, very clear, not just to the American public, but also to them as well.
“I wouldn’t say they’re considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of, and you’ll hear directly from the president, I’m sure, on this topic.”
Maroosha Muzaffar28 April 2026 04:30
Iran slams US tanker seizures as ‘piracy’ and ‘armed robbery’
Iran has criticised the United States over its seizure of tankers allegedly linked to Tehran, calling the move a blatant breach of international law.
The foreign ministry described the action as the “outright legalisation of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas”.
In a post on X, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said: “Welcome to the return of the pirates – only now, they operate with government-issued warrants, sail under official flags, and call their plunder ‘law enforcement.’
“The United States must be held fully accountable for this brazenly lawless behaviour, which strikes at the heart of international law & international free trade, and threatens the basic principles of maritime security.”
Maroosha Muzaffar28 April 2026 03:58
Watch: Trump has met with team over Iran proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Rebecca Whittaker28 April 2026 03:00
Iran proposes to reopen Strait of Hormuz without nuclear agreement
Iran offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear program, officials with knowledge of the proposal said Monday.
Iran also wants the United States to ends its blockade of the country as part of its proposal, according to the two regional officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations.
Rebecca Whittaker28 April 2026 02:30
Recap: Trump met with national security team to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has met with his national security team this morning to discuss a proposal with Iran to mutually reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at the White House press briefing following the dinner shooting, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The proposal was being discussed.”
Answering questions at a briefing, Ms Leavitt did not offer an opinion of the proposal, in which the Strait of Hormuz would be opened and Iran’s nuclear program discussed at a later date. But she said Trump’s bottom line demands remain the same.
“I wouldn’t say they’re considering it. I would just say that there was a discussion this morning that I don’t want to get ahead of, and you’ll hear directly from the president, I’m sure, on this topic,” she said.
“The president’s red lines with respect to Iran have been made very clear, not just to the American public, but to them as well,” she added.

Rebecca Whittaker28 April 2026 01:30
