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Trump cancels Pakistan talks as uncertainty surrounds US Iran negotiations

Trump cancels Pakistan talks as uncertainty surrounds US Iran negotiations
By Zaid Sabah, Zsombor Peter, Mariamne Everett, Edna Mohamed, Lorraine Mallinder and Umut Uras
Published On 26 Apr 2026

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26 Apr 2026 - 23:59
 (23:59 GMT)

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26 Apr 2026 - 23:50
 (23:50 GMT)

Here’s what happened today

We are about to close this live page. Here’s a quick recap of the day’s main events before we go:

  • The Iranian Foreign Ministry has confirmed Araghchi’s departure from Pakistan for Russia, where he is scheduled to meet with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
  • After calling off his envoys’ scheduled visit to the Pakistani capital, Trump has again said that the Iranians can “come to us, or they can call us” if they want to resume talks.
  • The Israeli military continues its deadly strikes on southern Lebanon despite a three-week “ceasefire”, killing at least 14 people on Sunday alone.
  • Qatari and Saudi top diplomats have engaged in talks regarding the regional effort to de-escalate US-Iran tensions, amid growing fears of a potential return to war.
  • While noting that Beijing has the potential to “help a lot more” in the conflict with Iran, Trump has said that he is not “overly disappointed” with China’s involvement.
  • The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz continues as concerns grow over global economic stability and energy supplies, with senior Iranian lawmaker Ali Nikzad saying Tehran will not allow a return to pre-war conditions in the strategic waterway.
26 Apr 2026 - 23:40
 (23:40 GMT)

Oil prices rise as US-Iran talks stall and Hormuz transit remains limited

Brent crude futures climbed $2.22, or 2.11 percent, to $107.55 a barrel by 22:02 GMT.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose $2.02, or 2.14 percent, to reach $96.42 a barrel.

Prices increased as stalled Iran-US peace negotiations and limited shipments through the Strait of Hormuz continued to tighten global supplies.

26 Apr 2026 - 23:30
 (23:30 GMT)

‘Our neighbours are our priority’: Iranian FM following talks in Oman

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to his “gracious hosts in Oman”.

In a statement on X, he noted that there were “important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments”.

“As the only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to the benefit of all dear neighbors and the world. Our neighbors are our priority,” he added.

26 Apr 2026 - 23:15
 (23:15 GMT)

Security environment in Hormuz Strait remains volatile: UKMTO

No violent incidents occurred in the besieged Strait of Hormuz today, but the situation remains precarious, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says.

“No incidents were reported across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman during the reporting period,” the UKMTO said in a statement.

“The regional security environment remains volatile with ongoing military activity and continued threat to commercial shipping,” it added.

26 Apr 2026 - 23:00
 (23:00 GMT)

Hezbollah hits Israeli troops with wave of attacks in southern Lebanon

The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah says its fighters launched several attacks on Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory on Sunday.

According to a statement, the targets included:

  • A newly established Israeli artillery position in the town of Biyyada with a squadron of drones
  • A gathering of Israeli soldiers in the town of Taybeh with a drone
  • An evacuation force in the Israeli army in the town of Taybeh with an attack drone
  • Israeli army vehicles and troops at Tal al-Nahas, on the outskirts of Kfar Kila town, with a guided missile
  • A Merkava tank in the town of Taybeh with two drones.
    An Israeli army Merkava battle tank in southern Israel [File: Menahem Kahana/AFP]
26 Apr 2026 - 22:45
 (22:45 GMT)

Iran’s FM Araghchi and Putin to meet in St Petersburg

Iran’s IRNA news agency reports that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

The news agency cited the Iranian ambassador to Moscow regarding the details of the upcoming meeting.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also take part in discussions focusing on the current state of negotiations to end the US-Israel war on Iran.

26 Apr 2026 - 22:30
 (22:30 GMT)
Explainer

Iran-US ceasefire: What are the sticking points?

With his approval ratings falling, Trump faces domestic pressure to end the unpopular war.

Iran’s leaders, though weakened militarily, have found leverage in negotiations with their ability to stop shipping in the economically vital Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil shipments.

The disagreements between ⁠the US and Iran extend beyond Tehran’s nuclear programme and control of the strait.

President Trump wants to limit Iran’s support ⁠for its regional proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, and curb its ability to strike US allies with ballistic missiles.

Iran wants a lifting of sanctions and an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. It is also demanding war reparations and the lifting of crippling sanctions on oil exports.

26 Apr 2026 - 22:15
 (22:15 GMT)

China ‘could help a lot more’ on Iran, Trump says

US President Trump says that while Beijing could “help a lot more” in the conflict with Iran, he is not “overly disappointed”.

“I don’t think much. I think maybe helping, but I don’t think much. They could help a lot more,” Trump told Fox News.

He drew a parallel to US support for Ukraine, saying he did not consider China “very bad” given that Washington also assists allies in conflicts.

Trump will travel to China to meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14-15.

US President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2025 [File: Mark Schiefelbein/AP]
26 Apr 2026 - 22:00
 (22:00 GMT)

Iran loads 4.6 million barrels of crude; 4 million more bypass US blockade

Maritime analytics firm TankerTrackers reports that Iran loaded the equivalent of 4.6 million barrels of oil at crude export terminals.

An additional 4 million barrels of Iranian oil appear to have exfiltrated the US blockade line, it added.

Iran’s oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz account for about 80 percent of its total oil exports. According to Kpler, a trade intelligence firm, Iran exported 1.84 million barrels per day of crude oil in March and has shipped 1.71 million bpd so far in April, compared with an average of 1.68 million bpd in 2025.

26 Apr 2026 - 21:45
 (21:45 GMT)

WATCH: Global hunger report warns famine could return quickly to Gaza

There are signs of improvement in Gaza after months of crisis, but aid agencies say the situation remains highly unstable.

A new warning from the Global Report on Food Crises says that without sustained access to aid and continued stability, famine could return quickly to the territory.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reports from Gaza City, Palestine:

26 Apr 2026 - 21:30
 (21:30 GMT)

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan thanks Islamabad for hosting talks

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, expressed gratitude to “the government, army and people of Pakistan” for hosting Abbas Araghchi’s visit.

Moghadam thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army chief Asim Munir for their “tireless efforts and good office initiative to end the war and bring lasting peace to the region”.

He also praised Pakistan’s security forces, government staff, and Islamabad residents for their “patience, hospitality and cooperative synergy”.

The ambassador said the visit was conducted “in complete security, safety and tranquility” and credited the “competent and perfect management” of Pakistani authorities.

26 Apr 2026 - 21:15
 (21:15 GMT)

Oman calls for diplomacy to ensure navigation freedom in Hormuz Strait

Oman’s foreign minister has called for diplomacy to ensure lasting freedom of navigation during restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Badr Albusaidi said he held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Hormuz, describing the discussions as “good”.

“As littoral states, we recognise our shared responsibility to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long,” he posted on X.

“Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation,” he added.

Araghchi arrived in Muscat from Islamabad on Saturday for talks with Omani officials amid Pakistani mediation efforts to reach an agreement between Washington and Tehran to end the war.

26 Apr 2026 - 21:00
 (21:00 GMT)

Netanyahu’s rivals join forces against him ahead of election

Two former Israeli prime ministers have joined forces in an effort to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Right-wing politician Naftali Bennett and centrist Yair Lapid announced they will merge their parties to form a new one called Together.

“We are standing here together for the sake of our children. The state of Israel must change direction,” Lapid said at a joint press conference with Bennett.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, made a comeback in the November 2022 election and formed the most right-wing government in Israel’s history.

Since his return, he has overseen the genocidal war on Gaza that killed more than 72,500 Palestinians, attacks on Hezbollah that led to an invasion of southern Lebanon, as well as the economically crippling Iran war.

Polls predict with his “security” credentials now in tatters, Netanyahu will lose the next election expected by the end of October.

Prime Minister Netanyahu with his wife Sara at a ceremony in West Jerusalem [AFP]
26 Apr 2026 - 20:45
 (20:45 GMT)

Fourteeen killed, including women and children, in Israeli attacks on Lebanon

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have killed 14 people today, including two children and two women, the Health Ministry says.

A statement, cited by Lebanese state media, said 37 people were wounded in Israeli strikes, including three women.

Israel, which reported a soldier killed in combat in south Lebanon, said it can act against “planned, imminent or ongoing attacks”.

“This means freedom of action not only to respond to attacks … but also to pre-empt immediate threats and even emerging threats,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

A coffin is carried for a funeral ceremony in Tyre, southern Lebanon, on Sunday [Marko Djurica/Reuters]
26 Apr 2026 - 20:30
 (20:30 GMT)
Developing

Qatar’s PM Sheikh Mohammed discusses US-Iran crisis with Saudi FM

Qatar and Saudi Arabia have held discussions over the ongoing regional push to dial down US-Iran tensions as concerns over a return to war continue to rise.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud discussed the fragile ceasefire.

The pair talked about “efforts aimed at de-escalation that contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region”, a statement said.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasised the need for “all parties to respond to the ongoing mediation efforts in a way that opens the door to addressing the roots of the crisis”.

 

26 Apr 2026 - 20:15
 (20:15 GMT)
Analysis

Gulf states’ positive relations with Iran likely ‘gone for a very long time’

Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of Gulf State Analytics, says it is imperative to the region that a lasting peace is achieved, but even then, previous strong ties to Iran will take years to restore.

“The Gulf-Arab monarchies really want to see de-escalation above all else; they would like to see the Strait of Hormuz opened, and to see to it that some degree of stability can be restored,” Cafiero told Al Jazeera.

The economic models of the Gulf states have come under heavy pressure since the war began in late February, he noted.

“They are very focused on their economic development and diversification agendas. This is going to require attracting a tremendous amount of foreign investment, many foreign companies, and tourists from all over the world,” said Cafiero, noting, “These countries don’t have any appetite for a resumption of the warfare between the American-Israeli alliance on one side and the Iranians on the other.”

Positive pre-war relationships with Iran have been deeply fractured after the spate of attacks on Gulf infrastructure, he said, adding, “I think it’s gone for a very long time.”

26 Apr 2026 - 20:00
 (20:00 GMT)

WATCH: Hope, desire for change as Gaza’s Deir el-Balah votes in municipal election

Palestinians in central Gaza and the occupied West Bank are voting in municipal elections, the first local vote held since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

A first-time voter in Gaza’s Deir el-Balah tells Al Jazeera about his hopes for a positive outcome:

26 Apr 2026 - 19:45
 (19:45 GMT)

Iran ‘reverse engineering’ undetonated US missiles

One of the unintended consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran is it may be advancing Tehran’s military technological know-how.

Iran’s state-run Press TV reported on “undetonated US missiles and thousands of bomblets” discovered by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the southern province of Hormozgan.

The IRGC’s Imam Sajjad Corps, based in provincial capital Bandar Abbas, said it “neutralised more than 15 heavy American missiles” and the ordnance was transferred to “technical and research units” for “reverse engineering”.

IRGC’s Ansar al-Mahdi Corps, based in Zanjan, said its bomb disposal teams recovered more than 9,500 bomblets throughout the province.

“A GBU-57 bunker buster [bomb] … was successfully defused and handed over to qualified authorities,” the news report said.

26 Apr 2026 - 19:30
 (19:30 GMT)

Transavia cancels some May, June flights over fuel price rise

Transavia, the low-cost airline of the Air France-KLM group, will cancel some of its flights in May and June as jet fuel prices soar because of the Middle East war.

The cancelled flights represent about two percent of the airline’s schedule, a spokesperson said.

Transavia said affected customers would be offered “a free rescheduling, a voucher, or a full refund of their ticket”.

Europe usually imports about half of its kerosene from Gulf countries, but the strategic Strait of Hormuz – through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s hydrocarbon products normally passes – has been effectively blocked ever since Israel and the United States attacked Iran in late February.