President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
⦿ 00:00 GMT | UPDATE
Summary
We are closing this live page. Here are the top stories that made the headlines -
- Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held talks in Kyrgyzstan on Monday with Iran's Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik.
- U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with Tehran with his top national security aides on Monday. Read Latest Update
- Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Iranian people for battling to stay independent in the face of U.S. and Israeli pressure and said Moscow would do all it could to help Tehran.
- Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people over what it described as sympathy with Iran's hostile acts and collaboration with foreign entities.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he does not see a clear U.S. exit strategy from the Iran war.
⦿ 23:41 GMT | UPDATE
U.S. reviews latest Iranian proposal to end war stalemate
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with Tehran with his top national security aides on Monday, as the conflict remains in a stalemate with energy supplies from the region reduced.
Iranian sources earlier on Monday disclosed Tehran's latest proposal, which would set aside discussion of Iran's nuclear program until the war is ended and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved.
That is unlikely to satisfy Washington, which says nuclear issues must be dealt with from the outset.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he thought Iran was trying to buy more time. "We can't let them get away with it," he said in an interview with Fox News.
⦿ 23:00 GMT | UPDATE
Iranian defence official holds talks with Russian, Belarusian ministers
Reuters
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held talks in Kyrgyzstan on Monday with Iran's Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik, state-run TASS news agency reported.
Belousov reiterated Russia's longstanding position that the Iran war should be resolved exclusively through diplomatic means and said he was confident Moscow and Tehran would continue to support one another.
The ministry statement said the meeting "confirmed the mutual interest of Minsk and Tehran for a further deepening of their joint interaction"
⦿ 22:02 GMT | UPDATE
Iran accuses U.S. of high seas seizure described as 'armed robbery'
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has responded to the U.S. seizure of two Iran-linked oil tankers, the Majestic X and the Tifani.
“This is the outright legalisation of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, posting on X.
⦿ 21:00 GMT | UPDATE
Iran’s vice president says steadfastness gives country global influence
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said that Iran has strengthened its global standing by demonstrating resilience in the face of years of sanctions.
“They once refused to sell fuel to our aeroplanes to cripple the Iranian nation. Today, those same countries have come to the negotiating table with Iran to sustain their own energy lifelines,” Aref said on X.
⦿ 20:24 GMT | UPDATE
Pakistan calls for diplomacy and maritime cooperation amid Hormuz tensions
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN has cautioned that disruptions to global maritime routes, especially any closure of the Strait of Hormuz could seriously threaten international peace, economic stability.
Addressing the UN Security Council on maritime security, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stressed that protecting sea lanes is vital not only for global trade but also for wider development and security objectives.
“Global maritime spaces are a key geostrategic arena where the challenges of the 21st century intersect. They are the lifeline of global commerce, bellwether of Earth’s environment,” he said.
⦿ 18:11 GMT | UPDATE
Putin praises Iranian people for resistance to U.S. in talks with Araghchi
Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Iranian people for battling to stay independent in the face of U.S. and Israeli pressure and said Moscow would do all it could to help Tehran.
Russia has offered to mediate to try to help restore calm to the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes, which Moscow has strongly condemned.
It has also repeatedly offered to store Iran's enriched uranium as a way of defusing tensions, a proposal spurned by the United States.
"We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty," Putin told Araghchi, saying he hoped they could get through what he called a "difficult period" and that peace would prevail.
⦿ 17:04 GMT | UPDATE
Bahrain strips citizenship from 69 people for allegedly glorifying
Reuters
Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 people over what it described as sympathy with Iran's hostile acts and collaboration with foreign entities, the kingdom's interior ministry said in a statement.
"The Bahraini nationality has been revoked from those individuals for glorifying or sympathising with the hostile Iranian acts, or engaging in contacts with external parties," the ministry said.
The interior ministry said the competent authorities were "continuing to study and review" who deserves Bahraini citizenship.
⦿ 15:23 GMT | UPDATE
Macron to press Iran on reopening Strait of Hormuz
Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he would speak with Iranian authorities after his two-day visit to Andorra and would press for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters, Macron said an international coalition had been formed to help ensure security and stability. He added that he hoped key stakeholders could be persuaded in the coming days.
⦿ 14:54 GMT | UPDATE
Araghchi says Tehran considering Trump call for negotiations
Reuters
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Tehran is reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump’s request for negotiations, according to a post on the minister’s Telegram account.
Speaking to reporters in Russia, Araghchi said Trump was seeking talks because the United States had not achieved its objectives in the conflict.
⦿ 14:42 GMT | UPDATE
Russian billionaire’s yacht crosses blockaded Strait of Hormuz
Reuters
A superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Mordashov sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to shipping data, making it one of the few vessels to transit the heavily restricted route during the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The 142-metre yacht Nord, valued at more than $500 million, departed Dubai on Friday, crossed the strait on Saturday and arrived in Muscat early Sunday, according to MarineTraffic data.
It remains unclear how the vessel received permission to use the lane, which has faced severe traffic limits since February.
⦿ 14:02 GMT | UPDATE
Russia's Putin hosts Iranian FM Araghchi, pledges support and mediation
Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St. Petersburg on Monday, saying he hoped the Iranian people would endure what he called a difficult period and that peace would soon prevail.
Putin said Russia would do everything possible to serve Iran’s interests and help restore stability in the region. Moscow has condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and offered to mediate the conflict, while also renewing proposals to store Iran’s enriched uranium as part of de-escalation efforts.
Araghchi said ties between Russia and Iran would continue to strengthen and thanked Moscow for its support.
⦿ 12:36 GMT | UPDATE
Israel expands strikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley
Reuters
The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun carrying out strikes in eastern Lebanon, expanding its bombing campaign during a ceasefire that has failed to fully halt hostilities with Hezbollah.
A military spokesperson said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley as well as areas in the south.
Security sources told the press that strikes hit near the town of Nabi Chit, close to Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria.
⦿ 11:47 GMT | UPDATE
Hormuz traffic remains low as Iran-.US. talks stall
Reuters
At least seven ships, mainly dry bulk vessels, crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, according to shipping data on Monday, reflecting continued subdued traffic amid stalled Iran-U.S. talks.
The vessels included departures from Iraqi ports and one dry bulk ship from Iran, based on tracking data from Kpler and satellite analysis by SynMax.
Overall maritime activity through the key waterway remains sharply reduced compared with pre-war levels, when an average of around 140 vessels passed daily.
⦿ 11:36 GMT | UPDATE
Germany's Merz questions U.S. exit strategy in Iran war
Reuters
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he does not see a clear U.S. exit strategy from the Iran war, warning of growing risks as the conflict continues.
Speaking to students in Marsberg, he said an entire nation is being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, particularly the Revolutionary Guards, while also acknowledging that Iranian negotiators appear “skillful” and stronger than expected.
Merz urged a swift end to the conflict, citing its direct economic impact on Germany and wider global stability.
⦿ 09:46 GMT | UPDATE
EU's Von der Leyen says too early to lift Iran sanctions
Reuters
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that it is too early to consider lifting sanctions on Iran, arguing that any easing would require a fundamental change in Tehran’s policies.
Speaking in Berlin at a meeting of Germany’s CDU and CSU parties, she said the sanctions remain in place due to Iran’s domestic repression and stressed that tangible political change must come before any rollback is discussed.
⦿ 09:35 GMT | UPDATE
UK PM to discuss Iran war fallout with central bank officials
Reuters
Keir Starmer will host representatives from the Bank of England on Tuesday at a meeting of the government’s emergency COBRA committee to discuss the impact of the Iran war.
Starmer said the session will focus on mitigating economic fallout from the conflict, including pressures on energy prices and households, adding that the government would work to support working people through the crisis.
He made the remarks during a speech to trade union members on Monday.
⦿ 07:02 GMT | UPDATE
Oil up by nearly 2% as U.S.-Iran talks stall
Reuters
Oil prices rose by nearly 2% Monday as stalled U.S.-Iran talks and limited flows through the Strait of Hormuz tightened supply.
Brent climbed $2.16, or 2.05%, to $107.49 a barrel, while WTI rose up 1.88% to $96.17 a barrel, up $1.77.
Gains follow last week’s sharp rally, with markets supported by rising geopolitical tensions and restricted tanker traffic.
Goldman Sachs lifted its forecasts, raising it to $90 a barrel for Brent crude and $83 for WTI, citing ongoing supply risks.
⦿ 05:00 GMT | UPDATE
Tech firms hit by conflict
Reuters
Tech firms are facing rising costs as supplies of crucial raw materials for printed circuit boards (eg. motherboards) as a result of global trade distruption, industry sources and executives said.
Supply chains, plastics and oil supplies have already caused difficulties for the companies as the cost of memory chips has soared since February.
⦿ 04:32 GMT | UPDATE
Speculation around Mojtaba Khamenei's condition
BoSNews/X
A mural has been unveiled in Iran with pictures of those killed in the U.S.-Israel led conflict, with a picture of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iranian authorities have not commented on the mural nor the health or condition of Khamenei since he took over on 8 March. He has not been seen or heard in public and statements purporting to be from him have only been posted on social media.
Read more: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's next Supreme Leader?
⦿ 04:00 GMT | UPDATE
Iran has given new peace proposal to U.S. according to reports
Axios
Iran has submitted a new peace proposal to the United States via mediators Pakistan, according to a U.S. official and two sources cited in Axios.
The proposal is said to have included a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear weapon negotiations to be put on hold.
⦿ 03:52 GMT | UPDATE
Strike on Lebanon kills 14, wounds 37
Reuters
Lebanon's health ministry says a strike from Israel on Sunday killed more than a dozen people in the Israel-designated "buffer zone". Israel issued evacuation warnings to seven villages on 26 April.
Israel says one soldier was killed.
⦿ 03:46 GMT | UPDATE
Araghchi in Russia
Reuters
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is in Russia for discussions with President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. It's after he travelled between Pakistan and Oman at the weekend for further talks.
The meeting with Putin will be a good opportunity to discuss war developments according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
He said Iran and Oman, as coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz, had agreed to continue expert-level consultations to ensure safe transit and protect shared interests in the Strait of Hormuz.
⦿ 03:29 GMT | UPDATE
Scores of ships affected by blockade
Iran International/X
U.S. Central Command says American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port since the start of the naval blockade against Iran. That's according to a post on Iran International on social media platform X.
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