Yonhap News

US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on April 19, 2026, warning Iran of strikes on power plants and bridges if ongoing talks fail, as US negotiators including JD Vance prepare to arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening for a second round. The first round of talks last weekend ended without agreement under a two-week ceasefire, following Iran's firing in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. A US naval presence persists amid Iran's partial blockade of the strait since late February.

Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, coinciding with a temporary Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. Donald Trump described the strait as 'open for business' while stating a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports persists until a nuclear agreement is finalized. Trump expressed optimism for an imminent deal involving an indefinite suspension of Iran's nuclear program, though key details remain unconfirmed by Iranian sources.

France and Britain chaired a meeting on April 17 where leaders demanded the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's declaration that the strait is open to commercial shipping during a 10-day ceasefire linked to Lebanon. Oil prices fell and stock markets rose amid the developments, while more than a dozen countries expressed willingness to join a defensive mission to protect navigation. The meeting followed U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran starting February 28, which prompted Iran's partial closure of the strait.

President Donald Trump stated in interviews that a U.S.-Iran deal is imminent, with most points finalized and a meeting expected soon in Islamabad following the first round of talks there. This comes after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and Iran's announcement reopening the Strait of Hormuz. While Iran agreeing to turn over uranium is verified across sources, specifics on other concessions remain unverified.