Trump Hints Another Round Of US-Iran Talks; Israel-Lebanon To Hold Direct Negotiations | Top Updates

Last Updated:April 15, 2026, 05:06 IST

Trump signals possible US Iran talks in Pakistan as US tightens oil sanctions and enforces naval blockade, while US mediated talks bring Israel and Lebanon to direct negotiations.

US-Iran War: US President Donald Trump has signalled that talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the ongoing West Asia war could resume in Pakistan “over the next two days," an indication that diplomatic efforts may be regaining traction after last week’s inconclusive mediation in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, another breakthrough was achieved in Washington as Israel and Lebanon have agreed to hold direct negotiations following the US-mediated “productive discussions" between their respective ambassadors.

US-Iran Talks May Resume Soon

In an interview with the New York Post, the US President suggested that fresh talks with Iran could take place in Pakistan “over the next two days," after negotiations collapsed at the weekend, prompting the US to blockade Iranian ports.

“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there," Trump told New York Post. “It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job."

Gulf, Pakistani and Iranian officials also said negotiating teams from Washington and Tehran could return to Pakistan later this week, with no date yet agreed, news agency Reuters reported.

Two US officials told AFP that discussions were still underway about a new round of talks. A diplomat from one of the mediating countries said that Tehran and Washington had agreed to it.

The conflict between Washington and Tehran has seen a temporary two-week ceasefire, but tensions remain high, especially over Iran’s nuclear programme — a key sticking point in any future agreement.

US Steps Up Pressure on Iran

Even as talks were being explored, the US moved to increase pressure on Tehran as the Treasury Department announced that it does not plan to renew a temporary easing of sanctions on Iranian oil that aimed to ease war-related supply shocks.

The US Treasury Department, in a statement, said that it will not extend a temporary waiver that allowed the sale of Iranian oil already loaded onto ships. The waiver is set to expire on April 19.

Washington has also begun enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. “We can’t let a country blackmail or extort the world, because that’s what they’re doing," President Donald Trump told reporters outside the Oval Office after the blockade took effect.

CENTCOM said the blockade will be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations." However, it added that ships traveling between non-Iranian ports will still be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also warned that any Iranian “fast attack ships" approaching US forces would be destroyed immediately.

Israel-Lebanon Breakthrough

In a separate breakthrough, Israel and Lebanon agreed to launch direct negotiations following talks in Washington — a rare step between two countries that have been in conflict for decades.

The meeting, mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was described as “productive," with both sides agreeing to continue discussions at a mutually decided time and place.

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the two sides found common ground, while Lebanese envoy Nada Hamadeh Moawad called the talks “constructive" and pushed for a ceasefire.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the talks would mark the beginning of relief for the Lebanese people.

Global Reactions and Oil Prices

The developments have had an immediate impact on global markets. Oil prices, which had surged during the conflict, eased slightly amid hopes of renewed diplomacy.

Countries including Britain and France have urged all sides to seize the opportunity for peace, while diplomatic activity has intensified globally, with Russia also stepping in to explore possible solutions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has suggested that Moscow could help by storing Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a potential deal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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