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The Pentagon is reportedly considering new strikes or ground operations against Iran if a ceasefire fails, as tensions persist following the February 28 start of US-Israeli military action. Iranian officials have vowed decisive retaliation, while experts caution that a full-scale invasion would be catastrophic for Washington.
The U.S. military has confirmed its naval blockade of Iranian ports is fully in effect, halting all seaborne trade, while President Trump signals potential resumption of talks in Pakistan. Tehran conditions negotiations on lifting the blockade, and regional powers urge restraint as the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
Iran's Foreign Ministry confirms ongoing indirect talks with the US through Pakistani mediators. Both sides acknowledge partial understanding but remain divided on key issues, with a second round of negotiations reportedly in preparation.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held multiple high-level meetings in Washington, discussing economic cooperation with US Treasury and Commerce officials, briefing the IMF on the Middle East conflict's impact, and meeting with Chinese and AIIB counterparts. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva commended Pakistan's reform progress.
Around 2,238 Sikh pilgrims from India traveled to Pakistan for the annual Baisakhi festival, with authorities issuing nearly 2,800 visas. The main ceremony took place at Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, as officials highlighted interfaith harmony and security arrangements.
President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on Pope Leo, calling him 'weak' and 'terrible' after the pontiff denounced the US-Israel war on Iran. Trump's remarks came as the US and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as the pope urged leaders to embrace peace.
According to the Iran War Cost Tracker, the US has spent over $51.2 billion in 46 days of military operations against Iran. The conflict has also caused economic losses in Saudi Arabia and raised concerns about oil prices, while officials and experts question the effectiveness of the campaign.
The South Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar as investors weighed signs of progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz against ongoing Middle East tensions. Markets reacted to diplomatic moves and the expiry of a ceasefire looms, while the KOSPI saw gains. Analysts note persistent pressure from higher oil prices on South Korea's energy-dependent economy.
Iran is demanding compensation for damages from the US, Israel, and regional countries that supported them, citing an estimated $270bn in losses. The demand comes as Tehran prepares for further negotiations with Washington, following a two-week ceasefire and talks in Pakistan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, urging stronger strategic coordination and deeper cooperation. Lavrov offered to help offset China's energy shortages amid the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as regional leaders flock to Beijing for talks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Saudi Arabia on April 15, beginning a three-nation tour that will also take him to Turkiye and Qatar. The trip aims to bolster bilateral ties and regional security, with a focus on economic cooperation and mediation efforts in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has pledged an additional $3 billion in deposits and extended a $5 billion facility for Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia has pledged an additional $3 billion in deposits to Pakistan and extended an existing $5 billion facility for three more years, providing a critical buffer as Islamabad prepares to repay a $3.5 billion loan to the UAE. The funds, announced during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, are expected to shore up Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, though analysts warn of persistent external financing risks.
US Vice-President JD Vance has urged the Vatican to focus on morality and let President Trump handle public policy, responding to Pope Leo's criticism of the Iran war as 'absurd and inhuman violence.' The pope said he does not fear the administration and will keep speaking out. Vance also faced a heckler at a Turning Point USA event.
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met face-to-face for the first time in Washington, mediated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks mark a tentative step toward broader negotiations to end the conflict in Lebanon, though officials caution that significant complexities remain.
US Vice President JD Vance said the US remains committed to negotiations with Iran and believes Tehran is aiming for a deal, despite a breakdown in recent talks in Islamabad. Vance described progress in the talks and outlined President Trump's offer of a 'grand bargain' that would allow Iran to join the world economy in exchange for renouncing nuclear weapons. The fragile two-week ceasefire still holds, but key disagreements over the duration of any nuclear suspension remain unresolved.
South Korean stocks rallied this week on hopes for a second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks, with the KOSPI closing above 6,000 for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict. Gains were driven by diplomatic signals and Wall Street's advance, despite ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Negotiations between the US and Iran continue in Islamabad, with the Strait of Hormuz a key sticking point, while Israel and Lebanon hold rare direct talks in Washington. US President Trump hints at another round of talks hosted by Pakistan, and asserts the US has already won the war.
The US Senate voted 52-47 against advancing a Democratic-led resolution to limit President Donald Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran, marking the fourth such failure. Party leaders have vowed to renew the effort in both chambers amid a fragile two-week ceasefire and ongoing concerns over costs and casualties. Coverage across outlets highlights partisan divides and differing emphases on the conflict's trajectory.
More than 20 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, while Iranian authorities denied reports that US Navy ships had passed through without approval. The developments come amid ongoing US-Iran conflict and a selective blockade of the strategic waterway.
In a rare diplomatic breakthrough, Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met in Washington under US mediation for their first high-level talks in over three decades. The two sides agreed to launch direct negotiations, though significant differences remain, and Hezbollah has voiced strong opposition while continuing attacks.