Israel-Iran war LIVE updates: U.S., Iran talks extend into second day as strait showdown deepens

Lead

Senior delegations from the United States and Iran have concluded a marathon first day of peace negotiations in Islamabad, with Iranian media reporting that talks are set to resume later on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The nearly 15-hour meeting, held at a luxury hotel in the Pakistani capital, is the first direct high-level encounter between the two nations in more than a decade and the highest-level discussions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to The Hindu.

Coverage Comparison

The Hindu's reports, published on April 11 and April 12, provide the primary details of the negotiations. The first dispatch noted that senior Iranian and American delegations met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to begin talks aimed at ending what it described as the "West Asia war" unleashed six weeks earlier by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The second report, published the following day, states that negotiations appeared to have concluded for now, but notes that the U.S. administration had not yet commented on whether any differences remain. Both reports agree on the setting—Islamabad's Serena Hotel—and the involvement of Pakistani mediation, with the format of future talks not yet determined.

Key Claims

• U.S.-Pakistan Meeting: U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of the talks, according to a report citing a photo from AFP. The account of this meeting appears in multiple sources, though specific details of their discussion were not disclosed.
• Direct Talks Resumed: The negotiations mark the first direct U.S.-Iranian governmental meeting in over a decade, as reported by The Hindu. This claim is carried by a single outlet and not yet independently verified, but it is presented as a factual observation in the media coverage.
• Ceasefire at Stake: The outcome of the talks could determine the fate of a fragile two-week ceasefire, the report claims. This is a predictive assessment based on the current state of hostilities, not a confirmed fact, but it captures the high stakes of the negotiations.
• Strait of Hormuz Blocked: The conflict has led Iran to block the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of global energy supplies, The Hindu reports. The reopening of this strategic waterway is said to be a central issue in the talks, though independent confirmation of Iran's blockade was not provided in the sources.
• Oil Prices and Casualties: Global oil prices have soared due to the conflict, according to the report, which also states that thousands have been killed. These figures are presented without detailed breakdown in the available coverage.

Perspectives

U.S. and Iran Positions: The Trump administration has not yet commented on the status of the talks or any outstanding differences, according to The Hindu's second report. The negotiations are described as a high-stakes effort to end a war that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

Pakistani Role: Pakistan has hosted the talks, with Prime Minister Sharif personally involved in the initial meeting. The first report indicates that the negotiating format—face-to-face or via Pakistani intermediaries—remains unclear.

Global Implications: The talks are being closely watched for their potential to release a major oil shipment corridor and ease pressure on global energy markets, which have been deeply affected by the Strait's closure.