Uncertainty over Iran peace talks and a mass shooting in Louisiana: Morning Rundown

Morning RundownUncertainty over Iran peace talks and a mass shooting in Louisiana: Morning RundownPlus, tsunami waves hit Japan after a major earthquake and an Epstein survivor on holding enablers accountable.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 20, 2026, 7:12 AM EDTBy Kayla Hayempour and David HickeyIn today’s newsletter: The U.S. seizes an Iranian ship as the two sides remain at odds on when to resume peace talks. What we know about the man who shot seven of his children and three others in Louisiana. And tsunami waves hit Japan after a major 7.5-magnitude earthquake.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Here’s what to know today.Tensions rise as U.S. and Iran trade blame for alleged ceasefire violations Add NBC News to GoogleU.S. Marines board and seize Iranian-flagged cargo ship00:33The U.S. and Iran traded accusations of ceasefire violations over the weekend, underscoring the fragility of their truce ahead of its expiration Wednesday. President Donald Trump said yesterday that U.S. forces had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that allegedly attempted to breach the American naval blockade. The vessel was intercepted in the Gulf of Oman after ignoring warnings to stop, the president wrote on Truth Social.Iran vowed to retaliate for the seizure, which a military spokesperson called an “act of armed piracy and theft.”As tensions rise, the two sides also appear divided over the prospects for a second round of talks. Two senior administration officials told NBC News that Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Pakistan to continue negotiations with Iran.Trump said negotiators would arrive in Islamabad tonight, but Iranian media has denied the reports, saying there is “no clear prospect” for a discussion under current conditions. Read the full story here and follow live updates on our blog. Related ne...