US-Iran ceasefire: Trump hints at deal as Araghchi arrives in Russia for talks with Putin

العالم

Gulf News

2026/04/27 - 03:03 501 مشاهدة

Iran FM arrives in Saint Petersburg for Putin talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Saint Petersburg on Monday, state media reported.

"He arrived early on Monday morning with the aim of meeting and holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Iranian state news agency IRNA posted on Telegram.

Moscow's TASS news agency confirmed earlier that Putin plans to meet Araghchi, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

US naval blockade forces 38 ships to turn back from Iran

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces have intercepted and redirected 38 vessels since the start of what it described as a maritime blockade on Iran.

According to CENTCOM, the ships were either forced to turn around or return to Iranian ports as US forces continued operations aimed at restricting maritime access.

A U.S. Sailor watches a commercial ship as U.S. forces continue to enforce a blockade against Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or exiting. American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around, or return to port. pic.twitter.com/Trtc41NZyp
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 27, 2026

In a post on X, CENTCOM said US forces are enforcing the blockade by preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian ports, as tensions between Washington, Tehran and Israel continue to escalate across the region.

Putin to meet Iranian foreign minister: state media

Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday, Russian state media reported.

Russia and Tehran, who are both subject to fierce Western sanctions, have developed an increasingly close relationship in recent years.

Moscow's TASS news agency confirmed the Russian leader's plans, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Russia's foreign ministry had said earlier that Araghchi would travel to Moscow for talks.

"We confirm a visit by Araghchi to Russia with the aim of holding talks," the ministry told RIA Novosti news agency, without providing more details.

Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Tehran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, saying that Araghchi would meet Putin to "consult with Russian officials regarding the latest status of the negotiations, ceasefire, and surrounding developments".

Donald Trump signals US-Iran conflict may end soon

US President Donald Trump has indicated that the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran could be nearing an end, asserting that mounting military and economic pressure has placed Tehran in a weakened position and may push it towards a resolution.

Trump added that internal divisions within Iran's leadership could further accelerate the path to an outcome.

Araghchi holds high-level talks with Oman's Haitham

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held high-level talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Muscat, focusing on cooperation among Hormuz littoral states to ensure safe maritime transit amid the ongoing war with the US and Israel.

US crude oil tanker makes landmark delivery to Japan

A tanker carrying about 910,000 barrels of US-produced crude oil from Texas arrived in Tokyo Bay, completing a roughly 35-day voyage through the Panama Canal, in one of the largest direct US crude deliveries to Japan in years.

The cargo aboard the tanker M/V Otis marks a notable shift in global energy flows as buyers seek alternatives to Middle Eastern supplies amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial chokepoint for world oil shipments.

Pakistan lifts Islamabad Red Zone lockdown

Pakistan's foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, said late Sunday that the government has lifted all restrictions around the high-security zone in the capital of Islamabad.

Iranian and U.S. delegations held rare face-to-face talks there earlier this month. The area had remained under lockdown for more than a week as Pakistan hoped to host a second round of talks aimed at securing a ceasefire.

Dar's remarks signaled that there was no immediate prospect of further direct talks between the United States and Iran. Still, Pakistan's government says it continues to mediate by conveying messages between the two sides to promote lasting stability in the region.

In a post on X, Dar thanked residents of Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi "for their patience and cooperation."