Summary

  1. Analysis

    What has Trump said about the Iran deal?published at 18:12 BST

    Carrie Davies
    Reporting from Islamabad

    US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, April 16, 2026.Image source, Bloomberg via Getty Images

    Social media has played a major role for both sides during this conflict. First, let’s look at the posts from President Trump.

    Trump has used his platform Truth Social to issue threats, hurl insults, write announcements and make positive noises about a deal, sometimes all in the same message.

    12 April - After Vice-President Vance left Islamabad without a deal on 12 April, the president said that "the meeting went well, most points were agreed to", apart from on nuclear weapons - "the only point that really mattered".

    As a result, he said the US would begin a blockade. Any Iranian vessel that fires on the US he said would be "BLOWN TO HELL!" and the US was "LOCKED AND LOADED".

    As the week continued, the president added to his criticism of Iran. But the optimism for a deal continued.

    17 April - Trump said Iran had announced the Strait of Hormuz was "FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE”.

    By later that day, he had posted that “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!” But two days later, that changed.

    19 April - “Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” The president posted on 19 April, saying that Iran had announced they were closing the strait

    “We are offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”

    The B1 bridge damaged by a strike, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in Karaj, Iran, April 3, 2026.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    At the start of April, a US strike hit Iran's B1 bridge - a recently-constructed overpass that connected the city of Karaj to the capital Tehran

    He also announced that his delegation would be in Islamabad on Monday night. By Tuesday afternoon in Islamabad, no delegation has yet arrived. Yet the president has continued to sound optimistic about a deal.

    It’s difficult to know how this series of carrots, sticks, self-praise and insults will be read by the Iranian delegation; negotiators from their side too have posted rebukes and their positions online and there will be some recognition that both the US and Iran will be often thinking of their own domestic audiences in their public messages.

    Yet there is little trust between the two sides with a risk of miscalculation.

    Rarely has such delicate diplomacy been conducted with the backdrop of such instantaneous and volatile public messaging.

  2. Future of peace talks up in the airpublished at 17:50 BST

    Azadeh Moshiri
    Reporting from Islamabad

    Iran's delegation was ready to come to the negotiating table but "everything changed" the moment the United States fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, according to an Iranian source.

    This attack in the Gulf of Oman came just days before a second round of peace talks was expected in Islamabad.

    The White House may have thought it would add pressure on Iranians at the negotiating table, but instead neither delegation is in Islamabad and Iran's military has vowed to retaliate.

    Even before this episode, weeks of war and brute force did not yield the immediate political and military concessions the United States had expected.

    In a social media post, Pakistan's information minister has now acknowledged mediators are still trying to convince Iran to participate in a second round of talks.

    After days of wondering whether both delegations will fly to Islamabad, it's now clear the future of peace talks is up in the air.

  3. 'For a lot of people... there's nothing to go back to': BBC reports from southern Lebanonpublished at 17:22 BST

    Hugo Bachega
    Middle East correspondent in Lebanon

    At a village about 10 minutes from what the Israeli military calls the "yellow line", the BBC's Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega sees first hand some of the destruction caused by recent fighting.

    Almost everything has been destroyed in some areas, he says. But with the ceasefire in Lebanon, some families displaced by the war have been starting to return their homes.

    However, for many people, he says there's nothing to go back to.

  4. BBC Verify

    Tracking and satellite imagery shows sanctioned vessels crossed US blockadepublished at 17:02 BST

    By Shruti Menon, Alex Murray and Barbara Metzler

    BBC Verify has identified a tanker laden with cargo, which appears to have crossed the US Navy’s blockade line and sailed east into the Arabian Sea.

    We cannot say from location data on ship tracking website MarineTraffic where exactly G Summer, a US-sanctioned liquified petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, picked up its cargo while it was in the Gulf near Iranian, Iraqi and Kuwaiti waters.

    But its location data shows it has since transited the Strait of Hormuz and sailed into the Gulf of Oman on 19 April. It is unclear where the ship is going as it is currently not transmitting that information.

    Location data monitoring has limitations as ships can turn their trackers off - or attempt to hide their location by broadcasting a false position, known as “spoofing”.

    A marine traffic map of the G Summer's path through the Gulf from near Kuwait, through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Arabian SeaImage source, MarineTraffic

    Analysis of satellite imagery has also identified a vessel that matches the length and colour of the Felicity, a US-sanctioned tanker from the National Iranian Tanker Company, about 150km (93 miles) to the west of the blockade line inside the Gulf of Oman.

    BBC Verify is unable to match the location of the satellite image with ship-tracking data. This suggests a “dark” transit where the ship is not broadcasting its location.

    A satellite photo showing a large green ship sailing in the oceanImage source, Sentinel-2, Copernicus
  5. Analysis

    What little trust there was between the US and Iran has further evaporatedpublished at 16:43 BST

    Frank Gardner
    Security correspondent

    Even if US and Iranian negotiators do eventually sit down in Islamabad, what little trust there was between them has further evaporated in recent days.

    Donald Trump’s naval blockade on Iran’s Gulf ports was intended to put so much economic pressure on Tehran it would concede a deal on America’s terms.

    Instead, it has hardened Iran’s position. It says it shows Washington is not serious about reaching a fair deal.

    The two-week ceasefire is due to run out on Wednesday, with the US President saying it is highly unlikely it will be extended.

    Iran’s parliamentary speaker has hinted at new weapons or tactics it may deploy by warning about preparing what he called "new cards on the battlefield".

  6. Iran undecided on sending delegation to Islamabad, spokesperson tells BBCpublished at 16:12 BST
    Breaking

    Lyse Doucet
    Chief international correspondent, in Iran

    Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, has told the BBC that a decision has still not yet been made for an Iranian delegation to travel to Islamabad for a new round of talks with the United States this week.

    He expressed concern regarding the US’s naval blockade of its ports and the seizure of an Iranian vessel as well as President Trump’s threats to destroy Iran’s infrastructure.

    “We went to this negotiation with good faith and sense of seriousness, but you have a negotiating party that has shown its lack of seriousness, lack of good faith…They're changing their position frequently, these flip flops, threats of war crimes," Baghaei said.

    But he would not be drawn on what conditions Iran required to return to the negotiating table.

    He added that this was still being discussed.

    The BBC understands that conversations are under way to try to create conditions for the resumption of talks before the ceasefire expires tomorrow.

    • The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet is reporting from Tehran on condition that none of her material is used on the BBC's Persian Service. These restrictions apply to all international media organisations operating in Iran
  7. Analysis

    Islamabad formally acknowledges for first time Iran's participation in talks not guaranteedpublished at 16:06 BST

    Azadeh Moshiri
    South Asia correspondent, reporting from Islamabad

    Pakistan, a key mediator, has now publicly acknowledged that the ball is in Iran's court.

    In an update on social media, the minister of information Attaullah Tarar has said Pakistan has made "sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks and these efforts continue".

    After days of waiting to find out whether potential peace talks will happen, this is the first formal acknowledgement by Pakistan that Iran's participation is not guaranteed.

  8. Iran yet to confirm if it will attend peace talks, says Pakistani ministerpublished at 15:58 BST
    Breaking

    Pakistan is yet to receive a formal response to confirm whether Iran will attend peace talks in Islamabad, according to the country's minister for information and broadcasting.

    Attaullah Tarar says ⁠Pakistan, as the mediator, is "in constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue", adding that a decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the two week ceasefire "is critical".

    "Pakistan has made sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks and these efforts continue," he adds in a statement on X.

  9. Diplomacy 'only viable means' to lasting stability in Middle East - Pakistan foreign ministrypublished at 15:44 BST

    Pakistan’s foreign ministry has posted on X sharing details of a meeting today between deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Natalie Baker, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Islamabad.

    The post says Dar underscored “Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability.”

    The foreign ministry goes on to say Dar “stressed the need for engagement between the United States and Iran, urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire, and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance."

    It adds that Baker “conveyed US appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive and positive role in promoting regional peace and facilitating dialogue.”

  10. Analysis

    Pakistan's role as a negotiator is already being sorely testedpublished at 15:12 BST

    Paul Adams
    Diplomatic correspondent

    Pakistani security personnel walking behind a black and white security gate.Image source, Reuters

    There’s a metaphorical door, deep in Islamabad’s blocked off red zone, marked “US-Iran Deal”. Holding the door open, looking nervous, is the government of Pakistan, conscious that its newly found reputation as a mediator is being sorely tested.

    The scene is set, but the guests have yet to arrive.

    The last 48 hours have been something of a roller-coaster. American and Iranian ambassadors have been meeting Pakistani government officials. Giant American C-17 aircraft have been arriving at a nearby military airbase. Streets around the Serena Hotel, where the last round of negotiations took place, have been sealed off. There’s talk of snipers posted on nearby buildings.

    Will it be Vance and Ghalibaf again? Or, since he himself mooted it in a social media post, President Trump himself?

    On the face of it, the omens don’t look good, but neither side wants to come to Islamabad only to see the delicate diplomatic process blow up in their faces. The frenzied nature of the contacts going on suggests some kind of deal is being thrashed out behind the scenes. Something in which both sides make concessions, but which both can sell as a win.

    With the two-week ceasefire due to expire at the end of Wednesday, a deal would at least buy more time for negotiation. Could we see the mutual lifting of Iranian and American naval blockades? That would be a significant start.

  11. Tehran will have ‘hand on trigger’ if it negotiates - spokespersonpublished at 14:57 BST

    Ghoncheh Habibiazad
    Senior reporter, BBC Persian

    An Iranian government spokesperson has told the state news agency IRNA that Tehran has got its “hand on trigger” during potential negotiations and that defence forces are in “full readiness”.

    Fatemeh Mohajerani did not explicitly confirm or deny whether Iran will take part in the next round of negotiations in Islamabad.

    “We have two strategies in front of us: the first is the strategy of war and the second is the strategy of diplomacy,” Mohajerani said.

    "We do not want to be attacked again, but if such attacks occur, we will definitely respond more harshly than before."

    She also said Iran’s negotiating team would “not compromise even slightly on national interests".

  12. US mulling financial help for Gulf countries, Trump sayspublished at 14:49 BST

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    White House reporter

    US President Donald Trump has suggested that he may offer financial assistance - or a currency swap - with Gulf countries he believes have proven to be reliable allies with the war in Iran.

    Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Emirati officials have opened talks with the US about a "backstop" in case the Iran war deepens an economic crisis in the country.

    During the CNBC interview, Trump specifically said that a currency swap with the UAE is "under consideration".

    "It's been a good ally of ours," he said. "These are unusual times."

    Trump subtly acknowledged, however, that there could be a domestic backlash against a financial lifeline for a wealthy country.

    "I'm surprised," he said. "They're really rich."

    While Trump said that Saudi Arabia isn't "asking for anything" at the moment, he praised them as allies.

    "They're fighting. They're helping us," Trump said. "They're helping us on the Strait. They're helping us all over."

    In contrast, Trump's views on Europe and Nato were on full display the interview.

    "The ones that aren't helping are Nato," he said. "We'll never need them. Actually, they'll need us. They need us desperately, because they're a paper tiger."

  13. Analysis

    Trump optimistic, but threat of strikes still loomspublished at 14:15 BST

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    White House reporter

    The US president is, it seems, so far optimistic about the prospect of negotiations in Iran, telling CNBC there's still time to reach a "great" deal that can be acceptable to the US and help Iran in the future.

    But still, Trump is using a carrot-and-stick approach with regards to Iran. While a deal is still on the table, Trump noted that the US has used the two-week ceasefire to replenish its forces in the region, and that he is prepared to continue strikes if need be.

    Notably absent from his comments, however, is what concessions he is willing to make in the negotiations. We also don't know the deal he hopes for, other than his red line of Iran "never" being able to manufacture or possess a nuclear weapon.

    We still have no official confirmation that Vice President JD Vance and the rest of the negotiating team has left for Pakistan. But Trump has put something of a ticking clock on those talks by suggesting he does not want to extend the ceasefire.

  14. Trump says Iran has 'no choice but to send' delegates to Islamabad talkspublished at 14:07 BST

    US President Donald Trump speakingImage source, Reuters

    Donald Trump says Iran has "no choice but to send" delegates to Pakistan for talks with the US.

    In an interview with CNBC, the president says he is confident the US will "end up with a great deal".

    He says that the US is "not dealing with the nicest people" but are doing so "successfully", before calling the US naval blockade a "tremendous success".

    Asked if he would extend the ceasefire if negotiations seemingly progress, the US president says: "I don't want to do that".

    Trump later says: "I expect to be bombing 'cause that would be a better attitude."

    He says there is not "much time" to reach a deal, and that Iran can get themselves on "a very good footing" if they reach one with the US.

  15. Iran also accused Washington of breaching trucepublished at 13:34 BST

    Trump is not the first to make the accusation of a ceasefire breach during this two-week period.

    On Sunday, Iran's military vowed to retaliate against what it called the US's "act of armed piracy". A US destroyer fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman. Washington said the ship was trying to evade its naval blockade.

    In response, Iran's military headquarters said the US operation was a “violation of the ceasefire".

  16. What were the terms of the US-Iran ceasefire?published at 13:29 BST

    Donald Trump earlier accused Iran of violating the ceasefire between itself and the US multiple times.

    As a reminder, Iran and the US agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire on 8 April, which is due to expire on Wednesday.

    US President Donald Trump said the deal was agreed on the condition that Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and other exports from the Gulf.

    Tehran said at the time it agreed to allow vessels through the Hormuz Strait for two weeks, with their passage coordinated by the Iranian military.

  17. Trump to speak shortly on US morning TV after ceasefire breach accusationpublished at 13:16 BST

    James FitzGerald
    North America reporter

    It's possible that we'll learn a little more from Donald Trump shortly with regard to the ceasefire violations that he says Iran has committed.

    The US president is scheduled to speak to CNBC at 08:30 local time (13:30 BST).

    A short time ago, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform to say: "Iran has Violated the Cease Fire numerous times!" He did not offer any further information, and we're yet to see any response from Iran to the post.

    It's worth us mentioning that Iran has made similar accusations against the US. On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying that the American attack and seizure of a cargo ship in the Gulf amounted to a violation of the ceasefire.

  18. BBC Verify

    What we know about the tanker boarded by the US in the Indian Oceanpublished at 12:50 BST

    By Thomas Copeland

    Ship-tracking data shows a tanker intercepted by the US military in the Indian Ocean made a sharp turn in the early hours of this morning and is now broadcasting its location around 700km (430 miles) south-east of Sri Lanka.

    Data from MarineTraffic shows the crude oil tanker Tifani, which has a capacity of close to 300,000 tonnes, is currently loaded with cargo.

    The tanker has been sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and is linked to an Indian shipping company which is also subject to American sanctions over links to Iran.

    Location data shows Tifani left the Gulf region on 10 April and briefly stopped close to the Sri Lankan port of Galle on 18 April before it was intercepted by the US. It was estimated to arrive at its reported destination of Singapore on Sunday, according to MarineTraffic.

    A screengrab from MarineTraffic showing the ship's track east before turn sharply southImage source, MarineTraffic
  19. Pentagon says US forces boarded 'sanctioned' tanker overnightpublished at 12:31 BST
    Breaking

    A still from the footage posted by the Pentagon on X, showing a US helicopter landing on the vesselImage source, US Department of War
    Image caption,

    A still from the footage posted by the Pentagon on X, showing a US helicopter landing on the vessel

    The Pentagon says US forces boarded a sanctioned tanker overnight "without incident" in the Indo-Pacific region in efforts to "disrupt illicit networks" supporting Iran.

    In a post on X, the US Department of War says it "conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident".

    The department shared this update with pictures and videos of the operation.

    The department says it continues to "pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran - anywhere they operate".

    "International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels," it adds.

  20. Trump accuses Iran of violating ceasefire 'numerous times'published at 12:18 BST

    US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement "numerous times".

    The accusation was made in a post on Truth Social a short time ago, and he doesn't give any more information about what he's referring to.