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diplomacyApr 24, 2026

Trump deploys ‘A-Team’ to Islamabad as Kushner, Witkoff seek Iran nuclear breakthrough

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Trump deploys ‘A-Team’ to Islamabad as Kushner, Witkoff seek Iran nuclear breakthrough ISLAMABAD: President Donald J. Trump is dispatching senior adviser Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Pakistan in an effort to revive stalled negotiations with Iran, as the current ceasefire enters a critical phase. The move follows earlier rounds of talks that failed to produce a breakthrough, with the administration now recalibrating its approach amid rising pressure to secure an agreement. The upcoming engagement is expected to focus on two central issues: Iran’s nuclear program and the security of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President JD Vance, who led a 21-hour negotiating session earlier in April, will remain in Washington for this round, with Kushner and Witkoff taking the lead. Tehran leadership fractures amid internal infighting US officials indicate that internal divisions within Iran’s leadership remain a major hurdle. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament who previously headed Iran’s delegation, is not expected to attend the Islamabad talks. Reports suggest he has expressed frustration over disagreements within the leadership, raising concerns about consistency in Iran’s negotiating position. In his place, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to lead the Iranian delegation. Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night, following stops in Oman and Moscow, part of a broader regional outreach effort. Officials familiar with the process say the absence of a unified negotiating stance from Tehran could complicate efforts to advance talks, particularly as both sides seek alignment on key terms before any formal agreement. Zero-enrichment mandate remains the red line The central point of contention remains the US demand for “zero enrichment,” which calls for a complete halt to Iran’s nuclear activity, including civilian enrichment. This position has been consistently maintained by the Trump administration across earlier negotiations in Geneva and Islamabad. Iranian officials, including Araghchi, have previously indicated that an agreement was close, but have not agreed to eliminate enrichment. US officials continue to view this as a core requirement for any deal moving forward. The renewed talks are expected to operate under a limited timeframe, with US officials pointing to ongoing economic pressure on Iran. Estimates suggest the current restrictions are impacting Iran’s oil-related revenues by approximately $500 million per day, a factor the administration believes increases leverage at the negotiating table. Pakistani mediators scramble to relaunch talks Pakistan continues to play a central role in facilitating dialogue between the two sides. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have been engaged in efforts to bring both delegations together for a potential trilateral meeting in Islamabad. A Pakistani official confirmed that Araghchi’s visit will help determine whether direct talks with the US delegation are feasible during this round. The outcome will likely shape whether negotiations can move beyond indirect engagement. Kushner and Witkoff are expected to be accompanied by Vance’s chief of staff and a team of technical advisers. Previous rounds have drawn attention for the absence of dedicated nuclear experts in some sessions, though the administration has continued to rely on its current negotiating structure. With the ceasefire still holding but under strain, the Islamabad talks are seen as a key moment in determining whether both sides can move toward a framework agreement or face renewed escalation.

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  • Swati Sakshi MishraBy Swati Sakshi Mishra

    Trump deploys ‘A-Team’ to Islamabad as Kushner, Witkoff seek Iran nuclear breakthrough ISLAMABAD: President Donald J. Trump is dispatching senior adviser Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Pakistan in an effort to revive stalled negotiations with Iran, as the curren

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Key points: Bitcoin diverges from US stocks as Trump says Strait of Hormuz “open” Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD building on the week’s gains as the S&P 500 bounced from 7,696, its lowest level since Aug. 4. BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView This came after US president Donald Trump posted a map of the closed Strait of Hormuz oil route to Truth Social where it was labeled “new US territory.

” Both the US and Iran lay claim to control of Hormuz, with Trump threatening US ally Oman with military action over its plans to work with Iran on charging tolls to shipping traffic. In a subsequent post, Trump confirmed that further diplomacy with Iran was not on the agenda.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he wrote. S&P 500 one-day chart.

Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView As on Monday, oil avoided major volatility, with WTI crude down 1% at the time of writing at $84 per barrel. US government bonds continued to show strain, with the 30-year yield hitting 5.34%, its highest since January 2007.

“Bond prices are sending warnings,” BNY Mellon analyst Geoff Yu wrote in a research note quoted by the New York Times. Yu said that the surge came as “investors demand more compensation for inflation risk,” while also attributing the upside to government borrowing.

US 30-year bond yields one-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView BTC price faces crunch rebound test Updating X followers on BTC/USD, trader and analyst Aksel Kibar eyed the culmination of a potential reverse head-and-shoulders pattern at $62,300.

Related: Bitcoin price spike to $64.5K was ‘low-volume liquidity trap’: Analysis “If $BTCUSD is going to rebound, it has to come from here,” he argued on Monday. Kibar offered a $53,000 target in the event of the head-and-shoulders structure failing, with $76,000 a potential upside target should the rebound sustain.

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Aksel Kibar on X.com Previously, Cointelegraph reported that underwater investors were contributing to Bitcoin’s inability to break higher. Its rebound to $64,500 also stopped short of an overhead trend line, the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA).

This moving average is now in place as resistance at $65,827.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
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Trump says no talks underway with Iran, Hormuz blockade remains in place US president says no discussions are taking place or planned with Tehran and reiterates that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks are taking place with Iran and that no discussions are currently scheduled between the two countries.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains "in full force and effect." The president did not provide further details regarding US policy towards Iran or any potential future diplomatic engagement.

Trump's comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed focus on security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Location: Tehran
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran had “won both the war and diplomacy,” claiming those who initially sought Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” later sought negotiations. Speaking at an event, Araghchi said Iran resisted for days against what he described as “the world’s largest apparent military,” alongside another army claiming military power and with the support of nearly all Western countries and some other states inside and outside the region, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Those who were seeking unconditional surrender, shortly after the war began, begged for negotiations,” Araghchi said. He claimed Tehran initially rejected a ceasefire and continued fighting until reaching a point where the other side accepted a ceasefire and negotiations “on Iran’s terms.

” “We fought with strength, and we negotiated with strength,” he said, adding that many foreign ministers had told him: “You won both the war and diplomacy.” Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on Iran on Monday to give up and “raise the white flag.

Location: Tehran
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- Iran demands US lift sanctions and return frozen assets to reopen Strait of Hormuz - Iran's Parliament Speaker warns closure of Strait continues until US ends military threats - Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait, impacting energy security Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets a set of conditions, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and what Tehran describes as a US blockade and military threats.

Al-Arabiya English reported that Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Trump administration must meet the conditions before Tehran considers reopening the strategic waterway. “Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ghalibaf said.

Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/fl2RrKnT1R— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) August 18, 2026 Ghalibaf also warned that Iran was prepared to respond more forcefully depending on the actions of its adversaries.

ALSO READ: 'We Control Hormuz': Trump To Declare Strait As US Territory? Here's What President Says The comments add a new condition to an already fragile diplomatic environment, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of concerns over global energy supplies.

Around one-fifth of global oil supply typically passes through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a major risk for crude markets, shipping and energy security. Earlier, Press TV reported that Ghalibaf is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday at the head of a high-level Iranian delegation for discussions with Iraqi leaders.

The talks are expected to cover regional developments and bilateral cooperation, including border security, counterterrorism, economic ties and implementation of existing agreements. Iraqi media have also reported that the agenda could include a proposal concerning Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit comes as regional governments grapple with the implications of continued disruption in one of the world's most important energy corridors. ALSO READ: Hormuz Tensions: Another Ship Hit By Unknown Projectile, Says UKMTO Centre The security situation in the waterway has also remained tense.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency, or UKMTO, said a vessel reported being struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz. “The Company Security Officer has reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz,” UKMTO said.

The impact damaged the vessel's engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, the agency said. The remaining crew was being assisted by the Omani coastguard. Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Location: Tehran