April 22, 2026, 09:57 GMT
President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, but negotiations remain stalled, leaving the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz firmly in place and prolonging uncertainty over global energy and food supply chains. Iran has rejected proposals for dialogue, insisting that talks cannot proceed unless Washington lifts the blockade, while warning Gulf neighbors against hosting US or Israeli operations and threatening retaliation against oil facilities if provoked. The fragile ceasefire with Israel in Lebanon continues to hold, allowing displaced families to cautiously return to southern villages, yet the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint for global oil shipments, heightening fears of disruption. Islamabad was floated as a venue for talks, but Iran’s refusal underscores the widening gulf between both sides, leaving diplomacy frozen and markets bracing for volatility.
(Source – Al Jazeera)
—Agencies
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