Paramilitary soldier patrol ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran, in Islamabad on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo)
US Iran Israel War News Live Updates: US Vice-President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for a fresh round of talks with Iran, even as uncertainty remains over whether Tehran will take part amid rising tensions.
Iran, however, has said it will not negotiate under the “shadow of threats”, state news agency IRNA reported, signalling a firm position as pressure from Washington continues.
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What Iran said: According to IRNA, Iran’s joint military command said it would “respond soon” to the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, calling the move an “act of piracy”. Tehran has also made clear it will not attend talks if pressure tactics, including the blockade, continue.
What is the US position? US President Donald Trump has said the blockade on Iranian ports will remain until a deal is reached. He said the intercepted vessel had tried to bypass restrictions, adding that US forces disabled and boarded it. Trump has also indicated it is “highly unlikely” the current ceasefire will be extended if no agreement is reached before its deadline.
Are talks still possible? The proposed talks in Pakistan were expected to help extend a fragile ceasefire, but Iran has not confirmed participation. Recent US actions, including the ship seizure, have put the negotiations on uncertain footing, with Tehran warning it may not attend.
Question 1 of 5
Which senior US official is expected to travel to Pakistan for fresh talks with Iran?
✗ Rubio is Secretary of State, but it is JD Vance who is expected in Pakistan.
✓ Correct. Vice-President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for the next round of Iran talks.
✗ Hegseth is Defense Secretary. The diplomatic mission involves JD Vance.
✗ Witkoff is Trump’s envoy, but the Pakistan trip is assigned to JD Vance.
Question 2 of 5
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Tehran would not negotiate under what condition?
✓ Correct. Iran’s exact formulation, per IRNA, was that it would not negotiate under the “shadow of threats”.
✗ Iran’s stated condition was broader — refusing to talk under the “shadow of threats”.
✗ The UNSC was not cited. Iran’s condition, per IRNA, was refusal to negotiate under the “shadow of threats”.
✗ Iran’s stated condition focused on US pressure, not Israel — specifically refusing to talk under the “shadow of threats”.
Question 3 of 5
How did Iran’s joint military command describe the US seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship?
✗ Iran used a different term. Its joint military command specifically called it an “act of piracy”.
✗ Iran’s joint military command used more specific language — calling it an “act of piracy”.
✓ Correct. Iran’s joint military command called the seizure an “act of piracy” and warned it would “respond soon”.
✗ The specific phrase used by Iran’s joint military command was “act of piracy”, not a general legal violation.
Question 4 of 5
What did Trump say about the likelihood of extending the current ceasefire if no deal is reached before the deadline?
✓ Correct. Trump used the phrase “highly unlikely” when asked about extending the ceasefire without a deal.
✗ Trump’s position was the opposite — he called an extension “highly unlikely” without a deal.
✗ Trump did not commit to an extension — he described it as “highly unlikely” without an agreement.
✗ Trump addressed the question directly, calling an extension “highly unlikely” if no deal is struck.
Question 5 of 5
Where was the Iranian-flagged cargo ship intercepted and seized by US forces?
✗ The interception took place closer to the Strait of Hormuz, not the Gulf of Oman.
✓ Correct. US forces intercepted and seized the Iranian-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
✗ The seizure occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, not in the Red Sea.
✗ The vessel was intercepted near the Strait of Hormuz, the focal point of the current US-Iran standoff.
JD Vance is expected in Pakistan for a fresh round of Iran-US negotiations, but Tehran has not confirmed participation. Iran called the US seizure of its cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz an “act of piracy” and warned of a response. Trump says the blockade stays until a deal is done — and called a ceasefire extension “highly unlikely” without one.
Follow live: Iran-US War Updates Ceasefire, Vance trip, Hormuz — all the latest →
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5 latest developments
Iran said it will not negotiate under pressure and warned of a response after the ship seizure.
The US intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the blockade on Iranian ports will continue until a deal is reached.
Iran has restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global oil flows.
A ceasefire due to expire this week remains uncertain, with no clarity on extension.
Stay with The Indian Express Global Desk for real-time updates, geolocated footage of the crash sites, and live reactions from the Pentagon and Tehran.
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Paramilitary soldier patrol ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran, in Islamabad on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo)