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A Pakistani source said there were ‘mood swings’ from Washington and Tehran in the first round of talks
Bel Trew, Alex Croft & Nicole Wootton-CaneSunday 12 April 2026 01:45 BST- Bookmark
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Close popoverJD Vance arrives in Pakistan for crucial US-Iran peace talks
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Donald Trump has said it “makes no difference” to him if a peace deal is agreed in crunch talks with Iran, after Tehran lashed out at his “excessive” demands.
US and Iranian negotiators were locked into negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday in an attempt to bring an end to a bloody six-week war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We win regardless,” Trump said. “We've defeated them militarily... Whether we make a deal or not, it makes no difference to me — and the reason is because we've won.”
The current round of talks appears to be the "last opportunity" to reach a common framework given what it described as "excessive US demands”, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
US vice president JD Vance is leading the American delegation, while Iran’s team is headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and includes senior political and security officials.
After an initial meeting between the sides, Iranian state media said the Strait of Hormuz remained the crucial sticking point in negotiations.
A Pakistani source told Reuters that there were “mood swings from the two sides and the temperature went up and down during the meeting”.
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Key Points
- Tehran lashes out at Trump's 'excessive' peace demands after first meeting
- 'Mood swings' in the first US-Iran meeting, says Pakistani source
- Iran threatens 'strong response' to warships seeking transit through Strait of Hormuz
- Two US warships sail through Strait of Hormuz to begin mine clearance
- Trump threatens to resume attacks on Iran if Pakistan talks collapse
- Trump says Iran 'losing big' as talks begin
U.S. military says two destroyers successful transit through the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. military claims that two of its destroyers safely traversed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
The ships traveled through the strait ahead of upcoming mine-clearing operations.
Iran’s state media is denying the report, saying that its military command denied the U.S. Navy access to the strait.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2026 01:45Pope Leo XIV: 'Enough of war!'
The Pope issued a rebuke to the world’s warring nations on Saturday.
“Those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bend its knee. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life. #Peace”
The Pope’s message comes as American and Iranian leaders meet to discuss an end to hostilities amid the two week ceasefire.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2026 01:31Trump warns that China will have 'big problems' if it ships weapons to Iran
President Donald Trump told CNN on Saturday that China will have “big problems” if Beijing sends weapons to Iran.
CNN’s Betsy Klein asked Trump about U.S. intelligence reports suggesting that China is preparing to arm Iran.
Trump said that doing so would cause serious issues with the U.S.
“If China does that, China will have big problems, OK?” he said on Saturday.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2026 01:00Iran hawk Lindsey Graham deflects when asked by Fox News host if war will cost GOP the midterms
From The Independent’s Mike Bedigan:
Lindsey Graham dodged questions about whether the ongoing war in Iran will hurt Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
The South Carolina senator, who has been one of the biggest champions of the U.S. military operations in the Middle East, trotted out previous party lines on the conflict, even when asked directly by Fox News’ Bret Baier
“Do you think this war that we’re in, and this fight over ICE, is hurting reelection chances for Republicans in the fall?” Baier said during the interview on Saturday.
“I think President Trump is stopping a homicidal maniac regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and if you don’t treat them that way, you’ve missed a lot in the last 47 years,” Graham replied.
READ MORE:
Lindsey Graham deflects when asked by Fox News host if war will cost GOP the midterms
The South Carolina senator has been one of the biggest champions of the US military operations in the Middle EastGraig Graziosi12 April 2026 00:20'Makes no difference' whether we reach deal with Iran, says Trump
Donald Trump has said it “makes no difference” to him whether the US reaches a deal with Iran or not because America has “won” either way.
"We're in very deep negotiations with Iran,” he told reporters.
“We win regardless. We've defeated them militarily... Whether we make a deal or not, it makes no difference to me — and the reason is because we've won, whether you listen to the Fake News or not."
The US president also warned China that it would have “big problems” if it shipped arms to Iran.
Alex Croft11 April 2026 23:29US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
United States intelligence assessments allege that China is quietly taking a more active role in the Iran war and may have even sent shoulder missiles to Iran in recent weeks, according to a new report.
The missiles in question areman-portable air-defense systems, also known as MANPADs, which are commonly used to shoot down low-flying aircraft. Sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN that China was working to route the shipments through third countries to make it difficult to trace their origin.
The intelligence is not conclusive, and there is no evidence that Chinese missiles have been used against American or Israeli troops so far, according to the New York Times.
Ariana Baio reports:
US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
So far, there is no evidence that a Chinese-manufactured weapon has been used against the US or IsraelAlex Croft11 April 2026 23:20Watch: Trump says it makes 'no difference' to him if Iran and US reach deal
Trump says it makes 'no difference' to him if Iran and US reach dealAlex Croft11 April 2026 23:07Iran threatens 'strong response' to warships seeking transit through Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any attempt by military vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz would be met with "a strong response”.
In a statement carried by Iranian media, the group said only non-military vessels would be allowed to pass under specific regulations.
Alex Croft11 April 2026 23:00US-Iran peace talks begin in Pakistan as warships enter Strait of Hormuz
Face-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran have begun in Pakistan, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.
The talks in Islamabad were the first direct US-Iranian meeting in more than a decade and the highest-level discussions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian delegation led by Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, were discussing how to advance a ceasefire that is already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Alastair Jamieson brings our full report:
US-Iran talks begin as warships enter Strait of Hormuz
Negotiations in Islamabad are the first direct US-Iranian meeting in over 10 years and the highest-level discussions since 1979Alex Croft11 April 2026 22:46Who makes up the delegations negotiating in Islamabad?
Some of the most high-profile politicians and military officials from the US and Iran are in Islamabad as high-stakes peace talks continue.
Heading up the US delegation is vice president JD Vance, who will be watched closely by both Iranian and US officials.
Joining him are special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have recently been involved in peace talks with Ukraine.
For Iran, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is taking the lead - a powerful figure who will take charge of the overall direction of his country’s negotiation.
He is joined by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and trusted negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.
Alex Croft11 April 2026 22:20Newer1 / 9OlderMore about
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