Last Updated:
Iran may pause Hormuz shipments to avoid US clash as new talks loom, Trump says Iran talks could resume this week, Israel and Lebanon agree to direct talks amid ongoing clashes
An aerial view of the Iranian shores and Port of Bandar Abbas in the strait of Hormuz. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)
Iran is considering a temporary halt in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to avoid provoking a potential US blockade and protect the prospects of fresh peace talks, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. Follow Live Updates Here
The possible move comes at a sensitive diplomatic juncture, with Washington and Tehran coordinating logistics for another round of face-to-face talks, according to the report.
Also Read: Trump Says Iran War ‘Very Close To Over’, Claims Tehran Wants To Make A Deal Very Badly
Push To Avoid Escalation
The deliberations signal Tehran’s attempt to prevent immediate escalation and maintain momentum for negotiations, Bloomberg reported.
“If Iran does indeed pause shipments, it would be a sign its government too seeks de-escalation and to avoid the resumption of the hot war,” said Rachel Ziemba, senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, as quoted by Bloomberg.
Trump Says Iran Talks May Resume Soon
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said peace talks between Washington and Tehran could resume as early as this week, even as Israel and Lebanon agreed to begin direct negotiations, signalling parallel diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East.
The developments come amid continued violence in the region, highlighting the fragility of the situation despite renewed diplomatic engagement.
Trump told The New York Post that a fresh round of talks with Iran could take place in Pakistan “over the next two days,” adding that Iranian officials had recently reached out seeking a deal.
Also Read: Hormuz Reopening, IRGC Nod For Deal: US Sets 2 Conditions For Next Iran Talks As Ceasefire Nears End
Israel-Lebanon Talks Begin
Separately, Israel and Lebanon agreed to open direct negotiations following a meeting in Washington, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough between the two countries, which have been formally at war for decades.
The talks, mediated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, involved the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States. A State Department spokesperson described the discussions as “productive” and said all sides agreed to begin negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue.
Rubio termed the development a “historic opportunity,” while Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the talks would mark the beginning of relief for the Lebanese people.
Also Read: ‘US-Iran Mistrust Can’t Be Solved Overnight’: JD Vance Ahead Of Second Round Of Peace Talks
Conflict Continues On Ground
The diplomatic push comes even as hostilities persist. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah opposed the talks and said it launched rockets at multiple towns in northern Israel as the Washington meeting began.
The US has been pushing to end the Israel-Hezbollah conflict amid concerns it could derail a fragile ceasefire linked to its broader standoff with Iran.
Lebanon was drawn into the wider conflict after Hezbollah attacked Israel in support of Iran, triggering Israeli strikes and a ground offensive that have killed over 2,000 people and displaced more than a million, according to reports.
Israel continues to hold parts of southern Lebanon and has resisted calls for a ceasefire that would leave Hezbollah intact, maintaining that the group remains a key obstacle to peace.
April 15, 2026, 07:37 IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
