Increasing tension between Iran and the United States. An American missile destroyer intercepted an Iranian-flagged ship, the Touska, reports RFI. The ship had breached the blockade ordered by the US Navy and had ignored radio warnings.
For the first time since the start of the American blockade on Iranian ports, the US Navy opened fire. Following this attack, the engine room of the Touska was hit. The Marines then reportedly seized the ship. Tehran denounced it as an act of piracy and vowed to “respond soon.” Up to now, the US Navy had turned around 25 cargo ships due to the blockade.
However, there is urgency between the two nations: the ceasefire between them expires on Wednesday, April 22. In order to give diplomacy a chance, a new series of US-Iranian talks is planned for this week in Islamabad. The American president is in favor of the talks. They will be led, on the American side, by Vice President J.D. Vance, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and negotiator Steve Witkoff.
As of now, Tehran has not confirmed its participation in this diplomatic move. Abbas Araghtchi, Iranian Foreign Minister, criticized the “bad intentions” and the “lack of seriousness in diplomacy” from the Americans. Iran may then demand a lifting of the American blockade as a prerequisite to resuming discussions.
/2026/04/20/69e699ff7747a426354304.jpg "War in the Middle East: Talks between Washington and Tehran, strikes in southern Lebanon… What to expect")
