Américains et Iraniens au Pakistan, coup de théâtre diplomatique

Published on: April 19, 2026, 20:33

Time needed: 2min – video: 2min

Just three days before the ceasefire ends, will Americans and Iranians meet in Pakistan? Donald Trump announced on Sunday, April 19, a second round of negotiations. However, the diplomatic path seems fragile in the face of threats to the Strait of Hormuz.

On Iranian television, the image of a completely locked-down Strait of Hormuz by Iran. Tankers are at a standstill. No ship dares to cross after shots were fired on Saturday, April 18. A French boat has even been targeted, announced Donald Trump on Sunday, April 19. “Iran decided to open fire in the Strait of Hormuz (…). Many shots targeted a French ship and a British cargo ship,” wrote the US president on social media.

A convoy of four container ships from the French shipping company CMA-CGM tried to cross the strait on the morning of Saturday, April 18, when it suddenly turned back. Iranian shots were reported in the area.

Is the Strait of Hormuz becoming the site of an intense naval battle again? According to the American press, the United States are now considering an unprecedented operation: the seizure of ships linked to Iran on all oceans.

Each side is deploying its forces. On one side, the US military has been present at the strait’s exit for several days to repel ships from Iranian ports. On the other side, Iran is mobilizing its swarm of mosquitoes, small fast boats equipped with machine guns, rocket launchers, or drones. Tehran is said to have more than a thousand of them.

Nevertheless, Donald Trump clings to the diplomatic channel and announces the dispatch on Monday, April 20, of an American delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance to resume negotiations. Denial this Sunday from Iran; its leaders have been silent since Saturday. “Some issues have been resolved, others have not. There have been other proposals, but we are still far from a final agreement,” said Iranian Parliament President Mohammad Baher Ghalibaf. The diplomatic outcome is still very uncertain three days before the end of the ceasefire.