Trump claims UK freighter was attacked by Tehran: Live

Donald Trump has said that his Vice-President, JD Vance, will not be heading to the peace talks in Islamabad – contradicting previous reports.

Earlier today, both the US envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright had indicated Vance would lead the negotiating team.

But now the President says the opposite, citing security concerns.

Trump told ABC News: ‘It’s only because of security. JD’s great.’

Vance was selected to head up the American entourage in the first round of peace talks, but came away empty-handed.

Reports emerged this week that Trump was using Vance’s role as the chief negotiator in Iran as a test of his aptitude over Marco Rubio, possibly with the question of his successor in mind.

Iran has doubled down on its pledge to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as long as the US blockade remains in place.

The regime considers the blockade a breach of the two-week ceasefire, which is currently due to expire on Wednesday, April 22.

In a televised interview, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf warned it remained the case that any ships attempting a crossing would be attacked.

He said: ‘It is impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot.’

Two Indian ships have already reported coming under fire from Iranian gunboats, after the regime changed its mind about opening the waterway.

Pakistani authorities have begun tightening security in the capital, Islamabad. While there were no formal announcements, a regional official involved in the mediation efforts said mediators were finalizing the preparations and that US advance security teams were already on the ground.

JD Vance will lead the American delegration in Iran peace talks in Islamabad, Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN, told ABC News.

Donald Trump on Sunday said his representatives were going to be in Islamabad on Monday night for more negotiations.

Iran’s armed forces turned back two tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after issuing warnings, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, saying this came as a result of the continuing U.S. maritime blockade on Iran.

The vessels, sailing under the flags of Botswana and Angola, were forced to change course after what the report described as “unauthorised transit” through the strategic waterway.

The US president says American negotiators will be in Pakistan on Monday to hold a second round of talks with Iran.

Trump didn’t say in his post on social media which officials the United States will send to attend the negotiations in Islamabad.

Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has lashed out at the US and Israel, branding their actions the “height of desperation” as tensions continue to escalate.

In a video statement, he praised Iran’s armed forces for standing firm against what he described as the pressure of “great powers”.

The performance of the country’s armed forces in the face of pressures and threats has surprised many analysts; in such a way that a country, despite its problems, has been able to stand up to great powers and their widespread support.

He went on to accuse Iran’s adversaries of targeting civilian infrastructure – including schools, hospitals, universities and public places – calling it a clear violation of international law.

“In contrast, the enemies – who have failed to achieve their goals – are attacking civilian infrastructure,” he said, adding that the strikes showed “the height of desperation and defeat of the nation’s enemies”.

President Trump has revealed that Iran fired bullets at a French ship and a Freighter from the United Kingdom in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.

The US leader took to the Truth Social on Sunday with a new statement blasting Iran for ‘always wanting to be the tough guy’.

The statement read:

International flights will resume in Iran on Monday, the country’s civil aviation department has said.

A statement aired on State TV reportedly revealed that the Mashhad Airport – situated in the north-east of the country – will see flights arriving and departing tomorrow.

‘Permission to operate international passenger flights at Mashhad Airport has been issued, starting tomorrow,’ that statement read.

It comes almost two months after Iranian airports first closed on February 28.

The US military is reportedly deploying sea drones and other technology to search for mines in the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to restore commercial shipping through the key waterway.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a US defence official said the operation is using a mix of “manned and unmanned capabilities in the countermine operation”.

Military analysts told the newspaper that initial mine-sweeping could be carried out quickly, with further “sea robots” then deployed to destroy any ordnance discovered.

Former US vice admiral Kevin Donegan said:

You can get a small channel in that area surveyed in days not weeks using Unmanned Underwater Vehicles.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard-linked Tasnim News Agency has claimed two more oil tankers were turned back from the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.

According to Tasnim, the vessels – sailing under the flags of Botswana and Angola – attempted to pass through the narrow waterway but were “forced to change course and retreat” following what it described as “timely action” by Iranian armed forces.

The move comes after Tehran announced the strait would remain closed until the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, further tightening pressure on one of the world’s most critical trade routes.

Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has insisted Tehran is not seeking war, saying the country is acting purely in self-defence following attacks he blames on the US and Israel.

He accused both nations of striking civilian infrastructure, branding the actions a breach of international law and pointing to what he described as double standards on human rights.

We have not attacked any country, and in the current situation we do not intend to attack any party, and we are simply defending ourselves legitimately.

It should not be suggested that Iran is seeking war. On the contrary, we are peace-loving and what we are doing is legitimate self-defence. Just as every human being reacts to aggression, a nation also defends itself against attack.