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Pakistan ready for multi-day US-Iran talks, but Tehran unsure about joining

negotiated with Israel. “This ceasefire is a tactical palliative, not a substitute for Iran’s strategic demand,” he said, adding that Tehran’s insistence on Lebanon being part of any broader deal, rather than handled

U.S.-Iran ceasefire expires this week with no deal in sight

news related to Iran just prior to landing at Joint Base Andrews. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/683x683+171+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F9f%2Fe40ec65f42bbad8ad2570e1746e7%2Fgettyimages-2271863466.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/04/18/nx-s1-5789780/iran-middle-east-updates) ### [Middle East conflict](https://www.npr.org/series/1205445976/middle-east-crisis) ### [Iran says it has closed the Strait of Hormuz

Record-breaking DHS shutdown ends. And, May Day protests to draw crowds nationwide

news you need to start your day.* ### Today's top stories **The Trump administration faces a deadline today to seek Congressional approval for its military action in Iran.** It does not appear to be seeking

US talks between Lebanon and Israel end – as it happened

U.S. military action in Iran has had a mostly negative impact on their personal financial situation. This view is expressed by majorities of Democrats (65%) and independents (56%), as well as 40% of Republicans

Iran war has cost $25B, Pentagon says. And, SCOTUS strikes blow to Voting Rights Act

news you need to start your day.* ### Today's top stories **The Pentagon estimates the war in Iran has already cost $25 billion**, according to Pentagon Comptroller Jay Hurst. Hurst testified before the House Armed

Uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz remains, as ceasefire nears its end

news related to Iran just prior to landing at Joint Base Andrews. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1024x683+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F9f%2Fe40ec65f42bbad8ad2570e1746e7%2Fgettyimages-2271863466.jpg) U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press aboard Air Force

Iran’s authorities project hardened stance with more talks on horizon

negotiations, but US President Donald Trump cancelled the trip and said, “we have all the cards, they have none” while reiterating his claim about “infighting and confusion” among Iran’s leadership. “If they want

India to Iran: How two wars shaped the rise of Pakistan’s Asim Munir

News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE.](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-04-17T130028Z_294873935_RC21RKARANDC_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-IRAN-PAKISTAN-1776858336.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80) Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets Asim Munir, in Tehran, Iran, April

Democrats gain midterm edge, NPR poll shows. And, U.S. pauses 'Project Freedom'

news you need to start your day.* ### Today's top stories **More than 80% of Americans say pain at the pump is straining their household budgets** and a striking majority blames the president, according

Israel and Lebanon extend ceasefire. And, Trump eases medical marijuana rules

news you need to start your day.* ### Today's top stories **President Trump has ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill any boat"** trying to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping through

Germany troop cuts send wrong signal to Russia, say two top US Republicans

news agency, Boris Pistorius also stressed "the presence of American soldiers in Europe, and particularly in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the US". The Nato military alliance said

Trump's Truth Social lays bare narrow obsessions of an extremely online president

news pieces were months old. At other times, he posted several older articles in rapid succession about the same event. On March 16, Trump [posted](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116241562639922898) three [January](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116241561679397928) articles