By Reuters and published by CNA
WASHINGTON – Optimism grew on Thursday (April 16) that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Israel’s Cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon, a senior Israeli official said, more than six weeks into its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah. According to Lebanese officials, a ceasefire could be announced soon, the Financial Times reported.
Ending the fighting in Lebanon was a key sticking point in earlier peace talks, along with how to deal with Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
US and Iranian officials were weighing a return to Pakistan for further talks as early as the coming weekend, after negotiations ended on Sunday without a breakthrough. Pakistan’s army chief and key figure in the mediation, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to try to prevent a renewal of the conflict.
“We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference on Wednesday, calling conversations mediated by Pakistan “productive and ongoing.” She denied reports that the US had formally requested an extension of a two-week ceasefire agreed by the two sides on April 8.
More in-person talks had not yet been confirmed but would likely take place in Pakistan again, Leavitt said.
Pakistan’s military confirmed Munir had arrived in Tehran. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir, who had mediated the last round of talks, would seek “to narrow gaps” between the two sides. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X welcoming Munir and said Tehran was committed to “promoting peace and stability in the region”.
The talks last weekend broke down without an agreement to end the war, which Trump began alongside Israel on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian attacks on Iran’s Gulf neighbours as well as reigniting the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Stock markets have rallied strongly in recent days on expectations of a swift resolution to the fighting, with indexes on Wall Street hitting record highs on Wednesday as crude oil prices steadied.
Economic pressure on Iran
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that China’s purchase of Iranian oil would “pause” given the US blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports. He said the US could impose secondary sanctions on countries that purchase Iranian crude.
The US Treasury had warned two Chinese banks not to process Iranian money or face sanctions, he said, without naming the banks. China previously bought more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped oil.
Trump said on Wednesday he had told Chinese President Xi Jinping not to give Iran weapons, which Xi had said he wasn’t. Trump also said that China was very happy he was “permanently opening” the Strait of Hormuz.
“I am doing it for them, also – And the World,” he wrote on social media, adding: “President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.”
The war has led Iran to effectively shut the Strait – a vital artery for global crude and gas shipments – to ships other than its own, sharply reducing exports from the Gulf and leaving energy importers scrambling for alternative supplies.
Tankers intercepted
During the first 48 hours of the US blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past US forces, the US military said. Additionally, nine vessels complied with direction from US forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area.
However, Iran’s Fars News agency said an Iranian supertanker subject to US sanctions crossed the strait towards Iran’s Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade. Fars did not identify the tanker or give further details of its voyage.
Iran’s joint military command warned it would halt trade flows in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea – which connects to the Suez Canal – if the US blockade continued.
Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the strait without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the US, providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.
Trump has also threatened to escalate if the war resumes.
“We could take out every one of their bridges in one hour. We could take out every one of their power plants, electric power plants, in one hour. We don’t want to do that … so we’ll see what happens,” he told Fox Business Network.
Talks complicated by nuclear issue
Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a key sticking point at last weekend’s talks. The US proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran – an apparent concession from longstanding demands for a permanent ban – while Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.
Washington has also pressed for any enriched nuclear material to be removed from Iran, while Tehran has demanded that international sanctions against it be lifted.
One source involved in the talks said back-channel discussions had made progress in narrowing gaps, bringing the two sides closer to a deal that could be presented at a new round of talks.
CAPTIONS:
Top – Smoke rises behind buildings following an Israeli strike in Lebanon, near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from Israel, on April 15, 2026. Photo: Reuters/Florion Goga and published by CNA
First insert – This satellite image provided by Vantor shows the Natanz nuclear complex in Iran on March 7, 2026, with no new damage seen at the facility or the tunnels. Satellite image ©2026 Vantor via AP, file, and published by CNA
Second insert – Strait of Hormuz map by CNA
Third insert – A damaged car is seen in an area as Lebanese civil defence workers search for victims in the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike a day earlier in central Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, April 9, 2026. Photo: AP/Hussein Malla and published by CNA
Front Page – Smoke rises following several Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 8, 2026. Photo: AP/Hassan Ammar and published by CNA
Also read:
Veerayooth tipped to replace Nattapong as People’s leader
Thai-Cambodian border crossings remain shut: PM
PM focuses on regional cooperation at AZEC summit
Over 8% surge in foreign tourist arrivals during Songkran
Chuan questions whether oil hoarding is linked to recouping investment
Anutin urged to find out if Pipat involved in hoarding of oil
NACC advised to withhold lese majeste case against 10 People’s MPs until after Songkran
Supreme Court asked to spare 10 People’s MPs’ legislative duties
Supajee shrugs off ridicule over US streetside campus
Somsak awaits ministerial seat down to the wire
