This live blog covered developments on Day 54 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 53, go here, and for Day 55 updates, click here.

• US extends ceasefire with Iran as negotiations continue
• Iran urges the UN to condemn a US cargo ship seizure.
• Pakistan facilitating talks, while Iran yet to confirm participation
• White House confirms canceling Vance's Tuesday trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran 
• Araghchi says Iran knows how to 'resist bullying'

Trump sets no deadline for Iran proposal, White House says

Published: April 22, 2026 | 20:01 GMT | by AFP

The White House said US President Donald Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal, pushing back on reports suggesting a fixed timeline.

“The president has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that “the timeline will be dictated by the commander in chief.”

UN official calls out Israel over ‘highly provocative’ incursion into Syria

Published: April 22, 2026 | 22:17 GMT | by AFP

The United Nations has scolded Israel over the latest infiltration of Syrian territory.

“Israeli military activity in southern Syria continues in breach of existing agreements and international law,” Claudio Cordone, UN deputy special envoy for Syria, told a UN Security Council session.

He accused Israeli forces of “conducting near-daily incursions, erecting checkpoints, and detaining Syrian nationals.”

Israeli strikes kill 5 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension

Published: April 22, 2026 | 22:17 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes killed five people, including a journalist, and wounded another in Lebanon on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire that Beirut will request an extension for in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.

Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting with Israel, a Lebanese official told AFP.

"Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire," the Lebanese official told AFP, on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks.

Top US Navy official to leave office 'immediately:' Pentagon

Published: April 22, 2026 | 21:55 GMT | by AFP

US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan will leave office "immediately," the Pentagon announced Wednesday, without providing an explanation for the sudden exit.

Phelan "is departing the administration, effective immediately," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement on X, adding that he would be replaced in an acting capacity by Undersecretary Hung Cao.

Israeli airstrike kills journalist in south Lebanon: civil defense

Published: April 22, 2026 | 21:41 GMT | by AFP

An Israeli airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist and wounded another while they were working near the border with Israel, according to their employer and rescuers.

The civil defence agency's press office said rescuers were "able to recover the body of martyred journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed as a result of a hostile airstrike that targeted a house in the town of al-Tiri".

Her employer, the Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar, also announced her death.

Lebanon's Information Minister Paul Morcos said Khalil "was targeted by the Israeli army while carrying out her professional duty".

"The targeting of journalists is a grave crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," he added on X.

Iran says won't reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains

Published: April 22, 2026 | 20:23 GMT | by AFP

Iran said it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remained in place, calling it a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire between the longtime foes.

"A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade," Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday.

"Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire."

UN official calls out Israel over ‘highly provocative’ incursion into Syria

Published: April 22, 2026 | 22:17 GMT | by AFP

The United Nations has scolded Israel over the latest infiltration of Syrian territory.

“Israeli military activity in southern Syria continues in breach of existing agreements and international law,” Claudio Cordone, UN deputy special envoy for Syria, told a UN Security Council session.

He accused Israeli forces of “conducting near-daily incursions, erecting checkpoints, and detaining Syrian nationals.”

Israeli strikes kill 5 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension

Published: April 22, 2026 | 22:17 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes killed five people, including a journalist, and wounded another in Lebanon on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire that Beirut will request an extension for in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.

Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting with Israel, a Lebanese official told AFP.

"Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire," the Lebanese official told AFP, on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks.

Top US Navy official to leave office 'immediately:' Pentagon

Published: April 22, 2026 | 21:55 GMT | by AFP

US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan will leave office "immediately," the Pentagon announced Wednesday, without providing an explanation for the sudden exit.

Phelan "is departing the administration, effective immediately," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement on X, adding that he would be replaced in an acting capacity by Undersecretary Hung Cao.

Israeli airstrike kills journalist in south Lebanon: civil defense

Published: April 22, 2026 | 21:41 GMT | by AFP

An Israeli airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist and wounded another while they were working near the border with Israel, according to their employer and rescuers.

The civil defence agency's press office said rescuers were "able to recover the body of martyred journalist Amal Khalil, who was killed as a result of a hostile airstrike that targeted a house in the town of al-Tiri".

Her employer, the Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar, also announced her death.

Lebanon's Information Minister Paul Morcos said Khalil "was targeted by the Israeli army while carrying out her professional duty".

"The targeting of journalists is a grave crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," he added on X.

Iran says won't reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains

Published: April 22, 2026 | 20:23 GMT | by AFP

Iran said it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remained in place, calling it a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire between the longtime foes.

"A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade," Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday.

"Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire."

Trump sets no deadline for Iran proposal, White House says

Published: April 22, 2026 | 20:01 GMT | by AFP

The White House said US President Donald Trump has not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal, pushing back on reports suggesting a fixed timeline.

“The president has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that “the timeline will be dictated by the commander in chief.”

Mideast war 'starting to weaken Europe', says Erdogan

Published: April 22, 2026 | 19:02 GMT | by AFP

The US-Israeli war against Iran is "starting to weaken Europe", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday.

"The war in our region is likewise starting to weaken Europe, and if we do not address this situation with an approach that prioritises peace, the damage caused by the conflict will be far greater," Erdogan told Steinmeier, according to a statement from the Turkish leader's office.

Iran 'welcomes' dialogue, calls US blockade 'obstacle' to negotiations

Published: April 22, 2026 | 18:00 GMT | by AFP

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran welcomed dialogue but US naval blockade hindered negotiations, in a post on his official X account.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has welcomed dialogue and agreement and continues to do so. Breach of commitments, blockade and threats are main obstacles to genuine negotiations,” he said.

“World sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions,” the Iranian president posted.

Trump says Iran will not execute eight women after his request

Published: April 22, 2026 | 17:25 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran had halted alleged plans to execute eight women arrested over anti-government protests, after he urged Tehran to release them to help peace negotiations.

"I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution," he said. Iran denied it planned to execute the women.

Iran ‘appreciates’ Pakistan’s mediation, backs diplomacy and engagement

Published: April 22, 2026 | 16:44 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran values Pakistan’s mediation efforts while reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding national interests through both diplomacy and defense.

Speaking to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Baqaei said Iran remains “fully prepared to defend itself against any threat,” while also pursuing “diplomatic and legal avenues” to protect its interests and hold aggressors accountable.

He appreciated Pakistan’s “good offices and mediation efforts” aimed at ending the conflict and advancing regional peace, underscoring Islamabad’s central role as a facilitator in the diplomatic process.

Trump says new Iran talks ‘possible’ soon: NYP

Published: April 22, 2026 | 14:22 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said a second round of talks with Iran could take place soon, indicating potential movement in diplomacy following earlier negotiations in Islamabad.

Asked about the possibility of fresh talks, Trump told the New York Post that it was “possible,” while also referring to “good news” that could emerge as early as Friday.

The comments came after Trump said he would extend the current ceasefire to allow time for further discussions, adding that US forces would remain “ready and able” while awaiting a proposal from Iran.

His remarks point to continued diplomatic engagement after Pakistan-mediated talks, with the ceasefire holding and efforts focused on advancing negotiations

Two killed in Israeli attack in southern Lebanon

Published: April 22, 2026 | 12:39 GMT | by Web Desk

Two people were killed following an Israeli attack in Al-Tiri in southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The attacks occurred in a place with many civilians and journalists, according to NNA. 

IRGC says it has seized two vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Published: April 22, 2026 | 09:16 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran's IRGC Navy has seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and towed them to Iranian shores, declaring that any disruption to order and safety there crosses a "red line," the country's IRNA News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Earlier reports noted one vessel was fired upon off Iran's coast, while another was damaged in an attack near Oman.

Vessels fired upon near Iran as Strait of Hormuz tensions rise

Published: April 22, 2026 | 09:16 GMT | by Web Desk

A ship 8 nautical miles (15 km) west of Iran reported being fired upon in the past 30 minutes; all crew are accounted for and safe.

Earlier, another cargo vessel was attacked and suffered severe damage to its bridge, about 15 nautical miles (28 km) northeast of Oman. The vessel is believed to be the Panama‑flagged MSC Francesca, which had sailed from Dammam in Saudi Arabia en route to Singapore.

Iran’s state‑affiliated Tasnim news agency said Iran was enforcing maritime law and that the ship had failed to heed specified warnings.

775 schools damaged during US-Israel attacks, says Iran's minister

Published: April 22, 2026 | 05:49 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Minister of Education Alireza Kazemi has said that 775 of the 1,300 schools damaged during US-Israeli attacks have now been repaired, according to the country’s IRNA news agency.

About 20 of the schools were completely destroyed, the minister said, adding that most damage occurred in the provinces of Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Hormozgan.

Repairs to the most damaged schools were expected to be completed by October, he added.

Tehran ready to talk if US ends naval blockade, stops ceasefire violations: Iran’s UN envoy

Published: April 22, 2026 | 06:10 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said Tehran is ready to enter talks as soon as the United States lifts its naval blockade, stressing that Washington must first stop its “ceasefire violations.”

Iran enforces maritime law on container ship defying warnings: Report

Published: April 22, 2026 | 05:56 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the country’s military enforced “maritime law” on a container ship that ignored repeated warnings.

The agency shared the report on social media above an earlier post by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which had received a report of an incident involving a container ship 15 nautical miles (28 km) northeast of Oman.

UKMTO stated that the master of the container ship reported the vessel was approached by one IRGC gunboat, which then fired upon it and caused heavy damage to the bridge.

“No fires or environmental impact reported. All crew reported safe,” it added.

Oil, stocks fall as traders weigh outlook after Trump extends truce

Published: April 22, 2026 | 05:06 GMT | by Web Desk

Oil prices fell along with stocks Wednesday as investors assess the chances of US-Iran peace talks after Donald Trump extended his ceasefire at the eleventh hour but kept his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in place.

With the two-week truce in its final hours, the US president said he would push the deadline back indefinitely following a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Tehran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal.

He had previously indicated he would not extend the truce and warned he would resume bombing the Islamic republic when it expired.

Trump says Iran wants Hormuz open to make $500 Million a day

Published: April 22, 2026 | 02:45GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran was saving face by claiming that they want the Strait of Hormuz closed. 

“They want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),” President Trump said. 

“They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,’” he said in a post on his Truth Social account. 

He said that people have been approaching them for the past four days, saying that Iran “wants to open up the Strait, immediately.” 

“But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included,” he said.

Guterres ‘fully supports’ Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate talks between US, Iran

Published: April 22, 2026 | 00:56GMT | by Web Desk

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that he fully supported Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate further talks between the US and Iran. 

According to a statement issued by the secretary-general’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres welcomed the announcement by the US to extend the ceasefire with Iran, calling it an important step toward de-escalation and creating critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between the two countries

“We encourage all parties to build on this momentum, refrain from actions that could undermine the cease-fire, and engage constructively in negotiations to reach a sustainable and lasting resolution,” Dujarric said. 

“The Secretary-General hopes that these efforts will contribute to creating conditions conducive to a comprehensive and durable resolution to the conflict,” he added.

Iran urges UN condemnation after US seizes cargo ship

Published: April 21, 2026 | 21:36GMT | by AFP

Iran called on the United Nations to condemn the seizure by the United States of an Iranian cargo ship, characterizing the move as an act of piracy and a breach of a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.

"Such conduct bears the hallmarks of piracy in nature and amounts to a dangerous escalation that severely endangers the safety and security of vital shipping lanes," Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, said Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Security Council and the Secretary-General.

"Moreover, this unlawful act constitutes a clear and material breach of the ceasefire of 8 April 2026 and qualifies as an act of aggression," under the terms of the UN charter, he added.

Iravani urged the UN to condemn the seizure and demand the ship's release.

White House confirms canceling Vance's Tuesday trip to Iran talks

Published: April 21, 2026 | 21:36GMT | by Web Desk

White House said Vice President JD Vance would not be going to Pakistan for what had been expected to be a second round of peace talks.

"The trip to Pakistan will not be happening today. Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House," a White House official said in a statement.

PM Sharif thanks Trump, hopes both sides conclude ‘Peace Deal’ in Islamabad talks

Published: April 21, 2026 | 21:22GMT | by Web Desk

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked US President Donald Trump for accepting Pakistan’s request to “extend the ceasefire” with Iran, hoping to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad. 

“With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict,” PM Sharif said in a post on X.

“I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict,” he said.

Upon request of PM Sharif, CDF Munir, Trump extends ceasefire with Iran 

Published: April 21, 2026 | 21:20GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said that upon the request of Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the US was extending the ceasefire until Iranian “leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”

“We have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” he said. 

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” he added.