China vows 'countermeasures' if Trump tariff threat materializes

This live blog follows updates for Day 46 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 45, go here.

• The United States says Iran must respond after clear peace negotiation conditions
• Iran warns against US actions in the Strait of Hormuz escalating tensions
• Energy markets face strain as disruptions in Middle East oil shipments continue
• Israel reports striking numerous Hezbollah targets while preparing for peace discussions
• Global leaders urge diplomacy as blockade concerns raise risks to trade routes

US stocks climb as market bets Mideast war is ending

Published: April 14, 2026 | 14:06 GMT | By AFP

Wall Street stocks rose early Tuesday, extending an upward climb on optimism about a resolution of the US-Iran war as American banks reported higher earnings.

The International Monetary Fund trimmed its 2026 growth forecast due to the conflict in the Middle East, but markets remained focused on hopes for a breakthrough on negotiations.

Pakistan is working to bring Iran and the United States together for a second round of talks, senior Pakistani sources told AFP.

About five minutes into Tuesday trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.1 percent at 48,243.91.

The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.3 percent to 6,909.91, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.0 percent to 23,410.44.

Oil prices retreated amid speculation that a ceasefire could be extended or a peace accord reached.

France's Macron says urged Trump, Iran president to restart talks

Published: April 14, 2026 | 13:15 GMT | By AFP

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he had urged US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to resume stalled talks towards ending the Iran war.

"I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation," the French president wrote on X, after speaking to both leaders on Monday.

"It is essential, in particular, that the ceasefire be strictly respected by all parties and that it include Lebanon," Macron said.

"It is equally important that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened unconditionally, without restrictions or tolls, as soon as possible," he added, referring to the key oil and gas shipping route where traffic has stalled since the start of the conflict.

Israeli FM says keen to reach 'peace and normalization' with Lebanon

Published: April 14, 2026 | 13:05 GMT | By AFP

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said his country is seeking "peace and normalization" with Lebanon, ahead of talks between officials from both nations in Washington on Tuesday.

"We want to reach peace and normalization with the state of Lebanon... Israel and Lebanon don't have any major disputes between them. The problem is Hezbollah," Saar said at a press conference with visiting Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war after Hezbollah attacked Israel, sparking an Israeli ground invasion and airstrikes -- including an extremely heavy attack on Beirut on April 8.

The fighting has killed more than 2,000 people in Lebanon and displaced over one million.

Ships exit Gulf from Iran despite US blockade: tracker

Published: April 14, 2026 | 12:45 GMT | By AFP

At least two ships sailing from Iranian ports crossed the Hormuz Strait on Monday despite a US military blockade, maritime tracking data indicated Tuesday.

They were among at least four Iran-linked vessels that used the route after Washington's blockade came into effect at 1400 GMT on Monday, according to maritime data provider Kpler.

The Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Christianna crossed after unloading 74,000 tonnes of corn at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, passing Iran's Larak Island in the strait around 1600 GMT on Monday, Kpler data showed.

A second ship, the Comoros-flagged tanker Elpis, was near Larak Island around 1100 GMT and cleared the strait about 1600 GMT.

China vows 'countermeasures' if Trump tariff threat materializes

Published: April 14, 2026 | 11:30 GMT | By AFP

China vowed Tuesday it would impose "countermeasures" if US President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose new tariffs following reports that Beijing has supplied or intends to supply weapons to Iran.

Trump -- who is scheduled to visit Beijing next month for talks with counterpart Xi Jinping -- said Sunday he would hit China's goods with a 50% tariff if it provided military assistance to Tehran.

Iraq says has 'understandings' to bypass Hormuz blockade

Published: April 14, 2026 | 10:50 GMT | By AFP

Baghdad's oil ministry said Tuesday it has "understandings" with the United States and Iran to reduce the impact of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Iraqi oil exports.

The ministry did not elaborate or say when these reported understandings were reached.

Iraqi oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) "there are understandings with the American and Iranian sides to circumvent the blockade imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, and with all parties to guarantee exports".

A founding member of the OPEC oil cartel, Iraq normally exports the majority of its crude through the strait, but like other exporters in the oil-rich region, it has been left scrambling for alternative routes.

France, UK to host Hormuz talks Friday: French presidency

Published: April 14, 2026 | 10:36 GMT | By AFP

France and Britain will co-host a video conference Friday of countries ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission" to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the French president's office said.

President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the meeting to discuss a plan to "restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow", it said on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the British prime minister's office said: "The summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends."

Italian PM says suspending defence agreement with Israel

Published: April 14, 2026 | 10:06 GMT | By AFP

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday she was suspending Italy's defence agreement with Israel, which involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research, news agencies reported.

"In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," Meloni said on the sidelines of an event in Verona, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

China calls US blockade of Iran ports 'dangerous and irresponsible'

Published: April 14, 2026 | 9:35 GMT | By AFP

China accused the United States on Tuesday of "dangerous and irresponsible" behaviour over its blockade of Iranian ports, with President Xi Jinping vowing Beijing would play a "constructive role" in promoting peace in the Middle East.

The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT on Monday, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a fragile two-week ceasefire days earlier.

"The US increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardise safety of passage through the Strait (of Hormuz)," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference.

"This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior," he added.

Iran has effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, allowing only vessels serving countries it deems friendly -- such as China -- to cross.

US blockade of Iran ports threatens already crippled oil supply

Published: April 14, 2026 | 9:32 GMT | By AFP

Washington's decision to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz is sending tremors through global energy markets, raising fears of a fresh oil shock by threatening supplies to Asia.

Now the additional blockade of Iranian ports ordered Sunday by US President Donald Trump threatens to land another blow to global oil and gas supplies after the fighting damaged energy facilities in the Gulf states and blocked their exports through the Strait, said Amir Handjani of the US‑based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Iranian crude had been helping ease the market in meeting demand so far, Handjani told AFP, warning the blockade now threatens that fragile balance.

"What is the US Navy going to do? They're not going to confront Chinese, Indian and Pakistani merchant ships" loading in Iranian ports, he said.

"That's an act of war."

Mideast war revs up electric car demand in Asia

Published: April 14, 2026 | 8:34 GMT | By AFP

Electric vehicle sales have jumped in Southeast Asia as cost-conscious buyers have poured into dealerships looking to dodge the fuel price spikes driven by the Middle East war.

Asian nations have been particularly hard hit due to a sharp fall in the crude shipments they rely on -- and have few alternatives to replace them.

Yet the energy crisis has been a windfall for Vietnam's leading electric vehicle maker Vinfast as well as Chinese manufacturers.

Vietnamese office worker Do Thi Lan explained the simple math of the cars' appeal at a Vinfast showroom in Hanoi.

About 40 percent of cars sold in Vietnam in 2025 were electric, but the trend has been accelerating.

Outside Vietnam, Chinese manufacturers specialising in electric vehicles, particularly Tesla's main rival BYD, are booming.

China's Xi urges respect for sovereignty in Middle East: state media

Published: April 14, 2026 | 5:47 GMT | By AFP

China's President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for the national sovereignty of countries in the Middle East and Gulf to be "respected" as he outlined proposals for maintaining peace in the war-torn region, Chinese state media reported.

"The sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the Gulf countries in the Middle East should be sincerely respected," Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Russian FM visits China to discuss Middle East war

Published: April 14, 2026 | 4:53 GMT | By AFP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov touched down in Beijing on Tuesday, where he hopes to boost cooperation on issues including the war in the Middle East.

Lavrov arrived in the Chinese capital, where he was given a red-carpet welcome, photos by the Russian foreign ministry showed.

China welcomed a string of leaders of countries that have been impacted by the war and its economic fallout, including Vietnam's To Lam and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Lavrov will hold talks with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in which the two will "exchange views and coordinate positions on the development of bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of common concern", China's foreign ministry said this week.

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that the pair would discuss the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

US seeking 20-year pause of Iran uranium enrichment: media reports

Published: April 14, 2026 | 4:49 GMT | By AFP

The United States sought a 20-year suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment program as part of a deal to end the war, according to media reports Monday, after Washington and Tehran failed to come to an agreement.

Media outlets reported that Washington asked Tehran to agree not to enrich uranium for 20 years, citing officials close to the negotiations held in Islamabad on Saturday.

The 20-year pause would be accompanied by sanctions relief, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Iran in turn proposed to suspend its nuclear activity for five years, according to The New York Times.

The reported proposals would be a watered-down version of Trump's previous demands that Iran permanently give up its nuclear ambitions.

Israeli military says soldier killed in Lebanon

Published: April 14, 2026 | 4:30 GMT | By AFP

The Israeli military said Tuesday that a soldier had been killed in Lebanon, the first since a US-Iran temporary truce came into force that Israel insisted does not include the country where it is fighting Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

"Sergeant Major (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, aged 30, from Katzrin, a firefighting vehicle driver in the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement.

Democrats to force vote on resolution to curb Trump’s Iran war powers

Published: April 14, 2026 | 3:08 GMT | By Web Desk

Senator Chuck Schumer says the Democrats will again force a vote in the US Senate to “stop the war in Iran and rein in an out-of-control Trump,” Al Jazeera reports.

The minority leader said the move would mark the fourth such vote since the US-Israel war on Iran began.

“For the 4th time, Republicans will have the chance to end this war,” he wrote in a post on X.

Schumer dubbed Trump’s Operation Epic Fury as “Operation Epic Fail”. He said the operation has only resulted in chaos in the Strait of Hormuz and the highest gasoline prices in years in the US.

The Iranian government is “still standing,” and its nuclear ambitions remain “exactly the same,” he wrote.

US VP says ball now in Iran's court on peace talks

Published: April 13, 2026 | 23:34 GMT | By AFP

US Vice President JD Vance said that Washington has made its red lines clear in talks with Iran on ending the Mideast war, and it is now up to Tehran to take action.

"I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table. We actually made very clear what our red lines were," Vance said in an interview with Fox News.

"There are two things in particular where the president of the United States really said we have no flexibility," Vance said. He listed them as US control of Iran's enriched uranium, and a verification mechanism to ensure it does not develop a nuclear weapon in the future.

"It's one thing for the Iranians to say that they're not going to have a nuclear weapon. It's another thing for us to put in place the mechanism to ensure that's not going to happen," Vance said.

Araghchi warns against provocative US actions in Strait of Hormuz

Published: April 13, 2026 | 22:07 GMT | By AFP

Iran’s state-linked Fars news agency reports that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is warning against the dangerous consequences of provocative US actions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz for the peace and security of the region and the world.

The minister issued the warning during a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, according to a Fars report.

IEA chief warns of tougher month for energy markets due to Iran war

Published: April 13, 2026 | 20:02 GMT | By AFP

April could shape up to be a tougher month than March for energy markets and the economy due to the war in the Middle East, the head of the International Energy Agency said.

While the month of March saw cargo from the region "loaded well before the crisis started," Fatih Birol said, "during the month of April, nothing has been loaded."

"The longer the disruption is, the more severe the problem becomes," he told reporters after a meeting at the International Monetary Fund.