Iran war: Trump cancels envoys' trip to Islamabad
What you need to know
- Iran's foreign minister flew to Pakistan but did not meet with US representatives
- US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will not travel to Islamabad on Saturday
- Flights resume at Tehran's international airport
Here are the latest developments in the Iran war and the Middle East on Saturday, April 25
Skip next section Iran's Araghchi casts doubt on US commitment to talks04/25/2026April 25, 2026Iran's Araghchi casts doubt on US commitment to talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted to the impasse in talks with Washington by saying it remained to be seen whether the United States was "truly serious" about diplomacy.
Araghchi flew to Pakistan, where he met with senior officials, but not those of the US.
The Iranian foreign minister said in a post on X after leaving Islamabad that he had "shared Iran's position concerning (a) workable framework to permanently end the war," but he had "yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy."
The comments came after US President Donald Trump said Washington would no longer be sending envoys to Islamabad for talks.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CoXzSkip next section Trump says he canceled US participation in talks04/25/2026April 25, 2026Trump says he canceled US participation in talks
US President Donald Trump told US broadcaster Fox News that he had ordered his envoys not to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials.
"I've told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, 'Nope, you're not making an 18 hour flight to go there,'" Fox News reported the president as saying in a phone call.
He put the onus on Tehran for the continuation of talks.
"We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing."
Iran has accused the United States of sticking to "maximalist" demands in talks and cited a lack of trust in Washington.
Later, Trump told US outlet Axios that the cancelation of Kushner and Witkoff's trip would not necessarily lead to a resumption of the war.
'Nobody knows who is in charge' in Tehran — Trump
Also on Saturday, Trump argued that fractures were emerging among the top ranks in Iran, pointing to alleged "tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.'"
"Nobody knows who is in charge, including them," he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Tehran had to refill multiple key positions after several top officials, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, were killed in US-Israeli airstrikes.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CoVLSkip next section Araghchi leaves Islamabad without meeting US envoys — report04/25/2026April 25, 2026Araghchi leaves Islamabad without meeting US envoys — report
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, left Islamabad without meeting US envoys, the AP news agency said citing unnamed Pakistani officials.
Iranian state media also reported that the minister had left Islamabad. Following his visit to Pakistan, Araghchi was scheduled to travel to Oman.
On Friday, the White House announced that US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner would travel on Saturday to Islamabad to hold talks with Iranian officials.
However, Iran has ruled out direct negotiations. It is unclear whether Witkoff and Kushner are still planning to visit Pakistan.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CoKVSkip next section Pezeshkian urges Iranians to conserve electricity04/25/2026April 25, 2026Pezeshkian urges Iranians to conserve electricity
President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the Iranian people to reduce their electricity consumption due to serious supply bottlenecks.
"Instead of 10 lights at home, only two should be switched on. What is wrong with that?" the president was cited by the semi-official Mehr news agency as saying.
Pezeshkian claimed that the crisis was mainly caused by attacks on the country's infrastructure by the United States and Israel, as well as what he termed a "siege," referring to the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and all Iranian ports.
Observers view the president's appeal as evidence of the severity of the situation. Energy blackouts have sparked nationwide protests in the past.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) and independent analysts have also identified multiple causes of the crisis, such as outdated infrastructure, state subsidies, and serious managerial failures.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CoJsSkip next section Four killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, medics say04/25/2026April 25, 2026Four killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, medics say
Lebanon's Health Ministry said that, despite a ceasefire that was extended this week in the war between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, Israeli strikes killed four people in the country's south.
"Two Israeli enemy strikes, on a truck and a motorbike, in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqeef in the Nabatieh district killed four people," the ministry said in a statement.
The state-run National News Agency (NNA) also reported Israeli artillery shelling in several locations in southern Lebanon and a 'violent explosion' in Khiam, a strategic town in eastern Lebanon near the border with Israel.
Meanwhile, Israel's army reissued a warning to residents not to return to dozens of locations in southern Lebanon within the so-called "yellow line."
According to the military, this line runs around 10 kilometers (six miles) inside Lebanese territory along the length of the border.
On Thursday in Washington, US President Donald Trump announced that the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon, which began on 17 April, had been extended for three weeks.
Lebanese journalist killed in Israeli airstrike
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https://p.dw.com/p/5Co9uSkip next section US will face response if it continues port blockade — Iranian military04/25/2026April 25, 2026US will face response if it continues port blockade — Iranian military
Saim Dušan Inayatullah EditorIran's military on Saturday decried what it called the "banditry" and "piracy" of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and said it would respond if it were maintained.
In a statement carried by state-run media outlet IRIB, the military's central command Khatam Al-Anbiya said that if "the invading US military continues blockading, banditry and piracy in the region, they should be certain that they will face a response from Iran's powerful armed forces."
"We are ready and determined, while monitoring the behavior and movements of enemies," it added.
The US has imposed a blockade on Iran's ports in response to Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for oil and gas transport.
Iran has cited the US blockade as a reason for not taking part in peace talks.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Co94Skip next section Turkey might help clear mines in Strait of Hormuz — foreign minister04/25/2026April 25, 2026Turkey might help clear mines in Strait of Hormuz — foreign minister
Turkey would consider taking part in operations to demine the Strait of Hormuz if the US reaches a peace deal with Iran, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said.
The Turkish state news agency Anadolu quoted Fidan as saying that Turkey "would be open to" joining a multinational coalition to clear mines in the strait if a deal were agreed to end the conflict.
Fidan did, however, stress that Turkey would not participate in any operations that made Ankara liable to be viewed as a party to the conflict if there were renewed fighting.
He also said Turkey could foresee a deal that would ensure open, toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as was the case before the current war.
Otherwise, both sides would have to explore new ways to find a resolution, according to the minister.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Co0GSkip next section Iran still has plenty of missiles — Defense Ministry04/25/2026April 25, 2026Iran still has plenty of missiles — Defense Ministry
Iran still retains a considerable part of its missile inventory despite the war against the US and Israel, the Iranian Defense Ministry said on Saturday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
A ministry spokesman, General Reza Talaie-Nik, also said that the Iranian arms industry was keeping up its production at various sites in the country, including concealed ones, according to Tasnim.
Talaie-Nik said that Iran was currently producing more than 1,000 types of arms domestically, including missiles, drones and other military equipment.
Independent verification of Iran's weapons arsenal and production is not possible.
US President Donald Trump and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, have, however, asserted in the course of the conflict that Iran's supply of missiles is fast running out and its production facilities disabled.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CnonSkip next section Flights resume at Tehran's international airport04/25/2026April 25, 2026Flights resume at Tehran's international airport
For the first time since the war with the US and Israel began approximately two months ago, Iran has resumed commercial flights from Tehran’s international airport.
According to Iran’s state-run television, flights are scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Turkey; Muscat, Oman; and Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this month, amid a ceasefire with the US, Iran partially reopened its airspace, which halted the fighting between the two countries.
Since April 8, a ceasefire mediated by Pakistan has kept the war on hold.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CnXbSkip next section Iran says US seeking 'face-saving' way out of war04/25/2026April 25, 2026Iran says US seeking 'face-saving' way out of war
Amid diplomatic activity giving hope to ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Iran's Defense Ministry said the United States was seeking a "face-saving" way to exit the war.
"Our military power today is a dominant force, and the enemy is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in," a ministry spokesperson told the media outlet ISNA.
This statement comes as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travel to Islamabad. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in the Pakistani capital yesterday.
However, Iranian state media has said that direct negotiations are not an option.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CnUTSkip next section Iran's Abbas Araghchi meets Pakistan army chief Asim Munir04/25/2026April 25, 2026Iran's Abbas Araghchi meets Pakistan army chief Asim Munir
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan army chief Asim Munir in Islamabad on Saturday, the Iranian Embassy in the Pakistani capital said.
Araghchi's delegation called on Munir, officials said, adding that Pakistan's interior minister and national security adviser were also present at the meeting.
Last week, Munir made a three-day trip to Tehran in a thrust to revive impeded peace talks in the Iran war and bring Iran and the US back to the table for direct negotiations.
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are also expected to reach Islamabad on Saturday.
However, Iran's Foreign Ministry has ruled out a direct meeting with the US delegation, saying only indirect talks would take place.
It said that Araghchi would meet Pakistan's senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments and ongoing efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CnSnSkip next section Iran says it executed man working for Israel over sabotage in 2026 protests 04/25/2026April 25, 2026Iran says it executed man working for Israel over sabotage in 2026 protests
Iran said on Saturday that it had hanged an Iranian allegedly working for Israel’s spy agency for vandalism and violence during January's mass anti-government protests .
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency identified the individual as Erfan Kiani.
The agency described him as a "hired thug of Mossad," who, it said, had engaged in the destruction and arson of public and private property in the central city of Isfahan, Reuters news agency reported.
Kiani was hanged early in the morning after his sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court, according to the Iranian judiciary's Mizan Online website.
The judiciary accused him of "destruction of public and private property, arson, possession and use of Molotov cocktails, carrying a bladed weapon, blocking vehicle routes, attacking officers, and creating fear and panic among citizens," news agency AFP reported, citing Mizan Online.
The anti-regime protests earlier this year were sparked by Iran's ailing economy.
The widespread demonstrations were met with a bloody crackdown as authorities moved to crush dissent.
Kiani's hanging is the latest in a series of executions that have been ramped up in recent weeks, since war broke out with Israel and the United States.
Iranian authorities have executed nine men on charges linked to the protests since March 19, according to AFP.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CnOtSkip next section Germany to deploy naval ships to Mediterranean for possible Hormuz role — Pistorius04/25/2026April 25, 2026Germany to deploy naval ships to Mediterranean for possible Hormuz role — Pistorius
Germany is dispatching ships to the Mediterranean in preparation for a possible deployment in the Strait of Hormuz, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told the Rheinische Post newspaper in comments published Saturday.
A minesweeper and command and supply ship will be deployed, he said, without elaborating on a timeline for the vessels' departure.
Preconditions for any deployment would include a sustained ceasefire, a legal framework under international law and a mandate from Bundestag, the lower house of Germany's parliament, the Rheinische Post quoted the defense minister as saying.
Later on Saturday, a Defense Ministry spokeswoman told Germany's DPA news agency that the Germannavy plans to deploy a minehunting vessel, the Fulda, to the Mediterranean in the coming days for a possible deployment in the Strait of Hormuz.
"This constitutes a pre-deployment in preparation for the Bundeswehr’s possible participation in a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz," she said.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Berlin is ready to participate in a multi-country mission to secure the war-blockaded Strait of Hormuz, preferably with US involvement.
Germany is prepared to contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the critical waterway by supplying mine clearance and maritime reconnaissance, Merz said.
In his Saturday interview, Pistorius underpinned Germany's naval capabilities in mine clearance, saying the country traditionally plays a leading role within NATO in this area.
https://p.dw.com/p/5CnBwSkip next section US sanctions Chinese 'teapot' refinery over Iran oil04/25/2026April 25, 2026US sanctions Chinese 'teapot' refinery over Iran oil
The United States imposed sanctions on an independent "teapot" Chinese oil refinery because of its business dealings with Tehran, the Treasury Department in Washington said on Friday.
The Trump administration targeted Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery for buying billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil.
The US Treasury Department said Hengli is one of Iran's largest customers of crude oil and petroleum products.
Named for their compact teapot-like shape, China's oil teapots are small, independent refineries that process Iran's sanctioned oil, bought at a steep discount.
Teapots account for a quarter of China's processing capacity.
"China-based independent teapot refineries continue to play a vital role in sustaining Iran's oil economy," the department said as it announced the latest sanctions.
Last year, the US announced sanctions on the Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical.
Beijing has opposed what it calls "illegal" unilateral sanctions.
The US on Friday also sanctioned about 40 shipping firms and vessels that "operate as part of Iran's shadow fleet, whose transportation of petroleum and petrochemicals provides a financial lifeline to Iran's unstable regime," the department added.
How independent Chinese oil refiners defy US Iran sanctions
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https://p.dw.com/p/5CnAmSkip next section US-Kuwaiti journalist released after detention over Iran war social media posts04/25/2026April 25, 2026US-Kuwaiti journalist released after detention over Iran war social media posts
Muna TurkiOn Thursday, a court in Kuwait acquitted US-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin of all charges following nearly two months of detention, according to the New York–based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
He was arrested during a crackdown on social media posts related to the US-Iran war. Kuwaiti authorities charged him with spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone.
Shihab-Eldin, 41, left Kuwait following his release, US officials told AFP and Reuters news agencies.
Shihab-Eldin is a contributor to international media outlets such as The New York Times, the BBC, and Al Jazeera English.
He was visiting his family in Kuwait when the Iran-US war began on February 28.
While in Kuwait, he posted about the war on social media before he was arrested on March 3. One of his last posts was a geolocated video, verified by CNN, showing a US fighter jet crashing near a US air base in Kuwait.
On March 15, Kuwait enacted a law involving prison terms of up to 10 years for spreading false rumors about military entities with the intent of undermining confidence in them.
According to reports, hundreds of people were arrested across Gulf countries as part of the crackdown on media and social media posts related to the war.
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