Iran has intensified its diplomatic efforts as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, with Washington-Tehran talks aimed at ending the war now stalled. In the US, President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his decision to cancel his envoys’ planned trip to Pakistan, saying Iranian authorities “can call” if they want to talk — and reiterating his claim that the war could “come to an end very soon,” adding the US is “going to be very victorious.”
What we know now:
- Araghchi leaves Pakistan: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Islamabad, and his departure marks the end of two visits to Pakistan in 48 hours, as hopes for further face-to-face US-Iranian talks dissipated. Earlier in the day, Araghchi made a short stop in Muscat, Oman, before returning to Islamabad for another meeting.
- Next stop Russia: After visits involving mediators in Pakistan and Oman, Araghchi is heading to Russia, underscoring Moscow’s role as a major diplomatic backer of Tehran during the conflict.
- Shipping through Hormuz remains near-standstill: Vessel traffic is still severely reduced compared to pre-war levels, according to MarineTraffic data, with only a handful of crossings reported Sunday. (CNN notes shipping data can be affected by signal gaps and spoofing.)
- Trump-Starmer call focuses on reopening sea lanes: Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the “urgent need” to get shipping moving again through Hormuz, Downing Street said, as thousands of seafarers remain trapped and oil prices have surged. Starmer warned of major global economic and cost-of-living impacts.
- Trump’s blockade claim disputed by experts: Trump also claimed Iran’s oil lines could “explode” within three days because exports are blocked; experts told CNN this is overstated, saying producers typically cut output as storage fills rather than face inevitable explosions.
- Tehran doubles down on Hormuz pressure: Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad warned the Strait of Hormuz will “under no circumstances” return to its previous state, Mehr reported, citing an order from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Nikzad said the war showed that choking Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab could affect “25% of the world’s economy.”
- Israel-Lebanon fragile ceasefire: The Israeli military ordered evacuations for seven villages in southern Lebanon on Sunday, saying Hezbollah ceasefire violations require action against “terror infrastructure.” The fragile ceasefire in Lebanon is under growing pressure as Israel and Hezbollah have increased attacks on each other. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that since March 2, at least 2,509 people have been killed and 7,755 wounded.