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2026 Iran War: 2026-04-21

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 14 updates Last updated 21:23 UTC
21:23 UTC Breaking

Israel and US prepare for war resumption since ceasefire start, Trump claims regime change

A senior Israeli security official told Israeli public broadcaster Kan that Iran is trying to buy time and speaking with different voices. Israel and the US are coordinated and ready to resume the war immediately, including exercises with fighter jets and refueling aircraft across the Middle East. Trump told CNBC the US destroyed "their navy, destroyed their air force, destroyed their leaders," calling it regime change whether you want to call it that or not. He said the new Iranian leaders are much more rational. NOTE: This entry contains claims from two distinct sources with conflicting framings. Review for potential splitting.
Kan (Israeli public broadcaster) / CNBC
21:23 UTC

Iran threatens to destroy regional oil industry if war resumes, EU expands sanctions

IRGC Aerospace Force commander General Majid Mousavi threatened that if southern neighbors allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that EU member states agreed to expand sanctions on Iran to include those responsible for the Hormuz blockade. Kallas also said the 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine could be confirmed within 24 hours.
IRGC Aerospace Force
21:23 UTC Breaking

US seizes ship carrying Chinese gift to Iran, boards another vessel in Indo-Pacific

President Trump told CNBC that US forces intercepted a ship carrying a gift from China to Iran that was "not exactly nice." Trump said he was surprised because he thought he had an understanding with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Beijing would not assist Tehran. Separately, the US Department of Defense announced a nighttime raid seizing the M/T Tiffany, a stateless vessel in the Indo-Pacific region linked to Iran shadow fleet operations.
CNBC / US Department of Defense
21:23 UTC Breaking

Iran refuses to send delegation to Islamabad talks, Vance visit postponed

No Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for the second round of negotiations, Iranian media report. The New York Times reports that JD Vance trip to Islamabad was suspended after Iran failed to respond to US negotiating positions. Pakistan information minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad is still waiting for confirmation from Iran. The ceasefire expires April 22 at 4:50 AM local time.
New York Times
21:23 UTC Breaking

BREAKING: Trump extends Iran ceasefire, says military will maintain blockade

President Trump announced on Truth Social that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran, citing Iran's deeply divided government and a request from Pakistan FM Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif. Trump said he ordered the military to continue the blockade and remain fully ready. However, in a CNBC interview he said he does not want to extend and expects to resume bombing: "We are ready to go. The military is chomping at the bit."
Donald Trump (Truth Social)
16:05 UTC

Trump tells Fox News: Agreement with Iran will be signed tonight

President Trump has told Fox News that an agreement with Iran will be signed tonight, expressing confidence in reaching a deal. However, American journalists have reported conflicting information, with some saying there is no confirmation of a signing scheduled for Monday in Pakistan as Trump previously claimed.
War Monitors
16:05 UTC

AP sources: US and Iran signal they will attend new round of ceasefire talks in Islamabad

Two regional officials have told the Associated Press that both the United States and Iran have signaled they will attend a new round of ceasefire talks in Islamabad. The development comes as Vice President Vance prepares to lead the American delegation amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
War Monitors
16:05 UTC

Pakistani diplomatic source to Al Jazeera: Preliminary Iranian delegation arrives in Islamabad

A Pakistani diplomatic source has told Al Jazeera that the preliminary Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad, confirming that Iran is engaging with the US-backed peace talks despite earlier statements from Tehran suggesting it would not negotiate under threats.
War Monitors
16:05 UTC

Vance to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for Iran talks, sources say

US Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday to lead American negotiations with the Iranian delegation, according to sources cited by War Monitor. Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are also expected to accompany the delegation.
War Monitor
05:02 UTC

Trump says ceasefire will end Wednesday evening Washington time

President Trump told Bloomberg that the ceasefire in the Iran War will end Wednesday evening Washington time. US officials have stated the naval blockade will not be lifted until a deal is signed, keeping Iran under severe economic pressure.
Bloomberg
04:30 UTC

Iran Supreme Leader approves delegation for Islamabad talks, VP Vance to lead US team

Axios reported that Iran Supreme Leader has given the green light for an Iranian delegation to land in Islamabad on Wednesday to hold talks with the US. Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to lead the American delegation alongside Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Axios
16:05 UTC

Iranian president calls for immediate end to war, says continuation serves no one

President Masoud Pezeshkian told officials in Tehran that Iran must end the war against the United States and Israel as soon as possible to focus on national reconstruction. He said continuation of the conflict benefits no party, though Pezeshkian does not have direct control over final decisions on ending the war.
14:00 UTC

Trump claims deal with Iran will be signed in Pakistan, US journalists contradict

President Trump told multiple US reporters that a US-Iran agreement would be signed on Monday in Pakistan, but several American journalists immediately said they had no information confirming this. Iranian state media had earlier said Iran had not decided to attend the Islamabad talks.
12:00 UTC

Hungary PM Orban threatens to arrest Netanyahu if he enters country after ICC membership

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that if Prime Minister Netanyahu lands on Hungarian territory after Hungary joins the International Criminal Court, he will be arrested. Hungary recently joined the ICC, creating a potential diplomatic confrontation over the Israeli leader who faces arrest warrants for war crimes.