2026 Iran War: 2026-04-28

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington has indications that Irans Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, but questioned whether he actually holds political authority and makes decisions independently. Rubio noted key decisions may be coming from a narrower circle within Irans leadership rather than the formal supreme leader.

Despite failing to hold a second round of talks in Pakistan, the US and Iran are not as far from a potential deal as they may seem, CNN reports citing sources familiar with the mediation process. Talks are focused on an initial step of returning to pre-war conditions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or fees. Nuclear program question would come in a later phase.

President Trump is not satisfied with Irans latest proposal, calling it denial of reality, and is frustrated that Irans Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not authorized the Iranian delegation to make concessions on the nuclear program, the New York Times reports. The report underscores ongoing doubts about who in Tehran can actually authorize a final deal.

Thailands Foreign Minister said Bangkok asked China for help getting 8 Thai ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and was told China was itself struggling to free 70 of its own vessels. Meanwhile, betting markets have placed just 38% odds on the Strait returning to normal traffic by the end of next month.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed Tehran has received another request from Washington for a new round of negotiations and said Iran is currently reviewing the proposal.

Rubio told Fox News that Iran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict Iranian coordination and payment requirements is not acceptable. Those are international waterways — we cannot tolerate a system in which Iran decides who gets to use them, he said.

An internal Pentagon email indicates the US is weighing suspending Spain from NATO as punishment for refusing to grant access to military bases and airspace for US operations against Iran, according to OSINTdefender.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow's position is clear: all military operations must stop and negotiations on mutually acceptable agreements must begin. Lavrov spoke after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with President Putin in Moscow.

The guided missile destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long, after it refused inspection. The Navy blew a hole in the engine room and Marines took custody. The vessel was under US Treasury sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that all military actions must stop and negotiations on mutually acceptable agreements must begin. Lavrov met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi in Moscow. Putin said Russia will do everything in Irans interest to establish peace.

The guided missile destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel that refused to stop for inspection. The Navy blew a hole in the engine room and Marines took custody of the ship. The TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long, was under US Treasury sanctions.