On day 46 of the U.S-Iran war, President Donald Trump said U.S.-Iran negotiations could take place within the next two days ahead of a ceasefire deadline about to expire April 21. Diplomatic activity unfolded on multiple fronts, including the first White House talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in decades.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 American troops continued to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, 19 nations issued a joint call to include Lebanon in de-escalation efforts, and European officials began quietly exploring a postwar maritime coalition in the strait — potentially without American involvement.
Trump says US-Iran talks could happen over next 2 days ahead of ceasefire deadline
President Donald Trump said in an interview with The New York Post that negotiations may unfold over the next two days. He also pointed to Pakistan as a likely location for discussions and praised Pakistani Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir for his role in making progress with Iran.
“He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there,” he said of Munir and Pakistan. “Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?”
AP News also reported April 13 that U.S. and Iranian officials are weighing a second round of in-person negotiations that could take place as early as April 16. The outlet, citing people familiar with the matter, said the goal would be to secure a deal to end the war in Iran before the current ceasefire expires on April 21.
A diplomat involved in the mediation efforts said both sides have agreed in principle to meet, though it is unclear whether the same level of delegation would attend. Officials also told the outlet that Islamabad, Pakistan, and Geneva are being considered as potential venues for the talks.
Israel and Lebanon hold diplomatic talks in Washington
Ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon met at the White House April 14 for their first direct diplomatic talks in decades following more than a month of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group operating in southern Lebanon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the talks.
According to NBC News, citing a State Department official, all parties at the talks agreed that Hezbollah should be fully disarmed.
The official also said the State Department approved $58.8 million in new humanitarian aid to provide food, water, shelter, and other emergency support to displaced people in Lebanon. According to the United Nations, more than 1 million people have been forced to leave their homes in Lebanon since the Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon began.
Iran has called for Israel to halt its strikes on Hezbollah as part of the ceasefire with the U.S., but U.S. officials said a ceasefire in Lebanon was not included in the initial agreement, as Zeale News previously reported.
More than 10,000 American troops are enforcing Strait of Hormuz blockade
More than 10,000 U.S. airmen, sailors, and Marines are currently involved in enforcing the blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The military added that the operation is being supported by dozens of aircraft and a dozen warships.
More than 10,000 U.S. Sailors, Marines, and Airmen along with over a dozen warships and dozens of aircraft are executing the mission to blockade ships entering and departing Iranian ports. During the first 24 hours, no ships made it past the U.S. blockade and 6 merchant vessels… pic.twitter.com/dpWAAknzQp
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 14, 2026
CENTCOM also said the blockade prevented any vessels from reaching Iranian ports during its first 24 hours, and several commercial ships turned around after receiving instructions from U.S. forces. The military said in an X post that six “merchant vessels complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around to re-enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.”
19 European countries call for Lebanon to be included in de-escalation
In a joint statement released April 14, 19 countries called for Lebanon to be included in regional de-escalation efforts. The statement was released by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The ministers lauded the ongoing discussions between Lebanon and Israel and called on both parties to “urgently deescalate.”
The statement condemned both the Hezbollah attacks on Israel and the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which have “resulted in the death of more than 350 persons and wounded more than 1000.”
“We express our full solidarity and our steadfast support for the Lebanese people and authorities,” the statement read. “We stand ready to provide emergency assistance to the more than one million displaced persons in Lebanon, in coordination with the Lebanese government.”
Chinese-owned tanker passes through strait
The Chinese-owned oil and chemical tanker Rich Starry successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on April 14 despite the ongoing blockage, according to FOX News. The outlet reported that the Rich Starry was the first vessel to cross the Hormuz Strait since the U.S. blockage began April 13.
FOX reported that the U.S. restrictions target only ships entering or departing from Iranian ports, and because the Rich Starry was traveling from the United Arab Emirates, it was allowed to pass.
Report: Europe weighs postwar coalition to secure Strait of Hormuz shipping
European officials are exploring plans for a multinational coalition to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after the war, possibly without U.S. participation, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The outlet reported that the proposal centers on mine-clearing operations and broader maritime security efforts.
French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly said the initiative would exclude “belligerent” parties, including the U.S., Israel, and Iran. European diplomats told the outlet that any participating naval forces would operate independently of U.S. command.