April 20, 2026 — Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, posted on X that Tehran will not enter talks while subject to threat or force as U.S. and Iranian delegations prepared for a second round of negotiations in Islamabad. A photo accompanying coverage showed a police officer walking past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the meetings.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that the United States and Iran are on the brink of reaching a deal, praising President Trump’s hard-line negotiating stance and saying he does not bluff. Leavitt credited a combination of military pressure and tough diplomacy with bringing Iran back to the table.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pushed back, saying Iran will not accept talks conducted under the shadow of threats and warning that Tehran has prepared to unveil new measures on the battlefield if needed.
President Trump posted that the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz will remain in place until a deal is reached, saying the closure has severely damaged Iran’s position and forced some ships to seek U.S. ports for oil, according to reporting by ABC News.
Defense Department figures show at least 415 U.S. troops have been wounded in the war with Iran, up from 399 the previous week. ABC News reporting notes the increase during the ceasefire period reflects delayed injury reporting, particularly for traumatic brain injuries whose symptoms can emerge days after an incident.