Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi to return to Islamabad for diplomatic efforts with US
via Egypt Today1 min read
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to return to Islamabad after his visit to Muscat, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with the US. This development follows US President Donald Trump's cancellation of a planned trip by his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Islamabad for talks with Iran. Trump stated he saw "no point" in sending the delegation given Iran's current negotiating stance, suggesting that discussions could occur via telephone if Iran wished. A portion of the Iranian delegation accompanying Araghchi had already returned to Tehran from Islamabad for internal consultations and is expected to rejoin the foreign minister in the Pakistani capital. A ceasefire is currently in effect, allowing for talks to end hostilities between the US and Iran. President Trump extended this ceasefire last week, citing internal divisions within Iran. The conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes, has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread destruction in Iran, with the US reporting strikes on thousands of targets. Iranian retaliatory strikes have also caused fatalities and regional instability, and Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted global oil prices.
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Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, announced the transit of the giant cruise ship MSC Euribia through the Suez Canal on April 26, 2026, during its maiden southbound voyage. The vessel, one of the world's largest cruise ships, had been delayed for several weeks at the Strait of Hormuz before altering its route to use the Red Sea and Suez Canal to reach Europe, avoiding the Cape of Good Hope. The MSC Euribia, operated by MSC Cruises and running on liquefied natural gas, measures 331 meters in length and 51.9 meters in width, and transited with a crew of 192. The Suez Canal also facilitated the transit of the cruise ship Celestyal Journey in the same convoy. Rabie emphasized the Suez Canal's capacity to handle the newest and largest vessels, supported by ongoing development projects like the Southern Sector Development Project, which has enhanced navigational safety. He highlighted the canal's continued appeal as a crucial global shipping route due to its time-saving and cost-reducing benefits, reinforcing its role as the fastest, shortest, and safest maritime corridor connecting East and West. On the same day, 45 ships transited the canal, with a combined net tonnage of approximately 1.7 million tons.
Must ReadEgypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has called for continued negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the ongoing war. In phone conversations with Iran's Abbas Araghchi and Qatar's Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of a diplomatic solution and dialogue to prevent the expansion of regional conflicts. The discussions occurred after US President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip by his envoys to Islamabad for talks with Iran, citing Iran's stance in negotiations. Trump stated he saw "no point" in sending the delegation but denied the decision indicated a move towards military action. Abdelatty stressed the need to maintain the negotiating path, intensify coordination among relevant parties to sustain the ceasefire, and consolidate de-escalation to end the war. He highlighted that sustainable regional security and stability require respect for state sovereignty, consideration of the security concerns of regional countries, particularly Gulf states, and ensuring the security and freedom of international navigation. The US-Iran war is currently under a ceasefire to allow for talks, which US President Donald Trump extended last week. The conflict, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on February 28, has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread destruction in Iran, with Iranian retaliatory strikes causing further instability and disrupting global oil flows due to Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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