Pope Tawadros II leads Easter Mass at Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral

Iran and US begin new round of talks in Islamabad amid Strait of Hormuz dispute

Iranian and US delegations have commenced a new round of negotiations in Islamabad, aiming to resolve weeks of conflict that have contributed to regional instability and increased global energy prices. Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that these trilateral talks, involving representatives from Tehran and Washington alongside Pakistani intermediaries, are seen as a potential final opportunity for an agreement. The agency characterized US demands as “excessive.” Separately, Iran's Fars News Agency correspondent in Islamabad stated that written proposals have been exchanged. However, a significant dispute has arisen concerning the Strait of Hormuz, which remains a key point of contention in the negotiations, with Iran viewing US proposals as overreaching.