Donald Trump Says “No More Mr Nice Guy,” offers “Fair Deal” as Islamabad Talks Resume

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:20pm on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

US President Donald Trump used sharp and mixed words on Sunday. He warned Iran of strikes but also spoke of a deal. “No More Mr Nice Guy,” he said, while calling his offer a “very fair and reasonable deal.” He added that US officials will travel to Islamabad for talks on Monday. The warning followed reports of firing near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called it a ceasefire violation. The truce remains fragile. Both sides blame each other. The first round of talks in Pakistan had failed earlier. (PC: AP)

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Iran Re-Closes Strait Of Hormuz Until US Lifts Blockade, Warns Ships Of Military Action Amid Escalating War

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:22pm on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Iran has once again shut the strategic Strait of Hormuz, declaring it will remain closed until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Iranian forces, including the Revolutionary Guard, warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted, with some ships already turned back or attacked. The move reverses a brief reopening and comes as negotiations between the US and Iran show limited progress, with key disagreements still unresolved. As nearly 20% of global oil flows through the strait, the closure has intensified fears of supply disruptions, rising energy prices, and prolonged geopolitical instability worldwide. (PC: Reuters)

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Trump Threatens Strikes On Iran’s Bridges And Power Plants If Tehran Rejects US Deal Amid Escalating Conflict

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:12pm on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of severe military action, including strikes on bridges and power plants, if it refuses to accept a proposed US deal. The threat comes amid heightened tensions following accusations that Iran violated a ceasefire and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump signalled both diplomacy and aggression, confirming that US officials will resume talks with Iranian representatives in Pakistan. Iran, however, has resisted US demands, maintaining control over the strategic waterway. The situation has raised fears of further escalation, threatening global oil supplies and regional stability. (PC: Reuters)

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Iran President Pezeshkian Slams Donald Trump, Says US Has ‘No Justification’ To Deny Tehran’s Nuclear Rights Amid Ongoing Tensions

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:06pm on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly criticised former US President Donald Trump, stating he has “no justification” to deprive Iran of its nuclear rights. Pezeshkian questioned Trump’s authority, asking why a nation should be denied its legal entitlements without reason. He reaffirmed that Iran considers its nuclear programme a sovereign right and insisted the country is not seeking to escalate conflict, claiming its actions are defensive. The remarks come amid ongoing US-Iran tensions and stalled negotiations over nuclear issues, with both sides still far from reaching a comprehensive agreement. 

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Kamala Harris Says Trump Was “Pulled Into” Iran War by Netanyahu

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:25am on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris said President Donald Trump was “pulled into” the war with Iran by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to BBC News. Speaking at an event in Michigan, Harris said Trump entered a war that many Americans did not want. She said the conflict was putting US service members at risk. Harris also criticised the administration’s foreign policy and called it unreliable for allies. She said Trump could use military force against people he chooses. Trump did not directly reply to Harris. However, he praised Israel on social media and called it a “great ally” of the United States. (PC: The Indian Express)

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Iran Says US Talks Have Moved Forward but Both Sides Still "Far" From Final Deal

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:24am on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Iran said talks with the United States on ending the conflict have made progress, but both sides remain “far” from a final agreement. Iran’s parliamentary speaker gave the update as tensions stayed high in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the waterway will stay closed until the US ends its blockade on Iranian ports, calling the move a breach of the ceasefire. US President Donald Trump said “very good conversations” were taking place with Tehran. He added the blockade would continue until the US transaction with Iran was “100% complete”. The US military said 23 ships had been turned back since the blockade began. (PC: BBC)

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Iran Says US Blockade Is a "Breach of Ceasefire Terms" as Hormuz Stays Shut

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:54am on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Iran said the continuing US blockade on its ports is a “breach of ceasefire terms” agreed earlier this month. Iran and the United States had accepted a conditional two-week ceasefire that included allowing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has now closed the key waterway again. Its navy said the strait will remain shut until the US lifts the blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy also said comments by US President Donald Trump on Hormuz “carry no validity”. Trump said on Saturday that Iran wants to close the strait, but the US would not allow “blackmail”. (PC: BBC)

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"You Cleared Us to Go": Distress Audio From Indian Tanker During Hormuz Gunfire

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:53am on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

A distress audio clip has emerged from an Indian-flagged tanker that came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz. In the recording, a crew member of Sanmar Herald is heard telling Iranian forces, “You gave me clearance to go... You are firing now. Let me turn back.” Two Indian-flagged tankers were forced to turn back after Iranian gunboats opened fire, reports said. No injuries or damage were reported. The second vessel was identified as Jag Arnav. India later summoned Iran’s ambassador and raised concern over the safety of merchant ships and sailors. Confusion continues over movement rules in the strategic waterway. (PC: NDTV)

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Far from Final Deal: Iran Says Big Gaps Still Remain in US Talks as Ceasefire End Date Comes Closer

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:42am on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Iran said major differences still remain in talks with the United States as the ceasefire deadline approaches next week. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is involved in the negotiations, told state television that some progress had been made. He said there were “many gaps” between the two sides. He added that talks had not reached the stage of discussing final terms. His comments suggest any deal is still some distance away. The two-week ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday. Tensions also remain high after Iran again moved to close the Strait of Hormuz during the latest standoff in Gulf waters this week. (PC: India Today)

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Iran Says Big Gaps Still Remain in US Talks as Ceasefire End Date Comes Closer

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:42am on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International

Iran said major differences still remain in talks with the United States as the ceasefire deadline approaches next week. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is involved in the negotiations, told state television that some progress had been made. He said there were “many gaps” between the two sides. He added that talks had not reached the stage of discussing final terms. His comments suggest any deal is still some distance away. The two-week ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday. Tensions also remain high after Iran again moved to close the Strait of Hormuz during the latest standoff in Gulf waters this week.

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