Negotiations in the Middle East: Diplomatic Outcome Remains Uncertain between the United States and Iran

Published on April 19, 2026 at 8:33 PM

Reading time: 2min – video: 2min

Three days before the ceasefire ends, will Americans and Iranians meet in Pakistan? Donald Trump announced on Sunday, April 19, a second round of negotiations. However, the diplomatic path seems fragile in the face of threats to the Strait of Hormuz.

On Iranian television, there is an image of the Strait of Hormuz completely blocked by Iran. Tankers are at a standstill. No ship dares to cross after shots were fired on Saturday, April 18. A French boat was even hit, as announced by Donald Trump on Sunday, April 19. “Iran decided yesterday to open fire in the Strait of Hormuz (…). Many shots targeted a French ship and a British cargo ship,” wrote the President of the United States on social media.

A convoy of four container ships from the French shipping company CMA-CGM was attempting to cross the strait on the morning of Saturday, April 18, when it suddenly turned back. Iranian shots were reported in the area.

Is the Strait of Hormuz becoming the scene of an intense naval battle again? According to the American press, the United States are now considering an unprecedented operation: the interception of ships linked to Iran on all oceans.

Each side is deploying its forces. On one hand, the American military has been present at the exit of the strait for several days to repel ships coming from Iranian ports. On the other hand, Iran mobilizes its mosquito fleet, small fast boats equipped with machine guns, rocket launchers, or drones. Tehran is said to have more than a thousand of them.

Nevertheless, Donald Trump is sticking to the diplomatic channel and announces the dispatch on Monday, April 20 of an American delegation led by Vice President J.D. Vance to resume negotiations. Iran denied this on Sunday; its leaders have been silent since Saturday. “Some issues have been resolved, others have not. There have been other proposals, but we are still far from a final agreement,” said the President of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Baher Ghalibaf. The diplomatic outcome remains very uncertain with three days left before the ceasefire ends.