Iran war briefing: Tehran warns of ‘new cards on the battlefield’

WorldPolitics
21 Apr 2026 • 3:46 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Iran war briefing: Tehran warns of ‘new cards on the battlefield’

  • Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran has prepared "new cards on the battlefield" and will not negotiate with the US under threats.
  • Donald Trump affirmed the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will persist until Iran agrees to a peace deal, also warning of unprecedented problems if an agreement is not reached.
  • The US seized the Iranian cargo ship Touska for attempting to breach the blockade, an act Iran condemned as illegal, demanding the immediate release of the crew.
  • China's President Xi Jinping urged for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open, stressing the importance of political and diplomatic channels for resolving Middle East conflicts.
  • Iran is reportedly reconsidering its involvement in a second round of peace talks in Islamabad, with mediators encouraging Tehran to attend despite internal pressure for a hard line.

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