Day 49 of the Iran war opened with an American ultimatum, an Iranian refusal and an empty Strait of Hormuz. Zero oil tankers transited the waterway Sunday, according to Marine Tracker data cited by CNN. Britain rated the Gulf risk level “critical.”
The Ultimatum
President Trump told Fox News on Sunday that Iran has one last chance.
“If they don’t sign that deal, the whole country will blow up,” Trump said, according to the Fox News report.
The United States is preparing to strike Iran harder than any country has ever been struck, Trump said by phone. His stated reason: Iran cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Washington has “massive amounts of ammunition,” he added, and accused Tehran of behaving as if it can “learn nothing.”
Hours later, speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Trump softened. The concept of a deal is already finished, he said, and he is optimistic about reaching agreement.
Iran Says No
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported Tehran will not attend a second round of peace talks. IRNA cited Washington’s “excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant changes of position, repeated contradictions and the ongoing naval blockade.”
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref called the US side volatile. “Under pressure they yield, then they take a stubborn approach,” Aref said. Iran’s negotiators, he added, “bravely defend national interests.”
Aref also tied sanctions to the strait. “If we manage the Strait of Hormuz, there will be no need to wait for sanctions to be lifted, because they will practically lose their effect.”
But CNN Says Yes
Unnamed Iranian sources told CNN a delegation will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday for talks with US representatives. The team would be identical to the previous round: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Those sources expect a symbolic joint statement on ceasefire extension Wednesday. If Trump agrees to visit Islamabad, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian would travel there for a joint signing of an Islamabad Declaration.
Tasnim news agency sources contradicted that account. Iran has not decided to send a team and will not negotiate while the US naval blockade continues, they said.
JD Vance was expected to lead the American delegation. Trump said the Secret Service could not arrange security in time. The US team leader is unclear.
The Ship Incident
Two accounts of a Gulf of Oman confrontation emerged within hours of each other.
US Marines intercepted and took “full control” of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, Trump said. A hole was made in the hull.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency told a different story. American “terrorist forces” opened fire on an Iranian merchant vessel to force it back to Iranian territorial waters, Mehr said. The IRGC navy “forced the Americans to withdraw from the area.”
Neither account could be independently verified.
Hormuz: Zero Traffic
Not a single oil tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. Marine Tracker data cited by CNN shows numerous vessels anchored near the strait. Others are circling to avoid entry. Only tugboats and Iranian-flagged vessels are moving.
The British military declared the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf “critical,” its highest risk level. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported high naval activity and warned of “the risk of attack or miscalculation” on the route.
Iran Claims Faster Missile Replenishment
IRGC Aerospace Force commander General Seyed Majid Mousavi posted a video on social media showing missile and drone stockpiles being replaced. Iran’s speed in reloading launchers during the ceasefire has exceeded pre-war levels, Mousavi claimed.
“We are aware that the enemy is not capable of creating such conditions for itself during the ceasefire,” Mousavi said.
The claim could not be independently verified. US intelligence previously estimated Iran retains up to 70 percent of its pre-war missile stockpile.
Israel: Full Force in Lebanon
Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to use “full force” in Lebanon during the ceasefire if troops face any threat.
Netanyahu, speaking alongside visiting Argentine President Javier Milei, said the war with Iran is not over. “We have achieved great things. It is not over yet. At any moment something new can happen,” he said.
Pakistan’s Role
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Pezeshkian by phone for about 45 minutes. Sharif called the conversation “warm and heartfelt” and said Pakistan remains committed to sincere efforts for regional peace.
Sharif thanked Iran for sending a high-level delegation to the previous round of talks in Islamabad.
The Clock
The ceasefire expires April 22. Two days remain. Iran says no talks while the blockade continues. Trump says sign the deal or face destruction. CNN says talks are happening Tuesday. IRNA says they are not. The Strait of Hormuz is empty.
