Senior U.S. official tells Axios that if there is no breakthrough in peace negotiations soon, the war could resume in the coming days, with the current ceasefire set to expire Tuesday, April 21.

Radio audio from today’s Iranian attack on the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, M/T SANMAR HERALD, while the vessel was attempting to pass eastbound through the Strait of Hormuz, after reportedly been given permission by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N). The SANMAR HERALD has since withdrawn back to the Persian Gulf, with the IRGC-N once again announcing the total closure of the Hormuz Strait.

Audio credit: @TankerTrackers on X

According to Reuters, this message was broadcast earlier today over VHF maritime frequencies by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N):

“Attention all ships, ​regarding the failure ⁠of the U.S. government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely ​closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality ​is allowed ⁠to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The U.S. Navy is preparing in coming days to board Iranian-linked sanctioned crude oil tankers and seize commercial ships within international waters in several areas around the globe, according to U.S. officials, expanding its ongoing naval crackdown beyond the current blockade in the Middle East, the officials told the Wall Street Journal.

Chances that commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal anytime soon have plummeted in the last 24 hours on Polymarket, as Iran announces it is once again fully closing the vital shipping lane, with traders on Polymarket believing there is only a 24% chance that the strait will be reopened by the end of April.

U.S. intelligence and military officials estimate that Iran still maintains about 40% of its pre-war arsenal of long-range attack drones, as well as 60% of its ballistic and cruise missile launchers, with over 100 systems that were buried inside caves and bunkers as a result of U.S. and Israeli strikes having been recovered since the start of the two-week ceasefire on April 8. In addition, some American estimates assess that Iran could reclaim as much as 70% of its pre-war stockpile of missiles, similarly buried in rubble from attacks on its bunkers and depots, officials tell The New York Times.

Seemingly unusual radio traffic tonight by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), including a 12-character message from an E-6B “Mercury” Communications Relay and Strategic Airborne Command Post Aircraft.

Audio credit: @neetintel on X

Live performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” posted tonight to TruthSocial by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has stated that no date has been set for the next round of peace negotiations between Iran and the United States, following last weekend’s talks in Islamabad which failed to achieve an agreement, despite claims by U.S. President Donald J. Trump that there would be more direct talks this weekend in Pakistan.

“We are now focusing on finalising ⁠the framework of understanding between two sides. We don't want to enter into any negotiation or meeting which is doomed to fail and which can be a pretext for another round of escalation,” Khatibzadeh told reporters on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum Saturday in Turkey.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump states that his representatives will be leaving soon for Islamabad, Pakistan, to attend the second round of peace negotiations with Iran, expected to take place Monday evening, adding that, “We're offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don't, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY! They'll come down fast, they'll come down easy and, if they don't take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead a delegation, which will once again include Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, for another round of direct peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, before the current two-week ceasefire is scheduled to end Tuesday, two U.S. officials tell Axios.

According to ABC News, U.S. Vice President JD Vance will not be leading the diplomatic delegation to Islamabad, despite reports from Axios and several other outlets, with President Trump telling Jonathan Karl that the issue is security, the Secret Service couldn’t do it on 24 hours notice. “It’s only because of security. JD’s great.”

Senior U.S. official now tells ABC News that Vice President Vance is going to Islamabad and will be leading the U.S. delegation for talks with Iran.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance will attend the next round of Iran talks in Pakistan along with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the White House has told CNN, after President Trump told ABC News that Vance would not be attempting the talks in Islamabad. In response to the conflicting messages over the U.S. delegation, a White House official said: “things changed.”

In a phone interview with morning with Fox News’ Trey Yingst, President Donald J. Trump stated regarding this week’s next round of peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, “If they don't sign this deal, the whole country is going to get blown up,” adding that bridges and power plants will be targeted throughout Iran.

Iranians officials are lowering expectations of this week’s talks in Islamabad and appear suspicious that President Trump’s talk of a deal could be cover for a U.S. surprise attack, according to Axios.

Iranian state news agency Tasnim has posted a lengthy statement to X describing what Iran sees as continued U.S. preparations to continue the war while publicly stating they are willing to negotiate. The statement goes on to say that Iran is prepared to "abandon restraints" shown in the first phase of the war to unleash "unforgettable hellish hours right from the outset of renewed conflict with America and Israel" while explicitly stating that the Bab al Mandeb Strait, Saudi Aramco facilities, the port of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, and the city of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates will all enter the conflict.