Radio Farda

US President Donald Trump said a shooting at a Washington, DC, event he was attending would not deter him from the war with Iran, although he added that he did not believe incident was connected to the conflict in the Middle East. "It's not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran," Trump told a news conference late on April 25, about 40 minutes after the security incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner at a Washington hotel. "I don't know if that had anything to do with it. I really don't think so, based on what we know," Trump said.

Iran's foreign minister has arrived in Islamabad as the United States prepares to dispatch senior envoys to Pakistan for what Washington described as a new round of negotiations to end the Iran war, even as Tehran publicly denied any meeting with American officials was planned. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi landed in the Pakistani capital in the early hours of April 25, framing his visit in a post on X as a "timely tour" to coordinate on "bilateral matters" with Pakistani officials before proceeding to Oman and Russia. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was more explicit, posting on X that "no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US," and that Tehran's positions would be "conveyed to Pakistan" rather than delivered directly to American negotiators.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Taleblu outlined how the Russia-Iran partnership has evolved from pragmatic cooperation into what he calls a “transformational” relationship -- one that is reshaping modern warfare. By @ralakbar rferl.org/a/behnam-ben-t…

Iran’s war effort extends beyond the Middle East. By supplying Russia with drones and enabling its long-range strikes in Ukraine, Tehran has already become an active participant in a major war on European soil -- a development that analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu, says represents a critical turning point in both Iran’s confrontation with the West and the broader alignment of authoritarian powers. ⬇️

Ships linked to Iran are reported to have transited the Strait of Hormuz on April 14, the first full day of a US naval blockade targeting vessels "entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas." Data from ship tracking services listed at least four ships, two of which had recently called at Iranian ports, that had passed or were passing through the 30-kilometer-wide waterway in the hours after the blockade came into force the previous day. Read the full story: rferl.org/a/33731994.html By @rayfurlong

Consumers have begun to bear the brunt of increased shipping costs in the form of higher prices. Zulfiya Sultonova, a resident of Dushanbe, has noticed the changes from the war: “Before, I bought laundry detergent for 50 somoni. ($5) Now it’s 65." rferl.org/a/central-asia…

Central Asian countries rely on goods from Iran. With Gulf shipping slowed, cargo is being rerouted overland, increasing costs and delays. Ayzamat Jumabekov of Kyrgyzstan’s freight carriers association says shipments from hubs like Saudi Arabia now take about 10 extra days as routes avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

Max Meizlish argues that while kinetic air strikes grab headlines, the real battle is being fought against the Chinese financial lifelines and clandestine trade networks that keep the Iranian regime afloat. By @ralakbar rferl.org/a/33731428.htm…

President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US will start blockading ships from entering or exiting Iranian ports from 10 a.m. Eastern Time on April 13. CENTCOM did not disclose details of the blockade, such as the number of US vessels that would enforce it, but stated it would apply solely to ships bound to or from Iran. Live updates: rferl.org/a/33640284.html

Iran and the US are considering charging vessels a "toll" to transit the Strait of Hormuz. But maritime insiders say such a move could backfire. 1/4🧵 rferl.org/a/strait-of-ho…

"Limiting the enrichment program is just wishful thinking that will go to the grave," the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, said. These statements come as talks are scheduled to be held between Iran and the US in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11. The US has said that the complete dismantling of Iran's uranium enrichment program is one of its key conditions for any agreement to end the war. For Iran, however, the right to enrich uranium remains a fundamental and non-negotiable demand.

The White House has said Lebanon is not part of the truce, while several countries have expressed concern the issue threatens to unravel a deal that suspended the war after more than five weeks of fighting. 2/2 rferl.org/a/ceasefire-ir…

Emergency Crews In Beirut Dig Through Rubble Following Israeli Strikes A disagreement between Washington and Tehran over whether a temporary cease-fire agreed earlier this week also covers Lebanon is shaking the accord as Israel vows to continue to hit Iran-backed Hezbollah "wherever required." 1/2

A two-week cease-fire between the US and Iran may ease tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, but after five weeks of disruption, China is already reshaping its energy strategy. Beijing is turning to Moscow, and a long-stalled pipeline could be the next big move. By @ReidStan

The health of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has significantly deteriorated in prison, according to her husband, Taghi Rahmani. Rahmani spoke with RFE/RL's @RadioFarda_ from Paris, where he is based. Here's what he said: rferl.org/a/33640284.html

Images chart the transformation of a desolate coral island in the Persian Gulf into Tehran’s primary oil export hub. Kharg Island has become a key target in the US-Israeli war with Iran. rferl.org/a/kharg-island…

Growing media reports based on intelligence say the corridor is now being used to transfer Russian-produced weaponry back to the Middle East, bringing Israeli air strikes closer to Moscow's backyard. rferl.org/a/israel-hits-…

How Will The Iran War Affect You? The impact of the US-Israeli war with Iran is beginning to extend far beyond the Middle East, with early signs of disruption across global energy markets and economies. ⬇️

Nearly four years after Iran unveiled a drone factory in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, its operations -- and even its existence -- remain shrouded in uncertainty. rferl.org/a/iran-tajikis…