Morning Briefing: April 15, 2026

Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including CENTCOM saying a US naval blockade has 'completely halted' Iran's maritime trade, US President Donald Trump saying that Iran talks could resume in Pakistan within the next two days, and the US, Israel and Lebanon agreeing to begin direct negotiations following a trilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington.

TOP STORIES

• US naval blockade 'completely halted' Iran's maritime trade: CENTCOM

US forces have “completely halted” maritime trade to and from Iran, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) said as a blockade continues.

"In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea," Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement.

His remarks came after CENTCOM began on Monday a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports.

The command, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East, said the blockade will be "enforced impartially against vessels of all nations" entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

"CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports," it said.

• Trump: Iran talks could resume in Pakistan within next 2 days

President Donald Trump struck an upbeat tone on the prospects for the resumption of direct US-Iranian talks, saying they could restart in Pakistan within the next two days.

"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," Trump said during a phone interview with a New York Post reporter who is in Islamabad. "It's more likely. You know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job."

Trump was referring to Pakistani Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, with whom he developed a strong relationship as he sought to broker an end to the 2025 Pakistan-India conflict.

"He's fantastic, and therefore it's more likely that we go back there," Trump told the Post. "Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?"

• Israel, Lebanon agree to begin direct talks, US says following meeting in Washington

The US, Israel and Lebanon agreed to begin direct negotiations following a trilateral meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, according to a statement released following the meeting.

The meeting, hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attended by Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, included “productive discussions” on steps toward initiating direct talks, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in the statement. “All sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue,” it said.

“The United States expressed its hope that talks can exceed the scope of the 2024 agreement and bring about a comprehensive peace deal,” it added.

According to the statement, Israel “expressed support” for disarming non-state armed groups and dismantling militant infrastructure in Lebanon while committing to “direct negotiations” with Lebanon to “achieve that goal to ensure security for the people of both countries.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Canada and nine other countries issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Lebanon and calling for protection for aid workers.
• US President Donald Trump said the US-Israeli war with Iran “is over,” according to comments relayed by a Fox News host ahead of an interview set to air Wednesday morning.
• The US military carried out a strike on a vessel allegedly involved in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, according to the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that respect for international law is eroding globally, particularly in the Middle East, cautioning that the consequences could deepen instability and conflict.
• US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump is pursuing a sweeping agreement with Iran rather than a narrower deal.
• The US Treasury Department issued a sweeping warning to all financial institutions, saying it is ready to apply secondary sanctions on any entity it determines to be working in support of Iranian activities.
• Italy’s Senate President Ignazio La Russa defended Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying suggestions she would accept direct attacks on the pope are misplaced following remarks by US President Donald Trump.
• Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia and Türkiye ahead of a possible second round of talks in Islamabad to end the US-Israeli war against Iran amid a fragile two-week ceasefire.
• US President Donald Trump said he was “shocked” at how Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "doesn't want to help us in the war,” according to remarks to Italian media.
• Canada will suspend federal fuel taxes until early September in response to a surge in gas prices, primarily due to the Iran war, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar spoke about the future of bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, said Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
• French President Emmanuel Macron said he urged the resumption of talks and clearing up of misunderstandings in phone calls with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and his US counterpart Donald Trump.
• Iran maintains its contacts with Pakistan, but no agreement has yet been reached regarding another round of talks with the US, an Iranian source told the IRNA news agency.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Gold jumps above $4,840, hits 4-week high on hopes US-Iran talks will continue

Gold prices climbed more than 2.1% to above $4,840 per ounce as of 1745GMT, hitting a four-week high as hopes for continued US-Iran talks eased fears that the conflict would trigger a prolonged supply shock across global energy markets.

This marked the highest level since March 18, when the spot gold price was around $4,845.

Escalating tensions in the Middle East had initially driven the bullion to low levels, with spot gold falling to $4,099.52 per ounce, its lowest since last November.

• Energy prices fall on hopes for US-Iran talks to continue

Energy prices fell as hopes for continued US-Iran talks eased fears of a prolonged supply shock, although the International Energy Agency warned that the war-driven spike in fuel costs is already starting to weaken oil demand.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, was down 4% at around $95.30 per barrel as of 1612GMT, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude fell 6.8% to $92.35.

European natural gas prices also dropped 7.7%, with TTF futures dropping to around €42.80 ($50.45) per megawatt-hour as markets priced in a lower risk of deeper supply disruptions.