US And Iran Begin Islamabad Peace Talks Amid Strait Of Hormuz Blockade

The United States and Iran began peace talks on April 10 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance.

Al Jazeera

Iran's delegation was headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The talks came amid deep mistrust and unresolved issues including control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and Israel's invasion of Lebanon.

The strait remained effectively blocked despite the ceasefire.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf tweeted that two conditions must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.

Israel and Hezbollah continued to trade fire in Lebanon.

Al Jazeera

Trump accused Iran of doing a very poor job of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strait is a vital shipping passage for oil and gas that Iran has in effect blockaded since the war started.

The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed despite the ceasefire.

Iran's military signaled it would maintain control of the passageway.

Brent crude was around $97 per barrel, up more than 30% since the war started.

Analysts warned that governments may start hoarding oil in fear of renewed disruption.

The blockade has proved Iran's biggest strategic advantage in the war.

Death toll estimates diverged sharply across sources.

Reuters and BBC reported at least 28 killed.

blue News

Al Jazeera counted at least 41 based on hospital tallies.

Police detained factory owner Faisal Rahman.

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said rescue teams found most victims near stairwells.

Survivors described workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

“Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's former representative to the UN, thinks the talks between Iran and the US will "absolutely" happen”

BBC

Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

CBS News

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024 but had continued operating.

This was not an accident. This was corporate murder.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands.

Both companies said they were deeply saddened.

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

The audit system was fundamentally broken.

Rahman was being questioned about allegations that emergency exits had been welded shut.