Morning Briefing: April 25, 2026

Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner heading to Pakistan for direct Iran talks, the EU pushing ahead with a 21st sanctions package against Russia, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan saying key nuclear issues can be resolved ahead of the weekend negotiations.

TOP STORIES

• Witkoff, Kushner to fly to Pakistan for direct Iran talks Saturday

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, are traveling to Pakistan on Saturday for direct talks with Iranian representatives, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Friday, describing Pakistan as "incredible mediators throughout this entire process."

Leavitt said Iran had requested the meeting following Trump's urging of Tehran to engage, adding that the administration is hopeful it would "move the ball forward towards a deal."

Vice President JD Vance will remain in the US alongside Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the broader national security team, all on standby to fly to Pakistan if needed.

The talks follow a first round of direct US-Iran negotiations held in Islamabad on April 11–12, after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8.

• Turkish foreign minister says key nuclear issues can be resolved ahead of weekend Iran talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that he believes one or two deadlocked nuclear issues can be resolved as US-Iran talks resume in Islamabad over the weekend, adding that Türkiye is in near-daily contact with all parties involved.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Fidan outlined two scenarios: a negotiated return to free maritime passage, or a more complex situation if talks collapse.

He said Türkiye would support technical operations such as mine clearance in a post-conflict environment but would take a different stance if Ankara is seen as taking sides in a renewed conflict.

• EU pushes ahead with 21st Russia sanctions package, warns about Iran missile program

The European Union is preparing its 21st sanctions package against Russia, with member states pressing to maintain sustained pressure on Moscow alongside a €90 billion ($105 billion) financial package already approved for Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Friday.

Speaking at an informal summit in the Greek Cypriot Administration, Kallas warned that Middle East negotiations must go beyond Iran's nuclear program to also tackle its missile capabilities and support for proxy forces.

She added that freedom of navigation through strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz remains a non-negotiable principle for the bloc.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Iran is set to restart international passenger flights from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Saturday, with Istanbul and Muscat among the first destinations to be served following the ceasefire.
• Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi spoke Friday on the ongoing ceasefire and the need for sustained dialogue with the US, as Islamabad continues its diplomatic efforts for Iran-US engagement.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that a temporary pause in Lebanon hostilities is insufficient, calling for a permanent path to peace, while EU Council President Antonio Costa urged the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions.
• Russia slammed the EU's 20th sanctions package, warning that what it called "illegal actions" by the bloc would receive a "proper and timely response" and accusing Brussels of complete disregard for international law and the UN Charter.
• Norway plans to raise the minimum age for social media use to 16, placing age verification responsibilities on technology companies, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Friday. The proposal goes before parliament later this year and could take effect in early 2027.
• An Indonesian UN peacekeeper, Corp. Rico Pramudia, 31, died Friday from injuries sustained in a March 29 projectile explosion at a UNIFIL base in southern Lebanon, bringing the total number of Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Lebanon since that date to three.
• Poland raised concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the safety of its UNIFIL peacekeeping troops in Lebanon during talks with the Israeli ambassador in Warsaw on Friday.
• The UK reaffirmed on Friday that sovereignty over the Falkland Islands rests with the UK, following reports that Washington could review its position on London's claim to the territory.
• NATO's founding treaty contains no provisions for suspending or expelling members, an alliance official said Friday, amid reports the US had considered measures targeting Spain.
• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Friday that any further Iranian mine laying in the Strait of Hormuz will be treated as a ceasefire violation, saying the military will "shoot to destroy, no hesitation."
• Russia and Ukraine exchanged 193 prisoners of war each on Friday, with the UAE and the US serving as humanitarian mediators, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that a temporary pause in Lebanon hostilities is not enough, calling for a "permanent path to peace" and stressing that regional security is "intrinsically linked."
• The US Justice Department closed its criminal investigation into alleged cost overruns tied to a Federal Reserve construction project, deferring instead to the Fed's inspector general for review, and taking pressure off outgoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
• US President Donald Trump extended his Jones Act waiver by 90 days Friday, allowing non-US ships to carry oil between American ports in a bid to lower domestic fuel prices amid ongoing energy market disruptions.
• Peru's electoral board on Friday unanimously rejected a request to annul the April 13-14 presidential election, dismissing candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga's fraud claims as "unfeasible" as the race for the final runoff spot against frontrunner Keiko Fujimori this June remains a statistical dead heat.
• Formula 1 will return to Türkiye after a six-year absence, with Istanbul Park set to host the Turkish Grand Prix in 2027 for the 10th time in the circuit's history.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Global gas market to stay tight through 2027 as Mideast crisis delays LNG supply wave

The global natural gas market will remain tight through 2027 as the Mideast conflict disrupts shipping and damages infrastructure, delaying an expected surge in new LNG capacity, the International Energy Agency said Friday.

Hormuz disruptions have removed close to 20% of global LNG supply from the market, with damage to Qatar's liquefaction infrastructure potentially cutting around 120 billion cubic meters of supply between 2026 and 2030.

• Japan to release 20 days of oil reserves starting May 1 as Hormuz crisis strains crude supply

Japan will begin tapping its national oil reserves from May 1, releasing roughly 5.8 million kiloliters — about 20 days' worth of supply — as Middle East turmoil continues to choke crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tokyo expects to source more than half of its crude from alternative routes by May compared with last year, and says it can now secure supply through year-end while keeping stockpile releases to a minimum.

• Oil prices edge higher as Hormuz closure and US-Iran naval tensions rattle markets

Oil prices climbed Friday as the continued shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and escalating maritime standoffs between the US and Iran kept global energy markets on edge.

Brent crude rose 0.63% to $105.73 per barrel, as West Texas Intermediate gained 0.32% to $96.17, with both benchmarks drawing support from fears over prolonged supply disruptions through one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints.