What to know about the Iran war:
A U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports and a partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for shipments of oil, fertilizer and other vital goods, began Monday at 10 a.m. EDT.
Iran warned it would retaliate if the U.S. carried out the blockade of its ports, saying it would be illegal and, essentially, piracy. Tehran said no Gulf ports will be safe if traffic to and from its own is impeded.
The threats follow the failure of talks in Islamabad over the weekend to reach a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, with Pakistani mediators. Vice President JD Vance, who headed the U.S. delegation, said the main sticking point came down to Iran refusing to give up its nuclear ambitions.
CBS News has learned that Pakistan is pushing to get the U.S. and Iran to resume negotiations in an effort to get a peace accord before the current ceasefire runs out next week.
2:38 AM / April 14, 2026
Xi says China to play ‘constructive role’ in promoting Mideast peace talks
China’s President Xi Jinping vowed Tuesday that his country would play a “constructive role” in promoting peace talks in the Middle East, Chinese state media reported, after a first round of discussions between the United States and Iran ended without agreement.
“Xi Jinping stressed China’s principled stance of promoting peace and urging talks, and reiterated it will continue to play a constructive role on this,” state news agency Xinhua said.
He also said, “The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf countries in the Middle East should be sincerely respected,” according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday said China could play an “important” role in resolving the war.
“The role China can play is important in order to find diplomatic means that end this war and contribute to stability and peace,” Sanchez told a news conference in Beijing after talks with Xi.
“All nations — especially those which are in dialogue and have not actively taken part in this illegal war — are not only welcome, but are also absolutely necessary,” Sanchez said.