NPR News: 04-25-2026 9AM EDT

US-Iran tensions dominate this NPR News Now update, with a US delegation heading to Pakistan for peace talks amid stalled diplomacy, ongoing blockades, and fresh sanctions. The broadcast also covers Democratic pushback on a Trump postal order affecting mail-in voting, wildfires ravaging South Georgia, and the kickoff of BTS's massive comeback tour.

Stalled Peace Talks in Pakistan

A US delegation, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and including President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, arrived in Islamabad for a new round of peace talks aimed at resolving US-Iran conflicts. Iran's Foreign Minister Abba Sarakchi is also present, but Iranian officials have explicitly stated he will meet only with Pakistani counterparts, not US representatives. This refusal underscores deep mistrust, as Iran has dismissed President Trump's recent extension of a ceasefire as "meaningless." Iran points to the continued US blockade of its ports—enforced by intercepting ships to and from Iran—as a violation of the agreement. Meanwhile, Iran maintains military control of the Strait of Hormuz, barring most commercial ships and halting nearly all maritime traffic in the area. These naval standoffs, which threaten global oil flows, are expected to overshadow the talks, complicating any path to de-escalation.