First modification: 04/27/2026 - 14:16 Last modification: 04/28/2026 - 21:59

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met in St. Petersburg with Vladimir Putin, who reaffirmed Moscow's support for Tehran. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the Israeli Army continues attacking the south and the Bekaa Valley; For his part, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem flatly rejected any direct negotiations between the Government of Lebanon and Israel.

The essentials:

This minute by minute has been closed. Below, the most relevant news of the war in the Middle East on the day of April 27, marked by the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Russia:

Oil soars again after the departure of the United Arab Emirates from OPEC

Texas Intermediate Oil (WTI) closed this Tuesday with a rise of 3.7%, to $99.93 per barrel, amid ups and downs in the peace negotiations between the US and Iran and the departure of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from OPEC and OPEC+.

Ambassador to Spain affirms that Iran "does not have any confidence in the negotiations"

Iran's ambassador to Spain, Reza Zabibi, said this Tuesday in Madrid that the Islamic Republic "does not trust negotiations" with the United States to find a way out of the current war, but that it will still continue negotiating to demonstrate that it is favorable to a diplomatic solution.

"There is no trust factor, therefore reaching an agreement will be difficult," argued the ambassador in a colloquium organized by the Club Siglo XXI.

Oil rebounds again as negotiations between the US and Iran slow down

The barrel of Brent oil for delivery in June rose 2.75% this Monday, reaching $108.23 on the London futures market, driven by the stalemate in peace negotiations between the United States and Iran and the persistent blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Texas intermediate crude oil closed up 2.09% at $96.37 a barrel after Donald Trump announced he would not send US envoys to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran.

IMO warns of more than 20,000 sailors trapped in the Strait of Hormuz

"Maritime transport and sailors should never be used as bargaining chips in geopolitical conflicts," declared Arsenio Domínguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) this Monday during his speech at the UN Security Council, in which he recalled that "20,000 innocent sailors" remain trapped in the Persian Gulf due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Guterres warns of 'worst supply chain disruption' since pandemic

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Monday that, given the deadlock in negotiations between the US and Iran, the world body should temporarily support an emergency framework proposed by the International Maritime Organization.

The UN chief warned of "empty fuel tanks, empty shelves and empty plates" if solutions are not implemented for what he called the "worst supply chain disruption since COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine."

Guterres has led a global initiative to move fertilizers through Hormuz, in an attempt to avoid a food insecurity crisis in underdeveloped countries that depend on the supply.

Israel cancels major holiday gatherings over fears of Hezbollah attack

Plans have changed for around 100,000 Jews, mostly ultra-Orthodox, gathered next week on Mount Meron, in northern Israel, to celebrate the Lag BaOmer holiday, in which the faithful light bonfires, dance and share banquets.

However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Monday that the gathering will be replaced by a more low-key symbolic ceremony, due to fears that the rally could be attacked by Hezbollah. Mount Meron is located only about 6 kilometers from the border with Lebanon.

Trump discusses Iranian proposal with his national security advisors

The US president discussed this Monday with his main national security advisors the new Iranian proposal to resolve the war in the Middle East, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The spokesperson did not offer details about the outcome of the meeting or the reception of the proposal. Instead, he indicated that Trump would address the issue later.

Report from Beirut: Israel truce - Hezbollah hangs by a thread

The truce between Israel and Hezbollah hangs by a thread as attacks between both sides increase and mutual accusations of systematically violating the ceasefire increase. Our correspondent Ethel Bonet gave us more information about the dialogues and the latest statements from the Lebanese Government and the Shiite group about the agreements.

UN maritime agency rejects Iran's collection of tolls in the Strait of Hormuz

“There is no legal basis for the introduction of any tax, any customs duty or any fee in the straits intended for international navigation,” declared the secretary general of the UN maritime agency, Arsenio Domínguez, in a press conference.

Shipping through the narrow strait has been affected since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and Tehran has signaled it wants to impose transit fees as part of any peace deal.

Meanwhile, Iran has closed the passage, sharply cutting oil and gas flows and causing prices to skyrocket, while the United States keeps Iranian ports blocked.

Lebanon: Death toll from Israeli attacks reaches 2,521, says Health Ministry

The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) updated the death toll from the Lebanese Ministry of Health since Israel launched the most recent offensive on March 2, 2026.

The ministry says 2,521 people have died as of April 27, and at least 22 people have died over the past two days. They also recorded an additional toll of 7,804 injuries.

Israeli Defense Minister says Hezbollah chief is 'playing with fire'

Israel Katz warned that Hezbollah's challenge will bring catastrophic consequences for Lebanon, this in reference to the militant group's leader rejecting the proposal for direct talks between Israel and Lebanon.

"Naim Qassem is playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon... If the Lebanese government continues to take shelter under the wing of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, the fire will break out and engulf the cedars of Lebanon," Katz said in a statement to the UN envoy for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

Macron will pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron announced, from Andorra, that he will contact the Iranian authorities after his two-day visit to the principality and stated that he will insist on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted that an international coalition has been formed with the aim of guaranteeing security and stabilizing the area.

UAE criticizes its Gulf allies for being "weak" towards Iran

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the Gulf states had supported each other logistically during the crisis, but lashed out at their political and military response.

"The position of the GCC (Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf) was the weakest historically, considering the nature of the attack and the threat it posed to everyone," Gargash declared, referring to the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.

Tehran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

Security sources report a drone attack against an Iranian opposition group west of Suleimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan

Araqchi ratifies the strategic alliance between Tehran and Moscow

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi formally thanked Vladimir Putin and Russia for the support provided during their meeting in Saint Petersburg and highlighted that the ties between both nations constitute a strategic partnership that is being strengthened for the future.

Putin receives a message from the Supreme Leader of Iran and reaffirms his support for the region

President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who conveyed a direct message from the Supreme Leader of Iran.

During the meeting, Putin asked the diplomat to send his best wishes and wishes for good health to the Ayatollah, while ensuring that Russia will do everything possible to act in favor of the interests of Iran and the other countries in the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Photo: Reuters.

Iran proposes that its armed forces control the Strait of Hormuz

Under Iran's proposed bill to manage the sea lane in the Strait of Hormuz, that country's armed forces would be the responsible authorities.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, told state television that they would have the power to prohibit the passage of "hostile ships" and demand the payment of fees in Iranian rials in the strait they already dominate.

The Lebanese president affirms that he will reject any "humiliating" agreement with Israel at the end of the negotiations

The Lebanese president stressed that the objective of direct negotiations with Israel is to end the conflict, adding, in reference to Hezbollah, that the real "betrayal" was having dragged Lebanon into the war.

"My goal is to achieve the end of the state of war with Israel, following the model of the armistice agreement" between Lebanon and Israel of 1949, President Joseph Aoun declared in a statement, adding: "I assure you that I will not accept a humiliating agreement."

Iran's foreign minister blames the US for the failure of talks after landing in Russia

During a visit to Russia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi blamed the United States for the failure of talks between Tehran and Washington.

Iran's top diplomat made these statements after landing in St. Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to achieve its objectives due to its excessive demands," Araqchi said.

The Israeli army claims to be attacking Hezbollah positions in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon

The Israeli army declared that it has begun attacking Hezbollah positions in the Lebanese Bekaa region, amid a ceasefire that began in early April.

"The IDF has begun attacking Hezbollah infrastructure sites in the Bekaa Valley and additional areas throughout southern Lebanon," he said in a brief post on the X social network.

With information from AFP, AP, Reuters, EFE and local media.

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