Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, as Teheran intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the United States-Israel war on Iran.

Upon his arrival on Monday, Araghchi told Iranian media that he had travelled to Russia “with the aim of continuing close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues”.

The diplomat said his meeting with Putin “will be a good opportunity to discuss developments in the war and review the latest situation”.

“I am confident that these consultations and coordination between the two countries in this regard will be of particular importance,” he added.

The visit follows an earlier meeting in Muscat with Omani officials, as Iran seeks to rally regional and international support for renewed negotiations.

Washington and Tehran agreed to a temporary ceasefire on April 8 following more than a month of fighting that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

The truce, mediated by Pakistan, has since been strained by disputes over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and a US blockade on Iranian ports; meanwhile, a parallel conflict involving Israel and Lebanon also threatens to complicate negotiations.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said Russia was likely to play a central role in any next phase of the conflict. “We have a scenario for diplomatic settlement and another for confrontation,” Asadi said.

“Russia is going to play a key role when it comes to both, so Iran’s FM is there for consultations over most probably both. We know that Iran has several demands and is trying to prioritise them based on the situation. One is obviously the situation at the Strait of Hormuz, the possibility of the extension of the ceasefire, or another confrontation.”

The diplomatic push comes as US President Donald Trump scrapped plans to send Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad for talks with Iran on Saturday, citing “tremendous infighting and confusion” within Tehran’s leadership.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated that Tehran will not enter negotiations while the blockade remains in place.

It comes as the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said forces were continuing to implement the blockade, preventing vessels from entering or leaving Iranian waters.

“American forces have directed 38 ships to turn around or return to port,” CENTCOM said on X.

Trump said Iran had “offered a lot, but not enough”, while adding on Sunday that Iranian leaders “can come to us, or they can call us” if they wanted to resume talks.

Araghchi earlier described discussions in Islamabad as “very productive” and said they included a review of “the specific conditions under which negotiations between Iran and the US could continue”.

Reporting from Islamabad, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid said Pakistani officials remained hopeful that diplomacy could still succeed.

“According to one diplomatic source, recent events have served as a catalyst, [reinforcing the view] that there needs to be a permanent end to hostilities,” he said.

“We are being told here in Islamabad that we are inching towards a framework of sorts, which will provide a background to which all of these sides can come to an agreement – and not just the Iranians and the Americans, but essentially the Gulf countries as well.”

[Aljazeera]

In a battle between the bottom-placed teams, momentum shifted hands multiple times before Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Super Over, with Rinku Singh playing a pivotal role throughout the game.

Before the Super Over (effectively four balls across both innings), the 20th over of each innings in regulation time had the biggest say in an error-strewn game. After 19 overs, KKR were 129 for 7. Rinku smashed Digvesh Rathi for four successive sixes in a 26-run over to take them to 155 for 7. Rinku finished on 83 not out off 51 balls, his highest score in T20s

In the chase, LSG needed 17 from six balls with Himmat Singh and Mohammed Shami at the crease. Kartik Tyagi conceded successive no-balls off beamers before dismissing Himmat, but served up a half-volley with seven needed from one ball, and Shami launched it over long-off to tie the game.

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.