AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Hwang Jin-hyun
  • U.S.-Iran Talks Stall as Back-Channel Contacts Continue and Washington Tightens Pressure
    U.S.-Iran Talks Stall as Back-Channel Contacts Continue and Washington Tightens Pressure U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks remain stalled, but back-channel contacts are continuing, according to reports. At the same time, the United States is stepping up economic pressure on Iran as it seeks leverage in the negotiations. CNN reported Sunday, citing multiple sources familiar with the mediation, that the two sides have not held a second face-to-face meeting in Pakistan, but quiet talks have continued. The discussions are focused on a phased approach. In an initial stage, key items include returning to prewar conditions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or transit fees. Iran’s nuclear program would be taken up in later stages, the report said. Uncertainty over the outlook remains. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump and his national security team are skeptical of an Iranian proposal that would reopen the strait while putting nuclear talks on hold. Trump views the nuclear issue as a central condition of any agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing that “the president’s red line on Iran is very clear,” and said Trump would state his position soon. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with Fox News, said that if Iran’s idea of “opening the strait” means “yes, it’s open, but you have to consult Iran and get our permission, and if not we’ll attack you, and pay a toll,” then “that’s not opening the strait.” He said the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and stressed the United States cannot accept Iran normalizing a system in which it decides who can use it and how much they must pay. Rubio also said Iran is trying to threaten the world with nuclear weapons, adding that it wants to hold the world hostage to get what it wants, as it does now with oil. “That is unacceptable,” he said. With no visible breakthrough, Washington is increasing pressure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines carries the risk of U.S. sanctions. He urged governments to take steps to ensure their companies do not provide services to those airlines “in any form,” including supplying jet fuel, catering, paying landing fees or providing maintenance. Bessent said the Treasury Department will maintain “maximum pressure” on Iran and will act against third parties that help or carry out Iran-related transactions. Pressure through a maritime blockade is also continuing. U.S. Central Command said the United States has diverted 37 vessels to other routes since the blockade began. Analysts said Iran’s crude storage capacity has fallen to an estimated 12 to 22 days. Commodities analytics firm Kpler forecast Iran could make additional output cuts of up to 1.5 million barrels a day by mid-May. Debate inside Iran over whether to negotiate is also continuing. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Russia’s Vesti broadcaster that Iran is “clearly fighting the world’s greatest power,” and said the other side has “clearly achieved no goals.” “That is why he is calling for negotiations, and we are now reviewing that option,” Araghchi said. Iranian officials have also moved to counter doubts about the negotiating team. State-run IRNA reported that 261 of the Majlis’ 290 lawmakers adopted a statement backing the negotiating team. The statement appeared to respond to Western media analyses suggesting the team had lost decision-making authority under pressure from hard-line military forces. The lawmakers said that as the war enters a new phase, the enemy is trying to stir conflict between authorities and the public across the battlefield, the streets and diplomacy. They said parliament, as the people’s representative, trusts and fully supports the negotiating team, especially Majlis Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, describing him as the head of the team who has stepped into a new arena of battle against the enemy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 15:30:11
  • Japans PM Takaichi to Visit Vietnam, Australia to Boost Economic Security Cooperation
    Japan's PM Takaichi to Visit Vietnam, Australia to Boost Economic Security Cooperation Japan’s government said April 28 that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit Vietnam and Australia from May 1 to 5. According to the Asahi Shimbun and other reports, Takaichi will travel to Vietnam starting May 1 and hold talks May 2 with To Lam, the Vietnamese Communist Party’s general secretary and state president, and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. The two sides plan to reaffirm efforts to strengthen their “comprehensive strategic partnership,” including cooperation on energy, critical minerals and economic security. Takaichi is also scheduled to deliver a speech on a revised version of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy. Takaichi will then visit Australia from May 3 and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on May 4. Japan’s Foreign Ministry said that with this year marking the 50th anniversary of the Japan-Australia Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the two countries plan to deepen cooperation across a wide range of areas — security, the economy, economic security and people-to-people exchanges — and elevate ties to a “special strategic partnership.” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the government’s top spokesman, told a news conference that strengthening relations with Vietnam, “which is showing notable growth in Southeast Asia,” and with Australia, “a key partner in allied cooperation,” is “very important.” Separately, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to visit the Philippines on April 30 to deliver a letter from Takaichi to President Ferdinand Marcos. The Philippines is this year’s chair of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Kishida is reported to be traveling as the senior adviser to a parliamentary group for the Asia Zero Emission Community initiative on energy resilience.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 14:34:04
  • Iran Nears Oil Storage Limit Under U.S. Pressure, May Face More Output Cuts
    Iran Nears Oil Storage Limit Under U.S. Pressure, May Face More Output Cuts Iran is rapidly running out of crude oil storage capacity under U.S. economic pressure, raising the likelihood of additional production cuts, analysts said. Bloomberg reported on April 27, citing commodities analytics firm Kpler, that Iran has only about 12 to 22 days of usable crude storage remaining. Kpler said shrinking storage could push Iran to cut output by as much as 1.5 million barrels a day by mid-May. Goldman Sachs has previously assessed that Iran has already reduced crude production by up to 2.5 million barrels per day. Iran’s crude exports have fallen sharply since a U.S. maritime blockade, Kpler said. Recent exports were about 567,000 barrels a day, down from a March average of about 1.85 million barrels a day. Crude loadings have also dropped about 70% since the blockade, it said. Even with lower production, the fiscal hit is expected to arrive with a lag. It takes about two months for Iranian crude to reach Chinese ports, its main destination, and payments take additional time, meaning the impact of reduced revenue is expected to become more pronounced in about three to four months. Iran is expanding stopgap measures to keep production going, The Wall Street Journal reported. With crude piling up at home, Iran has restarted disused storage tanks in poor condition and is using temporary facilities such as containers. The steps are seen as aimed at easing infrastructure strain and reducing U.S. pressure amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the U.K. think tank Chatham House, said Iran is trying to avoid shutting in production and deepening revenue losses. “A production shutdown would increase pressure and encourage negotiations,” she said. Iran is also turning to rail transport, a method typically avoided because it is less profitable and efficient. A spokesperson for the Iran Petroleum Exporters Association said Iran is pursuing a plan to ship crude to China by rail. Erica Downs, an energy policy expert at Columbia University, said it is unclear whether small Chinese refineries will absorb higher rail costs, calling it “a measure born of desperation.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 14:12:05
  • Iran Central Bank Opens Rial, Yuan, Dollar and Euro Accounts to Collect Strait of Hormuz Tolls
    Iran Central Bank Opens Rial, Yuan, Dollar and Euro Accounts to Collect Strait of Hormuz Tolls Iran’s central bank has opened four dedicated currency accounts to collect tolls from ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Arab Times and other outlets reported on the 27th (local time) that Alaeeddin Boroujerdi, a member of Iran’s parliament on the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said the central bank set up accounts in the rial, Chinese yuan, U.S. dollar and euro to manage toll revenue. The funds are expected to be managed in cooperation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, in line with parliamentary discussions, the reports said. Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said international law does not allow tolls, taxes or customs duties to be imposed in straits used as international sea lanes. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which about 20% of the world’s seaborne crude oil shipments pass, and the move is expected to ripple through the global shipping industry and regional security. Iran moved to control the strait after war broke out following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28, and the United States responded by imposing a maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports and other sites. Boroujerdi said parliament is pursuing a “Strait of Hormuz Security Plan” to put a toll system into law and secure a stable revenue source. He added that payment could later shift to digital currency and mentioned the possible adoption of a blockchain-based payment system to strengthen financial influence in international transactions. The policy has also moved into actual collection. Iran’s PressTV previously reported that on the 23rd, Iran’s military collected a Strait of Hormuz toll for the first time in cash. The toll was deposited into a single central bank account and was paid in cash, not cryptocurrency, the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 11:38:40
  • U.S. Treasury warns of sanctions for dealings with blacklisted Iranian airlines
    U.S. Treasury warns of sanctions for dealings with blacklisted Iranian airlines U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that individuals and companies that do business with sanctioned Iranian airlines could face U.S. penalties, as Washington steps up economic pressure on Iran amid stalled talks to end the war. According to The Wall Street Journal, Bessent said in a statement on April 27 that "doing business with sanctioned Iranian airlines carries the risk of being targeted by U.S. sanctions." He urged governments to take steps to ensure their companies do not provide "any form of service" to those aircraft, including supplying jet fuel, providing catering, paying landing fees or performing maintenance. He added that the Treasury Department would maintain "maximum pressure" on Iran and would "not hesitate" to act against third parties that help or carry out Iran-related transactions. Iran has resumed some commercial flights after its clash with the United States. Iranian state television reported on April 26 that flights departed Tehran for Turkey, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Treasury Department has recently launched what it has dubbed "Economic Fury," an Iran-focused pressure campaign likened to the name of a U.S. military operation, "Epic Fury." The department is targeting what it views as a global asset network involved in sustaining Iran's oil trade. It has also reportedly sent letters to Chinese banks warning that continued support for Iranian oil transactions could trigger secondary sanctions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 10:52:03
  • Trump Reviews Iran Proposal but Keeps Nuclear Red Lines, White House Says
    Trump Reviews Iran Proposal but Keeps Nuclear Red Lines, White House Says President Donald Trump has been discussing Iran’s latest proposal related to ending the conflict with advisers, but is maintaining key “red lines,” including preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, according to reports. Bloomberg News reported that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on the 27th (local time) that Trump convened a national security team meeting at the White House to review Iran’s proposal. “The president’s red lines on Iran are very clear,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump would state his position soon. Her comments followed reports that Iran proposed an interim arrangement under which it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade of Iranian ports. The proposal was also said to include postponing complicated issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, to later talks. Bloomberg, citing The Wall Street Journal, said Trump and his advisers are taking a cautious view of the proposal, particularly on the nuclear issue. The Journal previously reported that Trump was skeptical of what it described as Iran’s “three-step peace plan.” Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican and Trump ally, wrote on X that if the proposal is accurate, “Iran is playing games to buy time,” and said the president should hold to his existing position “for the country and the world.” Iran, meanwhile, said it would continue to strengthen cooperation with partners. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, visiting Russia, met with President Vladimir Putin and emphasized closer ties, saying, “The Iranian people have endured U.S. attacks and will overcome them.” Iran has also conveyed through mediators, including Pakistan, that ending the dispute would be possible if the United States lifts its maritime blockade and halts military action, according to reports. The United States, however, views the nuclear issue as central to any agreement. Trump has said the maritime blockade will remain unless Iran’s nuclear program is resolved. The United States is demanding that Iran halt its nuclear program for 20 years and remove all of its roughly 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Iran previously proposed suspending uranium enrichment for five years, followed by allowing low-level enrichment for civilian use for an additional five years. It also proposed diluting its uranium stockpile, keeping half in Iran under international monitoring and transferring the other half to Russia. After Trump judged those steps insufficient, Iran offered a new approach that would push the nuclear issue to later negotiations, The New York Times reported. Still, some analysts say the gap between the two sides may be narrower than it appears. CNN, citing sources, reported that back-channel contacts are continuing and that the early stage of any potential deal is likely to focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 10:21:09
  • Two tankers carrying 4 million barrels of Iranian oil reach Asia after transiting Hormuz; six turn back
    Two tankers carrying 4 million barrels of Iranian oil reach Asia after transiting Hormuz; six turn back Despite a U.S. maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, about 4 million barrels of Iranian crude oil transited the waterway in a single day on April 24, according to data cited by Reuters. Reuters, citing TankerTrackers.com satellite-based data, reported April 27 that two tankers bound for Asia carrying roughly 4 million barrels of Iranian crude exited the strait on April 24. By contrast, six other tankers carrying a combined 10.5 million barrels were blocked in recent days and turned back, the data showed. Four additional Iranian tankers returned empty from Asia and were last spotted near Pakistan’s coast. Iran moved to control the Strait of Hormuz immediately after the war began on Feb. 28, and the United States began a maritime blockade against Iran on April 13. Iran briefly reopened the strait April 17-18 before resuming controls, and traffic has fallen sharply from the prewar daily average of 125 to 140 transits. U.S. Central Command said April 25 that since the blockade began it has redirected 37 vessels to alternate routes. Reuters reported the U.S. military appears to have ordered some ships to turn back in the Gulf of Oman while allowing others to pass. As of April 27, at least seven ships transited the strait over the previous day, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler and satellite analytics company SynMax, but none were tankers. Most were bulk carriers; some departed Iraqi ports and one sailed from an Iranian port. Reuters said that because the U.S. military is rerouting Iran-linked ships as far as near the Strait of Malacca, it remains unclear whether the cargoes will reach buyers or be intercepted and sent back to Iran. Reuters also reported that an Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. liquefied natural gas carrier appears to have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz. If confirmed, it would be the first known case since the war began of an LNG-laden vessel passing through the strait. There had previously been a case of an Omani carrier transiting without LNG on board. According to ICIS LNG Edge and MarineTraffic, the vessel was first detected in Gulf waters on March 30, then went dark for weeks before reappearing recently in waters west of India. In Gulf waters, some ships have also switched off location signals or transmitted false information to avoid tracking.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 09:51:19
  • U.S., Iran Keep Back-Channel Talks After Second Meeting Falls Through, CNN Says
    U.S., Iran Keep Back-Channel Talks After Second Meeting Falls Through, CNN Says U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the war have stalled publicly, but the gap between the two sides may be smaller than it appears, according to an analysis. CNN reported on April 27, citing multiple sources familiar with the mediation, that the sides did not hold a second face-to-face meeting in Pakistan but have continued back-channel negotiations. The discussions are focused on a step-by-step approach. In an initial phase, the main items include returning to prewar conditions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without transit restrictions or fees. Iran’s nuclear program — cited by the United States and Israel as a justification for the war — would be taken up in a later stage, the report said. Uncertainty over the outlook remains. The Wall Street Journal reported the same day that President Donald Trump and his national security team are skeptical of an Iranian proposal that would reopen the strait while postponing nuclear talks. From the early days of the war, Trump has said any deal must require Iran to give up its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium and halt uranium enrichment, but Iran has not accepted those terms. Sources said mediators are pressing both sides to reach an agreement and view the next few days as a key turning point. They added that the possibility the United States could walk away and military clashes could resume cannot be ruled out.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 09:24:25
  • Trump Skeptical of Iran Proposal to Open Strait of Hormuz, Pause Nuclear Talks
    Trump Skeptical of Iran Proposal to Open Strait of Hormuz, Pause Nuclear Talks U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the war have stalled, and President Donald Trump has been skeptical of a new Iranian proposal described as a “three-step peace plan,” according to a report. The Wall Street Journal reported April 27, citing U.S. officials, that Trump and his national security team view Iran’s offer with doubt. The proposal would include opening the Strait of Hormuz and deferring discussions of Iran’s nuclear program, the officials said. Trump discussed the offer with advisers that morning, the report said. He did not reject it outright, but questioned whether Iran is negotiating in good faith. He also expressed skepticism that Iran would accept key U.S. demands to stop uranium enrichment and abandon nuclear weapons development, according to the officials. Officials said Iran’s plan has three stages. In the first, the United States and Israel would halt military action against Iran and provide assurances it would not resume. In the second stage, mediating countries would work to resolve the issue of a Strait of Hormuz blockade and help reach an agreement on how the strategic waterway would be managed. Iran is said to be seeking to retain control over the strait during that process. In the third stage, Iran would enter talks on other disputes — including its nuclear program and support for regional proxy forces — only after those conditions are met, the officials said. The United States plans to keep negotiating, and the White House is likely to present an official position and a counterproposal within days, the report said. Trump has warned he could resume airstrikes on Iran if talks to end the war fail, but officials said sentiment within the administration to avoid renewed military conflict has been growing. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “The United States does not negotiate through the media, and anything not officially announced by President Trump or the White House should be considered speculation.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 08:45:50
  • S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Record Highs on Big Tech Earnings Optimism
    S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Record Highs on Big Tech Earnings Optimism U.S. stocks ended higher and pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to fresh record closes on expectations for strong Big Tech earnings, even as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks remained stalled. On April 27 (local time), the S&P 500 rose 8.83 points, or 0.12%, to 7,173.91, and the Nasdaq composite gained 50.50 points, or 0.20%, to 24,887.10 on the New York Stock Exchange. Both indexes set record highs for a second straight session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 62.92 points, or 0.13%, to 49,167.79. With five of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” mega-cap tech companies due to report results this week, investors kept betting on upside surprises tied to the artificial intelligence boom. Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta are scheduled to report on April 29, and Apple is set to release results the next day, April 30. Reuters reported that of 139 S&P 500 companies that had posted first-quarter results through April 24, 81% beat market expectations. Based on LSEG data, Wall Street analysts raised their forecast for S&P 500 companies’ earnings per share growth this year to 16.1% from 14.4% earlier this month, supporting expectations the rally can continue. Oil prices, however, climbed after a second round of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran failed to materialize and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continued, limiting gains in equities. Brent crude settled up 2.8% at $108.23 a barrel. It neared $110 intraday, its highest level in about three weeks since April 7. Some analysts said war-related risks remain the key variable. “Until the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is more controlled, it will be difficult for the market to stabilize,” Gabriel Shahin of Falcon Wealth told CNBC. “That’s why I see the Iran issue as still the top variable.” Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is set to hold a Federal Open Market Committee meeting April 28-29 to discuss the direction of monetary policy. Markets broadly expect the Fed to keep its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75%. Investors are focused on what Fed Chair Jerome Powell signals about recent economic conditions and the policy outlook at his April 29 news conference.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 08:27:16