*IRAN-US TALKS SHOW PROGRESS IN PAST 24 HOURS: AXIOS

PAKISTAN'S FM TO NORWAYS FM: HAVEN'T GIVEN UP YET, BUT THAT HOPE IS DWINDLING THAT AN EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE WILL BE ACHIEVED

IRAQ'S KATAIB HEZBOLLAH SAY THEY WILL RELEASE ABDUCTED AMERICAN JOURNALIST SHELLY KITTLESON

AIR DEFENSES ACTIVATED OVER TEHRAN, FIGHTER PLANES FLYING ON LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE CITY, BORNA NEWS AGENCY SAYS

CHINA,RUSSIA VETO UN SECURITY COUNCIL MOTION ON HORMUZ

U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL FAILS TO APPROVE BAHRAINI RESOLUTION ON PROTECTING SHIPPING IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ CHINA VETOES BAHRAINI U.N. RESOLUTION ON ENCOURAGING PROTECTION OF SHIPPING IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

MEHR CITES SOURCES AS SAYING THAT THERE IS NO DISRUPTION TO OIL FACILITIES AT IRAN'S KHARG ISLAND

SITUATION IN IRAN'S KHARG ISLAND UNDER CONTROL, NO DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE AFTER U.S.-ISRAELI ATTACK - MEHR CITING SOURCES

TRUMP IN “MODE OF DEFIANCE,” OFFICIAL SAYS A senior administration official described Trump as proud of the airman rescue and in a “mode of defiance.” He remains open to diplomacy but is focused on maximum pressure on Iran, with no decisions yet on actions if a deal isn’t reached tonight.

🚨 STATE-RUN TEHRAN TIMES NEWSPAPER ON X: DIPLOMATIC AND INDIRECT CHANNELS OF TALKS WITH THE US ARE NOT CLOSED

OIL FUTURES EXTEND GAINS, U.S. CRUDE UP BY $5 A BARREL AHEAD OF US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S DEADLINE FOR IRAN TO OPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

RETAIL INVESTORS TURN SELLERS AMID MARKET VOLATILITY Citadel Securities reports retail investors sold U.S. stocks and options last week, a rare shift from years of persistent buying. Net spending fell 55% in March from February and 70% from January’s peak. Options activity turned defensive, with increased demand for downside protection. Historically, such retail selling signals stronger near-term S&P 500 gains, averaging 4.1% over two months. The shift follows March volatility driven by rising oil prices and the Iran conflict, which sent the S&P 500 down 5% and Brent crude up 80% this year.

US OIL HITS INTRADAY HIGH, TRADES ABOVE $117 A BARREL

NY FED: INFLATION EXPECTATIONS RISE, HOUSEHOLDS MORE PESSIMISTIC The NY Fed reports March inflation expectations rose to 3.4% for the year ahead and 3.1% over three years, with five-year forecasts steady at 3%. Expected house price growth is 3.3%, and gasoline inflation hits its highest since March 2022. Consumer confidence on jobs and finances is mixed.

*IRAN HAS STOPPED NEGOTIATIONS WITH US: NYT *IRAN TOLD PAKISTAN IT WON'T CONTINUE CEASEFIRE TALKS: NYT

WHITE HOUSE DENIES NUCLEAR THREAT IN IRAN The White House rejected claims that VP J.D. Vance hinted at using nuclear weapons in Iran. Vance said the U.S. has “tools in our toolkit” but has not decided to use them. The statement follows Trump’s warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” fueling online speculation ahead of his 8 p.m. ET deadline.

RUBIO TEASES “MORE NEWS” ON IRAN TALKS Sen. Marco Rubio hinted at updates on Iran negotiations, saying “more news on that later today,” but gave no details. His remarks came ahead of a meeting with New Zealand’s Foreign Minister and follow Trump’s warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight.” Rubio declined to address potential war crime questions.

Iran has stopped negotiation efforts with the United States, informing Pakisan that it would no longer engage in cease-fire talks, according to three senior Iranian officials.

TOP DEMOCRATS CALL TRUMP “EXTREMELY SICK” OVER IRAN THREATS Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s warning to destroy “a whole civilization,” calling him “extremely sick” and urging Republicans to act. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded Congress halt what he called a “reckless war of choice” before it escalates toward World War III.

🚨 IRAN CUTS DIRECT DIPLOMACY WITH U.S. Iran has halted direct talks with the U.S. after Trump threatened to destroy its “whole civilization,” though negotiations via ceasefire mediators continue. Officials say the move signals defiance and complicates—but does not end—efforts to reach a deal before Trump’s 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline. The White House has not commented.