Iran has been experiencing a nationwide internet blackout for 57 days, the monitoring group NetBlocks reported, marking roughly 1,344 hours since the shutdown began. NetBlocks said the prolonged outage silences Iranians’ online voices, severs contact between families and friends, and inflicts economic harm across the country. Authorities imposed the full blackout immediately after the joint US and Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28, leaving the population largely cut off from the global internet during a period of heightened regional instability.
Diplomatic activity continued despite the communications blackout. On April 25, 2026, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad, according to a short video released by the Iranian embassy. Araghchi was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, and ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam. Pakistan’s delegation included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials. Observers said it was unclear whether the visit would produce direct talks between Tehran and Washington.
Large areas of Islamabad remained under strict security measures for more than a week as officials worked to manage the diplomatic shuttle. Key access roads were blocked, the Red Zone containing government buildings and diplomatic missions stayed tightly cordoned, and the nearby Blue Area saw empty markets, shortages at cafes, and disruptions to public transport.
Meanwhile, US officials were reportedly preparing to send envoys to Pakistan to try to revive ceasefire discussions with Iran. Tehran, however, publicly said no direct meetings with US representatives were planned during Araghchi’s visit, describing the trip as an official engagement with Pakistani hosts intended to support mediation and pursue regional peace. Iran’s foreign ministry reiterated on social media that no direct talks with US envoys were scheduled.
Separately, the US Central Command said the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta intercepted and boarded an Iranian-flagged vessel on April 24 while it was attempting to sail to an Iranian port. The destroyer halted the ship, conducted a boarding, and carried out an inspection.
On landing in Islamabad, Araghchi was welcomed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who expressed hopes that the discussions would help promote peace and stability in the region.
