Story perspectives

Iran Restarts Flights, Pakistan Locks Down, Brent Up 50%

4/25/2026

Left

Iran Resumes Flights

Iran restarted commercial flights from Tehran to Istanbul, Muscat and Medina, marking the first civilian departures since the war began.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday before any U.S. envoys arrived for the planned indirect talks.
Pakistan imposed near-lockdown security around Islamabad while hosting the mediation talks.
Brent crude stayed about 50% above pre-war levels as the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked.

Right

Trump Extends Waiver

U.S. President Donald Trump extended a 90-day Jones Act waiver, letting foreign-flagged ships transport fuel between U.S. ports.
Iranian Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan army chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, with Pakistan as intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were slated to reach Islamabad for talks.
Brent crude climbed roughly 16 percent this week amid conflict-driven market uncertainty.

History

Historical Context

In October 1973 OAPEC imposed an oil embargo on Israel’s supporters, sending world prices up nearly 300% by March 1974. The cut hit Saudi-Arabian and Kuwaiti shipments, which together supplied about 70 percent of OPEC output, and led to temporary measures like the U.S. Jones Act waiver. Iran’s resumed Tehran-Istanbul flights and Abbas Araghchi’s talks now echo those 1973 efforts to keep oil flowing.

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Iran Resumes Flights

Iran restarted commercial flights from Tehran to Istanbul, Muscat and Medina, marking the first civilian departures since the war began.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday before any U.S. envoys arrived for the planned indirect talks.
Pakistan imposed near-lockdown security around Islamabad while hosting the mediation talks.
Brent crude stayed about 50% above pre-war levels as the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked.

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