The popular AI framework Virtuals Protocol will host an in-person meet-up in Hong Kong on Friday, January 17.

April 12 CCTV News reports: The third round of Iran-U.S. negotiations in Islamabad concluded on April 12 local time. Iran described the talks as the "last chance" to reach a framework agreement. Since April 11, the two sides have held a packed negotiation schedule, meeting into the late hours. All parties have made the most of the temporary ceasefire window to step up bargaining. However, persistent sharp differences remain on three core issues: control of the Strait of Hormuz, unfreezing overseas assets, and uranium enrichment. Off the negotiating table, the U.S. military announced the launch of mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Israeli Prime Minister stated Israel would continue striking Iran and its proxies. With little time left in the ceasefire window, diplomatic moves and military actions are escalating in tandem, leaving the Middle East at a crossroads between war and peace.

April 12 (CNN) — An Iranian security official said the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until Iran and the U.S. reach a “common framework” for ongoing negotiations. The official noted the U.S. has made “excessive demands” on multiple issues, including key waterways, which has so far blocked both sides from finding common ground and moving talks forward. “Iran is not in a rush to act,” the official said. He added Tehran has told the U.S. the strait’s current status will remain unchanged until a common framework is reached — and “even the previously agreed number of ship transits won’t be possible.” If U.S. negotiators don’t offer a “realistic prospect,” the strait will stay closed.

Iran will hold the fourth round of talks on April 12, FXStreet reports. The Iranian government has stated that despite some remaining differences, negotiations will continue.

**April 12 –** Iran and the U.S. have wrapped up another round of talks in Islamabad, with significant differences still persisting between their negotiating teams, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported Tuesday, citing its correspondent. A source familiar with the discussions told Tasnim no substantial progress has been made since the talks began, blaming the U.S. side’s “sky-high demands.” The source also noted some Western media outlets are exaggerating the talks’ “positive atmosphere” to influence international energy prices. Iran’s state television separately reported the two delegations are exchanging negotiation texts.

Per Italian daily La Repubblica, as of 01:57 local time in Islamabad (04:57 Beijing time) on April 12, U.S.-Iran negotiations remain ongoing. The two sides have been in the same room at Serena Hotel for nearly 10 hours, with several breaks—including dinner—taken during that stretch. Both are committed to reaching an outcome. A framework covering regional security, comprehensive humanitarian reconstruction, and fund freezing has been established. The main sticking point is the Strait of Hormuz, where other regional and global actors could play a decisive role.

April 12 (Reuters) — The U.S. military announced Saturday it has begun laying groundwork to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as two American warships transited the strategic waterway. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in an April 11 social media statement that two U.S. missile destroyers crossed the strait and are operating in the Persian Gulf, and mine clearance operations there have commenced. “Today, we’ve kicked off the process to establish a new maritime route,” Gen. Frank Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said. “We’ll soon share this safe passage with the shipping industry to enable the free flow of trade.”