The US and Iran were preparing for peace talks on Tuesday April 19-20, 2026, but Trump's statements about who would lead the American delegation conflicted, and Iran's government rejected participation, claiming they hadn't been properly informed. The tensions followed the US seizure of an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, which prompted Iranian officials to vow retaliation. The breakdown in talks threatened the ceasefire that had been holding since late February and risked renewed escalation after weeks of blockade had already driven global oil prices higher.