The Cuban government said the meeting occurred “in a context marked by the complexity of bilateral relations” and was intended to contribute to dialogue between the two countries after months of escalating tensions.

The CIA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The talks came one day after Cuba’s energy minister, Vicente de la O Levy, said the country had exhausted its reserves of diesel and fuel oil, leaving the national power grid in what he described as a “critical” condition.

“We have absolutely no fuel oil and absolutely no diesel,” Levy said on state media on Wednesday, acknowledging the country had no remaining reserves as prolonged blackouts intensified across the island.

Residents in several districts of Havana staged protests late Wednesday, chanting “turn on the lights,” banging pots and pans and setting fire to piles of rubbish as electricity outages stretched to as long as 22 hours in some areas.

Cuban authorities blamed the shortages on what they described as a U.S. blockade that has sharply restricted the island’s ability to import fuel and financing. Washington imposed additional measures targeting Cuba’s energy sector in January, further straining supplies.

In its statement, Havana reiterated that Cuba did not pose a threat to U.S. national security and rejected allegations related to foreign military or intelligence activity on the island, including claims regarding a Chinese presence.

“Havana has never supported any hostile activity against the United States, nor will it permit actions against any other nation to be carried out from Cuba,” the statement said.Relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated significantly in recent months.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded sanctions on the communist-run island and publicly floated the possibility of greater U.S. control over Cuba’s affairs, while Cuban officials have accused Washington of deliberately worsening humanitarian conditions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently renewed an offer of $100 million in aid on the condition that distribution be handled through the Catholic Church rather than the Cuban government.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in a post on X that the humanitarian situation could be alleviated more effectively if the United States eased sanctions and restrictions on the island.

“The damage could be eased in a much simpler and faster way by lifting or relaxing the blockade,” Diaz-Canel said, adding that Cuba would not obstruct humanitarian assistance if Washington demonstrated “true willingness” to provide aid.

Despite mounting tensions, diplomatic engagement between the two governments has continued. A senior-level bilateral meeting took place in Havana on April 10, marking the first landing of a U.S. government aircraft in the Cuban capital since 2016.

Rubio, traveling with President Donald Trump during a visit to China, said Cuba’s deepening economic turmoil stemmed from structural failures and corruption rather than US sanctions, which Havana has long blamed for shortages and financial distress.“It’s a broken, nonfunctional economy, and it’s impossible to change it,” Rubio told Fox News aboard Air Force One.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to change the trajectory of Cuba as long as these people are in charge in that regime.”Cuba has been grappling with severe economic disruption and energy shortages, with authorities reporting that around 65% of the island experienced electricity blackouts on Tuesday.

The US State Department publicly renewed the $100 million assistance proposal, saying the package would include humanitarian support and funding aimed at expanding “fast and free” Internet access across the island.

“The regime refuses to allow the United States to provide this assistance to the Cuban people,” the department said in a statement, adding that Cuban authorities would be accountable if they rejected “critical life-saving aid.”Washington last week imposed new sanctions targeting key entities within Cuba’s state-controlled economy and foreign partners linked to the sector.

Trump has recently intensified pressure on leftist governments in Latin America and has suggested Cuba could become a future target of broader US strategic efforts after the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.

Cuban authorities rejected Rubio’s characterization of the crisis and blamed US restrictions for worsening fuel shortages and economic instability.President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the worsening conditions were caused by what he described as a US “energy blockade,” accusing Washington of threatening countries supplying fuel to Cuba with punitive tariffs.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla dismissed Rubio’s claims that Havana had rejected the aid proposal, calling the assertion “a lie” and questioning whether the offer was intended to undermine Cuban sovereignty.

Cuba has witnessed a series of small but increasingly visible protests in recent months as residents face prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages and rising economic hardship.

Witnesses told AFP that demonstrators in parts of Havana banged pots and pans and demanded electricity be restored following new power outages.Cuba’s fuel imports have sharply declined since the United States moved earlier this year against Venezuela’s leadership, reducing energy support from Caracas.

Since then, only one Russian oil tanker has reportedly reached the island.The Trump administration previously provided $6 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba through Catholic Church-linked charities, which have historically acted as intermediaries between Washington and Havana.

“The UAE is an active partner in this aggression, and there is no doubt about it,” Araghchi said while attending the BRICS gathering hosted by India.“It also became clear that they participated in these attacks and may have even acted directly against us,” he added, without publicly providing evidence to support the allegation.

The remarks underscored widening fractures within BRICS as the bloc attempts to project unity amid the war involving Iran and intensifying geopolitical instability across the Middle East.

Araghchi also referenced reports circulated by Israeli media concerning an alleged secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Emirates.Abu Dhabi has denied that any such meeting took place.

According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Araghchi said he had initially avoided explicitly naming the UAE “for the sake of unity” during discussions among BRICS member states.“When the attacks started, they didn’t even issue a condemnation,” Araghchi said in response to remarks from the Emirati delegation.

The accusations come as BRICS foreign ministers meet to discuss the economic and geopolitical fallout from the Iran conflict, including disruptions to Gulf shipping lanes, energy markets and rising divisions among member countries.The UAE and Iran both joined BRICS during the bloc’s expansion phase in 2024, despite longstanding regional rivalries and competing strategic interests across the Gulf.

India, which currently chairs BRICS, is seeking to maintain consensus among members ahead of a leaders’ summit later this year, though disagreements over the Middle East conflict have complicated efforts to produce unified positions on global security issues.

“The UAE is an active partner in this aggression, and there is no doubt about it,” Araghchi said while attending the BRICS gathering hosted by India.“It also became clear that they participated in these attacks and may have even acted directly against us,” he added, without publicly providing evidence to support the allegation.

The remarks underscored widening fractures within BRICS as the bloc attempts to project unity amid the war involving Iran and intensifying geopolitical instability across the Middle East.

Araghchi also referenced reports circulated by Israeli media concerning an alleged secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the Emirates.

Abu Dhabi has denied that any such meeting took place.According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Araghchi said he had initially avoided explicitly naming the UAE “for the sake of unity” during discussions among BRICS member states.

“When the attacks started, they didn’t even issue a condemnation,” Araghchi said in response to remarks from the Emirati delegation.The accusations come as BRICS foreign ministers meet to discuss the economic and geopolitical fallout from the Iran conflict, including disruptions to Gulf shipping lanes, energy markets and rising divisions among member countries.

The UAE and Iran both joined BRICS during the bloc’s expansion phase in 2024, despite longstanding regional rivalries and competing strategic interests across the Gulf.

India, which currently chairs BRICS, is seeking to maintain consensus among members ahead of a leaders’ summit later this year, though disagreements over the Middle East conflict have complicated efforts to produce unified positions on global security issues.

The sharp increase reflects a sustained rise in crude oil prices, driven by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply typically flows. Tankers stranded in the region have curtailed deliveries, constraining supply and pushing benchmark oil prices higher.

Market analysts say the price trajectory briefly softened in mid-April amid expectations of a potential ceasefire. “There was optimism that this could mark the beginning of the end of the conflict,” said Rob Smith, director of global fuel retail at S&P Global Energy, noting that crude and gasoline prices temporarily declined before reversing course as hostilities persisted.

Crude oil accounts for the largest share of gasoline costs in the United States, representing about 51 percent of pump prices in 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Taxes contribute roughly 17 percent, while refining, distribution, and marketing costs make up the remainder.

The International Energy Agency has described the disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz as the largest supply shock in oil market history, with prices reaching as high as $112 per barrel in early April. Analysts note that gasoline prices tend to track crude movements closely, with minimal lag.

Additional upward pressure followed US actions in April to block Iranian oil exports, a move analysts say removed a key supply source from global markets. “Iran had been moving an unusually high amount of oil to global markets, which helped moderate prices,” said Jim Krane, an energy research fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute, adding that the restrictions intensified price pressures.

Energy markets have remained highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, with fluctuations tied to reports of attacks in the Arabian Gulf or shifts in diplomatic efforts. “The oil market is exquisitely sensitive to what’s coming out of the White House,” said Bob Kleinberg, a research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy.

The pace of price increases has echoed previous geopolitical shocks, including a 48-cent weekly rise at the outset of the Iran conflict. However, analysts caution that no near-term relief is likely, as prolonged constraints in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to sustain upward pressure on prices.

Even in the event of a durable resolution, market participants say a return to pre-war pricing levels could take months due to lingering risk premiums associated with shipping through the region and heightened insurance costs for oil transport.

The findings suggest that the trajectory of Tehran’s nuclear program has remained broadly unchanged since last summer, despite months of conflict involving the United States and Israel. The war, launched on February 28, has largely targeted conventional military infrastructure, though Israel has struck several nuclear-related facilities.

Analysts say the unchanged timeline reflects both the limited focus of recent U.S. operations on nuclear sites and the continued existence of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Significantly delaying the program would likely require neutralizing or removing this material, they said.Earlier intelligence assessments had concluded that Iran could produce sufficient bomb-grade uranium within three to six months.

Following U.S. strikes last year on key facilities including Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, that estimate was extended to roughly nine to twelve months.The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has said Iran’s existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium could be sufficient for multiple weapons if further processed.

However, inspectors have been unable to verify the location of part of this material after oversight activities were disrupted.A fragile truce agreed on April 7 has paused large-scale hostilities, though tensions remain elevated. The conflict has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil flows, contributing to wider energy market instability.

U.S. officials have consistently said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central objective. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that Washington aims to achieve this through a combination of military pressure and negotiations.Experts say assessing the full impact of military operations on Iran’s nuclear capacity remains difficult.

While physical infrastructure has been damaged, knowledge and technical expertise may persist, and some nuclear material is believed to be stored in hardened underground sites beyond the reach of conventional strikes.Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its program is for civilian purposes.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA assess that Tehran halted an organized weapons development effort in 2003, though concerns remain over its enrichment capabilities and potential breakout capacity.

According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Araghchi was due to convey “Iran’s positions and views on the framework of any understanding to completely end the war” during fresh meetings with Pakistani officials.

The minister had visited Islamabad a day earlier, meeting Army Chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar before flying to Muscat, where he met Haitham bin Tariq as regional diplomacy intensified.Other Iranian envoys returned to Tehran for consultations and to obtain instructions related to ending the conflict, ISNA reported.

Before those talks, the White House had said Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were preparing to travel to Pakistan for further indirect negotiations.Trump later scrapped the trip, telling Fox News there was no reason to continue “sitting around talking about nothing,” while criticizing Tehran’s negotiating position.

“They gave us a paper that should have been better and interestingly immediately when I canceled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better,” Trump said, without giving details.Asked whether canceling the trip meant a return to open conflict, Trump said: “No, it doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet.”Araghchi described his initial Pakistan visit as “very fruitful” but questioned Washington’s seriousness about diplomacy.“

Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy,” he said.Pressure for a diplomatic breakthrough has intensified as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, disrupting one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes and driving energy prices sharply higher.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had no intention of lifting the blockade.“Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House’s supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran,” the Guards said on Telegram.

The United States has responded by tightening restrictions on Iranian ports and increasing maritime enforcement actions against vessels linked to Tehran’s energy exports.Iran’s military accused Washington of “blockading, banditry and piracy” and warned that continued pressure would trigger a response.

Regional tensions also escalated on the Lebanese front, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes against Hezbollah targets after accusing the group of violating a ceasefire recently extended for three weeks.

Lebanese state media reported Israeli strikes in several southern districts, while Lebanon’s health ministry said attacks in Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil killed six people.Israel’s military said it had killed multiple Hezbollah operatives, including fighters allegedly transporting weapons.

Although Trump had earlier expressed optimism about peace after meetings with Israeli and Lebanese envoys, Hezbollah parliamentary bloc leader Mohammed Raad urged Lebanon to withdraw from negotiations, warning that any agreement without broader consensus would be politically unsustainable.

Araghchi is expected to travel to Moscow after completing the Islamabad consultations.

Large parts of Islamabad have been effectively shut down under sweeping security measures imposed ahead of expected US-Iran talks, leaving residents cut off from work, transport and essential services as uncertainty persists over whether the negotiations will take place.

Public transport has been suspended, offices closed and workers instructed to operate from home where possible. Streets in the capital remain largely empty, with movement restricted and security personnel from the army and police deployed across key routes.

For many residents, the situation has drawn comparisons with restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, though officials say the current measures are linked to security preparations for high-level diplomatic engagements.

The restrictions have also extended to neighboring Rawalpindi, intensifying disruption across the twin cities that form a major administrative and economic hub. While authorities have framed the measures as necessary to ensure safety for visiting delegations, delays and uncertainty surrounding the talks have heightened public frustration.

Workers living in temporary accommodations have been among the hardest hit. Following a government directive, many hostel residents were required to vacate their rooms on short notice, forcing thousands to seek alternative arrangements. Some returned to their hometowns, while others relied on friends or colleagues for temporary shelter.

Areej Akthar, a health officer at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, said the sudden eviction created confusion and distress. She was able to travel back to her village, approximately three hours away, but said many others lacked similar options. According to her account, workers from distant regions struggled to find accommodation as they waited for clarity on when restrictions might be lifted.

With public transport suspended, many displaced workers have been unable to return to their jobs. Akthar described the situation as restrictive, noting that those dependent on shared housing could not afford alternative arrangements.

The uncertainty surrounding the duration of the lockdown has compounded concerns, particularly for those in lower-income groups.Economic pressures have intensified as the restrictions intersect with broader regional developments.

Since late February, escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have disrupted global energy markets. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas shipments, has contributed to supply shortages affecting countries including Pakistan.

In Islamabad, fuel shortages have led to power outages lasting several hours daily, while limited availability of cooking gas has forced many restaurants to shut down. Businesses that had managed to continue operations amid the energy constraints have now been closed due to the security lockdown, further reducing economic activity.

Transport workers have also reported sharp declines in income. Taxi drivers in the capital said their earnings have dropped by about half as movement restrictions reduced demand. Daily wage earners have been particularly vulnerable, with many unable to work for several consecutive days.

Muhammad Zubair, a labourer in Islamabad, said the loss of income had immediate consequences for his household. Speaking from a roadside location, he questioned the benefits of hosting high-level diplomatic talks when basic economic needs remain unmet. He said that without work, he could not provide food for his family, reflecting concerns widely shared among informal sector workers.

The disruption has extended beyond employment to education and administrative processes. Authorities have relocated civil service examinations for more than 1,200 candidates to Lahore, approximately 370 kilometers from the capital. Candidates expressed concern over the additional financial burden and logistical challenges associated with travel.

Yasir Mushtaq, one of the candidates, said he would need to borrow money to attend the examination. He also highlighted the difficulties faced by female candidates, noting that some may be unable to travel without family accompaniment and could therefore miss the opportunity to sit for the exams.

Officials have acknowledged the scale of disruption, with one senior figure describing the situation as a nationwide slowdown linked to external geopolitical developments. The official said the country appeared to be in a holding pattern, awaiting decisions from Washington and Tehran regarding the proposed negotiations.

Despite the extensive preparations, uncertainty remains over whether the talks will proceed as planned. In the absence of a confirmed timeline, residents continue to face restrictions with no clear indication of when normal activity will resume.The prolonged lockdown has raised questions about the balance between security requirements and economic sustainability.

While authorities have not publicly indicated a timeline for lifting restrictions, the ongoing disruption is likely to deepen challenges for vulnerable populations already affected by rising energy costs and reduced economic opportunities.

A Pakistani source involved in the negotiations said discussions were “on track” for Wednesday, despite earlier indications from Iran that it might not attend. U.S. President Donald Trump could join the talks either in person or virtually if an agreement is reached, the source added.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for the переговоры, according to media reports, while Iranian officials said Tehran was “positively reviewing” whether to send a delegation, without confirming participation.

The diplomatic push comes as a two-week ceasefire in the conflict, which began on February 28, nears its end. A Pakistani source said the truce is expected to expire late Wednesday U.S. time.Financial markets reacted to signs of renewed diplomacy, with oil prices falling more than $1 and equities rising in early Asian trading amid expectations that talks could resume.

Brent crude traded near $94 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell below $88.Tensions remain elevated, however, following disputes over the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the recent interception of an Iranian vessel.

Tehran condemned the seizure and warned Washington would bear responsibility for any escalation.Iranian officials also reiterated that they would not negotiate under pressure. Senior figures, including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused Washington of attempting to force concessions through economic and military pressure.

Washington has said it seeks an agreement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while stabilizing energy markets. Tehran, for its part, is seeking relief from sanctions and an end to hostilities without compromising its nuclear program.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations, as the waterway handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments and has been affected by restrictions imposed during the conflict.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel in Islamabad ahead of the potential talks, underscoring the high stakes and security concerns surrounding the negotiations.

Fire Rescue Victoria said crews were called at around 11:15 p.m. local time to the Viva Energy Refinery, where the fire involved liquid fuels and gases and remained uncontrolled as of early Thursday.“All emergency response personnel and Viva employees have been accounted for,” the agency said in a statement, adding there were no reported casualties.

Authorities urged residents in Geelong and surrounding areas to remain indoors and close windows and doors as smoke spread across the region due to shifting winds.The refinery, operated by Viva Energy Group, is one of only two remaining oil refineries in Australia and can process up to 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

It supplies more than half of fuel demand in Victoria state and about 10% of Australia’s total fuel consumption.Fire officials said the blaze was contained to the plant, while the company indicated there was no immediate disruption to fuel supplies.

Australia’s Energy Minister Chris Bowen said an investigation would be launched, describing the incident as likely accidental at this stage. He added that while diesel and jet fuel production continued, petrol output could be affected for some time.

The incident comes as Australia faces heightened fuel security concerns linked to disruptions in global energy markets, particularly following tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for international oil shipments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last month the government would temporarily cut fuel excise and road user charges to offset rising costs driven by the conflict.