Day 43 | US-Iran truce on edge as talks to begin in Pakistan on Saturday
The 2026 Iran War began on February 28, when the United States and ‘Israel’ launched a large-scale attack on Iran, unleashing nearly 900 airstrikes within 12 hours on the Islamic Republic’s missile systems, air defenses, nuclear facilities, military bases, and leadership targets.
On April 8, the United States, Iran, and ‘Israel’ agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, with Iran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and all sides pausing military operations while negotiations continue toward a broader agreement.
The assault followed years of shadow conflict, including direct missile exchanges in 2024 and a limited 12-day war in 2025 that damaged Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials were killed in the opening strikes.
Iran responded within hours, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at ‘Israel’, US bases, and targets across the Gulf.
The fragile truce is currently hanging in the balance, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as ‘Israel’ launched a major bombardment of Lebanon.
Washington and Tehran both claimed victory after agreeing to the ceasefire and negotiations.
The deal's fractures emerged quickly as ‘Israel’ carried out its heaviest strikes on its neighbour -- including in densely packed central Beirut -- since the Iran-backed group Hezbollah joined the war in early March.
‘Israel’ said its battle against Hezbollah was not part of the US-Iran truce agreed late Tuesday, an argument echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, as he is set to lead talks with Tehran in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appeared to threaten the ceasefire, posting on X that the "workable basis on which to negotiate" had already been violated, making further talks "unreasonable".
Adding to the fragility of the truce -- agreed hours before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump -- a senior US official said Iran's 10-point plan was not the same set of conditions the White House had agreed to in order to pause the war.
IRGC navy warns military ships against crossing Strait of Hormuz
Iranian state TV, citing a statement from the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said any attempt by military vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz would face a “decisive and harsh” response.
The statement said the IRGC navy maintains full control over the waterway, allowing passage only for non-military ships under specific regulations, and denied reports that US vessels had crossed the strait.
Trump says makes 'no difference' to him if Iran, US reach deal
Trump says makes 'no difference' to him if Iran, US reach deal
US-Iran talks continue into early Sunday in Islamabad
Negotiations between the United States and Iran continued into the early hours of Sunday in Islamabad, with delegations beginning a new round of discussions, according to Iranian media, as Pakistan hosts the high-level talks aimed at sustaining a fragile ceasefire and addressing key disputes.
Talks largely positive, sources say, but Strait of Hormuz remains a sticking point
Pakistani sources told CNN the overall tone of US-Iran talks in Islamabad has been largely positive, but a stalemate remains over control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian sources saying Washington made “unacceptable demands” regarding the waterway.
VIDEO - Netanyahu says Iran and its allies 'fighting for survival'
Iran’s military spokesperson denies US claim of ships entering Strait of Hormuz
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, strongly denied a CENTCOM commander’s claim that US vessels are approaching and entering the Strait of Hormuz, saying the movement of ships in the waterway is under the control of Iran’s armed forces.
'Israel' PM says wants Lebanon peace deal 'that will last for generations'
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that any peace agreement reached with Lebanon must be one that "lasts for generations".
"Lebanon has approached us. In the past month, it has reached out several times to begin direct peace talks," Netanyahu said in a televised statement.
"I have given my approval, but on two conditions: we want the dismantling of Hezbollah's weapons, and we want a real peace agreement that will last for generations."
'Israel' PM says war succeeded in 'crushing' Iran nuclear, missile programmes
'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the joint US-'Israeli' campaign against Iran had succeeded in "crushing" the Islamic Republic's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
"We have succeeded in crushing the nuclear programme, and crushing the missile programme," Netanyahu said in a televised statement, adding that the war against Tehran had also weakened Iran's leadership and its regional allies.
"They wanted to strangle us, and (now) we are strangling them. They threatened us with annihilation, and now they are fighting for survival."
US Navy starts clearing sea mines in Strait of Hormuz: CENTCOM
US Central Command said Saturday that two Navy guided missile destroyers have begun clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as some ships are still unable to pass through the critical waterway despite the ceasefire.
The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy “transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.
While the effort attempts to solve the threat from mines, Iran could still launch missiles, which combined with the mines have made it harder for the United States or others to defend vessels or to secure the strait militarily.
President Donald Trump said earlier Saturday in a post on Truth Social that the US is “starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World.”
Iran state TV says third round of US talks expected 'tonight or tomorrow'
Two rounds of talks have taken place between Iranian and US officials in Pakistan with a third round expected on Saturday evening or Sunday, Iranian state television reported as negotiations were underway in Islamabad.
"According to information provided to the state TV correspondent by a person close to the negotiating team, another round of negotiations will likely be held tonight or tomorrow," state broadcaster IRIB reported.
The trilateral direct negotiations were taking place with host Pakistan, a senior White House official said earlier Saturday, a departure from recent practice where both sides held talks via a mediator while seated in separate rooms.
Macron says urged Iran president to use Islamabad talks to achieve 'lasting de-escalation'
French President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday he had urged his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to use talks with the United States in Pakistan to achieve "a lasting de-escalation."
"I urged him to seize the opportunity presented by the talks launched in Islamabad to pave the way for a lasting de-escalation and a robust agreement that provides solid guarantees for security in the region," Macron said on X.
Macron said he had also stressed the need for Iran to restore freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible."
US, Pakistan, Iran holding trilateral face-to-face talks: White House
The United States, Pakistan and Iran were holding face-to-face trilateral talks in Islamabad on Saturday, the White House said, as top officials met to try and end the war in the Middle East.
A senior White House official said the three sides were holding the direct talks in person, a departure from recent practice where Washington and Tehran held talks only through a mediator while seated in separate rooms.
The US delegation included Vice President JD Vance, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the White House said. It did not say who from the Iranian or Pakistani sides was taking part.
Lebanon PM Nawaf Salam postpones US trip to oversee security situation
Nawaf Salam announced he is postponing a planned trip to the United Nations in New York and to the United States, saying he needs to remain in Beirut to oversee the government’s work amid ongoing security and political developments.
In a post on X, Salam said the decision was taken “in light of ongoing internal circumstances.” The trip was also expected to include meetings with US officials, including Marco Rubio, and consultations at the UN to brief António Guterres on Lebanon’s position amid escalating regional tensions.
Lebanese officials said the prime minister chose to remain in Beirut due to the rapidly evolving security situation, continued 'Israeli' strikes allegedly targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, and the need to coordinate government crisis-management efforts as displaced civilians and security pressures mount.
The postponement comes as a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran holds for now but remains under strain, with ongoing cross-border hostilities between 'Israel' and Hezbollah raising fears of further escalation.
Lebanese officials say diplomatic contacts with Washington and the United Nations will continue through embassies and virtual meetings while the prime minister remains in the country.
Trilateral talks held face-to-face between US and Iranian officials: Reuters
Reuters reported that the trilateral talks were held face-to-face between Steve Witkoff, JD Vance, and Jared Kushner, and Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi, along with the Pakistani army chief.
'Israeli' airstrikes hit towns in Nabatieh district, southern Lebanon
'Israeli' strikes targeted towns in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon.
Trilateral US-Iran talks begin in Islamabad to end war, says Reuters
Reuters reported, citing a senior Pakistani official, that a high-level round of trilateral talks has begun in Islamabad bringing together Iran, the United States, and Pakistan in an effort to end the ongoing war.
The discussions mark a significant diplomatic development, with Pakistan acting as both host and mediator in what is being described as a strategic push to halt hostilities in the Middle East.
At the same time, Iranian state-linked media reported the start of direct negotiations with the US, saying the delegation will address sensitive issues including a ceasefire framework and international maritime security.
According to the report, the talks focus on several major points:
- Turning the current truce into a permanent peace agreement.
- Negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring freedom of navigation.
- Discussions on frozen Iranian assets and sanctions relief.
Deaths, wounded in ‘Israeli’ strikes on south Lebanon
Lebanon’s health ministry said seven people were killed, including a medic and a civil defense member, in ‘Israeli’ airstrikes on southern Lebanon.
The ministry added that six others were wounded in the attacks, which targeted the towns of Kfarsir and Zefta.
Islamabad talks open with meeting between PM Shehbaz Sharif and US delegation
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif opened the Islamabad negotiations with a meeting with the US delegation, according to the prime minister’s office.
The statement said the talks officially began with the high-level engagement, marking the start of a new round of diplomacy involving US and Iranian representatives.
Prime Minister Sharif praised both delegations for their “constructive engagement” in the negotiations, expressing hope that continued dialogue would help reduce regional tensions.
He said Pakistan remains committed to facilitating efforts aimed at stability and de-escalation.
The prime minister voiced optimism that the discussions could serve as a step toward achieving “lasting peace in the region.”
The talks in Islamabad are part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address escalating tensions and explore pathways toward a ceasefire framework.
Saudi finance minister in Pakistan to show ‘economic support’
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan is in Pakistan’s capital for what officials described as a demonstration of “economic support,” as Islamabad navigates growing financial pressures and shifting Gulf relationships.
The visit comes days after Pakistan announced plans to repay more than $3 billion in loans provided by the United Arab Emirates since 2018.
The office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the prime minister “fondly recalled” his recent telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressing appreciation for Riyadh’s continued financial assistance.
Hamas welcomes US-Iran talks in Pakistan
Hamas has welcomed the US-Iran talks taking place in Pakistan, saying it supports efforts aimed at a “complete and comprehensive end” to what it described as the US-'Israeli' war on Iran.
In a statement, the Palestinian group said it looks forward to the success of mediation efforts led by Pakistan and other participating countries.
