Day 46 | US military blockade on Iranian ports takes effect after Islamabad talks collapse

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that more US-Iran truce talks could take place “over the next two days” in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Trump told The New York Post that discussions were “happening, but, you know, a little bit slow”.

He also indicated that the talks could happen in Europe.

“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump said on Islamabad.

“It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job,” Trump said, referring to Pakistan Field Marshal General Asim Munir.

“He’s fantastic, and therefore it’s more likely that we go back there,” he added.

“Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Tuesday for ‘Israel’ and Lebanon to seize a "historic opportunity" for peace as the first direct talks in decades between the two got underway in Washington.

"This is a historic opportunity. We understand we're working against decades of history and the complexities that have led us to this unique moment and the opportunity here," Rubio said at the State Department as he welcomed the ambassadors of the two countries.

"The hope today is that we can outline a framework upon which a current and lasting peace can be developed," he added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio poses for a photo op with ‘Israeli’ and Lebanese envoys ahead of the first direct peace talks between the two in decades.

The meeting, taking place at the US State Department, includes ‘Israeli’ Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, as well as US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa.

Even before the meeting, the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, which is not represented, had rejected the holding of these talks.

Lebanon's president expressed hope that direct talks on Tuesday in Washington with ‘Israel’ would lead to an end of his country's suffering after war erupted again between ‘Israel’ and Hezbollah last month.

"I hope that the meeting in Washington... will mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people in general, and those in the south in particular," President Joseph Aoun said in a statement, adding that "stability will not return to the south if Israel continues to occupy its lands".

"The only solution lies in the Lebanese army re-deploying up to the internationally recognised border, and so being solely responsible for the security of the area and the safety of its residents, without the partnership of any other party," Aoun added.

The ‘Israeli’ military warned Tuesday it expected a rise in attacks by Hezbollah targeting the north, as Washington hosted ‘Israeli’ and Lebanese officials for their first direct talks in decades.

"Following a situational assessment, and as part of recent developments, an increase in fire from Lebanon is possible, likely targeting northern Israel," the military said.

‘Israeli’ forces and Hezbollah are currently engaged in close-quarters fighting in southern Lebanon, after the group launched attacks on ‘Israel’ in response to joint US-‘Israeli’ strikes on Iran on February 28.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the Lebanese and ‘Israeli’ ambassadors in Washington on Tuesday for the first direct peace talks between the two in decades.

Rubio is mediating the talks between ‘Israeli’ envoy Yechiel Leiter and Lebanon's Nada Hamadeh Moawad, which began around 15:00 GMT.

But pro-Iran Hezbollah -- which is battling ‘Israeli’ forces occupying southern Lebanon -- called for the talks to be scrapped before they even began.

Lebanon president Joseph Aoun said he hopes the talks would be the “'beginning of the end” of his country’s suffering.

US President Donald Trump criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a political ally, in an interview published on Tuesday for her unwillingness to help in the Iran war.

“I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage, but I was wrong,” he told Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

Rocket alarm sirens were activated in north ‘Israel’ settlements after rockets were fired from Lebanon.

Sirens were activated in Ma'alot-Tarshiha, Shomera, and several other settlements.

‘Israel’ on Tuesday dismissed Italy's decision to suspend a defence agreement between the two countries, saying Rome's move would not have any impact on its security.

"We have no security agreement with Italy. We have a memorandum of understanding from many years ago that has never contained any substantive content. This will not affect Israel's security," foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein told AFP.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said earlier on Tuesday that her country suspended the automatic renewal of a defense cooperation agreement with ‘Israel’, citing ongoing wars in the Middle East.

The decision marks a notable shift for Meloni’s government, which has been among ‘Israel’s’ closest European allies.

“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with ‘Israel’,” Meloni said in remarks reported by Italian media during a visit to Verona.

In recent weeks, Rome has voiced increasing criticism of ‘Israeli’ military operations in Lebanon, particularly after incidents affecting Italian troops deployed under a United Nations mandate.

The suspension reflects growing unease in parts of Europe over the regional escalation and its impact on international forces.

Bahrain’s General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force announced that all its units are at the highest level of readiness, confirming it has intercepted and destroyed 194 missiles and 523 drones since the start of what it described as “Iranian attacks” targeting the Kingdom.

The military said its forces remain on full defensive alert as tensions continue in the region.

Iranian authorities have sentenced four additional people, including a woman, to death over protests that erupted in January this year, according to several human rights organizations on Tuesday.

The cases were heard by a Tehran Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Imam Afshari, who rights groups have previously criticized. The defendants were reportedly convicted of acting on behalf of the United States.

The accused were identified as Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl, his wife Bita Hemmati, and two other men, Behrouz Zamaninejad and Kourosh Zamaninejad.

Authorities accused the group of throwing concrete blocks from a residential building at security forces during unrest in the capital. It was not immediately clear when the verdict was issued.

Hemmati is believed to be the first woman sentenced to death in connection with the January protests, according to rights groups.

Eleven soldiers were injured in a drone attack in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon on Monday night, according to 'Israeli' media reports.

The head of ‘Israel’s’ intelligence agency Mossad said efforts are continuing to weaken and ultimately bring down Iran’s ruling system, even after the end of direct fighting.

In remarks attributed to him, the official said there was no expectation that the Iranian leadership would collapse immediately following the end of combat operations, adding that the confrontation continues beyond the battlefield phase.

He said operations are still underway aimed at undermining the Iranian state structure, describing the campaign as ongoing despite the conclusion of the military phase.

‘Israel’s’ Foreign Ministry said there is no security agreement with Italy, responding to reports about Rome’s move to suspend security cooperation.

According to Channel 13, the ministry stressed that the announcement by the Italian government does not affect ‘Israel’s’ security.

The ministry added that what exists between the two sides is only a memorandum of understanding, which it described as having no real operational substance.

The comments come after Italy’s reported decision to halt aspects of security cooperation, a move that has drawn political attention amid broader European debates on defense ties.

Deaths and several wounded were reported after an ‘Israel’ airstrike targeted a police vehicle on al-Nafaq Street in central Gaza City.

Diplomatic exchanges between Iran and Pakistan are ongoing, a source told IRNA, as efforts continue to advance negotiations.

The source said messages are still being exchanged between officials in Tehran and Islamabad following recent rounds of talks mediated by Pakistan.

This comes after earlier negotiations shifted to indirect communication, including written exchanges between delegations.

According to the source, Iran is awaiting further details regarding the timing and framework of the next round of talks.

A spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry said Iranian attacks on the country continued throughout the war and only stopped once a ceasefire came into effect. The remarks align with recent official statements dismissing reports of any understanding or coordination with Tehran.

Islamabad is in contact with both the United States and Iran to determine the timing of the next round of negotiations, according to Pakistani sources cited by Reuters.

The sources said Pakistan is working to facilitate agreement on a schedule for the upcoming round of talks between the two sides.

They added that the meeting is likely to take place over the weekend, pending final coordination.

According to the same sources, Iran has expressed openness to a second round of discussions, following recent diplomatic outreach.

A Palestinian has been killed in an airstrike on Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, according to WAFA.

Local reports said the strike hit the town amid ongoing military activity across the area.

Separately, gunfire from ‘Israel’ military helicopters was reported in southern parts of the Gaza Strip, as operations continued across multiple fronts.

A third Iran-linked tanker has transited the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data, as commercial traffic continues despite heightened regional tensions.

The Panama-flagged Peace Gulf is heading toward Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates, data from LSEG showed.

Two other US-sanctioned tankers also passed through the waterway, according to maritime tracking data. The vessels are not believed to be heading to Iranian ports and are therefore not directly affected by the reported US blockade measures.

Data from Kpler indicated that the tanker Murlikishan, previously linked to Russian and Iranian oil transport, is heading to Iraq to load fuel oil later this month.

Media reports in ‘Israel’ say the commander of the United States Central Command, Brad Cooper, is meeting in ‘Israel’ with the chief of staff, Eyal Zamir.

A source in Pakistan’s foreign ministry told Al Jazeera that Islamabad has offered to host the second round of talks between the United States and Iran.

The proposal comes as diplomatic efforts continue to organize follow-up negotiations after an initial round of discussions.

The United States and Iran are studying the possibility of holding talks to extend a ceasefire agreement before it expires next week, according to a report by Bloomberg citing unnamed sources.

The discussions are still in an early stage and have not been formally announced by either side.

The reported initiative comes amid concerns that the current ceasefire window could close without a longer-term framework in place. Officials are said to be examining diplomatic options to prevent a renewed escalation.

‘Israel’ has instructed its ambassador in Washington to reject calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to a report by Haaretz citing informed sources.

The report says the ‘Israel’ envoy has been directed to oppose any request for a halt in fighting while negotiations with Lebanon remain ongoing.

Sources added the ambassador will stress that military operations will continue, framing the war’s objective as dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities during talks set to begin in Washington.

Australia says it is “deeply invested” in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, as tensions over maritime access continue to disrupt global energy flows.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Canberra supports freedom of navigation and is coordinating with allies including France and the United Kingdom.

Speaking to Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Marles emphasized the importance of maintaining open shipping lanes.

“We need to see freedom of navigation, obviously, through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that Australia is committed to restoring stability in global fuel supply chains.

The 'Israeli' military said Tuesday that a soldier had been killed in Lebanon, the first since a US-Iran temporary truce came into force, which 'Israel' insisted does not include Lebanon.

"Sergeant Major (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, aged 30, from Katzrin, a firefighting vehicle driver in the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the 'Israeli' military said in a statement.

Washington and Tehran have agreed to hold a new round of negotiations that could take place as early as Thursday, with Islamabad and Geneva being considered as possible venues, according to officials cited by The Associated Press.

'Israeli' airstrikes targeted the towns of Mashghara and Saghmar in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley, according to local reports.

US Vice President JD Vance said it is up to Iran whether further direct talks with the United States take place, stressing that any agreement must include a “conclusive commitment” from Tehran not to develop a nuclear weapon.

Speaking to Fox News host Bret Baier on Monday, Vance said “the ball really is in their court,” adding that a potential deal could benefit both countries if Iran is willing to meet US conditions.

“We must have their conclusive commitment to not develop a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that Washington is open to a broader agreement if Tehran agrees to those terms.

Vance also said the Iranian delegation at talks in Islamabad was not empowered to reach a final deal, which is why the US ended negotiations after 21 hours.

“The team that was there was unable to cut a deal, and they had to go back to Tehran… and get approval,” he said, adding that the US had gained insight into Iran’s negotiating position.

He said some progress was made but not enough on key issues, including the removal of Iran’s enriched uranium and guarantees preventing nuclear weapon development.

“They moved in our direction… but they didn’t move far enough,” Vance said, while emphasizing that Iran must take the next step to resume meaningful negotiations.

The US and Iran are weighing a second round of talks to revive stalled ceasefire negotiations after weekend discussions in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

The talks, led by US Vice President JD Vance, ended without an agreement according to Bloomberg, but both sides are now weighing a follow-up meeting before a two-week ceasefire announced on April 7 expires next week. One proposal under consideration is to hold a second round in Islamabad, though other potential venues are also being discussed.

Officials speaking to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity said the goal is to keep diplomatic channels open and reach a longer-term arrangement before the temporary truce runs out.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Emmanuel Macron in a phone call that “excessive” U.S. demands prevented an agreement during weekend negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Pezeshkian said Iran remains committed to ceasefire conditions and will continue talks only within international law, while warning that threats against the Strait of Hormuz could have global consequences.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tehran could unveil new military capabilities and “new forms of warfare” if tensions escalate.

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Read more: Day 45 | US blockade of Iranian ports begin after Islamabad talks collapse