Representatives from Iran and the United States are engaged in direct discussions in Islamabad, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting, which began as a closed-door session, lasted about two hours before breaking for dinner and is expected to resume. Sources cited by the report described the talks as taking place in a positive environment.

Initially, the two sides were expected to participate in indirect negotiations, but the format shifted to direct talks in the presence of Pakistani officials, which observers consider a significant step forward. Iranian sources indicated that some changes have occurred regarding the release of the country’s frozen assets.

Al Jazeera noted that the process remains at an early stage, with limited verified information available. The situation continues to evolve as more details emerge from the ongoing discussions.

French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the current Middle East situation and maritime security, according to Al Jazeera. Macron stated on social media platform X that he reaffirmed his full support for the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon, emphasizing the need for it to be fully respected and rapidly expanded.

The two leaders also discussed the urgent need to restore normal and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron said they agreed to maintain close communication to reduce regional tensions, ensure freedom of navigation, and work toward long-term peace and security, particularly in light of ongoing talks in Islamabad.

The conversation reflects continuing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and safeguard critical maritime routes amid heightened tensions and ongoing negotiations involving multiple regional actors.

The United States and Iran have begun long-awaited direct talks in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic shift after years of indirect communication. According to sources involved in the process, representatives from both nations are now sitting at the same table, with Pakistani officials also present. Until now, discussions had been conducted indirectly through Pakistani mediators, with each side in separate rooms.

The talks are being held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, which has drawn global attention since Saturday morning. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met separately with Iran’s high-level delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and later with the U.S. team led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Details of Sharif’s separate meetings with the two delegations have not yet been disclosed.

Despite the start of direct dialogue, deep mistrust remains between the two sides. Iran seeks the lifting of U.S. sanctions and security guarantees, while the United States wants limits on Iran’s regional military influence and maritime security assurances.

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed 10 people in separate locations, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). The attacks occurred amid ongoing Israeli operations that began on the day of the Iran–United States ceasefire. The NNA reported that in Kafar Sir city of Nabatieh district, four people, including a paramedic, were killed and four others injured.

In another strike in Jefta city, also in Nabatieh district, three people, including a member of Lebanon’s civil defense, were killed and two others wounded. A third airstrike in Toul city of the same district left three people dead and three injured. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The continued Israeli attacks mark an escalation in Lebanon following the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, with repeated strikes causing civilian casualties across multiple areas.

A Bangladeshi worker named Mohammad Yusuf, aged 24, died after being crushed by a collapsing wall at his workplace in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The accident occurred on Friday local time while he was working at a newly constructed building. Yusuf was from Mahtabpur village in Senbagh upazila of Noakhali and had gone to Saudi Arabia only four months earlier in search of livelihood.

According to eyewitness Mohammad Hasib, the site supervisor, Yusuf was breaking a wall for electrical work at a Saudi citizen’s new house when the entire wall suddenly collapsed on him, causing his death on the spot. His body has been kept at the morgue of Dammam Hospital.

Authorities are completing the necessary legal procedures and formalities to send Yusuf’s body back to Bangladesh, the report added.

Iran has sent a delegation to Islamabad for discussions aimed at ending ongoing hostilities but signaled a firm stance ahead of the talks. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the delegation’s presence shows Tehran’s willingness for dialogue, yet emphasized that Iran’s 'finger will remain on the trigger.' The statement was reported by Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s Mehr news agency.

Mohajerani stated that Iran believes in dialogue and rationality but does not trust the United States. She added that Tehran will not compromise on its sovereign rights and is participating in the talks with extreme caution. Analysts noted that the remarks reflect both Iran’s interest in negotiations and its deep mistrust, which could complicate the Islamabad discussions.

The talks are expected to address issues including Iran’s assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon, though the firm tone from Tehran suggests limited room for concessions.

Negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad have become increasingly complex, according to observers cited in the report. Despite differing objectives, both sides are attempting to reach a compromise. A major obstacle remains the deep mistrust between the two countries, further complicated by the U.S. President’s recent military threat to rearm naval forces if talks fail.

Iran’s key conditions include halting the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and securing the release of several billion dollars in Iranian assets frozen in foreign banks since 1979. Tehran views progress on these issues as essential, particularly amid continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Some sources have suggested that Washington may agree to release the funds, though no official confirmation has been made.

The presence of U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the discussions is seen as significant, as he is regarded as a relatively neutral mediator and a long-time critic of U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.

A United States delegation has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to participate in discussions involving Iran. The delegation, consisting of around 100 members, was welcomed at the airport by Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and the US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker. The visit marks the beginning of a series of talks hosted in the Pakistani capital.

An Iranian delegation had reached Islamabad earlier on Friday, led by Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf. The team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri Kani, and other senior officials expected to attend Saturday’s sessions. According to reports, the discussions are expected to address issues such as Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire.

The talks come amid complex diplomatic conditions, with the United Nations Secretary-General urging both the United States and Iran to engage constructively before the formal discussions begin.

A United States delegation has arrived in Pakistan to join peace talks with Iran aimed at ending ongoing hostilities. The delegation includes US Vice President JD Vance, senior adviser Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. Iran’s delegation had reached Islamabad earlier for the scheduled discussions. Pakistan has been mediating between the two nations in recent weeks, leveraging its historical ties with Iran. Trump stated that Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir understands Iran better than most.

Trump confirmed that the US received a 10-point proposal from Iran, describing it as a workable basis for negotiation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned a separate 15-point plan that could end the conflict, though neither side has officially released details. Reports suggest significant gaps remain between their positions.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have cast doubt on the peace process. Over 300 people were reportedly killed, and Lebanon announced plans to discuss a ceasefire with Israel in Washington next week.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the upcoming peace talks between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to participate with genuine intent. According to a BBC report, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a regular UN press briefing that the Secretary-General called on both parties to seize this diplomatic opportunity to move toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement and to reduce tensions.

Dujarric added that dialogue remains the only effective path to avoid conflict and prevent a return to a state of war. Guterres emphasized that there is no alternative to peaceful resolution of international disputes, which must be pursued in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The UN also confirmed that the Secretary-General’s personal envoy is currently in the region to support ongoing diplomatic efforts.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for lunch on Saturday, according to a Pakistani government source. The meeting took place amid reports that the United States has agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets even before formal talks begin, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Sources indicated that Pakistan could act as a mediator in potential discussions between the United States and Iran. Pakistani officials may hold separate meetings with both sides to maintain communication channels, similar to previous diplomatic efforts. Ghalibaf stated that the United States must agree to unfreeze Iranian assets before any negotiations can start.

Iranian media have claimed that Washington has already agreed to this condition, though there has been no official confirmation from the United States so far. The discussions in Islamabad reportedly also touched on Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire issue, reflecting the complexity of the ongoing diplomatic situation.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described his country’s mediation in potential peace talks between the United States and Iran as a proud moment not only for Pakistan but for the entire Muslim world. According to Pakistani media outlet The Dawn, Sharif expressed gratitude to the leadership of both nations for agreeing to a temporary ceasefire and to hold discussions in Islamabad aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution.

In a televised address, Sharif credited Pakistan’s diplomatic prudence and confidence for bringing Tehran and Washington to agree on a ceasefire. He praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s team for their tireless efforts and lauded Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir for his role in easing tensions and encouraging dialogue. Sharif cautioned, however, that while a temporary truce is in place, achieving lasting peace will be a long and challenging process.

Representatives from Iran and the United States are scheduled to meet in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, at the Serena Hotel. An Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials, has already arrived in the Pakistani capital.

Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between the United States and Iran by hosting their first direct talks aimed at ending a war that has claimed thousands of lives. The discussions are taking place in Islamabad, signaling a remarkable transformation for a country long associated with security concerns and economic instability. The talks mark a significant change in relations between Islamabad and Washington since Donald Trump’s first presidential term, when he had sharply criticized Pakistan.

US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner have arrived in Islamabad to participate in the negotiations. Vance is the highest-ranking US official to visit Pakistan since 2011. Analysts attribute this diplomatic breakthrough to a combination of geographic necessity, skilled diplomacy, and shifting regional alliances that have elevated Pakistan’s global standing.

The discussions face complications over Iran’s frozen assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon. Ahead of the talks, Tehran issued a stern message, while the UN Secretary-General called on both sides to engage constructively.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, according to semi-official news agency Tasnim. The delegation, which arrived early Saturday, included Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the secretary of the Defense Council, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran, and several lawmakers.

The meeting took place as U.S. Vice President JD Vance was also in Islamabad leading an American delegation. Reports indicated that the discussions in Islamabad were complex, with key issues involving Iran’s assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon. Ahead of the talks, Tehran issued a firm message emphasizing its readiness to respond strongly if provoked.

The developments come amid heightened diplomatic activity involving Iran, Pakistan, and the United States, with the United Nations Secretary-General previously calling on both Washington and Tehran to engage in dialogue.

For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the United States and Iran are set to hold high-level diplomatic talks. The historic meeting is taking place this afternoon in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking the first formal face-to-face dialogue between the two nations since the 2015 nuclear agreement. Relations had sharply deteriorated after the U.S. withdrawal from that deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump.

The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance and including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday morning. They were received by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Army Chief General Asim Munir. Pakistan’s foreign ministry expressed hope that both sides would engage constructively and reiterated its willingness to mediate for a lasting resolution.

The meeting follows six weeks of war between Iran and the United States, triggered by a joint U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts view the Islamabad talks as a decisive moment that could determine whether the conflict ends and the Strait of Hormuz reopens.