Three Iranian aircraft carrying a 70-member delegation landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, shortly after the start of US-Iran discussions in Islamabad aimed at establishing lasting peace in the Middle East. The planes arrived from Tehran about an hour after the talks began, but the identities of the passengers and the purpose of their visit were not immediately known.

The aircraft belong to Pouya Air, a company known to be linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and Aerospace Force. They reportedly departed from Mehrabad International Airport, which was recently damaged by US and Israeli strikes. Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that as the discussions entered a more detailed phase, some experts from Iran might travel to Pakistan.

The Washington Post earlier reported that the Trump administration planned to request the release of Americans detained in Iran as part of the talks. However, it remains unclear whether the Islamabad discussions or the sudden Iranian flights are connected to any prisoner release negotiations.

Expert-level discussions between Iran and the United States have begun in Islamabad, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry official. The talks are focused on reviewing the technical aspects of proposals exchanged by both sides. The meeting follows earlier high-level discussions held with Pakistani mediators, which two government officials described as positive.

A report from the White House press pool cited a U.S. official confirming that American technical experts are present in Islamabad, supported by additional specialists from Washington. The Iranian delegation includes Central Bank Governor Dr. Nasser Hemmati and other technical experts. The discussions are continuing after four hours, indicating sustained engagement between the two sides.

The talks mark a continuation of diplomatic efforts facilitated by Pakistan, with both delegations emphasizing technical review and expert participation as they explore potential areas of cooperation or resolution.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the regional situation and the ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The discussion took place amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, with both leaders emphasizing the need for restraint and adherence to ceasefire agreements.

Macron stated on social media platform X that they first discussed the situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to respect the ceasefire and ensure that it includes Lebanon. He added that both sides urged respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the importance of achieving a strong and lasting diplomatic solution.

The conversation reflects continued diplomatic engagement between France and Turkey over regional security and efforts to prevent further escalation between Iran and the United States.

Security analyst Mohammad Ali told Al Jazeera that a certain level of flexibility has emerged in the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran, attributing this shift to Pakistan’s mediation efforts. He noted that if the current ceasefire continues for a longer period, it would indicate that both sides are unwilling to escalate the conflict further.

Ali explained that while both parties may display strong public postures, the actual discussions at the negotiation table are more pragmatic, as each side remains aware of domestic political pressures. He emphasized that Pakistan has played an important role since the arrival of both delegations, holding separate meetings with each to encourage greater flexibility and to seize what he described as a historic opportunity.

According to Ali, the world is no longer in a position to endure further conflict or tension, particularly given the potential impact on global peace, security, and the energy economy.

More than a hundred journalists gathered at Islamabad’s main convention center to cover the ongoing United States–Iran dialogue, according to the report. The Pakistani authorities temporarily turned the venue into a media hub, located about half a kilometer from the main discussion site. Reporters spent long hours waiting as the talks continued, while the center offered high-speed internet, gourmet coffee, and elaborate meals under the slogan “Brewed for Peace.”

Inside the media center, facilities included biryani, kebabs, and desserts, along with coffee made from Brazilian and Ethiopian beans. Folk musicians performed outside on a small stage, adding a cultural touch to the environment. Despite these arrangements, several journalists expressed boredom and frustration, noting that there was little to do while waiting for updates.

The contrast between the high-level diplomatic discussions and the journalists’ idle hours highlighted the different realities surrounding the event, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said a US destroyer moving from the UAE’s Fujairah port toward the Strait of Hormuz came under surveillance by Iran’s armed forces. The information was also shared with an Iranian negotiation team in Pakistan. At the same time, journalist Barak Ravid of Axios, citing US officials, reported that American warships had already crossed the strait, though Iran’s Tasnim news agency denied this through an unnamed official.

Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder data indicated that the US warship USS Michael Murphy departed Dubai’s Jebel Ali port and was near the western part of the Strait of Hormuz, with its listed destination as Singapore. The movement comes as Iran has declared it will not allow US or Israeli ships to pass through the strategic waterway.

The situation highlights rising maritime tensions in the region, with both sides issuing conflicting accounts of naval activity and Iran asserting control over transit permissions in the strait.

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.