At least 13 members of Lebanon’s security forces were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Nabatieh, according to the state-run National News Agency. The report said Israel carried out extensive air raids in the area, including a strike near a government complex that hit a state security office.

The attack occurred as the Lebanese government prepared for negotiations next week aimed at ending its ongoing war with Israel, which began in early March and has already claimed around 1,900 lives in Lebanon. Lebanese President announced that a meeting would take place in Washington next week between Tel Aviv and Lebanese representatives to discuss a ceasefire and broader peace efforts between the neighboring countries.

The developments come amid regional diplomatic tensions, with discussions also involving the United States and Iran over related issues, including the Lebanon ceasefire and frozen Iranian assets.

Iran and the United States are set to meet in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss a possible ceasefire, but renewed tensions between the two sides have cast doubt on the talks. The US delegation is en route, while the Iranian team has already arrived. The meeting follows a ceasefire agreement announced Tuesday that temporarily halted US and Israeli military actions against Iran, yet disagreements over Iran’s ten-point proposal have since emerged.

Both sides have offered differing interpretations of the ceasefire terms, particularly regarding whether it applies to Israel’s operations in Lebanon. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that the talks could collapse before they begin, citing two unmet preconditions: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s frozen assets. Iranian state media later confirmed that negotiations would start only if Washington accepted these terms.

Former US President Donald Trump reiterated threats against Iran, saying his administration was prepared to use advanced weaponry if no deal is reached. Analysts noted deep divisions remain over Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, frozen assets, nuclear program, and Israel’s actions in Lebanon.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen very soon, regardless of Iran’s cooperation. He made the remarks on Friday while speaking to reporters before peace talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Pakistan. The strategic waterway has been effectively blockaded by Tehran, causing instability in global energy supplies.

Trump said the United States would open the Gulf region and that other countries were ready to assist. However, he acknowledged that the task would not be easy, emphasizing that the reopening would happen soon. He did not provide details on how Washington plans to remove the blockade but made clear he would not accept the tolls imposed by Iran on the strait.

The statement comes amid complex negotiations in Islamabad, where key issues include Iran’s frozen assets and a Lebanon ceasefire, with the United Nations Secretary-General urging both sides to engage constructively.

Survivors of the deadliest Iranian attack on US forces since the start of the Iran war have publicly challenged the Pentagon’s version of events. The soldiers, whose unit was struck by a drone in Kuwait on March 1, said their position was dangerously exposed, contradicting official claims that the site was secure. The attack killed six US troops and injured more than 20 others.

Speaking to CBS News, several wounded soldiers described the attack and its aftermath, saying their unit was not adequately protected. One soldier said the Pentagon’s portrayal of a secure base was false, while another noted that their logistics unit had been moved into an area within range of Iranian drones and missiles. Survivors also reported failures in rescue operations, claiming they had to treat the wounded themselves and use civilian vehicles for evacuation.

Despite these accounts, Pentagon officials, including Assistant Secretary Sean Parnell, insisted that all possible safety measures were in place. The conflicting statements have raised questions about the credibility of Pentagon reports and prompted calls for further verification of US military information on the Iran war.

Israel and Lebanon are set to meet in Washington next Tuesday to discuss a possible ceasefire aimed at ending the ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah. The meeting will be mediated by the United States, according to a statement from the office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Representatives from both countries will convene at the U.S. Department of State to determine a date for announcing a ceasefire and initiating direct negotiations.

The arrangement for the talks followed a phone conversation between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel to the United States and the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon. The discussions are part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The upcoming meeting signals a potential step toward renewed dialogue between the two nations, though the outcome of the talks remains uncertain.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has said that his country is prepared to do everything necessary and take as long as needed to help secure an agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their ongoing conflict. He described the fact that discussions are taking place as a major success.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sheikh explained that bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table was not the result of any “magic word” but rather a process requiring persistence, patience, and continuous effort from all sides. He noted that each of these elements had been part of intensive diplomatic efforts over the past several weeks.

According to Sheikh, all parties have responded to Pakistan’s efforts to ensure a ceasefire and set a timeline for talks with a constructive attitude.

An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad to participate in discussions with United States officials focused on achieving a ceasefire. Iranian media reported that the delegation reached the Pakistani capital on Friday night. The group includes several senior figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, and former IRGC commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Several members of Iran’s parliament have also joined the delegation, according to the reports.

The talks are expected to address complex issues, including Iran’s frozen assets and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Ahead of the meeting, Tehran issued a firm message emphasizing its readiness to respond if provoked. The discussions are taking place amid heightened regional tensions and international calls for restraint from both Iran and the United States.

The outcome of the Islamabad talks could influence future diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, particularly regarding regional stability and economic sanctions relief.

Delegations from the United States and Iran are meeting today, Saturday, in Islamabad to discuss steps toward a permanent end to the ongoing war. The Iranian delegation arrived Friday afternoon, while the US team was expected overnight. Despite Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon violating the ceasefire, Pakistan confirmed that the long-anticipated talks would proceed. The meeting is being held at the Serena Hotel near Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry under unprecedented security measures, with major roads closed and military personnel deployed across the city.

The US delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, adviser Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, while Iran’s team is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials are mediating. The discussions are expected to last several days and will be based on Iran’s ten-point proposal, which includes conditions for the Strait of Hormuz and ceasefire terms.

The talks come amid uncertainty as Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire. Both sides remain divided over Hormuz tolls and regional security, raising doubts about the meeting’s outcome.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned Israel’s approval of 34 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the move a violation of international law. Israeli rights group Peace Now reported that the decision was made secretly in early April, and Israeli media confirmed the report. The Palestinian Presidency also denounced the plan as a flagrant breach of international law, while the Israeli government has not issued any comment.

In a statement, the OIC said Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and that all measures to alter their geographic or demographic character are null and void. The organisation warned that the expansion of settlements, land confiscation, and settler violence threaten the two-state solution and the rights of Palestinians. Turkiye also criticised the decision, describing it as a serious violation of international law and UN resolutions.

According to Israeli media, the 34 settlements were approved during a recent security cabinet session, marking the largest number ever approved at once. Ten of the sites are existing outposts to be legalised, while 24 are new constructions yet to begin.

Expectations for the upcoming ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan are low, with even the possibility that the meeting may not occur. The discussions are set to proceed under Tehran’s 10-point proposal rather than US President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan, signaling that Iran currently holds the upper hand. The ceasefire allows Iran to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz and continue collecting transit fees, a concession that Washington appears to have accepted.

Iran’s government has portrayed the ceasefire as a victory, though internal voices warn it may have weakened deterrence by not securing a full end to hostilities. Tehran’s demands include recognition of its control over the strait, acceptance of uranium enrichment, lifting of all sanctions, withdrawal of US forces, and a ceasefire extending to Israel’s operations in Lebanon and Gaza. These terms are seen as difficult for Washington to accept in full.

Even if the talks fail, analysts suggest a fragile equilibrium could persist, with both sides avoiding a return to full-scale war. The United States may stay out of direct conflict while Iran maintains leverage over regional trade routes, creating a tense but stable status quo.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the upcoming Iran-United States talks in Islamabad, set to begin on Saturday, as a life-or-death struggle aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. He expressed optimism that the discussions were moving in the right direction. Sharif confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance was en route to Islamabad and that two Iranian delegations had departed for Pakistan.

Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would not begin talks with the United States until a ceasefire was reached in Lebanon and its frozen assets were released. Sharif noted that both sides were shaping narratives for their domestic audiences, adding that Iran was clearly unwilling to endanger Hezbollah.

The talks are drawing global attention as they are seen as a critical step toward easing regional tensions and possibly preventing further escalation if negotiations fail.

US President Donald Trump has warned that if upcoming talks with Iran in Pakistan fail to produce an agreement, the United States will launch a large-scale military attack on Iran. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said he has already ordered US warships to be equipped with the most advanced and powerful weapons. He described the current military readiness as more formidable than ever before and stated that this power would be used effectively if negotiations do not yield positive results.

Trump added that a 'reset' process is underway, with US forces stockpiling what he called the best ammunition in their history. He made it clear that if a respectful agreement with Tehran cannot be reached, the United States will not hesitate to choose a military path. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled to take place in Pakistan, drawing global attention as both sides face mounting pressure to avoid escalation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the United States must honor its commitment to a ceasefire in Lebanon. He said the two-week truce between Iran and the US included assurances that Lebanon would be covered under the agreement. Araghchi made the remarks during a phone conversation with Iran’s envoy to Lebanon on Friday.

Araghchi condemned Israeli attacks in Lebanon, emphasizing that such actions must stop under the terms of the ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Iran would not begin any talks with the United States until the ceasefire in Lebanon is implemented and Iran’s frozen assets are released.

The statements reflect Tehran’s firm stance on linking regional stability and diplomatic engagement with Washington to the enforcement of the Lebanon ceasefire and the resolution of financial restrictions.

Top leaders from the United States and Iran are set to meet in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for diplomatic talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East. Pakistan is hosting and mediating the meeting, which is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future. The White House confirmed that discussions will begin in the morning, focusing primarily on achieving a ceasefire.

The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, joined by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran’s team will be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may hold separate meetings with both sides beforehand, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to act as mediator.

Security in Islamabad has been tightened significantly, with major roads closed and media access restricted. The talks will center on Iran’s ten-point proposal and a possible fifteen-point US counterproposal addressing military presence, nuclear programs, and regional stability.

United States Vice President JD Vance departed for Pakistan on Friday to lead negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran. Speaking to reporters before boarding his flight to Islamabad, Vance said he expected the talks to be “positive” and confirmed that President Donald Trump had given him clear guidelines for the meeting. The discussions are scheduled for Saturday, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expected to head the Iranian delegation.

The decision to have Vance lead the US delegation was seen by some observers as a response to Iran’s preference for dealing with him rather than with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff or Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who had previously led indirect nuclear negotiations. The talks come after a temporary ceasefire in a conflict that escalated when Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran in June 2025, followed by renewed fighting in February. Despite the pause, both sides have issued conflicting statements about the ceasefire’s scope and terms.

Uncertainty remains over key issues such as control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and whether Israel’s operations in Lebanon are covered by the ceasefire. Analysts note deep mistrust between the parties but suggest that both sides may see negotiations as a less costly alternative to continued conflict.