Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday amid expectations of a resumption of talks aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, though without any guarantee of direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated on X that "no Iran-US meeting is planned," clarifying that Iran's positions would be conveyed to the American side through Pakistani intermediaries. White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt confirmed that Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to travel to Pakistan on Saturday for talks "with representatives" of Iran, adding that the meeting had been requested by Tehran. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation two weeks ago, is not expected to attend unless there is significant progress, according to Levitt.
The US-Iran talks had begun two weeks ago in the Pakistani capital before being suspended after fifteen hours of discussions. Washington subsequently announced a unilateral extension of the ceasefire until further notice. Following his stop in Pakistan, Araghchi is expected to continue to Oman and Russia.
Hormuz remains paralysed
Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a standstill, with the waterway under a combined Iranian and American blockade. Under normal conditions, approximately 20% of the oil and liquefied natural gas destined for international markets passes through the strait.
Lebanon ceasefire under strain
In Lebanon, the ceasefire extended for three weeks following talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives at the White House is already facing serious pressure. Lebanon's Health Ministry announced late Friday that Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon killed six civilians and wounded two others. The Israeli military said it killed six Hezbollah fighters during exchanges of fire, claiming the militant group had shot down an Israeli drone.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to "sabotage" a process toward "historic peace" between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah, for its part, called on the Lebanese state to refrain from "direct negotiations with Israel," saying the ceasefire extension "has no meaning" given Israel's continued actions in the country.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon also announced the death of an Indonesian peacekeeper who had been wounded in southern Lebanon on 29 March.
Source: AMNA