JD Vance says that the US and Iran have failed to reach a peace agreement despite 21 hours of negotiations in Pakistan on Saturday.
“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement and I think that's bad news for Iran, much more than it's bad news for the United States of America,” Vance said at a press conference on Sunday morning local time.
Iran said the talks had produced some progress but ultimately failed due to disagreements over "two important issues".
A foreign ministry spokesperson said the negotiations were conducted in an “atmosphere of mistrust”, saying it was unrealistic to expect a deal in a single round, but there are currently no plans in place for a resumption of talks.
Earlier, Donald Trump had said it “makes no difference” to him if a peace deal is agreed at the crunch talks hosted by Pakistan, while Tehran lashed out at his “excessive” demands.
The US and Iran both brought huge delegations and exchanged multiple draft deals in Islamabad on Saturday in an attempt to bring an end to a bloody six-week war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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Key Points
- Tehran lashes out at Trump's 'excessive' peace demands after first meeting
- Iran threatens 'strong response' to warships seeking transit through Strait of Hormuz
- Trump threatens to resume attacks on Iran if Pakistan talks collapse
JD Vance leaves Pakistan after talks end without deal
05:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Iran foreign ministry says ‘mistrust’ shaped talks
05:15 , Shahana YasminIran said negotiations with the US advanced, but differences emerged on key issues.
“We reached agreement on a number of points in the talks, but views differed on two important issues, and it did not lead to agreement,” a foreign ministry spokesperson told Iranian media.
The talks were held in an “atmosphere of mistrust,” the spokesperson added, saying it was unrealistic to expect a deal in a single round.
The negotiations in Islamabad lasted 21 hours and stretched overnight, moving through multiple rounds and draft exchanges before ending without agreement.
Iran said consultations would continue with Pakistan and “other friends” in the region, with disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief still unresolved.
US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
05:00 , Shahana YasminUnited States intelligence assessments allege that China is quietly taking a more active role in the Iran war and may have even sent shoulder missiles to Iran in recent weeks, according to a new report.
The missiles in question areman-portable air-defense systems, also known as MANPADs, which are commonly used to shoot down low-flying aircraft. Sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN that China was working to route the shipments through third countries to make it difficult to trace their origin.
The intelligence is not conclusive, and there is no evidence that Chinese missiles have been used against American or Israeli troops so far, according to the New York Times.
US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
We asked a US Army veteran and an Iranian expert to dissect Trump's war
04:45 , Shahana YasminIran: US used talks to ‘save face’
04:30 , Shahana YasminIran has said the US was looking for an excuse to leave negotiations during talks in Islamabad.
“The Americans needed the negotiation for their lost face in the international arena and were unwilling to lower their expectations despite the defeat and stalemate in the war with Iran,” a source close to the Iranian delegation told Fars news agency.
“Iran has no plans for the next round of talks,” the source added.
Iran blames US 'overreach' as talks end without deal
04:15 , Shahana YasminUS-Iran talks in Islamabad have ended without agreement, with Tehran attributing the outcome to excessive US demands.
“The negotiations between the Iranian and American teams concluded a few minutes ago and, due to what is described as US overreach and ambitions, the two sides have so far failed to reach an agreement,” a correspondent from Iran’s Tasnim News Agency in Islamabad reported.
Issues including the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear rights, and other points remained unresolved.
US vice president JD Vance said Iran rejected terms he described as “quite flexible,” and that Washington had yet to see a “fundamental commitment” to forgo nuclear weapons.
WATCH: We asked a US Army veteran and an Iranian expert to dissect Trump's war
04:00 , Graig GraziosiTrump attends UFC event in Miami
03:45 , Graeme MassieDespite the Iran war, Donald Trump spent his Saturday evening at UFC 327 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Negotiations stretch into the early hours in Islamabad
03:20 , Graig GraziosiA senior U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity told NBC News that negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan have continued into the early hours of the morning.
Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner are meeting with an Iranian envoy led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
"Fifteen hours and counting," the White House official told the broadcaster.
Vance says Iran would not commit to not develop nuclear weapon
02:49 , Graeme Massie“I won't go into all the details, because I don't want to negotiate in public after we negotiated for 21 hours in private, but the simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” said Vance from Pakistan.
“That is the core goal of the president United States, and that's what we've tried to achieve through these negotiations.
“Again, their nuclear program, such as it is the enrichment facilities that they've that they had before they've been destroyed.
“But the simple question is, do we see a fundamental commitment of will for the Iranians not to develop a nuclear weapon, not just now, not just two years from now, but for the long term. We haven't seen that yet. We hope that we will.”
The US vice president gave a short press conference on Sunday morning local time in Pakistan where he said the warring sides had failed to reach a peace agreement.
“We have been at it now for 21 hours, And we've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians that's the good news,” he said.
“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement and I think that's bad news for Iran, much more than it's bad news for the United States of America. So we go back to the United States, having not come to an agreement.
“We've made very clear what our red lines are what things we're willing to accommodate them on and what things we're not willing to accommodate them on, and we've made that as clear as we possibly could, and they have chosen not to accept our terms.”
JD Vance says US and Iran have failed to reach peace agreement
02:38 , Graeme MassieThe US vice president gave a short press conference on Sunday morning local time in Pakistan where he said the warring sides had failed to reach a peace agreement.
“We have been at it now for 21 hours, And we've had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians that's the good news,” he said.
“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement and I think that's bad news for Iran, much more than it's bad news for the United States of America. So we go back to the United States, having not come to an agreement.
“We've made very clear what our red lines are what things we're willing to accommodate them on and what things we're not willing to accommodate them on, and we've made that as clear as we possibly could, and they have chosen not to accept our terms.”
Iranian president says Israeli attacks on Lebanon are causing tensions at Islamabad peace talks
02:30 , Graig GraziosiIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly said that Israel’s attacks on southern Lebanon are stirring tensions at the U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad, according to Iran’s state-sponsored news agency Mehr.
The comments were reportedly made during a phone call between Pezeshkian and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.
U.S. military says two destroyers successful transit through the Strait of Hormuz
01:45 , Graig GraziosiThe U.S. military claims that two of its destroyers safely traversed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
The ships traveled through the strait ahead of upcoming mine-clearing operations.
Iran’s state media is denying the report, saying that its military command denied the U.S. Navy access to the strait.
Pope Leo XIV: 'Enough of war!'
01:31 , Graig GraziosiThe Pope issued a rebuke to the world’s warring nations on Saturday.
“Those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bend its knee. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life. #Peace”
The Pope’s message comes as American and Iranian leaders meet to discuss an end to hostilities amid the two week ceasefire.
Those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 11, 2026
Trump warns that China will have 'big problems' if it ships weapons to Iran
01:00 , Graig GraziosiPresident Donald Trump told CNN on Saturday that China will have “big problems” if Beijing sends weapons to Iran.
CNN’s Betsy Klein asked Trump about U.S. intelligence reports suggesting that China is preparing to arm Iran.
Trump said that doing so would cause serious issues with the U.S.
“If China does that, China will have big problems, OK?” he said on Saturday.
Iran hawk Lindsey Graham deflects when asked by Fox News host if war will cost GOP the midterms
Sunday 12 April 2026 00:20 , Graig GraziosiFrom The Independent’s Mike Bedigan:
Lindsey Graham dodged questions about whether the ongoing war in Iran will hurt Republican chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
The South Carolina senator, who has been one of the biggest champions of the U.S. military operations in the Middle East, trotted out previous party lines on the conflict, even when asked directly by Fox News’ Bret Baier
“Do you think this war that we’re in, and this fight over ICE, is hurting reelection chances for Republicans in the fall?” Baier said during the interview on Saturday.
“I think President Trump is stopping a homicidal maniac regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and if you don’t treat them that way, you’ve missed a lot in the last 47 years,” Graham replied.
READ MORE:
Lindsey Graham deflects when asked by Fox News host if war will cost GOP the midterms
'Makes no difference' whether we reach deal with Iran, says Trump
Saturday 11 April 2026 23:29 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has said it “makes no difference” to him whether the US reaches a deal with Iran or not because America has “won” either way.
"We're in very deep negotiations with Iran,” he told reporters.
“We win regardless. We've defeated them militarily... Whether we make a deal or not, it makes no difference to me — and the reason is because we've won, whether you listen to the Fake News or not."
The US president also warned China that it would have “big problems” if it shipped arms to Iran.
US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
Saturday 11 April 2026 23:20 , Alex CroftUnited States intelligence assessments allege that China is quietly taking a more active role in the Iran war and may have even sent shoulder missiles to Iran in recent weeks, according to a new report.
The missiles in question areman-portable air-defense systems, also known as MANPADs, which are commonly used to shoot down low-flying aircraft. Sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN that China was working to route the shipments through third countries to make it difficult to trace their origin.
The intelligence is not conclusive, and there is no evidence that Chinese missiles have been used against American or Israeli troops so far, according to the New York Times.
Ariana Baio reports:
US intelligence assessment says China may have sent Iran missiles: report
Watch: Trump says it makes 'no difference' to him if Iran and US reach deal
Saturday 11 April 2026 23:07 , Alex CroftIran threatens 'strong response' to warships seeking transit through Strait of Hormuz
Saturday 11 April 2026 23:00 , Alex CroftIran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any attempt by military vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz would be met with "a strong response”.
In a statement carried by Iranian media, the group said only non-military vessels would be allowed to pass under specific regulations.
US-Iran peace talks begin in Pakistan as warships enter Strait of Hormuz
Saturday 11 April 2026 22:46 , Alex CroftFace-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran have begun in Pakistan, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.
The talks in Islamabad were the first direct US-Iranian meeting in more than a decade and the highest-level discussions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian delegation led by Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, were discussing how to advance a ceasefire that is already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Alastair Jamieson brings our full report:
Who makes up the delegations negotiating in Islamabad?
Saturday 11 April 2026 22:20 , Alex CroftSome of the most high-profile politicians and military officials from the US and Iran are in Islamabad as high-stakes peace talks continue.
Heading up the US delegation is vice president JD Vance, who will be watched closely by both Iranian and US officials.
Joining him are special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have recently been involved in peace talks with Ukraine.
For Iran, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is taking the lead - a powerful figure who will take charge of the overall direction of his country’s negotiation.
He is joined by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and trusted negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.
Tehran lashes out at Trump's 'excessive' peace demands after first meeting
Saturday 11 April 2026 21:59 , Alex CroftA new round of talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations began in Islamabad on Saturday, with Pakistani officials acting as mediators, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing its correspondent.
It added that the current round appeared to be the "last opportunity" to reach a common framework, given what it described as "excessive US demands”.
The first meeting, which included US vice president JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, lasted for two hours.
It was said by a Pakistani source to have involved several “mood swings”.
Israel kills dozens more people in Lebanon
Saturday 11 April 2026 21:33 , Alex CroftMore than 90 people were killed in Israeli air strikes across Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese health ministry said, bringing the war's death toll to 2,020 people, including 165 children, nearly 250 women and 85 medics.
Hezbollah said it had conducted several military operations against Israeli positions on Saturday, both within Lebanese territory and in northern Israel.
Israeli and Lebanese officials plan talks in the US on Tuesday.
For the US-Iran talks, Islamabad, a city of more than 2 million people, was locked down with thousands of paramilitary personnel and army troops on the streets.
Watch: Trump threatens to ‘finish’ Iran war if peace talks fail as negotiators arrive in Pakistan
Saturday 11 April 2026 21:09 , Alex CroftTalks to resume Saturday night or Sunday morning
Saturday 11 April 2026 20:44 , Alex CroftAs we’ve been reporting, JD Vance, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were locked into two hour talks with an Iranian delegation earlier on Saturday.
The talks, according to one Pakistani source speaking to Reuters, were marred by “mood swings”.
Iranian state media reported that the Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of contention.
Iran’s state-affiliated Nournews said talks are set to resume later on Saturday night or Sunday.
'Mood swings' in the initial US-Iran meeting, says Pakistani source
Saturday 11 April 2026 20:19 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing more about the first round of talks in Islamabad, where US vice president JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for two hours.
"There were mood swings from the two sides and the temperature went up and down during the meeting," a Pakistani source told Reuters news agency.
We haven’t yet heard from the US side, but will bring the latest to you as it comes in.
Watch: We asked a US Army veteran and an Iranian expert to dissect Trump's war
Saturday 11 April 2026 20:11 , Alex CroftMacron speaks with Iranian president Pezeshkian
Saturday 11 April 2026 19:45 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing from French president Emmanuel Macron, who said he has spoken with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian.
"I stressed the need for Iran to restore freedom of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible,” Mr Macron said in a post on X.
He said France stands “ready to contribute” to reopening the Strait.
“I insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," the French president added.
Pope Leo calls for end to 'madness of war'
Saturday 11 April 2026 19:23 , Alex CroftPope Leo on Saturday urged world leaders to end what he called the "madness of war," in an impassioned appeal as senior US and Iranian officials met in Pakistan to discuss ending the six-week conflict.
At a special prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, the first US pope decried the use of religious language to justify war and said a "delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us... is becoming increasingly unpredictable".
Making a direct appeal to world leaders, he said: "Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned."
Leo, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Iran war.
On Saturday, he used forceful language to denounce conflict, citing letters from children in war zones he said described "horror and inhumanity".
Strait of Hormuz a major sticking point in talks so far - Iranian state media
Saturday 11 April 2026 18:55 , Alex CroftWe’re getting our first reports of how talks between Iran and the US in Islamabad, Pakistan are going.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the main points of serious disagreement in the talks, Tehran’s state news agency Tasnim is reporting.
Discussions are ongoing, the agency reports - but Iran is insistent that it will preserve its military gains.
A reporter for Iranian state TV said the US is continuing with that they described as “extravagant” demands in the talks.
They said last efforts are being made to close the gap in position.
Sending UK ships to police Strait of Hormuz ‘a fantasy’, ex-defence secretary warns
Saturday 11 April 2026 18:29 , Sam RkainaSending British warships to police the Strait of Hormuz is a “fantasy” because UK armed forces are already so depleted, former British defence secretary Ben Wallace has warned.
Mr Wallace, who served as defence secretary under three Tory prime ministers, said such a move – which armed forces minister Luke Pollard has refused to rule – risked “leaving our troops dangerously unprotected and overstretched”.
He urged the government to properly fund Britain’s defence and accused ministers of “taking the public for fools” after the current defence secretary John Healey insisted the UK is ready to defend itself.
Click here for the full story.
Two US warships sail through Strait of Hormuz to begin mine clearance
Saturday 11 April 2026 18:04 , Alex CroftTwo American warships have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a mission to clear the area of mines, US Central Command (Centcom) has said.
The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy, both navy guided-missile destroyers, transited the Strait and operated in the Arabian Gulf to begin “setting the conditions for clearing mines”, Centcom said.
It is unclear whether Tehran had agreed to allow the operation, which took place as US and Iranian delegations begin crucial peace negotiations in Pakistan.
“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of Centcom.
We asked a US Army veteran and an Iranian expert to dissect Trump's war
Saturday 11 April 2026 17:40 , Sam RkainaLebanon hit by more than 100 attacks on healthcare during Israeli strikes, WHO says
Saturday 11 April 2026 17:10 , Sam RkainaLebanon has been hit by more than 100 attacks on healthcare workers and services during the war with Israel, according to the World Health Organisation.
Hospitals, ambulances, and health workers have all been targeted, the WHO said, resulting in at least 57 deaths and 158 injuries so far.
In an update earlier this week, the WHO said it has so far verified 106 such attacks in Lebanon, 23 in Iran, and 6 in Israel. In Lebanon “attacks on healthcare continue at a high rate, averaging approximately 2.9 incidents per day over the past 37 days”, the organisation added.
Click here for the full story.
Trump launches another attack on media coverage of war
Saturday 11 April 2026 16:40 , Sam RkainaThe US president has launched the latest in a series of attacks on media coverage of the Iran war today.
Repeating a number of his points he made in a similar post two hours ago, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The Fake News Media is CRAZY, or just plain CORRUPT!
“The United States has completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force, and everything else. Their Leadership is DEAD!
“The Strait of Hormuz will soon be open, and the empty ships are rushing to the United States to “load up.” But, if you listen to the Fake News, we’re losing! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Trump did not make clear which ‘fake news’ outlets or stories he was responding to, with most coverage today focused on the beginning of peace talks in Pakistan.
‘We’re loading up the ships’: Trump prepares for more attacks if Iran doesn’t listen in peace talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 16:15 , Nicole Wootton-CanePresident Donald Trump is reportedly relocating US naval ships and filling them with "the best ammunition" in order to resume strikes on Iran if ceasefire negotiations fail.
The president told The New York Post that he would have a better idea of his next steps sometime in the next day.
“We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,” Trump told the outlet ahead of peace talks in Islamabad.
You can read the full report below:
Trump prepares for more attacks if Iran doesn’t listen in peace talks
We asked a US Army veteran and an Iran expert to dissect Trump’s war
Saturday 11 April 2026 16:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs talks continue in Islamabad, The Independent has asked a US Army veteran and an expert on Iranian culture to dissect Donald Trump's Iran war.
Veteran Mike Lyons, a retired US Army Major and combat veteran of the Gulf War, said the conflict in Iran has so far been a resounding success.
Hussein Banai, professor of International Studies at Indiana University, remarked that changing Iran’s regime was “never going to take place in the manner that Washington had hoped.”
Luke Reevey has this report:
We asked a US Army veteran and an Iran expert to dissect Trump’s war
Who makes up the delegations negotiating in Islamabad?
Saturday 11 April 2026 15:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSome of the most high-profile politicians and military officials from the US and Iran are in Islamabad as high-stakes peace talks continue.
Heading up the US delegation is vice president JD Vance, who will be watched closely by both Iranian and US officials.
Joining him are special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have recently been involved in peace talks with Ukraine.
For Iran, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is taking the lead - a powerful figure who will take charge of the overall direction of his country’s negotiation.
He is joined by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and trusted negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.
Trump claims US forces are 'clearing' Strait of Hormuz as Iran says tankers warned not to cross
Saturday 11 April 2026 15:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDonald Trump has claimed US forces are “clearing” the Strait of Hormuz in a winding post on Truth Social.
It comes as reports are emerging of US vessels in the area of the strait, which is a key shipping channel.
An Axios journalist, citing an unnamed US official, posted that "several" US ships had crossed the strait on Saturday, though Iranian state TV soon after reported a denial from an official with Iran's military.
Iranian officials said the US had turned back after being warned it would be targeted within 30 minutes of crossing the strait.
The US has denied such a warning took place.
In pictures: Negotiations get underway in Islamabad
Saturday 11 April 2026 15:15 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Trump claims tankers headed to US to load up on oil in early morning Truth Social rant
Saturday 11 April 2026 15:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDonald Trump has claimed that shipping tankers from all over the world are heading towards the US in order to “load up with oil,” as domestic gas prices remain high following the fallout from the president’s ongoing war with Iran.
In an ranting post on Truth Social on Saturday Trump laid into the mainstream media and its reporting of the ongoing conflict and said that US forces were beginning the process of “clearing out” the Strait of Hormuz.
The act was “a favour to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others,” the president said.
Mike Bedigan has this report:
Trump claims tankers headed to US to load up on oil in morning Truth Social rant
Iranian military officials deny reports of US tankers crossing through Strait of Hormuz
Saturday 11 April 2026 14:38 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIranian officials have denied reports US tankers have been granted access through the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports on state media have said a US vessel was told it would be attacked within 30 minutes if it attempted to traverse the waterway.
Tehran added the ship then turned back.
It comes as talks get underway between US vice president JD Vance and his delegation, and Iranian government officials, in Islamabad.
Trump says Iran 'losing big' as talks begin
Saturday 11 April 2026 14:21 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDonald Trump has posted to social media as talks get underway in Islamabad.
The US president wrote that Iran are “losing big” and boasted of tankers travelling to the US to load up with oil.
“The Fake News Media has lost total credibility, not that they had any to begin with,” he wrote. “Because of their massive Trump Derangement Syndrome (Sometimes referred to as TDS!), they love saying that Iran is “winning” when, in fact, everyone knows that they are LOSING, and LOSING BIG!
“Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft apparatus is nonexistent, Radar is dead, their Missile and Drone Factories have been largely obliterated along with the Missiles and Drones themselves and, most importantly, their longtime “Leaders” are no longer with us, praise be to Allah!
“The only thing they have going is the threat that a ship may “bunk” into one of their sea mines which, by the way, all 28 of their mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea.
“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others. Incredibly, they don’t have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves.
“Very interestingly, however, empty Oil carrying ships from many Nations are all heading to the United States of America to LOAD UP with Oil.”
Saudi Arabia says Pakistan sends fighter jets to kingdom under defence pact
Saturday 11 April 2026 14:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePakistan has sent fighter jets and other military forces to Saudi Arabia to boost security under a defence pact between the two countries, the Saudi defence ministry said on Saturday.
The deployment follows a wave of Iranian talks on the Gulf kingdom over the past weeks that struck key energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi national.
Riyadh and Islamabad signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025, committing both sides to treat any aggression against either country as an attack on both.
Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said in a statement that Pakistani fighter jets and support aircraft had arrived at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in the country's eastern province.
It said the Pakistani deployment aimed to strengthen joint defence cooperation and support regional and international security and stability.
Lebanese expats terrified for their families as Israel continues bombardment of country
Saturday 11 April 2026 13:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAs people across the world celebrated the news of the US and Iran’s ceasefire, Sara Roddis was devastated to learn that her family in Lebanon would still have no rest from Israel’s bombardment.
For the past month, Ms Roddis, from Coventry, has been “ill with stress”. Most of her immediate family is in the south of Lebanon, which has been regularly targeted by Israel.
Since hostilities broke out between Israel and Lebanon last month, she has been “absolutely terrified” that one of her loved ones will die. “I cry every day,” she told The Independent.
Harriette Boucher has this report:
Lebanese expats ‘terrified’ for families after Israel says ceasefire doesn’t apply
US intelligence indicates China preparing weapons shipment to Iran, according to reports
Saturday 11 April 2026 13:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS intelligence indicates China is preparing to deliver new air defence systems to Iran within the next few weeks, CNN reported, citing three people familiar with recent intelligence assessments.
The network said there are indications that Beijing is working to route the shipments through third countries to mask their origin.
The US State Department, the White House, the Chinese embassy in Washington and China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Beijing is preparing to transfer shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems known as MANPADs, CNN said, citing sources it did not name.
Iran 'will negotiate with finger on trigger', spokesperson says
Saturday 11 April 2026 13:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneAn Iranian government spokesperson has said Tehran “will negotiate with our finger on the trigger," in a statement on state TV.
Fatemeh Mohajerani said: "While we are open to talks, we are also fully aware of the lack of trust; therefore, Iran's diplomatic team is entering this process with maximum caution."
Earlier, a senior Iranian source told news agency Reuters the US had agreed to release frozen assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, but a US official swiftly denied the claim.
The Iranian source welcomed the alleged move as a sign of "seriousness" in the talks, in which Washington is pressing Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the assertion about frozen assets.
Iran is also demanding a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have killed nearly 2,000 people since the start of fighting in March.
Watch: Iran Lego war video shows allies closing in on White House as 'devils' Trump and Netanyahu targeted
Saturday 11 April 2026 13:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEmpty oil tankers heading to US, Trump says
Saturday 11 April 2026 12:46 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEmpty oil tankers are hading to the US to load up with oil, Donald Trump has said.
In a post on social media, the US president boasted his country has “the best and ‘sweetest’ oil (and gas!)” anywhere in the world.
He wrote: “Massive numbers of completely empty oil tankers, some of the largest anywhere in the World, are heading, right now, to the United States to load up with the best and “sweetest” oil (and gas!) anywhere in the World.
“We have more oil than the next two largest oil economies combined - and higher quality. We are waiting for you. Quick turnaround!”
Islamabad residents urged to stay at home as city prepares for peace talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 12:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneResidents of Islamabad have been urged to stay at home as the city prepares to host crunch peace talks between the US and Iran.
In preparation for the meeting, the government declared a public holiday on Thursday and Friday while police imposed strict traffic restrictions in Islamabad.
“The Red Zone and surrounding areas are closed to all types of traffic except official vehicles. Citizens are requested to avoid unnecessary travel,” the city police said in an advisory.
The Red Zone is a city landmark housing key government offices and foreign missions.
Iran set out 'red lines' ahead of peace talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 12:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneTehran has set out its “red lines” ahead of peace talks in Islamabad, according to Iranian state media.
The Strait of Hormuz, payment of war reparations, the release of Iran’s blocked assets, and a ceasefire across the entire region are reported to be among Tehran’s proposals and conditions.
We’ll bring you more as it comes.
Ships appear to be heading towards Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire agreement
Saturday 11 April 2026 12:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSeveral ships appear to be on the way to the Strait of Hormuz following a ceasefire agreement that saw Iran agree to temporarily reopen the key shipping channel.
Marine traffic maps show a handful of ships either travelling towards or having passed through the strait, which is controlled by Iran and an important channel for oil tankers.
The vessels are mostly Chinese, and are still a small fraction of the usual traffic expected in the waterway.
On Thursday, US president Donald Trump accused Iran of doing a “poor job” of allowing ships through the strait following the ceasefire agreement.
“Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz,” he posted on social media.
“That is not the agreement we have!”
Iran's vice president warns against 'Israel first' mindset
Saturday 11 April 2026 11:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIran’s vice president has warned negotiators against an “Israel first” mindset when officials meet for peace talks later today.
In a post on X, Mohammad Reza Aref wrote: “If we negotiate in Islamabad with representatives of 'America First,' an agreement beneficial to both sides and the world is probable.
“However, if we face representatives of 'Israel First,' there will be no deal; we will inevitably continue our defense even more vigorously than before, and the world will face greater costs.”
US Vice President Vance holds talks with Pakistan PM Sharif
Saturday 11 April 2026 11:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneUS vice president JD Vance held talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, the White House and Sharif's office said, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner also taking part.
"Prime minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region," Mr Sharif's office said.
US official denies reports Washington has agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets
Saturday 11 April 2026 11:18 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA US official has denied reports that Washington has agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets.
Earlier, Iranian sources told the Reuters news agency the US had agreed to lift sanctions on its frozen assets in Qatar and other foreign countries in a move they said was “directly linked” to securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
But US officials have now said the reports are not accurate.
Lifting the sanctions is one of Tehran’s key demands before negotiations start in Islamabad.
The key sticking points between US and Iran ahead of talks in Islamabad
Saturday 11 April 2026 11:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneTalks between the US and Iran are set to take place on Saturday, seeking to extend a two-week-long ceasefire in the Middle East into a more permanent deal.
The two countries have each indicated a willingness to talk - but with key expectations and demands.
Uranium, sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz are all expected to be significant sticking points in the negotiations, which are taking place in Islamabad on Saturday.
James C. Reynolds has the full report on what the issues are, and why they matter:
In pictures: Islamabad prepares to host historic peace talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 11:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Iran's new supreme leader suffering from serious injuries, sources say
Saturday 11 April 2026 10:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIran’s new supreme leader has kept a low profile since his appointment shortly after the death of his father.
Sources have now told news agency Reuters that Mojtaba Khamenei is still recovering from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the beginning of the war.
Khamenei's face was disfigured in the attack on the supreme leader's compound in central Tehran and he suffered a significant injury to one or both legs, all three sources said.
But they added the 56-year-old is nonetheless recovering from his wounds and remains mentally sharp, according to the sources, who have been kept anonymous.
He is reported to be taking part in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing and is engaged in decision-making on major issues including the war and negotiations with Washington.
Watch: Trump threatens to ‘finish’ Iran war if peace talks fail as negotiators arrive in Pakistan
Saturday 11 April 2026 10:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIran demanded sanctions relief before sitting down for talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 10:20 , Nicole Wootton-CaneTehran demanded the US lift sanctions on the country’s assets before officials sit down at the negotiating table today.
Iran has since reported the US has agreed to release its frozen assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks in a move it said is “directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Officials also demanded the US agrees to a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have killed nearly 2,000 people since the start of the fighting in March.
They said talks would not start until the US agreed.
The White House did not immediately comment on the demands, but President Trump previously posted on social media that the only reason the Iranians were alive was to negotiate a deal.
"The Iranians don't seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!" he said.
Vice president JD Vance, speaking as he headed to Pakistan, said he expected a positive outcome but added: "If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive."
US agreed to release frozen Iranian assets in bid secure passage through Strait of Hormuz, Iran says
Saturday 11 April 2026 10:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks in a bid to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has said.
Tehran previously said it would only take part in peace talks if US-imposed sanctions on its assets were lifted.
A senior Iranian source told the Reuters news agency Tehran sees the agreement as a test of goodwill and sign of seriousness from the US regarding the potential peace deal.
The United States has not made any public comments on the issue of unfreezing assets.
What is Iran’s 10-point plan - and what has Trump said about it?
Saturday 11 April 2026 10:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWhen a ceasefire was announced on Wednesday, US president Donald Trump said he had received a 10-point proposal from Iran.
Mr Trump called the plan “a workable basis on which to negotiate” and said that almost all of the points have been agreed - but did not reveal what they are.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the country’s top security body, then published a list of points it said Washington had agreed to and “in principle, committed to”. These included:
- non-aggression
- continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz
- acceptance of enrichment
- lifting all primary and secondary sanctions
- termination of all resolutions passed by the UN Security Council and the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency
- withdrawal of US combat forces from the region
- cessation of war on all fronts, including against the Islamic resistance in Lebanon
There was uncertainty, however, as President Trump suggested there were “numerous” bogus lists circulating. He said there was “only one group of meaningful “POINTS that are acceptable to the United States”, which the US would be discussing behind closed doors with Iran in Pakistan.
Trump warns ‘no nuclear weapons’ ahead of high stakes peace talks with Iran
Saturday 11 April 2026 09:45 , Nicole Wootton-CaneDonald Trump has declared that Iran agreeing not to pursue a nuclear weapon would be the mark of a successful peace talks with Tehran in Pakistan this weekend.
US vice president JD Vance and Iranian negotiators have arrived in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for the talks, which are scheduled to begin on Saturday and are aimed at bringing an end to the six-week conflict.
“No nuclear weapon number one,” Trump said when asked what a good deal looks like for the White House. “I think it's already been regime change, but we never had that as a criteria. No nuclear weapon, that's 99 per cent of it.”
Tehran denies it is pursuing a nuclear weapon.
James C. Reynolds and Alex Croft report:
Trump warns ‘no nuclear weapons’ ahead of high stakes peace talks with Iran
Trump’s failure in Iran has been laid bare – and it’s about to get worse
Saturday 11 April 2026 09:31 , Shahana YasminThe US president is cobbling together a ceasefire he doesn’t seem to understand and somehow making the brutal Iranian regime look positively charismatic while they choke the global economy, Jon Sopel writes
Trump’s failure in Iran has been laid bare – and could get much worse
Indonesia to discuss purchasing Russian oil
Saturday 11 April 2026 09:26 , Nicole Wootton-CaneIndonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Russia in the coming days to discuss the potential for purchasing Russian oil.
He is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin during the visit, Indonesia's foreign minister said on Saturday, citing the Iran conflict and the need to source alternative oil.
Asked previously about a possible visit, the Kremlin said contacts between the two leaders were being prepared.
Sending UK ships to police Strait of Hormuz ‘a fantasy’, ex-defence secretary warns
Saturday 11 April 2026 09:15 , Shahana YasminSending British warships to police the Strait of Hormuz is a “fantasy” because the UK’s armed forces are already so depleted, former defence secretary Ben Wallace has warned.
Mr Wallace, who served as defence secretary under three Tory prime ministers, said such a move, which armed forces minister Luke Pollard refused to rule out on Friday, risked “leaving our troops dangerously unprotected and overstretched”.
He urged the government to stop ducking tough decisions and properly fund Britain’s defence, as he accused ministers of “taking the public for fools” after the current defence secretary, John Healey, insisted the UK is ready to defend itself.
Pakistan's foreign minister says he hopes US, Iran will engage 'constructively' in peace talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePakistan’s foreign minister has said he hopes the US and Iran will engage “constructively” in peace talks.
The country is set to host high-stakes discussions in its capital Islamabad.
In a statement, Ishaq Dar also reiterated Islamabad's desire to continue facilitating the parties to reach a "lasting and durable solution to the conflict".
Pakistan ramps up preparations for US-Iran talks in Islamabad
Saturday 11 April 2026 08:45 , Shahana YasminPakistan has set up a media centre in Islamabad to support coverage of talks between the US and Iran, information minister Attaullah Tarar said.
The facility at the Jinnah Convention Center includes high-speed internet and workstations with laptops and charging points for journalists. Tarar said shuttle services have been arranged to transport reporters between the venue and designated hotels.
Pakistan has also introduced visa-on-arrival for journalists and official delegations travelling for what it has called the “Islamabad talks”.
The centre includes areas for live stand-ups and press briefings and screens broadcasting domestic and international news channels.
In pictures: JD Vance arrives in Islamabad for peace talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 08:34 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Israel and Lebanon envoys to meet as strikes kill 13 in Nabatieh
Saturday 11 April 2026 08:30 , Shahana YasminIsrael’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s envoy Nada Hamadeh Moawad will meet in Washington on Tuesday, Israeli and Lebanese officials said.
Lebanon’s presidency said the two had agreed in a phone call on Friday to discuss announcing a ceasefire and setting a start date for negotiations under US mediation. Israel’s embassy in Washington, however, said the meeting would mark the start of “formal peace negotiations” and that it would not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Israeli strikes continued across Lebanon on Friday. A strike on a government building in Nabatieh killed 13 members of Lebanon’s state security forces, President Joseph Aoun said. Hezbollah said it fired rockets into northern Israel in response.
Lebanese authorities said Israel’s largest attack of the war, launched hours after the ceasefire was announced, killed more than 350 people.
US and Iran send large teams to Islamabad for high-stakes talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 08:15 , Shahana YasminIran and the US have deployed sizeable delegations to Islamabad ahead of the start of today's talks, underlining the scale and complexity of the negotiations.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said its delegation includes around 70 officials, including technical experts in economic, security and political fields, along with media and support staff.
A Pakistani government source said about 100 members of an advance US team were already in the city.
“We’re very positive,” a source close to the discussions said, but cautioned it was “too early to say” whether a deal could be reached on Saturday, adding negotiators had instructions to “close a deal or walk away”.
The talks come amid a fragile ceasefire that has halted airstrikes but not eased tensions over the Strait of Hormuz or fighting in Lebanon.
How China became the big winner from Trump’s war in Iran
Saturday 11 April 2026 08:00 , Shahana YasminAs the US has floundered on the world stage, China, in contrast, has begun to look solid and dependable. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean the superpower war is over, writes Chris Blackhurst
Vance lands in Islamabad for US-Iran talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 07:50 , Shahana YasminUS vice president JD Vance has arrived in Islamabad for peace talks with Iran.
Vance was received by Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as well as Natalie Baker, the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
The US delegation includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who arrived alongside Vance on Saturday.
Iran’s delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad late Friday ahead of the talks.
UK to host talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz
Saturday 11 April 2026 07:45 , Shahana YasminThe UK will convene a meeting next week of countries seeking to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as disruption to the key oil route continues.
A British official familiar with the plans said on Friday that the meeting would bring together foreign ministry officials from countries including France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and Gulf states like the UAE and Bahrain, which took part in earlier UK-led discussions on reopening the strait.
The discussions are expected to include diplomatic measures such as sanctions, as well as military planning to ensure ships’ safety once the conflict ends.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was essential to have a “viable plan” to reopen the strait and stabilise the global economy.
Hormuz traffic still minimal despite ceasefire
Saturday 11 April 2026 07:15 , Shahana YasminShipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains sharply reduced despite the ceasefire, with traffic far below pre-war levels.
The Athens-based tracking platform MarineTraffic said on X that just 14 vessels have crossed the waterway since 8 April, compared with more than 100 per day before the conflict.
“Sanctioned or shadow-fleet-linked vessels accounted for nearly two-thirds of all crossings,” they said.
Strait of Hormuz traffic remains limited
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) April 10, 2026
Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz has increased slightly since the ceasefire took effect on 8 April, but flows remain well below normal levels. According to #MarineTraffic data, 14 vessels crossed the Strait on 8–9 April,… pic.twitter.com/SI88m4DvrX
The strait typically carries about 20 per cent of global oil supply, making its disruption a central issue in ongoing negotiations.
Islamabad under lockdown ahead of US-Iran talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 07:00 , Shahana YasminPakistan’s capital has been placed under tight security ahead of talks between US and Iranian officials, with authorities sealing key roads, restricting access to the city’s diplomatic enclave, and deploying thousands of police and paramilitary personnel.
Islamabad appeared “deserted” on Saturday as large parts of the city, including routes linking the airport to central Islamabad, have been barricaded and residents have been urged to stay indoors. Entry to the Red Zone, where government buildings and the talks venue are located, has been limited to authorised personnel.
Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the negotiations as a “make-or-break moment” in efforts to turn a temporary ceasefire into a lasting settlement.
US envoys Witkoff and Kushner land in Islamabad for Iran talks
Saturday 11 April 2026 06:45 , Shahana YasminSenior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Islamabad ahead of talks with Iran, according to Reuters, who cited Pakistani sources familiar with the matter.
The two are part of a broader US delegation led by vice president JD Vance, which is expected to hold high-level negotiations with Iranian officials aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire after six weeks of conflict.
The talks come amid deep disagreements over sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and regional conflicts, raising doubts about whether a broader deal can be reached.
Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and Kushner have previously led backchannel diplomacy with Iran, and are expected to play a central role in the negotiations.
US intelligence warns China could be planning to send anti-air missiles to Iran
Saturday 11 April 2026 06:30 , Shahana YasminUS intelligence assessments indicate China may be preparing to supply air defence systems to Iran in the coming weeks, according to a report by CNN, citing three people familiar with the matter.
The potential transfer involving shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, or MANPADS, could pose a renewed threat to low-flying US aircraft if fighting resumes after the fragile ceasefire.
People familiar with the matter told the outlet that Beijing may route shipments through third countries to conceal their origin, suggesting an effort to maintain deniability.
China has denied the claim, saying it “has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict” and urging Washington to avoid “baseless allegations”.
What’s next for the US-Iran ceasefire? Former US diplomat explains three possible scenarios
Saturday 11 April 2026 06:15 , Shahana YasminPresident Donald Trump on 7 April 2026, announced a ceasefire between the US and Iran, after more than a month of war marked by US and Israeli strikes against Iranian military leadership, Iranian retaliation against regional oil infrastructure and a global energy crisis.
Where could the war go next?
What’s next for the Iran ceasefire? Former US diplomat explains 3 possible scenarios
World Bank flags growth hit from Middle East war
Saturday 11 April 2026 06:00 , Shahana YasminThe Middle East conflict could cut global growth by up to 1 percentage point if it continues, World Bank President Ajay Banga has warned, as uncertainty persists despite a ceasefire.
With an early end to the war, the hit to growth would be smaller, around 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points. while inflation could rise by 200 to 300 basis points, he told Reuters on Friday.
“The question really is, does this current peace and the negotiations that are going to be happening this weekend – will this lead to a lasting peace and then a reopening of the Strait (of Hormuz)?” said Banga. “If it doesn't lead to that, and if conflict were to break out again, would that have an even larger impact, or longer-term impact on energy infrastructure?”
Emerging markets face sharper pressure, with growth projected at 3.65 per cent in 2026 and inflation rising to 4.9 per cent, while oil prices have already jumped about 50 per cent.
UN says Lebanon shelters overwhelmed as displacement surges
Saturday 11 April 2026 05:45 , Shahana YasminShelters for displaced people in Lebanon are “severely overcrowded,” the United Nations has warned, as Israeli evacuation orders drive a growing humanitarian crisis.
“Needs in Lebanon exceed the available capacity,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday, adding that nearly half of the country’s public schools are now being used as reception centres.
The UN also warned the country’s health system is under severe strain, with some hospitals at risk of running out of trauma supplies within days.
Up to 1.2 million people have been displaced by Israeli attacks, with around 140,000 sheltering in about 680 sites, according to UN figures.
The crisis has intensified amid a sharp rise in casualties, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 300 people killed in strikes on Wednesday alone.
US-Iran deal reportedly ‘almost done’
Saturday 11 April 2026 05:30 , Shahana YasminA potential agreement between the US and Iran is “almost done,” with groundwork for the deal already laid ahead of talks in Islamabad.
According to a source cited by Al Jazeera, preliminary negotiations were carried out by advance teams before the arrival of US vice president JD Vance and Iranian officials, raising expectations that a deal could be signed.
Pakistan is facilitating the process through indirect talks, passing messages between the two sides. Its efforts have been backed by countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and China, underscoring a broader diplomatic push to bring both sides closer to an agreement.
Strikes continue in Lebanon despite US-Iran ceasefire
Saturday 11 April 2026 05:15 , Shahana YasminViolence in Lebanon has continued despite the US-Iran ceasefire, with fresh Israeli strikes and Hezbollah retaliation reported on Friday.
An Israeli attack on a government building in the southern city of Nabatieh killed 13 Lebanese state security personnel, according to president Joseph Aoun.
Hezbollah said it responded by firing rockets into northern Israel.
The escalation follows earlier strikes that killed more than 350 people in densely populated areas hours after the ceasefire was announced this week, according to Lebanese authorities.
Ceasefire holds, but Hormuz blockade and Lebanon fighting continue
Saturday 11 April 2026 05:00 , Shahana YasminA two-week ceasefire announced by the United States this week has halted US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, but it has not extended to other fronts.
Iran has yet to lift restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, where disruption to shipping has hit global energy supplies.
At the same time, fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon has continued, with Israeli strikes and retaliatory rocket fire reported after the truce was announced.
The US and Israel say the Lebanon conflict is not covered by the ceasefire, while Tehran insists it is part of the same war, exposing a key divide ahead of talks.
ICYMI: US delegation heads to Islamabad as high-stakes talks loom
Saturday 11 April 2026 04:45 , Shahana YasminA senior US delegation led by vice president JD Vance is travelling to Islamabad for negotiations with Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the war. The team includes president Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.
Iran’s delegation, led by speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, arrived a day earlier.
Pakistan has imposed an unprecedented lockdown in the capital, deploying thousands of security personnel ahead of the talks, which prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has described as decisive for the conflict’s outcome.
Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli soldiers in Lebanon: report
Saturday 11 April 2026 04:30 , Rachel DobkinHezbollah has said it attacked Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, according to The New York Times.
The drone strike targeted troops in a house in southern Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group said, per the NYT, in response to Israel’s post-ceasefire attacks in the country.
Israel has said the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran doesn’t apply to Lebanon, but Iran disagrees.
Iran sets conditions ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Saturday 11 April 2026 04:15 , Shahana YasminIran has cast doubt over planned talks with the US in Islamabad, saying negotiations cannot begin without prior commitments on sanctions relief and a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on X that Washington had yet to fulfil “mutually agreed upon” measures: “a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets”.
Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 10, 2026
These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.
Tehran maintains that the conflict in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have killed nearly 2,000 people since March, is inseparable from the broader war, a position rejected by both the US and Israel.
The disagreement threatens to derail what Pakistan has described as “make-or-break” talks aimed at ending the six-week conflict.
Iran can't find mines it planted in Strait of Hormuz: report
Saturday 11 April 2026 04:00 , Rachel DobkinIran has been unable to find all the mines it planted in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials told The New York Times.
The US announced last month that it was destroying mines laid in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as the country deterred ships from entering the vital oil passageway in retaliation for the US-Israeli striking campaign.
US officials told the NYT that because Iran can’t remove the mines, it has been unable to open the Strait of Hormuz, despite a two-week ceasefire.
Why peace talks between the US and Iran are happening in Islamabad
Saturday 11 April 2026 03:45 , Shahana Yasmin
Why peace talks between the US and Iran are happening in Islamabad
Trump: Iranians are only alive so that we can negotiate
Friday 10 April 2026 18:39 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has warn the only reason Iranian officials are still alive is so the US can negotiate with them, in another threat ahead of talks in Islamabad.
“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” the US president said in the latest of his repeated social media rants.
“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”
In a separate post on Truth Social, he said: “The Iranians are better at handling the Fake News Media, and “Public Relations,” than they are at fighting!
US vice president JD Vance earlier warned Tehran “not to play us” as he left for Islamabad where the crucial negotiations will take place this weekend.
British PM Starmer lays out Gulf priorities in call to Trump
Friday 10 April 2026 18:10 , Alex CroftUK prime minister Keir Starmer held a call with US president Donald Trump on Thursday in which he discussed the views of the Gulf states amid the US-Iran crisis.
“I had a discussion with president Trump last night and set out to him the views of the region here, these Gulf states are the neighbours of Iran, and therefore, if the ceasefire is to hold – and we hope it will - it has to involve them,” he said from Qatar on Friday.
“They have very strong views on the Strait of Hormuz. We spent most of the time on the call talking about the practical plan that’s going to be needed to get navigation through the strait and the role that the UK is playing.”
Kuwait says Iranian attack wounded National Guard personnel
Friday 10 April 2026 17:47 , Alex CroftKuwait's army said on Friday that an Iranian attack targeted several vital National Guard facilities.
The attacks wounded a number of personnel and caused significant material damage.
We’re working to bring you more.
Watch: Marine map appears to show Strait of Hormuz at a standstill more than 48 hours into ceasefire
Friday 10 April 2026 17:15 , Alex CroftLebanon says Israeli attack killed 13 state security personnel in Nabatieh
Friday 10 April 2026 16:47 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing remarks from Lebanon's president Joseph Aoun that Israeli attacks on a governmental building in the southern city of Nabatieh have killed 13 state security personnel.
In a statement, Aoun condemned continued Israeli attacks and said targeting state institutions would not deter Lebanon from defending its sovereignty.
We’re working to bring you more as it comes in.
In pictures: Large scale Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continue
Friday 10 April 2026 16:31 , Alex Croft
Iran's speaker says ceasefire in Lebanon must precede ceasefire deal
Friday 10 April 2026 16:16 , Alex CroftWe’ve heard from Iran's parliament speaker, who has reiterated Iran’s conditions for agreeing a ceasefire with the US.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Friday that two previously agreed measures, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets, must be implemented before negotiations begin.
In a post on X on Friday, Mr Qalibaf said the steps were part of commitments made between the parties and warned that talks should not start until they were fulfilled.
But Benjamin Netanyahu, despite planned talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington next week, has said strikes on Lebanon will not stop in the meantime.
Gaza marks 6 months of a ceasefire that may offer lessons for the Iran war
Friday 10 April 2026 15:58 , Alex CroftFriday marks six months since Gaza's ceasefire deal took effect, a milestone largely lost in the confusion over the new and even more fragile ceasefire in the Iran war.
The ravaged Palestinian territory of 2 million people has seen the most intense fighting stop between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants. But most of the ceasefire work remains to be done, from disarming Hamas and ending its two-decade rule to deploying an international stabilization force and beginning vast reconstruction. Gaza residents are in limbo, with limited aid entering through a single, Israeli-controlled border post.
Such challenges could represent what’s to come in the latest war, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to peacemaking appears to be stopping bombardment and leaving the bigger picture for others to work out.
Read more here:
Gaza marks 6 months of a ceasefire that may offer lessons for the Iran war
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
