Iran war news highlights: Abbas Araghchi to ‘return to Pakistan’ en route to Russia after Oman visit
Iran war news highlights: Araghchi had earlier today met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, and conveyed Iran's demands and reservations.
Iran war news highlights: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Pakistan again on Sunday after visiting Oman, state media reported. Araghchi left Pakistan on Saturday to visit Oman as part of his three-nation-tour that also includes Russia....Read More
The IRNA news agency, citing the foreign ministry, reported that Araghchi "is scheduled to visit Pakistan again after completing his trip to Oman and before travelling to Russia".
Part of his delegation had returned to Tehran, it added, "to consult and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war, and is scheduled to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad on Sunday night".
After meeting with Pakistan's political brass, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and other members of the delegation left Islamabad on Saturday, Reuters reported citing sources. Following this, US President Donald Trump said he had cancelled US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's visit to Islamabad.
Araghchi had earlier today met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, and conveyed Iran's demands and reservations regarding US terms to the Pakistani side. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmael Baqaei earlier wrote on X that “no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US.” He added that Pakistani officials would pass messages between both sides.
Meanwhile, large areas of Pakistan’s capital remained under strict security lockdown for more than a week as of Saturday, even as uncertainty continued over the proposed second round of talks between the United States and Iran.
For residents, the sense of uncertainty has been the most difficult part. Islamabad is a city of transients, where many people work during the week and return to their family homes at the weekend.
Trump rules out using nuclear weapons on Iran
On Thursday, Trump said he would not use a nuclear weapon in the conflict with Iran. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said, "Why would I use a nuclear weapon? We've totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it."
The US President also said that nuclear weapons should never be used by anyone. When asked how long he was ready to wait for a long-term peace agreement with Iran, Trump said, "Don't rush me."
US imposes sanctions on a China-based oil refinery and 40 shippers over Iranian oil
The Trump administration has imposed economic sanctions on a major oil refinery in China and about 40 shipping firms and tankers linked to the transport of Iranian oil.
The decision, announced on Friday and first reported by The Associated Press, follows through on the administration’s warning to apply secondary sanctions on companies and countries doing business with Iran. It is also part of the US government’s wider push to cut Iran’s main source of income, its oil exports.
Leavitt says Vance is willing to go to Pakistan ‘if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time’
White House press secretary Karolien Leavitt told reporters that the president sent Witkoff and Kushner “to hear the Iranians out.”
“We’ve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days,” Leavitt said, without giving further details on what US officials were being told.
She said vice president JD Vance would not travel, but remains “deeply involved.”
- {{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 09:43:01 AM IST
The live blog has now closed
- 26 Apr 2026, 06:00:02 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan 'committed' to role
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had spoken by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad were called off.
"Pakistan remains committed to serve as an honest and sincere facilitator - working tirelessly to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region," Sharif wrote on X.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 05:40:05 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump's ‘unauthorised’ war on Iran to hit 60-day limit soon. What happens next?
Iran war news LIVE: It will soon be 60 days since a surprise US-Israeli attack on Iran triggered a full-blown war between the countries, the ripples of which were felt across the Middle East. While a fragile ceasefire remains in place, the threats between the US and Iran continue and the future of negotiations in mediator state Pakistan remains unclear.
A big question now looms. Will US President Donald Trump adhere to the legal 60-day limit on unauthorised wars or will the conflict continue? There's also confusion on the timeline of the war and differences among US lawmakers on the day the war completes 60 days. Read more here
- 26 Apr 2026, 05:25:45 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: German Chancellor calls Iran war “completely unnecessary"
Iran war news LIVE: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has termed the Iran war as “completely unnecessary”.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 04:40:28 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan PM, Iran president hold ‘warm’ talks on regional situation
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone on Saturday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, holding what he described as a “warm and constructive discussion” on the evolving regional situation.
In a post on the social platform X, Sharif said he appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
He added that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an “honest and sincere facilitator” to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.
- 26 Apr 2026, 04:13:44 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Offered a lot but not enough, says Trump
Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his decision to cancel the planned visit of US envoys to Pakistan for talks with Iran, asserting that Tehran's proposal fell short of expectations.
Speaking to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport, President Trump said, "They offered a lot but not enough," while responding to a question on whether Iran had offered anything in return to negotiate the US proposal of a 20-year minimum suspension on enriched uranium.
President Donald Trump has abruptly cancelled a scheduled trip to Pakistan for his top negotiators, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The envoys were set to fly to Islamabad for a new round of talks regarding the ongoing US-Iran conflict, but the President pulled the plug on Saturday, citing long travel times, high costs, and a lack of "senior-level" engagement from the Iranian side.
via ANI
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 03:39:45 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US says it's hunting for explosive mines in latest push to open Strait of Hormuz
Iran war news LIVE: President Donald Trump says the US Navy is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route for oil shipments whose disruption is increasingly threatening the global economy.
Sweeping for underwater explosives could take months despite a tenuous ceasefire between the United States and Iran in the weekslong war, experts say. Any future claims that the US cleared the waterway where 20 per cent of the world's oil typically passes might fail to convince commercial freighters and their insurers that it is finally safe.
via AP
- 26 Apr 2026, 03:38:03 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump says Iran presented new offers 10 minutes after he envoys' trip
Iran war news LIVE: Amid the stalled negotiations with Iran, US President Donald Trump said the Iranians sent over a new peace proposal, but that it "could have been better," and rejected it.
"They gave us a paper that could have been better, and interestingly, immediately when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better," Trump said to reporters on Saturday before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington from Florida.
The President wouldn't offer specifics about what was in the latest proposal other than saying "they offered a lot." But he stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran "will not have a nuclear weapon."
Trump said he cancelled the latest rounds of negotiations with Iran because it was "a lot of travelling" and because his negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, "weren't meeting with the leader of the country."
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 03:15:37 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Araghchi to visit Pakistan again: Report
Iran war news LIVE: ran's foreign minister will visit Pakistan again, according to a report by Iran's state-run IRNA news agency.
It said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will return to Pakistan after his current visit to Oman on his way to visiting Russia.
The report said he was expected to be back in Islamabad on Sunday and would join other members of his delegation who had gone to Tehran for consultations and "instructions on the topics related to the end of the war."
via AP
- 26 Apr 2026, 02:30:39 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israel strikes south Lebanon amid ceasefire
Iran war news LIVE: Lebanese state media reported a series of new Israeli strikes in the country's south on Saturday night, after attacks earlier in the day killed six people despite a recently extended ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah
The new attacks followed orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the military to "forcefully attack Hezbollah targets" after the army accused it of breaching the truce.
Lebanon's health ministry had said earlier that "Israeli enemy strikes on a truck and a motorbike in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqeef in the Nabatieh district killed four people".
Another attack "on the town of Safad al-Battikh, in the Bint Jbeil district, resulted in two fatalities and 17 injuries", it reported.
via AFP
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 01:58:51 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan PM, Iran president hold ‘warm’ talks on regional situation
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone on Saturday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, holding what he described as a “warm and constructive discussion” on the evolving regional situation.
In a post on X, Sharif said he appreciated Iran’s continued engagement, including the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Islamabad led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
He added that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to serving as an “honest and sincere facilitator” to advance durable peace and lasting stability in the region.
- 26 Apr 2026, 01:29:10 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump's text to reporter amid canceled Islamabad talks goes viral
Iran war news LIVE: President Donald Trump sent a direct message to New York Post reporter Caitlin Doornbos in Islamabad, urging her to “Come home!!!” This is after the abrupt cancellation of a planned U.S. delegation's visit to Pakistan. The abrupt action corresponds with reports that diplomatic momentum has slowed following early optimism about a possible accord and that negotiations with Iran have reached a roadblock.
Trump announced Saturday afternoon in a Truth Social post saying that too much time was being "wasted" on travel.
“I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going [to] Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with the Iranians,” the president wrote. Read full story here
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 01:11:10 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump's praise for Pakistan leadership
Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump heeped praise on Pakistan's military and political leadership amid its efforts to mediate talks between Iran and the US. “Pakistan is terrific. I think the field marshal is fantastic, and I think the prime minister of Pakistan is great,” he said.
- 26 Apr 2026, 12:43:31 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump says infighting in Iran over leadership
Iran war news LIVE: Trump claimed that there is ‘tremendous infighting inside Iran’ . “They are probably fighting for leadership,” Trump told Fox News. In another post on Truth Social, he said that no one knows who is the incharge of Iran, hinting at leadership crisis in war-ravaged Iran.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 26 Apr 2026, 12:40:56 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: If Iran wants, they can call me, says Trump
Iran war news LIVE: After calling off envoys' Pakistan trip for talks with Iran, US President Donald Trump said, “If Iran wants, they can call me; we have all the cards. We won everything.”
- 26 Apr 2026, 12:15:23 AM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump downplays war speculation after cancelling delegation's Islamabad visit: Report
Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Saturday downplayed speculation about a possible resumption of conflict with Iran after he cancelled the scheduled visit of the US delegation, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to Islamabad for talks with the Islamic Republic for the second round of peace talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive resolution to hostilities in West Asia.
According to a report by Axios, Trump said that he, along with his administration, hasn't thought about if US would resume the conflict with Iran after the much-anticipated second round of talks did not come to fruition.
When asked by Axios whether the move of cancelling the trip signalled a return to war, Trump clarified: "No. It doesn't mean that. We haven't thought about it yet."
The US President also defended his decision to call off the trip to Islamabad for discussions with Iranian officials.
"I see no point of sending them on an 18 hour flight in the current situation [of the negotiations]. It's too long. We can do it just as well by telephone. The Iranians can call us if they want. We are not going to travel just to sit there," Trump said, as quoted by Axios.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 11:54:00 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: What Trump told envoys as he cancelled their Pakistan trip
Iran war news LIVE: Soon after telling Fox News that he had directed US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to go to Pakistan, Trump said in a social media post, “I just cancelled the trip of my representatives going is Islamabad.”
He wrote in the subsequent post, “Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work!”
In a brief phone interview, Trump told Fox News that he told U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, “You’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.”
via AP
- 25 Apr 2026, 11:46:33 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan eases Islamabad restrictions after Iran delegation leaves
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistani authorities on Saturday evening began easing restrictions following the departure of an Iranian delegation and a U.S. decision not to send its delegation to Islamabad for potential talks, offering relief to hundreds of thousands of residents after nearly a week of near-lockdown conditions.
The developments signal a setback to Pakistan’s efforts to host a second round of talks.
The Islamabad administration said in a post on the social platform X that entry of all types of public and goods transport has been allowed. It added that bus terminals across the capital have reopened, except for a key terminal on the city’s outskirts, which will remain closed until further notice.
The move is expected to improve the supply of fruit, vegetables and other essential items in the capital.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 11:16:40 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran says continued US naval blockade will trigger ‘powerful response’
Iran war news LIVE: Iran’s joint military command warned in a statement Saturday that if the US continues its “naval blockades, banditry, and piracy in the region,” it will provoke a decisive military response from Iran.
The statement, carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, added that if the U.S. and Israel renewed their aggression, they would face more losses.
It remains unclear whether Iran and the US will resume negotiations soon. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan, the key mediator in the negotiations between the two countries, a few hours ago, with no immediate word on possible resumption of talks. Shortly after, Trump said in a social media post that he called off sending U.S. envoys to Pakistan for negotiations.
- 25 Apr 2026, 10:55:23 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Revolutionary Guards say ‘controlling Hormuz is Iran’s definitive strategy'
Iran war news LIVE: Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Saturday said that their “definitive strategy” was the control over Strait of Hormuz.
“Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House's supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran,” AFP cited the Guards as saying on their official Telegram channel.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 10:37:02 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump says ‘nobody knows who is in charge’ in Iran
Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump said “nobody knows who is in charge” in Iran, after he announced cancelling the US envoys' trip to Islamabad.
Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi earlier today met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, and departed from Pakistan's Capital soon after.
“There is tremendous infighting and confusion within their 'leadership.' Nobody knows who is in charge, including them,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
- 25 Apr 2026, 10:34:39 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: ‘Yet to see if US is truly serious about diplomacy,’ says Iran FM
Iran war news LIVE: Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said Tehran was “yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy.” “Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value,” Araghchi said in a post on X after he departed from Islamabad.
“Shared Iran's position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy,” he added.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 09:36:10 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Trump says he cancelled US envoys' visit to Pakistan
Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had cancelled US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's visit to Pakistan's Islamabad.
This came after Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi departed from Pakistan earlier today, after having conveyed Tehran's demands and reservations regarding the US terms.
- 25 Apr 2026, 08:50:43 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israeli military claims four Hezbollah fighters killed in strikes on southern Lebanon
Iran war news LIVE: The Israeli military issued a statement Saturday claiming four Hezbollah fighters had been killed in its attacks on southern Lebanon.
This comes after Lebanon's health ministry said four people were killed in an Israeli attack on the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif. It is unclear whether Israel and Lebanon are referring to the same attack.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 08:40:08 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Lebanon death toll since start of conflict on March 2 rises to 2,496
Iran war news LIVE: The death toll from Israeli strikes in Lebanon rose to 2,496, the country's health ministry announced on Saturday. 7,725 others were injured in the attacks, the ministry said in its report, according to Al Jazeera.
- 25 Apr 2026, 08:16:35 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iranian delegation departs from Islamabad
Iran war news LIVE: After meeting with Pakistan's political brass, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and other membes of the delegation left Islamabad on Saturday.
According to Reuters news agency, two Pakistani government sources said the Iranian delegation was flown out of Pakistan. Araghchi had earlier today met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 07:49:41 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: ‘Goal is to achieve a full reopening’ of Hormuz, says French President Macron
Iran war news LIVE: French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated the focus on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “Our goal is to achieve a full reopening in the coming days and weeks, in accordance with international law, guaranteeing freedom of navigation without tolls on the Strait of Hormuz. Then things can gradually return to normal,” Al Jazeera cited Macron as saying.
He was speaking at a news conference in Athens alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne had earlier told the World Policy Conference in Chantilly that if the Hormuz closure drags out for two to three months more, the world would face "scarcity of energy."
- 25 Apr 2026, 07:27:11 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: ‘Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands,’ says official
Iran war news LIVE: An Iranian diplomatic source on Saturday said Tehran would “not accept maximalist demands”, when asked about the country's reservations about US terms, Reuters news agency reported.
Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has conveyed Tehran's demands and the reservations regarding US positions to the Pakistani side.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 07:00:55 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Rockets launched towards Israel from Lebanon, says report
Iran war news LIVE: Three rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Israel, Israeli media reported, according to CNN.
Israeli army said alert sirens were activated in the “Menara, Margaliot, and Misgav Am areas”, adding that details were under review.
- 25 Apr 2026, 06:42:18 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Turkey optimistic that nuclear issues between US and Iran ‘can be overcome’
Iran war news LIVE: Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday expressed confidence that the key sticking points relating to nuclear issues could be resolved during the next round of talks.
“I think that a few issues that are stuck, especially in the nuclear files, can be overcome,” CNN cited Fidan as saying in London. “We are trying to encourage the parties to make positive contributions in this regard as much as we can,” Fidan said, adding that this would also clear the way for the resolution of the Hormuz crisis.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 06:31:23 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Meeting between Iran FM Araghchi, Pak PM Sharif ends in Islamabad
Iran war news LIVE: The meeting between Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ended in Islamabad, Al Jazeera Arabic cited a Pakistani official as saying.
Araghchi earlier today met Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. While the Iranian representatives have refused direct talks with the US, Araghchi has conveyed Tehran's demands and their concerns regarding the US terms to Pakistan.
- 25 Apr 2026, 06:17:11 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Germany to join minesweeping op to Hormuz after conflict ends
Iran war news LIVE: Germany will soon send a minesweeper to the Mediterranean for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz after a peace deal is agreed upon by US and Iran.
A German defence ministry spokesperson said the German Navy's ‘Fulda’ would be deployed “in the coming days,” AFP reported. Several countries have agreed to join the “neutral” mission to secure the strait.
The spokesperson said the aim was to make a “significant and visible contribution to an international coalition seeking to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 06:10:53 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US says it is hunting for explosive mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iran war news LIVE: In a renewed push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States Navy said it is clearing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, the Associated Press reported.
However, experts say that sweeping for underwater explosives could take months, and any future claims that the US has cleared the waterway might fail to convince commercial freighters and their insurers.
- 25 Apr 2026, 05:45:21 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon town kill four, says report
Iran war news LIVE: Israeli attacks on the southern town of Yahmor al-Shaqif have led to four deaths, Al Jazeera cited Lebanon’s health ministry as saying.
Israel has continued strikes on southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 05:33:53 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran FM Araghchi says discussed ceasefire efforts, hails Pak mediation
Iran war news LIVE: Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he had discussed “the latest developments related to the ceasefire” with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. He said both had also talked about “cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the West Asia region”, Al Jazeera cited Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency as reporting.
Araghchi also praised Pakistan “for establishing the ceasefire and ending the war” and shared “views and considerations on this matter.”
- 25 Apr 2026, 05:15:42 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran President urges citizens to reduce energy consumption
Iran war news LIVE: Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday urges citizens of the country to “reduce electricity and energy consumption”, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.
“The enemies are attacking our infrastructure and surrounding us so that people become dissatisfied and the current satisfaction turns into dissatisfaction; people must not allow the grounds for dissatisfaction to arise,” Al Jazeera cited Pezeshkian as saying. “We need consumption control; at home, instead of 10 lights, 2 lights should be on – what’s the problem with that?” he said.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 04:55:07 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran warns of reaction to US forces' ‘blockade and piracy’
Iran war news LIVE: Iran's top military commander on Saturday warned of reaction if the US forces continue “blockade and piracy” in the West Asian region, Reuters news agency cited Iranian state TV as reporting.
- 25 Apr 2026, 04:39:10 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Araghchi conveyed both Iranian demands and reservations about US terms, says report
Iran war news LIVE: Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed both the Iranian demands and their reservations regarding the US terms to the Pakistani side, a source involved in the talks told Reuters news agency.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 04:25:08 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran's ‘face-saving’ jibe as US envoys head to Islamabad
Iran war news LIVE: US special envoy to Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Islamabad, with the White House saying they will hold directs talks with Iranian representatives.
However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson has denied direct talks, saying Pakistan will convey their messages to the US. Iran's defence ministry, in a jibe on Saturday, said the US is “looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in.”
- 25 Apr 2026, 04:07:22 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Qatar condemns Iraqi drone attack on Kuwait border posts
Iran war news LIVE: Qatar condemned in the “strongest terms” the attack on two northern land border posts belonging to Kuwait by drones launched from Iraq.
The Qatari foreign ministry called it a “blatant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and a serious threat to regional security and stability.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the need for Iraq to assume its responsibilities to prevent the recurrence of such attacks. The Ministry reaffirms Qatar’s full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty and security,” it said in a statement.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 03:55:55 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: What happened during the last round of US-Iran negotiations?
Iran war news LIVE: During the previous round of negotiations between US and Iran, the talks lasted 21 hours, but failed to produce any outcome.
US Vice President JD Vance, who was leading the American delegation, said one of the sticking points was the Iranians' refusal to give up its nuclear program. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US had failed to gain their trust.
- 25 Apr 2026, 03:52:58 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israeli forces explode buildings in southern Lebanon city
Iran war news LIVE: The Israeli military has continued its strikes on southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire. According to Al Jazeera Arabic, the Israeli forces blew up buildings in the city of Bint Jbeil on Saturday.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 03:40:35 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israel continues ‘heavy artillery shelling’ in south Lebanon
Iran war news LIVE: The Israeli army has continued attacks on south Lebanon, with the state-run National News Agency reporting that the town of Yohmor al-Shafiq in Nabatieh districtis currently being subjected to “heavy artillery shelling”, according to Al Jazeera.
A drone strike took place in the town earlier today.
- 25 Apr 2026, 03:28:56 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iran internet shutdown enters 57th day, says NetBlocks
Iran war news LIVE: According to NetBlocks, the internet shutdown in Iran has entered its 57th day, and with the country reportedly being under blackout for 1,344 hours.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 03:26:23 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US special envoy Witkoff, Jared Kushner leave for Islamabad
Iran war news LIVE: US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner left for Pakistan's Capital Islamabad on Saturday, with the White House saying they will hold “in-person” talks with Iranian representatives.
Iranian state media had earlier reported that Tehran's representatives would not hold directs talks with the US. Soon after Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan, Tehran said clearly that there would be no direct talks with American officials during the visit.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, said Witkoff and Kushner would be in Pakistan "to engage in talks... with representatives from the Iranian delegation".
- 25 Apr 2026, 03:03:47 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Israel strikes residential areas in southern Lebanon town
Iran war news LIVE: The Israeli army struck residential areas in the southern Lebanon town of Khiam on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported.
The strikes came after the Israeli military said it was continuing its attacks on southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire extension.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 02:40:25 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Turkey to participate in Hormuz demining?
Iran war news LIVE: Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said that Turkey could consider taking part in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz following a possible peace agreement between Iran and the United States.
Fidan, speaking to reporters in London on Friday evening, said a technical team was expected to carry out mine-clearing work in the strait after any agreement, adding that Turkey viewed such efforts positively in principle as a humanitarian duty.
(With Reuters inputs)
- 25 Apr 2026, 02:25:51 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan seeks to get US and Iran back to negotiating table
Iran war news LIVE: Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was under near-lockdown early Saturday ahead of the talks. Security curbs in place throughout the week have affected daily life across the city. People have faced difficulty travelling even short distances as checkpoints, roadblocks, and diversions have become common, especially near sensitive areas.
Main roads leading to the airport and the high-security Red Zone were mostly empty early Saturday, as movement remained tightly controlled.
Security personnel, including troops, paramilitary commandos, and police, were deployed at key junctions, particularly near the airport. Helicopters were also seen flying overhead throughout the morning.
- {{^htLoading}}
- 25 Apr 2026, 02:10:42 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: US seeking 'face-saving' way out of war, says Iran defence ministry
Iran war news LIVE: Iran's defence ministry on Saturday said the United States was seeking a "face-saving" way to exit the war, as US envoys travelled to Pakistan for peace negotiations.
"Our military power today is a dominant force, and the enemy is looking for a face-saving way to escape the war quagmire it has become trapped in," media outlet ISNA quoted a ministry spokesperson as saying.
It comes as emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner make their way to Islamabad, though Iranian state media has said direct negotiations are not on the cards.
- 25 Apr 2026, 01:59:36 PM IST
Iran war news LIVE: Iranian FM Araghchi meets Pak army chief Munir in Islamabad
Iran war news LIVE: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi called on Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, as an Iranian delegation reached the Pakistani capital amid a "deepening diplomatic deadlock" with the United States.
The high-level meeting took place as the city remains under a "suffocating security lockdown," with authorities sealing major arterial roads and placing the high-security Red Zone under a "strict cordon."
In a separate diplomatic engagement, deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar said on social media that he was pleased to "receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, to Islamabad," adding that he would "look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability."
- {{^htLoading}}