Iran war highlights: Israel, Lebanon begin 10-day ceasefire; Trump signals possible Iran talks 'this weekend'

Iran war LIVE: Parents of Jerin George, a native of Kerala's Haripad, India, appealed to the Indian government to help their son, who is stranded on an Iranian ship since the beginning of the war in West Asia on February 28.

George, who works in the Iranian ship, had left home eight months back and was expected to return home by March 3, news agency PTI reported.

"But the war broke out in February and the ship returned to Iran. He is in the ship since then and has not been able to return home. I just want my son to come back to me," his mother told a TV channel.

Iran war LIVE: White House deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller, said that President Donald Trump has made it clear that he "wants peace, a deal and for Iran to choose the right path", but that POTUS will not allow Iran to pursue or achieve nuclear weapons.

Iran war LIVE: Iranian and Pakistani officials will reportedly hold talks on Thursday to discuss the messages exchanged between Iran and the United States since the negotiations in Islamabad failed to achieve fruition over the past weekend.

According to Iranian state media, Tasnim news agency, it was not clear whether Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi would be the one to hold the meeting with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir on Thursday.

Araghchi had, however, welcomed Munir in Iran.

Iran war LIVE: The Iranian foreign ministry said that Iran is "not blockadable," rejecting the US's naval blockade move on the country.

Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, "Firstly, Iran is not blockadable. Secondly, if you fail to reach a result through a diplomatic process, resorting to other means of pressure will certainly not lead to any result and you will not succeed.”

Iran war LIVE: Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has said that no power in the world can force the nation into submission, slamming double standards in international policies.

Pezeshkian criticised double standards in international policies, an apparent reference to policies pursued by Western powers.

Iran war LIVE: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has warned about the "dangerous consequences" that the US might face for its positions and actions targeting the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Abbas made the remarks during his telephone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday, Iran's PressTV reported.

Iran war LIVE: US defence secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to hold a press conference on Washington's ongoing 'Operation Epic Fury' against Iran at 8am ET (6:30pm IST) today.

Iran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night (local time) announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will hold talks on Thursday (local time).

In a post on Truth Social, POTUS said, "Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice! President DJT"

Iran war LIVE: The US Central Command took to X to inform that the US service members are monitoring and patrolling regional waters in support of the naval blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports.

Iran war LIVE: FIFA president Gianni Infantino firmly supported Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, saying that the team will feature in the tournament despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and security concerns.

Infantino dismissed doubts regarding Iran's involvement at CNBC's Invest in America Forum. He said, "The Iranian team is coming for sure, yes."

"We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be a peaceful situation. As I said, that would definitely help. But Iran has to come. Of course, they represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play," he added.

Iran war LIVE: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for urgent dialogue and de-escalation to address 'profound geopolitical tensions'.

In a post on X, Guterres said, "We are living through profound geopolitical tensions, widening inequalities, eroding trust & immense human suffering. This moment demands dialogue, deescalation & full respect for international law. Let’s continue our efforts to strengthen peace & ensure justice for all."

Iran war LIVE: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated that Islamabad's stance in promoting dialogue between the US and Iran for a deal to achieve a complete end to the hostilities in the Middle East.

In a post on X, Sharif said he had the "pleasure and honour" of meeting the Saudi Crown Prince and conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with the Kingdom and also appreciated Saudi Arabia's "patience and restraint" under the Crown Prince's leadership during such times.

Iran war LIVE: A second US-sanctioned supertanker has reportedly entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data, despite the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

An Iranian supertanker, subject to the US sanctions, crossed the Strait towards Iran's Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade, reported Iran's Fars news agency.

The empty Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday, according to data from LSEG and Kpler, reported Reuters. It was also not immediately clear where the VLCC, capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, is heading.

ran war LIVE: US President Donald Trump slammed Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni over her lack of support for the United States in the war in Iran.

He criticised her for calling his papal broadside “unacceptable” and not backing.

“I thought she had courage,’’ Trump said in an interview with leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera. “I was wrong.”

Iran war LIVE: Private schools and higher education institutes in Dubai are set to resume in-person classes from April 20.

The classes had been shifted to online mode amid the ongoing US-Iran war in the Middle East and the escalating Iranian attacks on Gulf nations, including the United Arab Emirates.

Approvals for on-site learning will be based on each institution's readiness and full compliance with health and safety measures issued by the administration, the Khaleej Times reported, citing KHDA's statement.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi took to X to welcome Pakistani army chief Asim Munir to Iran.

"Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong—and shared," he said.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iranian parliament's speaker, MB Ghalibaf, has advised the United States to withdraw from the "Israel First" mistake.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said, "The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the resistance and steadfast struggle of the great Hezbollah and the unity of the Axis of Resistance. The United States must comply with the agreement."

"Resistance and Iran are one soul, both in war and in ceasefire. America should withdraw from "Israel First" mistake," he added.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Japan's Nikkei share average recorded an all-time high jump on Thursday amid hopes of peace talks between Iran and the US that could end the war.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 Index extended earlier gains, rising 2.26 per cent.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Iran has reportedly arrested four suspected Israeli spies. According to state media, IRNA, the four agents "linked to the Mossad were apprehended in Gilan governorate" in northern Iran.

"The arrestees had provided Mossad intelligence officers with images and locations of some sensitive and critical military and security sites via the internet", the report said, citing a statement from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Mossad is Israel's foreign intelligence agency.

US Iran war LIVE updates: Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, landed in Tehran to help renew talks between Iran and the United States after the two sides failed to reach a peace agreement in Islamabad over the last weekend.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi took to X to welcome Munir to Iran. He said, "Expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship.”

US Iran war LIVE updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel and the US are fully aligned in their objectives against Iran.

In a televised speech, Netanyahu said, "We want to see enriched material removed from Iran; we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability within Iran; and, of course, we want to see the (Hormuz) strait reopened."

US Iran war LIVE updates: Top military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mohsen Rezaei, has warned Washington that Tehran would take ground-invading US soldiers hostage and sink American ships implementing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rezaei told state TV that the battleships in the US armada "can definitely be exposed to our missiles and we can destroy them."

It would be "great" if Washington launched a ground invasion of Iran as “we would take thousands of hostages and then for each hostage we would get a billion dollars,” he added.

US Iran war LIVE updates: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed reports that the US had formally sought a ceasefire extension.

At a press briefing, she said, "We feel good about the prospects of a deal. The President mentioned that in his interview yesterday. It is in Iran's best interest to meet the President's demands. I think he's made his red lines in these negotiations very clear to the other side. We are continuing to see how these conversations go."

US Iran war LIVE updates: On being asked about the fresh round of talks between Iran and the US, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it is 'very likely' that the talks will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan.

She also denied reports that the US had formally sought a ceasefire extension.

US Iran war LIVE updates: The US and Iran are reportedly considering a two-week extension of the ceasefire to give both sides more time to negotiate a peace deal.

The initial two-week truce, announced by US President Donald Trump last week, is set to expire next week. In the wake of reduced time at hand, mediators on both sides are seeking technical talks to address the most contentious issues, Bloomberg reported.