Overview
- Delegations led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary chief Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf held two rounds in Islamabad on Saturday, and the White House said talks are ongoing.
- Iran said the dialogue moved into an expert phase that now tackles economic, military, legal and nuclear files, with teams exchanging draft texts for a broader agreement.
- The Strait of Hormuz remained the main obstacle after U.S. Central Command said two destroyers began mine‑clearing and transited the chokepoint, a claim Iran publicly denied.
- Fighting in Lebanon continued as Israel struck Hezbollah targets, and Iran pressed for the ceasefire to cover that front and for access to frozen assets before any fuller deal.
- U.S. intelligence reporting suggested China may send portable air defense missiles to Iran in coming weeks, though Beijing called the claim false, adding friction as oil flows stay constrained and Brent hovered near $97.