Overview
- Vice President J.D. Vance, who left Friday for Islamabad, will lead a U.S. team that includes Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff under Pakistan’s mediation.
- Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran wants a Lebanon ceasefire and the release of blocked Iranian assets before negotiations begin, casting doubt on the schedule.
- Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued during the two‑week ceasefire, with Lebanese officials reporting more than 300 killed in Beirut earlier in the week and eight security officers killed in Nabatieh on Friday.
- Iran has sharply restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and President Donald Trump warned Tehran to fully reopen the oil chokepoint and not charge ships, as Brent crude hovered near $97 and daily transits fell from over 100 to about a dozen.
- Talks are expected to tackle Iran’s nuclear enrichment, its support for regional proxies such as Hezbollah, and reopening Hormuz, with Pakistan locking down central Islamabad and reports naming Qalibaf to head Iran’s delegation still unconfirmed on timing.