Kuwait reports no threats in airspace in past 24 hours Kuwait’s Centre for Government Communication has reported that the country has faced no “threats or risks affecting the airspace” in the past 24 hours, as peace talks in Islamabad aim to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran. Kuwait reported Iranian attacks on Wednesday morning, which damaged power and desalination plants on top of their oil facilities.
Iranian delegation ‘a staunch guardian of Iran’s interests’, says Iran PM Iran’s Prime Minister Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed support for the Iranian delegation currently beginning negotiations with the US in Islamabad, writing that they will defend the country’s interests “with courage” in a statement posted on X. “In any case, our service of the people will not pause for a moment, and whatever the outcome of the negotiations may be, the government stands firmly by the people’s side,” Pezeshkian added. هیأت ایرانی عالی رتبهای که در پاکستان حاضر شده با تمام وجود حافظ منافع ایران است و در همین راستا شجاعانه مذاکره خواهد کرد.
Witkoff and Kushner join Vance for first in-person talks with Iran US officials taking part in peace talks with Iran include Vice President JD Vance, along with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, AFP reported, citing a senior White House official. The negotiations - the first since the 1979 Islamic Revolution - are being held as a three-way, face-to-face meeting between the US, Iran and Pakistan. Senior US and Iranian officials arrived in Islamabad on Friday evening, with talks beginning on Saturday to bring an end to the six-week war.
US and Iran hold direct talks in Pakistan to end war Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 04/11/2026 - 15:34 As talks began - the first since 1979 - conflicting accounts emerged over what had been agreed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ahead of US-Iran peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, 11 April 2026 (Pakistan's Prime Minister Office/Handout/Reuters) Off Senior US and Iranian officials met on Saturday in the Pakistani capital for the highest-level talks between Washington and Tehran in 50 years, as they sought to bring an end to the six-week war . The two-hour meeting brought together US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Pakistan's army chief was also present.
Israel says it attacked more than 200 sites in Lebanon The Israeli military has issued a statement claiming to have attacked more than 200 Hezbollah sites in the past 24 hours. It said it would continue targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The death toll from the strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday has risen to 10, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Trump says 'sea mines' in Strait of Hormuz are remaining Iranian threat US President Donald Trump has said Iran's only threat now is "sea mines" in the Strait of Hormuz. "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," Trump said in a Truth Social post, adding that those countries lacked "the Courage or Will to do this work themselves".
US and Iranian delegations holding direct talks in same room The US and Iranian delegations are engaging in direct negotiations, according to Al Jazeera. The delegations are reportedly in the same room, with Pakistani mediators present. The main delegations are expected to be in Islamabad only for a day, while talks between lower-level diplomats are expected to continue over the coming days.
US and Iran begin negotiations in Islamabad Iranian and US delegations have begun negotiations in Islamabad, Iranian media reported. The talks come shortly after Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, questioned whether the US was acting in good faith. "It remains to be seen whether the US honours the mediation efforts of the host in good office or [not]," Moghadam said.
Erdogan and Macron discuss US-Iran ceasefire talks Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the US-Iran ceasefire talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on Saturday. Macron posted on X: "We initially discussed the situation in the Middle East, and called for all parties to respect the ceasefire and to make sure this applies to Lebanon, and for all parties to respect the freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz, and we highlighted the importance of getting a strong and lasting diplomatic solution.
Pakistani PM says he 'appreciated Iran's engagement' Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said he "appreciated Iran's engagement" after meeting the Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Sharif's office said Pakistan wanted to "continue playing its role as a mediator to help build momentum towards achieving meaningful results in the interest of regional and global peace and stability".
Israeli attacks kill 10 in southern Lebanon The death toll from Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday has risen to 10, according to the Lebanese health ministry. The ministry said three strikes hit Nabatieh city and killed three emergency workers. It condemned what it described as Israel’s “systematic” targeting of emergency personnel.
Pakistani fighter jets land in Saudi Arabia as part of defence pact Pakistani fighter jets and support aircraft have landed at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia as part of the defence pact between the two countries. The Saudi defence ministry said the deployment aimed to strengthen military coordination between the two countries and enhance operational readiness, according to Al Jazeera. The pact, signed last September, commits both countries to treating an act of aggression against one as an attack on both.
‘I wished for death’: Sexual violence in Israel’s prisons is an ‘organised state policy’ Submitted by Katherine Hearst on Thu, 04/09/2026 - 14:12 Palestinian testimonies reveal how sexual violence, including rape using objects and dogs, is approved by 'highest levels' of Israeli leadership Soldiers lock a gate at Sde Teiman detention facility after Israeli military police arrived as part of an investigation into the suspected abuse of a Palestinian detainee on 29 July 2025 (Reuters) Off Sexual torture of Palestinian detainees from Gaza in Israeli prisons is an "organised state policy", endorsed by the "highest, political, military, and judicial authorities", a new report has revealed. The report, seen exclusively by Middle East Eye, is based on testimonies from Palestinian former prisoners gathered by the rights watchdog Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. It reveals how the scope of sexual violence of Palestinian prisoners, including rape using objects and trained military dogs, constitutes an "organised state policy", aided and abetted by Israeli institutions and leadership.
US denies agreeing to unfreeze Iranian assets A White House official has denied reports that the US agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets, according to Al Jazeera. Reuters reported earlier that a senior Iranian source said the US had agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks.
Can a lasting deal emerge from the Islamabad talks? "US President Donald Trump is now assessing whether Iran is prepared to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, restore oil flows, and ultimately reach an agreement that he can present as a face-saving victory," writes Iranian-Canadian political analyst Shahir Shahidsaless for Middle East Eye. "Trump is now the single most important factor in determining whether any durable peace is possible.
JD Vance meets Pakistani PM US Vice President JD Vance is currently meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the White House. It remains unclear whether US-Iran negotiations today will be held face-to-face or conducted indirectly through Pakistani mediators.
US agrees to unfreeze Iranian assets in foreign banks The US has agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets held in foreign banks, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian source. The source said Tehran views the move as a sign of Washington’s “seriousness” in the Islamabad negotiations, adding that the release of funds is linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian vice president says US must avoid 'Israel First' agenda Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has said that the US should avoid an "Israel First" agenda in the negotiations in Islamabad. He said the outcome of the talks this weekend depends on whether the US focuses on US or Israeli interests. He added that an "Israel First" agenda would result in a "no deal" and Iran would "inevitably continue our defence even more vigorously than before".
Israel says ceasefire with Hezbollah not on the table The Israeli government has said it will not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah in talks with Lebanese diplomats in the United States scheduled for Tuesday. This comes after Israeli warplanes carried out air strikes on the towns of Jebchit and Kfarsir in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning. An Israeli air strike targeting a residential building in the town of Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh district killed three people, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Hezbollah MP says Lebanon-Israel talks are 'blatant violation' of constitution Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah has said his group opposes direct negotiations between the Lebanese government and Israel, scheduled for next week in Washington. Fadlallah said the move is a "blatant violation of the [national] pact, the constitution and Lebanese laws". He added that "it exacerbates domestic divisions at a time when Lebanon most needs solidarity and internal unity to face Israel's aggression".
