US and Iranian officials met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in separate talks before planned peace negotiations. Iran’s delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said it has “good intentions” but does “not trust” the US. Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance met Sharif with envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner. Iran warned talks may be cancelled if its conditions are not met. No official plan has been shared. Key issues include ceasefire terms and whether Lebanon is part of the deal. (PC: BBC)

U.S. officials have claimed that Iran is unable to locate some of the naval mines it allegedly deployed in the Strait of Hormuz, increasing fears of unintended maritime risks. According to intelligence assessments reported by The New York Times, the misplaced mines could pose dangers to both commercial and military vessels navigating the critical oil transit route. While Iran has not confirmed the claim, the situation has heightened concerns over potential disruptions to global shipping and energy supplies. Experts warn that unidentified mines drifting in the strait could escalate tensions and trigger accidental confrontations in the already volatile region. (PC: Reuters)

Confusion emerged during ongoing US-Iran peace negotiations in Islamabad after reports claimed Washington had agreed to release billions in frozen Iranian assets. The claim, based on Iranian sources and reported by Reuters, suggested the move was linked to securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the White House quickly denied any such agreement, calling the reports inaccurate. The disputed funds—around $6 billion from Iranian oil sales—have been frozen since 2018 under US sanctions. The conflicting narratives highlight deep mistrust between both sides as high-stakes talks continue, with Iran insisting asset release is a key precondition for broader negotiations.(PC: AP)

High-stakes US–Iran peace talks in Islamabad have drawn attention not only for their geopolitical significance but also for symbolic optics. US Vice President JD Vance arrived with a senior delegation for negotiations aimed at stabilising a fragile ceasefire after weeks of conflict. He was received by Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, whose formal attire and prominent role underscored Pakistan’s positioning as a key mediator. While the optics projected diplomatic seriousness and control, deep mistrust persists between Washington and Tehran over sanctions, Lebanon, and regional security, raising doubts about whether the talks will achieve meaningful progress. (PC: India Today)

Fresh tensions have emerged ahead of crucial US-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad, threatening the fragile truce brokered by Pakistan. Despite both sides agreeing to negotiate, deep mistrust persists, with disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon and disagreements over whether Lebanon is part of the ceasefire have further complicated the situation. The talks are expected to be indirect, with mediators shuttling messages between delegations. Analysts say expectations remain low, with the immediate goal focused on sustaining dialogue rather than achieving a breakthrough peace deal. (PC: Al Jazeera)

A fragile US–Iran ceasefire faces uncertainty as talks in Islamabad risk collapse. Donald Trump warned of possible renewed military action if negotiations fail, signalling heightened pressure on Iran. Key sticking points include sanctions relief, Iran’s role in regional conflicts, and the continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which is impacting global oil flows. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue despite ceasefire efforts, with tensions involving Hezbollah raising concerns of further escalation, casting doubt over prospects for a stable and lasting agreement. (PC: EPA)

In a symbolic and emotional gesture, an Iranian delegation traveling to Islamabad for crucial peace talks with the United States carried blood-soaked school bags, shoes, white flowers, and photographs of children killed in the Minab school strike. Led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the team named their mission “Minab 168,” referring to over 160 children killed in the attack on the first day of the war. The items were placed on aircraft seats as “companions,” underscoring the human cost of the conflict. The gesture comes amid fragile ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing US-Iran war. 

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Islamabad leading a high-level American delegation for crucial “make-or-break” ceasefire talks with Iran, amid fragile truce conditions in the Middle East. Pakistan is hosting the negotiations under tight security, positioning itself as a key mediator. The discussions aim to stabilise the ceasefire and address major sticking points, including sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear programme, and tensions in Lebanon. Iran has set preconditions, while Washington has warned against “bad faith” negotiations. With oil flows disrupted and regional violence ongoing, the outcome of these talks is seen as critical for preventing further escalation. (PC: AFP)

Kuwait’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed at least seven drones that entered its airspace, highlighting rising tensions despite the fragile US–Iran ceasefire. The unmanned aerial vehicles reportedly targeted sensitive sites, including facilities linked to the National Guard, causing limited damage and injuring personnel, who are now stable. Kuwaiti authorities blamed Iran-linked actors for the attacks, calling them a violation of sovereignty, while Tehran denied any involvement. The incident underscores growing instability in the Gulf region, where repeated drone and missile threats continue to challenge the ceasefire and raise concerns about further escalation. (PC: Facebook)

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf carried images of victims from the deadly Minab school strike on his flight to Islamabad for crucial talks with the United States, underscoring the human cost of the conflict. The gesture refers to the February 28 attack in Minab that killed over 150 civilians, many of them children, and remains a deeply sensitive issue in Iran. Qalibaf’s move is seen as a symbolic message ahead of negotiations, as Iran seeks accountability, sanctions relief, and stronger ceasefire assurances during the high-stakes dialogue.