Overview
- Formal negotiations are set to start in Islamabad on Saturday, launching a two‑week window to test the U.S.–brokered pause in fighting.
- Tehran says its delegation will arrive in Pakistan Thursday night, while the White House names Vice President JD Vance to lead the U.S. team with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also involved.
- Washington rejects the 10-point list Iran published as the basis for talks, as Tehran defends demands on Strait of Hormuz controls, a right to enrich uranium for civilian use, sweeping sanctions relief and release of frozen assets.
- Iranian state media claimed the Strait of Hormuz was fully closed and the IRGC navy posted alternative routes, underscoring a legal fight over whether the chokepoint is an international transit corridor or subject to tighter coastal control under Iran’s view.
- Israeli air raids in Lebanon have continued with Lebanese Civil Defence reporting at least 254 dead, and a joint statement by several European leaders and Canada urges extending the truce to Lebanon and pledges support for freedom of navigation in Hormuz.