Iran-US-Israel War LIVE: 'Make-Or-Break' Pakistan PM Flags High Stakes Ahead Of US-Iran Ceasefire Negotiations In Islamabad

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif described the upcoming US-Iran talks as a “make-or-break” stage for achieving a lasting ceasefire in West Asia, saying that negotiations between the two sides will begin in Islamabad on Saturday and expressing optimism that the discussions could lead to a durable resolution of the conflict.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the leadership of both countries is set to begin talks in Islamabad tomorrow, as part of efforts to advance the ongoing US-Iran dialogue.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday said the United States must honour its commitments under the two-week ceasefire agreement aimed at halting hostilities in West Asia, stressing that Lebanon remains an integral part of the deal, according to Iranian state media outlet Press TV.

Press TV reported that Araghchi made the remarks during a phone call with Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, who briefed him on the latest developments in the country.

‘The Iranians don’t seem to realise they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate,’ Trump said in a Truth Social Post.

“We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made, even better than what we did previously, and we blew them apart,” the Post quoted US President Trump.

“Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets before the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” Iran's Parliamentary speaker, MB Ghalibaf, said in a post on X.

"I have instructed today to remove Spain's representatives from the coordination centre in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel," Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu said.

"Those who attack the State of Israel instead of confronting terrorist regimes will not be our partners in shaping the region's future," he added.

“WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL RESET”, Trump said in a post on Truth Social as JD Vance departed for US-Iran peace talks.

Officials from the Israel Defence Forces reportedly told the Knesset’s foreign affairs and defence committee during a closed-door intelligence briefing on Thursday that Iran’s new leadership is more hardline than its predecessor, coming a day after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Tehran.

According to sources cited by The Times of Israel, lawmakers were informed that several members of the new leadership are drawn from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is considered more ideologically rigid than Iran’s previous political establishment.

According to the state news agency, eight members of Lebanon’s state security forces were killed in an Israeli strike on the southern city of Nabatieh, marking a major escalation in ongoing regional hostilities.

US Vice President JD Vance on Friday said he was optimistic about upcoming talks with Iran as he departed Washington, DC for negotiations in Pakistan, while cautioning Tehran against attempting to “play” the United States.

"We're looking forward to the negotiation. I think it's going to be positive," Vance told reporters before leaving Washington. "As the president of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand," Vance said. "If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive."

On the 40th day of public mourning for the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, a ceremony was held at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi on Friday, where the national flag was hoisted.

In a post on X, the Iranian Embassy said, “On the occasion of the 40th day of public mourning for the martyrdom of His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a ceremony was held at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi to hoist the sacred flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

US Vice President James David Vance, in a statement, said that President Donald Trump had provided clear guidance on the negotiations.

India on Friday voiced concern over reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon amid the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian embassy in Lebanon is in contact with the Indian community to ensure their safety.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of a large number of civilian casualties in Lebanon. As a troop contributing country to the UNIFIL that is invested in Lebanon’s peace and security, the direction of events is very disturbing,” said Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, MEA India.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday that while the United States is aiming for a stable relationship with China, Beijing’s involvement with Iran in ways that conflict with US interests could complicate ties.

Speaking to CNBC, Greer added that he expects Donald Trump to have a productive meeting next month with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though he cautioned that not all issues between the two countries have been resolved.

"We are closely following developments in West Asia. We continue to reach out to countries in the Gulf region. At the direction of the Prime Minister, our ministers are visiting Gulf countries to strengthen our energy security. The External Affairs Minister is presently visiting Mauritius, from where he will be travelling to the UAE on April 11 and April 12, 2026. He will hold discussions with leaders in the UAE to foster stronger India-UAE ties,” said Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, MEA India.

“Even as we work to strengthen our energy security, we are also providing support to our neighbouring countries as per their request to meet their energy needs. We supplied 38 metric tons of petroleum product to Sri Lanka two weeks ago. We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing the energy security of Mauritius. Our Minister of Petroleum is visiting Qatar on April 9 and 10. Presently, he is in Qatar. Qatar is an important supplier of energy to India. Qatar Energy Minister reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to remain a reliable energy supplier and looks forward to continuing and strengthening energy relations and cooperation with India," he added.

Lebanese PM, Nawab Salam, is expected to visit Washington, DC, soon because of direct contact requested by Israel between the two governments, CNN cited an official working in the Lebanese government. 

The move comes amid a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which is still holding but facing increasing strain. A major point of dispute is whether the ongoing hostilities in Lebanon fall within the scope of the truce.

Even with the cease-fire being in existence, Israel has continued its bombing attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that he had discussed military capabilities and the logistics of moving vessels through the Strait of Hormuz during a call with US President Donald Trump, a day earlier.

"We've been pulling together a coalition of countries, working on a political, diplomatic plan, but also looking at military capabilities and the logistics of actually moving vessels through the Strait," Reuters quoted Starmer, during his visit to the Middle East.

"That was the focus of the discussion last night - reflection on what I've been discussing here, but also that focus on a practical plan in relation to navigation through the Strait."

A former Iranian foreign minister, Dr Kamal Kharazi, who had once suggested Tehran could pursue a nuclear weapon, died late Thursday, April 9, after being wounded in an airstrike last week, Iranian media reported.

Kharazi served as foreign minister under reformist President Mohammad Khatami and later as a foreign affairs adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran War Live Updates: Lebanon intends to take part in a meeting next week in Washington with US and Israeli representatives to discuss and announce a ceasefire, a senior Lebanese official told Reuters on Friday, saying the exact date had not yet been confirmed. The official said Lebanon's position was that a ceasefire was a precondition to further talks to reach a broader deal with Israel.

Iran War Live Updates: Reports say that Hezbollah has struck “a gathering of Israeli enemy soldiers east of the Khiam detention center” in southern Lebanon with a missile.

Iran War Live Updates: Israel has launched two raids on the towns of Al Shahabiya and Jabal Al Batm in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran War Live Updates: Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee has accused Hezbollah of making “extensive military use” of ambulances.

In a post on X, Adraee stated that Israel will act in accordance with international law against any military activity carried out by Hezbollah, including using medical facilities and ambulances.

Iran War Live Updates: The Lebanese armed group says its fighters are targeting the Kiryat Shmona, Metula and Misgav Am settlements with rockets.

Iran War Live Updates: Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reports that an Israeli air strike on the town of Hanawya in the south killed one person and injured another.

Iran War Live Updates: Bank Coordination Council has announced that all branches across the country will be fully operational from Saturday, IRNA news agency reported.

Iran War Live Updates: Kuwaiti army calimed that they intercepted drones in their airspace, Al Jazeera reported.

The National Guard then said that significant damage had occurred at one of their sites.

Iran War Live Updates: Sirens were heard in the northern Galilee region, warning of rockets fired from southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran War Live Updates: Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israel targeted the town of Sarafand with two air strikes since dawn.

Iran War Live Updates: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that all delegates, including journalists “from participating nations” travelling to Islamabad for talks this weekend on the Iran-US ceasefire will be issued a visa on arrival in Pakistan.

Iran War Live Updates: Saudi Arabia has released a damage assessment, with the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia saying that several pieces of critical infrastructure of companies have been hit multiple times.

Iran War Live Updates: Only handfuls of vessels have transited the critical Strait of Hormuz since Washington and Tehran announced a two-week pause in fighting, dampening hopes for a swift resolution to one of the worst global energy disruptions in history.

Iran War Live Updates: Air raid blared across Israel early Friday, including in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv and in the southern coastal city of Ashdod following rocket fire from Lebanon, AFP reported. Continued fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has put the a fragile Iran-US truce in peril.

Iran War Live Updates: The prospect of direct negotiations with Israel was actually raised about a week into this war, and at that time, it was a very significant development. Lebanon and Israel have technically been in a state of war for decades.

Iran War Live Updates: As far as Israel is concerned, there seems to be no change in its position.

No, there will be no letup in its strikes against Hezbollah. It still insists that Hezbollah is not covered, is not linked with Iran, in this agreement between Iran and the US.

Iran War Live Updates: Ambassadors from dozens of countries have joined Indonesia’s UN envoy Umar Hadi to deliver a joint statement condemning “in the strongest terms the persistent attacks against UNIFIL”, including recent attacks that killed three Indonesian peacekeepers.

Iran War Live Updates: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been on a whistle-stop tour of the Gulf region following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

Starmer met with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and expressed his solidarity with the people of the UAE following Iranian attacks, according to a Downing Street statement.

Iran War Live Updates: After massive air strikes on Lebanon, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbors.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Netanyahu later stressed that there was no ceasefire between them. In a video statement, he said Israel will keep striking Hezbollah until security is restored in northern Israel.

Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, on Thursday said that Tehran is entering a new stage in how it manages the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday said "Iran is not seeking war, but will not forfeit its rights."

Israel-Lebanon negotiations are expected to start next week at the State Department in Washington, news agency AP reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he has instructed his cabinet to start direct talks with Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce military strikes on Lebanon during a phone call on Thursday, NBC News reported, citing a senior US official.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said that he has instructed the cabinet to initiate peace talks with Lebanon, with discussions expected to include the disarmament of Hezbollah.

"In ⁠light ⁠of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Amid the US-Iran conflict, Air France has extended the suspension of flights multiple locations in the Middle East until May 3.

Iran will allow only 15 vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day according to the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, TASS news agency reported on Thursday citing a senior Iranian source.

One oil products tanker and five separate dry bulk carriers have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours amid US-Iran ceasefire, Reuters reported.

Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal on Thursday confirmed that no incidents were reported in the last 24 hours involving India-flagged vessels or Indian seafarers amid US-Iran war. 

"...No incident involving Indian flagged vessels or Indian seafarers has been reported in the past 24 hours. The Indian flagged vessel Green Asha, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 5, 2026, has safely reached JNPA earlier today..." he said.

United States President Donald Trump is expected to visit Israel in the coming weeks for Independence Day. Israeli Minister of Education Yoav Kisch has ordered preparations for Trump’s arrival. Trump is likely to receive the "Israel Prize", the country’ highest cultural honour.

UAE ADNOC’s CEO Sultan Al Jaber on Thursday said an estimated 230 vessels are loaded with oil and ready to sail. He added that weaponisation of this vital waterway, in any form, cannot stand, would set a dangerous precedent for the world. Every day the strait remains restricted, the consequences compound, supply is delayed, markets tighten and prices rise, he added.

"The enemy won't succeed in restricting Iran's enrichment programme," Iran's Atomic Chief Eslami was quoted as saying by ISNA on Thursday.

The nephew of Hezbollah Chief Naim Qassem was killed in ‌a ⁠strike on Beirut overnight, Israel said on Thursday. "The IDF struck in the Beirut ⁠area and eliminated Ali Yusuf Harshi, the ⁠personal secretary and nephew of ⁠Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem," the military said.

"Parliament Speaker to lead Iran’s delegation to Iran for talks, message exchange ongoing via Pakistan," Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister said, according to Al Jazeera.

Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal on Thursday said that the LPG situation in India remains normal, with vessels continuing to arrive after crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid global tensions. He added that there was no LPG shortage and that domestic supplies continue to remain stable. "I don't see any problem anywhere. All domestic supplies are at 100 per cent," he said.

"Despite skepticism of Iranian public opinion due to repeated ceasefire violations by Israeli regime … Iranian delegation arrives tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran," Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam had posted on X. This post, however, was deleted later.

India-flagged LPG carrier 'Green Asha has docked at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai. The vessel, carrying about 15,400 tonnes of LPG, safely navigated through the Strait of Hormuz.

Semiofficial news agencies in Iran published a chart Thursday suggesting the country's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard put sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz during the war. The charts, released by the ISNA news agency, as well as Tasnim, showed a large circle marked "danger zone" in Farsi over the Traffic Separation Scheme, which was the route ships used to take through the strait.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday said that Lebanon must be covered in US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

The Israeli Military on Thursday said that it targetted Hezbollah infrastructure, eliminated dozens of operatives, and seized weapons and explosive devices in Lebanon.

Senior IRGC official Mohsen Rezaee on Thursday said that responsibility for the collapse of the ceasefire lies with the United States.

'Responsibility for the collapse of the ceasefire lies with America,' senior IRGC official Mohsen Rezaee stressed, adding Iran stands with Hezbollah and will 'punish the Zionist enemy.' pic.twitter.com/Nmlv8I43vY

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) April 9, 2026

Holy site Temple Mount has been opened for the first time since February 28, following ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

וכעת - הר הבית נפתח שוב ליהודים אחרי 40 יום בהם היה סגור בעקבות המלחמה@GLZRadio https://t.co/4XWtnGXffg pic.twitter.com/95y8nNsWcC

— נועם נקש || Noam Nakash (@nakash_noam) April 9, 2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his government “firmly believes” that the ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran “has to apply to Lebanon as well”. 

(With Al Jazeera inputs)

Iran Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam said that Iranian delegation will arrive Thursday night in islamabad for "serious talks" based on 10 points proposed by Tehran.

Israeli forces on Thursday launched air attacks on the town of Harouf in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

According to news agency ANI, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri will visit Qatar on April 9-10.

US Vice President JD Vance firmly discarded the claims of Lebanon being a part of the truce talks between Washington and Tehran, as two-week ceasefire comes into place.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his departure from Hungary, on whether Lebanon was included in the peace proposal, Vance said that the United States never made any such promises. He underlined that the ceasefire was aimed at a focus on Iran, and American allies--both Israel and the Gulf Arab states.

(With ANI inputs)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday held talks with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The two leaders discussed regional developments.

US President Donald Trump said all ships, aircraft, and ‌military personnel would stay in place in and around Iran until it fully complied with a deal. "All ⁠US Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of ‌an ⁠already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until ⁠such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied ⁠with," Trump said.

Fars News Agency reported that, following Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, oil tankers will not be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Fars News Agency: Due to Israeli strikes in #Lebanon, oil tankers will not be permitted to pass through the Strait of #Hormuz.#Iran #Lebanon #Israel #War

— Consulate General of the I.R. Iran in Mumbai (@IRANinMumbai) April 8, 2026

Hezbollah said on Thursday that it launched rockets towards Israel, claiming it was responding to a violation of the US-Iran truce. 

US Vice President JD Vance is headed back home from Hungary before he flies to Islamabad, leading a high-level American delegation for talks with Iran this weekend, as Washington moves to consolidate a fragile ceasefire following weeks of military escalation.

Multiple explosions and air‑defence alerts were reported across Iran over the past day, according to messages received from local sources.