US and Iranian delegations have both arrived in Islamabad for high-stakes talks aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire after weeks of conflict.
US vice president JD Vance has arrived in the Pakistani capital and is leading the American delegation, while Iran’s team is headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and includes senior political and security officials.
US president Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen “fairly soon – with or without” Iran’s cooperation, adding: “If it doesn’t, we’ll be able to finish it off one way or the other.”
Vance said earlier that he expected a positive outcome but warned: “If they’re going to try to play us… the negotiating team is not that receptive.”
Iran has said talks will only begin if previously agreed conditions are met, including a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of its frozen assets.
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Key Points
- Trump threatens to resume attacks on Iran if Pakistan talks collapse
- US envoys Witkoff and Kushner land in Islamabad for Iran talks
- Iranian negotiating team arrives in Islamabad
- US and Lebanon ask Israel to 'pause' attacks on Hezbollah before Iran talks - report
- Pakistani PM says US-Iran talks are 'make or break'
Pakistan's foreign minister says he hopes US, Iran will engage 'constructively' in peace talks
09:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePakistan’s foreign minister has said he hopes the US and Iran will engage “constructively” in peace talks.
The country is set to host high-stakes discussions in its capital Islamabad.
In a statement, Ishaq Dar also reiterated Islamabad's desire to continue facilitating the parties to reach a "lasting and durable solution to the conflict".
Pakistan ramps up preparations for US-Iran talks in Islamabad
08:45 , Shahana YasminPakistan has set up a media centre in Islamabad to support coverage of talks between the US and Iran, information minister Attaullah Tarar said.
The facility at the Jinnah Convention Center includes high-speed internet and workstations with laptops and charging points for journalists. Tarar said shuttle services have been arranged to transport reporters between the venue and designated hotels.
Pakistan has also introduced visa-on-arrival for journalists and official delegations travelling for what it has called the “Islamabad talks”.
The centre includes areas for live stand-ups and press briefings and screens broadcasting domestic and international news channels.
In pictures: JD Vance arrives in Islamabad for peace talks
08:34 , Nicole Wootton-Cane Israel and Lebanon envoys to meet as strikes kill 13 in Nabatieh
08:30 , Shahana YasminIsrael’s ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s envoy Nada Hamadeh Moawad will meet in Washington on Tuesday, Israeli and Lebanese officials said.
Lebanon’s presidency said the two had agreed in a phone call on Friday to discuss announcing a ceasefire and setting a start date for negotiations under US mediation. Israel’s embassy in Washington, however, said the meeting would mark the start of “formal peace negotiations” and that it would not discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Israeli strikes continued across Lebanon on Friday. A strike on a government building in Nabatieh killed 13 members of Lebanon’s state security forces, President Joseph Aoun said. Hezbollah said it fired rockets into northern Israel in response.
Lebanese authorities said Israel’s largest attack of the war, launched hours after the ceasefire was announced, killed more than 350 people.
US and Iran send large teams to Islamabad for high-stakes talks
08:15 , Shahana YasminIran and the US have deployed sizeable delegations to Islamabad ahead of the start of today's talks, underlining the scale and complexity of the negotiations.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said its delegation includes around 70 officials, including technical experts in economic, security and political fields, along with media and support staff.
A Pakistani government source said about 100 members of an advance US team were already in the city.
“We’re very positive,” a source close to the discussions said, but cautioned it was “too early to say” whether a deal could be reached on Saturday, adding negotiators had instructions to “close a deal or walk away”.
The talks come amid a fragile ceasefire that has halted airstrikes but not eased tensions over the Strait of Hormuz or fighting in Lebanon.
How China became the big winner from Trump’s war in Iran
08:00 , Shahana YasminAs the US has floundered on the world stage, China, in contrast, has begun to look solid and dependable. Though that doesn’t necessarily mean the superpower war is over, writes Chris Blackhurst
Vance lands in Islamabad for US-Iran talks
07:50 , Shahana YasminUS vice president JD Vance has arrived in Islamabad for peace talks with Iran.
Vance was received by Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as well as Natalie Baker, the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
The US delegation includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who arrived alongside Vance on Saturday.
Iran’s delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad late Friday ahead of the talks.
UK to host talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz
07:45 , Shahana YasminThe UK will convene a meeting next week of countries seeking to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as disruption to the key oil route continues.
A British official familiar with the plans said on Friday that the meeting would bring together foreign ministry officials from countries including France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and Gulf states like the UAE and Bahrain, which took part in earlier UK-led discussions on reopening the strait.
The discussions are expected to include diplomatic measures such as sanctions, as well as military planning to ensure ships’ safety once the conflict ends.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was essential to have a “viable plan” to reopen the strait and stabilise the global economy.
07:30 , Shahana Yasmin Hormuz traffic still minimal despite ceasefire
07:15 , Shahana YasminShipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains sharply reduced despite the ceasefire, with traffic far below pre-war levels.
The Athens-based tracking platform MarineTraffic said on X that just 14 vessels have crossed the waterway since 8 April, compared with more than 100 per day before the conflict.
“Sanctioned or shadow-fleet-linked vessels accounted for nearly two-thirds of all crossings,” they said.
Strait of Hormuz traffic remains limited
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) April 10, 2026
Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz has increased slightly since the ceasefire took effect on 8 April, but flows remain well below normal levels. According to #MarineTraffic data, 14 vessels crossed the Strait on 8–9 April,… pic.twitter.com/SI88m4DvrX
The strait typically carries about 20 per cent of global oil supply, making its disruption a central issue in ongoing negotiations.
Islamabad under lockdown ahead of US-Iran talks
07:00 , Shahana YasminPakistan’s capital has been placed under tight security ahead of talks between US and Iranian officials, with authorities sealing key roads, restricting access to the city’s diplomatic enclave, and deploying thousands of police and paramilitary personnel.
Islamabad appeared “deserted” on Saturday as large parts of the city, including routes linking the airport to central Islamabad, have been barricaded and residents have been urged to stay indoors. Entry to the Red Zone, where government buildings and the talks venue are located, has been limited to authorised personnel.
Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the negotiations as a “make-or-break moment” in efforts to turn a temporary ceasefire into a lasting settlement.
US envoys Witkoff and Kushner land in Islamabad for Iran talks
06:45 , Shahana YasminSenior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Islamabad ahead of talks with Iran, according to Reuters, who cited Pakistani sources familiar with the matter.
The two are part of a broader US delegation led by vice president JD Vance, which is expected to hold high-level negotiations with Iranian officials aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire after six weeks of conflict.
The talks come amid deep disagreements over sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and regional conflicts, raising doubts about whether a broader deal can be reached.
Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, and Kushner have previously led backchannel diplomacy with Iran, and are expected to play a central role in the negotiations.
US intelligence warns China could be planning to send anti-air missiles to Iran
06:30 , Shahana YasminUS intelligence assessments indicate China may be preparing to supply air defence systems to Iran in the coming weeks, according to a report by CNN, citing three people familiar with the matter.
The potential transfer involving shoulder-fired anti-air missiles, or MANPADS, could pose a renewed threat to low-flying US aircraft if fighting resumes after the fragile ceasefire.
People familiar with the matter told the outlet that Beijing may route shipments through third countries to conceal their origin, suggesting an effort to maintain deniability.
China has denied the claim, saying it “has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict” and urging Washington to avoid “baseless allegations”.
What’s next for the US-Iran ceasefire? Former US diplomat explains three possible scenarios
06:15 , Shahana YasminPresident Donald Trump on 7 April 2026, announced a ceasefire between the US and Iran, after more than a month of war marked by US and Israeli strikes against Iranian military leadership, Iranian retaliation against regional oil infrastructure and a global energy crisis.
Where could the war go next?
What’s next for the Iran ceasefire? Former US diplomat explains 3 possible scenarios
World Bank flags growth hit from Middle East war
06:00 , Shahana YasminThe Middle East conflict could cut global growth by up to 1 percentage point if it continues, World Bank President Ajay Banga has warned, as uncertainty persists despite a ceasefire.
With an early end to the war, the hit to growth would be smaller, around 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points. while inflation could rise by 200 to 300 basis points, he told Reuters on Friday.
“The question really is, does this current peace and the negotiations that are going to be happening this weekend – will this lead to a lasting peace and then a reopening of the Strait (of Hormuz)?” said Banga. “If it doesn't lead to that, and if conflict were to break out again, would that have an even larger impact, or longer-term impact on energy infrastructure?”
Emerging markets face sharper pressure, with growth projected at 3.65 per cent in 2026 and inflation rising to 4.9 per cent, while oil prices have already jumped about 50 per cent.
UN says Lebanon shelters overwhelmed as displacement surges
05:45 , Shahana YasminShelters for displaced people in Lebanon are “severely overcrowded,” the United Nations has warned, as Israeli evacuation orders drive a growing humanitarian crisis.
“Needs in Lebanon exceed the available capacity,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday, adding that nearly half of the country’s public schools are now being used as reception centres.
The UN also warned the country’s health system is under severe strain, with some hospitals at risk of running out of trauma supplies within days.
Up to 1.2 million people have been displaced by Israeli attacks, with around 140,000 sheltering in about 680 sites, according to UN figures.
The crisis has intensified amid a sharp rise in casualties, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 300 people killed in strikes on Wednesday alone.
US-Iran deal reportedly ‘almost done’
05:30 , Shahana YasminA potential agreement between the US and Iran is “almost done,” with groundwork for the deal already laid ahead of talks in Islamabad.
According to a source cited by Al Jazeera, preliminary negotiations were carried out by advance teams before the arrival of US vice president JD Vance and Iranian officials, raising expectations that a deal could be signed.
Pakistan is facilitating the process through indirect talks, passing messages between the two sides. Its efforts have been backed by countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and China, underscoring a broader diplomatic push to bring both sides closer to an agreement.
Strikes continue in Lebanon despite US-Iran ceasefire
05:15 , Shahana YasminViolence in Lebanon has continued despite the US-Iran ceasefire, with fresh Israeli strikes and Hezbollah retaliation reported on Friday.
An Israeli attack on a government building in the southern city of Nabatieh killed 13 Lebanese state security personnel, according to president Joseph Aoun.
Hezbollah said it responded by firing rockets into northern Israel.
The escalation follows earlier strikes that killed more than 350 people in densely populated areas hours after the ceasefire was announced this week, according to Lebanese authorities.
Ceasefire holds, but Hormuz blockade and Lebanon fighting continue
05:00 , Shahana YasminA two-week ceasefire announced by the United States this week has halted US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, but it has not extended to other fronts.
Iran has yet to lift restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, where disruption to shipping has hit global energy supplies.
At the same time, fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon has continued, with Israeli strikes and retaliatory rocket fire reported after the truce was announced.
The US and Israel say the Lebanon conflict is not covered by the ceasefire, while Tehran insists it is part of the same war, exposing a key divide ahead of talks.
ICYMI: US delegation heads to Islamabad as high-stakes talks loom
04:45 , Shahana YasminA senior US delegation led by vice president JD Vance is travelling to Islamabad for negotiations with Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the war. The team includes president Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner.
Iran’s delegation, led by speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, arrived a day earlier.
Pakistan has imposed an unprecedented lockdown in the capital, deploying thousands of security personnel ahead of the talks, which prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has described as decisive for the conflict’s outcome.
Hezbollah says it attacked Israeli soldiers in Lebanon: report
04:30 , Rachel DobkinHezbollah has said it attacked Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, according to The New York Times.
The drone strike targeted troops in a house in southern Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group said, per the NYT, in response to Israel’s post-ceasefire attacks in the country.
Israel has said the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran doesn’t apply to Lebanon, but Iran disagrees.
Iran sets conditions ahead of US talks in Islamabad
04:15 , Shahana YasminIran has cast doubt over planned talks with the US in Islamabad, saying negotiations cannot begin without prior commitments on sanctions relief and a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on X that Washington had yet to fulfil “mutually agreed upon” measures: “a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets”.
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 prior to the commencement of negotiations.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 10, 2026
These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.
Tehran maintains that the conflict in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have killed nearly 2,000 people since March, is inseparable from the broader war, a position rejected by both the US and Israel.
The disagreement threatens to derail what Pakistan has described as “make-or-break” talks aimed at ending the six-week conflict.
Iran can't find mines it planted in Strait of Hormuz: report
04:00 , Rachel DobkinIran has been unable to find all the mines it planted in the Strait of Hormuz, US officials told The New York Times.
The US announced last month that it was destroying mines laid in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran as the country deterred ships from entering the vital oil passageway in retaliation for the US-Israeli striking campaign.
US officials told the NYT that because Iran can’t remove the mines, it has been unable to open the Strait of Hormuz, despite a two-week ceasefire.
Why peace talks between the US and Iran are happening in Islamabad
03:45 , Shahana Yasmin Why peace talks between the US and Iran are happening in Islamabad
In pictures: Hezbollah supporters protest against Lebanon agreeing to talks with Israel
03:30 , Rachel Dobkin Peace talks to include face-to-face discussions: report
03:00 , Rachel DobkinThe US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on Saturday will include face-to-face discussions, CNN has reported.
A regional source told the outlet that the US and Iran will talk through Pakistani mediators and then have direct discussions later in the day.
Trump on peace talks: 'You don’t need a backup plan'
02:30 , Rachel DobkinUS President Donald Trump has insisted he doesn’t need a backup plan if peace talks set to take place in Islamabad on Saturday were to fall through.
“You don’t need a backup plan”, Trump told reporters Friday local time. “The military is defeated. Their military is gone. We’ve degraded just about everything”.
Pete Buttigieg shreds CNBC host on Iran war and Trump’s broken inflation promises
01:45 , Rachel DobkinFormer US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has absolutely shredded CNBC host Joe Kernen on the Iran war and US President Donald Trump’s broken inflation promises.
Trump won the 2024 presidential election in part on his promise to lower rising costs for Americans, but as Buttigieg noted, inflation is now higher than it was when his ex-boss, former US President Joe Biden, left office.
Americans quickly began to see the effects of the war last month as oil prices soared following Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which transports about a fifth of the world’s oil. Americans are now paying, on average, more than $4 per gallon for regular gas and nearly $5.70 per gallon for diesel.
Read on...
Pete Buttigieg shreds CNBC host on Iran war and Trump’s broken inflation promises
Iranian parliament speaker says country has 'goodwill but no trust in US'
01:00 , Rachel DobkinIranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said his country has “goodwill but no trust in US”, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian state media.
Ghalibaf’s comments come ahead of peace talks in Islamabad.
Watch: Trump reveals main goal for Iran-US ceasefire is "no nuclear weapon"
Saturday 11 April 2026 00:29 , Alex CroftNorth Sea oil prices hit record high amid Strait of Hormuz row
Saturday 11 April 2026 00:01 , Alex CroftNorth Sea oil prices have surged to an unprecedented high, driven by a frantic rush among traders to secure vital supplies.
This comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, following accusations from US President Donald Trump that Iran has failed to uphold a ceasefire agreement to immediately open the Strait of Hormuz.
The benchmark Forties Blend, which tracks oil produced off the UK coast, climbed to nearly US $147 (£109.50) a barrel late on Thursday, eclipsing the previous peak record set during the 2008 financial crisis, according to data from LSEG.
The cost of North Sea oil has seen dramatic increases since the onset of the Middle East conflict, rising from about US $60 (£44.70) a barrel at the start of the year.
The jump is primarily attributed to the intense competition for physical oil shipments across Europe.
‘We’re loading up the ships’: Trump prepares for more attacks if Iran doesn’t listen in peace talks
Friday 10 April 2026 23:39 , Alex CroftPresident Donald Trump is reportedly relocating U.S. naval ships and filling them with "the best ammunition" in order to resume strikes on Iran if ceasefire negotiations fail.
The president told The New York Post that he would have a better idea of his next steps sometime in the next day.
“We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,” Trump told the outlet ahead of peace talks in Islamabad this weekend.
Vice President JD Vance will join special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to conduct peace negotiations with Iran that aim to bring hostilities between Washington and Tehran to an end.
If those talks fail Trump seems poised to reignite the conflict.
Graig Graziosi reports:
Trump prepares for more attacks if Iran doesn’t listen in peace talks
In pictures: Rescuers respond to huge Israeli airstrike in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon
Friday 10 April 2026 23:14 , Alex Croft Lebanon and US ask Israel to 'pause' attacks on Hezbollah before Iran talks - report
Friday 10 April 2026 22:57 , Alex CroftThe Lebanese government and the Trump administration have asked Israel for a "pause" in its attacks against Hezbollah before direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon begin next week, Axios reported on Friday, citing two sources.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.
'No nuclear weapon' for Iran would be a good deal, says Trump
Friday 10 April 2026 22:56 , Alex CroftWe’ve just heard from US president Donald Trump, who was speaking to reporters from Joint Base Andrews on Friday afternoon.
Asked what would be the mark of a good deal with Iran after the Islamabad talks, he says: “No nuclear weapon number one, you know, I think it's already been regime change, but we never had that as a criteria. No nuclear weapon that's 99 per cent of it.”
Speaking about vice president JD Vance, who is leading the US delegation, Trump said he wishes him luck and that he has “got a big thing”.
Lebanon holds first contact with Israel in call
Friday 10 April 2026 22:28 , Alex CroftLebanon's presidency said that Lebanon and Israel held their first contact via a telephone call between their ambassadors in Washington on Friday.
The US ambassador to Lebanon was also part of the call, the presidency said in a statement.
The three ambassadors are slated to represent their countries in scheduled talks to end the ongoing Israeli bombardment of the country.
The statement said the call was part of diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and launching negotiations, adding that the two sides agreed to hold a first meeting on Tuesday at the US State Department under U.S. mediation.
Watch: Israel releases footage of strikes on apparent Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
Friday 10 April 2026 22:05 , Alex CroftDonald Trump’s mental state called into question as Democrats demand White House evaluation after Iran threats
Friday 10 April 2026 21:42 , Alex CroftThe top Democrat on a key congressional oversight committee is calling on the White House physician to immediately perform a comprehensive cognitive assessment of Donald Trump following the president’s threats to destroy Iranian civilization.
In his letter, Rep. Jamie Raskin urged White House Physician Captain Sean Barbabella to share the results with members of Congress, citing growing number of warnings that the president “has been exhibiting signs consistent with dementia and cognitive decline” with outbursts and statements that have turned “increasingly incoherent, volatile, profane, deranged, and threatening.”
Alex Woodward reports:
Dems demand White House immediately evaluate Trump’s mental state after Iran threat
Trump threatens to resume attacks on Iran if Pakistan talks collapse
Friday 10 April 2026 21:30 , Alex CroftUS warships are being reloaded with the “best ammunition” in case the Pentagon decides to resume attacks on Iran, Donald Trump has told the New York Post.
"We're going to find out in about 24 hours, we're going to know soon," the US president told the outlet.
"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."
He added that US forces will be “using them very efficiently” if a deal isn’t reached.
It follows on from comments from Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, who said the talks are “make or break”.
Iranian negotiating team arrives in Islamabad, says talks will begin if 'preconditions' agreed
Friday 10 April 2026 21:19 , Alex CroftThe Iranian negotiating delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has arrived in Islamabad on Friday for peace talks with the US, Iranian media reported.
Iranian media added that negotiations would begin if Washington accepted Tehran's "preconditions”.
The delegation includes senior political, military and economic officials, including Iranian foreign minister, defence council secretary, central bank governor and several members of parliament.
American vice president JD Vance, in turn, will lead the US delegation.
White House opts against televised national address about US-Iran ceasefire
Friday 10 April 2026 20:58 , Alex CroftThe White House considered but decided against a national televised address by Donald Trump on Tuesday about his ceasefire deal with Iran, three US officials have said.
Some aides and advisers privately voiced concern about potentially overselling the still-nascent agreement, the officials told Reuters news agency.
It suggests a balancing act by the Trump administration, which sought to project early confidence in the deal to pause fighting and open the Strait of Hormuz even as aides recognized its fragility..
The sources said Trump was talked out of making the speech. But the White House, in a statement, denied the discussions rose to Trump's level, saying, "This is fake news. This was never even discussed with the president."
Pakistani PM says US-Iran talks are 'make or break'
Friday 10 April 2026 20:35 , Alex CroftPakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said late on Friday that the US-Iran talks in Islamabad slated to begin on Saturday were “make or break” to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the weeks-long Middle East conflict.
Vice President JD Vance, who will lead the US delegation for the talks in Islamabad on the weekend, said he expected a positive outcome as he headed to Pakistan.
Vance added: “If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.”
Starmer thanks Pakistani PM for role in Middle East ceasefire
Friday 10 April 2026 20:13 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer has thanked the prime minister of Pakistan for his “critical role” in securing a two-week ceasefire in the Middle East.
Speaking to Shehbaz Sharif, Sir Keir said the ceasefire was “very welcome” and agreed that “upcoming talks were vital to progress the ceasefire towards lasting peace and to ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz”, according to a readout from Downing Street.
“Recognising that it was still early days, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK was supportive of this process and hoped it would pave the way to a long-term resolution of the conflict,” it added.
Death toll from Wednesday's Israeli attacks on Lebanon hits 357
Friday 10 April 2026 19:46 , Alex CroftAt least 1,953 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israeli began launching major attacks on 2 March, the country’s health ministry has said.
Another 6,303 have been wounded in that time frame.
The death toll from Israeli attacks on Wednesday has increased to 357 in just one day.
Watch: Netanyahu says 'no ceasefire' in Lebanon as he pledges to strike Hezbollah with full force
Friday 10 April 2026 19:24 , Alex CroftUK to convene talks with allies to free Strait of Hormuz
Friday 10 April 2026 19:01 , Alex CroftBritain will convene talks with allies next week over ways to free up the Strait of Hormuz to shipping without resorting to paying tolls to Iran, a British official has told Reuters news agency.
Officials from Britain's foreign ministry were due to meet counterparts from countries which took part in discussions on April 2 that were led by UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, the official said.
The discussions would include coordinated economic and political measures, including possible sanctions and ways to secure the release of thousands of ships and sailors trapped in the Strait, they added.
Trump: Iranians are only alive so that we can negotiate
Friday 10 April 2026 18:39 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has warn the only reason Iranian officials are still alive is so the US can negotiate with them, in another threat ahead of talks in Islamabad.
“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” the US president said in the latest of his repeated social media rants.
“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!”
In a separate post on Truth Social, he said: “The Iranians are better at handling the Fake News Media, and “Public Relations,” than they are at fighting!
US vice president JD Vance earlier warned Tehran “not to play us” as he left for Islamabad where the crucial negotiations will take place this weekend.
British PM Starmer lays out Gulf priorities in call to Trump
Friday 10 April 2026 18:10 , Alex CroftUK prime minister Keir Starmer held a call with US president Donald Trump on Thursday in which he discussed the views of the Gulf states amid the US-Iran crisis.
“I had a discussion with president Trump last night and set out to him the views of the region here, these Gulf states are the neighbours of Iran, and therefore, if the ceasefire is to hold – and we hope it will - it has to involve them,” he said from Qatar on Friday.
“They have very strong views on the Strait of Hormuz. We spent most of the time on the call talking about the practical plan that’s going to be needed to get navigation through the strait and the role that the UK is playing.”
Kuwait says Iranian attack wounded National Guard personnel
Friday 10 April 2026 17:47 , Alex CroftKuwait's army said on Friday that an Iranian attack targeted several vital National Guard facilities.
The attacks wounded a number of personnel and caused significant material damage.
We’re working to bring you more.
Watch: Marine map appears to show Strait of Hormuz at a standstill more than 48 hours into ceasefire
Friday 10 April 2026 17:15 , Alex CroftLebanon says Israeli attack killed 13 state security personnel in Nabatieh
Friday 10 April 2026 16:47 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing remarks from Lebanon's president Joseph Aoun that Israeli attacks on a governmental building in the southern city of Nabatieh have killed 13 state security personnel.
In a statement, Aoun condemned continued Israeli attacks and said targeting state institutions would not deter Lebanon from defending its sovereignty.
We’re working to bring you more as it comes in.
In pictures: Large scale Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continue
Friday 10 April 2026 16:31 , Alex Croft Iran's speaker says ceasefire in Lebanon must precede ceasefire deal
Friday 10 April 2026 16:16 , Alex CroftWe’ve heard from Iran's parliament speaker, who has reiterated Iran’s conditions for agreeing a ceasefire with the US.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Friday that two previously agreed measures, a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets, must be implemented before negotiations begin.
In a post on X on Friday, Mr Qalibaf said the steps were part of commitments made between the parties and warned that talks should not start until they were fulfilled.
But Benjamin Netanyahu, despite planned talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington next week, has said strikes on Lebanon will not stop in the meantime.
Gaza marks 6 months of a ceasefire that may offer lessons for the Iran war
Friday 10 April 2026 15:58 , Alex CroftFriday marks six months since Gaza's ceasefire deal took effect, a milestone largely lost in the confusion over the new and even more fragile ceasefire in the Iran war.
The ravaged Palestinian territory of 2 million people has seen the most intense fighting stop between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants. But most of the ceasefire work remains to be done, from disarming Hamas and ending its two-decade rule to deploying an international stabilization force and beginning vast reconstruction. Gaza residents are in limbo, with limited aid entering through a single, Israeli-controlled border post.
Such challenges could represent what’s to come in the latest war, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to peacemaking appears to be stopping bombardment and leaving the bigger picture for others to work out.
Read more here:
Gaza marks 6 months of a ceasefire that may offer lessons for the Iran war