US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

From Islamabad, Masood Akhtar, a seasoned Pakistani air marshal, opined that the US delegation’s primary objective at the talks is to secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a minimum requirement for them. According to Akhtar, the US also seeks to ensure that nuclear inspectors have unhindered access to designated sites.
Akhtar noted that Iran remains resolute on its core concerns, including its nuclear program and missile stockpiles, and is unlikely to budge on these issues. However, the former military officer suggested that Tehran might be willing to make concessions on its support for proxies in Lebanon and Yemen during negotiations.
Akhtar believes that Iran currently enjoys a slight advantage and has time on its side, despite suffering setbacks at the hands of Israeli and US forces. Conversely, he perceives the US as running out of time to achieve its goals.

US Vice President JD Vance has made a significant arrival in Pakistan, where he will engage in crucial talks with Iranian officials aimed at brokering a resolution to the longstanding conflict between the US and Israel, and Iran.

The introduction of J D Vance injects a new dynamic into the negotiations, as the administration seeks a breakthrough in the talks.
Steve Whitcock and Jared Kushner had previously engaged in discussions with the Iranians, but their efforts fell short of expectations, prompting the administration to bring in Vance, a seasoned negotiator with a unique set of credentials.
Vance’s reputation as a vocal isolationist and long-time critic of US involvement in foreign conflicts may actually prove advantageous in his interactions with the Iranians, potentially allowing for a more open and receptive dialogue.
With clear marching orders from the president, Vance is expected to push for key concessions, including the preservation of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that has a direct impact on global oil prices.
While the president’s guidance remains confidential, it is likely that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open will be a top priority, given the administration’s desire to mitigate the economic fallout of the war and reduce inflationary pressures in the US.
Additionally, Vance will seek to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program, which would involve halting uranium enrichment and addressing the administration’s concerns about the proliferation of nuclear materials.
While the full scope of the administration’s demands remains unclear, it appears that Vance’s primary objectives will be to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict and prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear capability, with other concessions potentially being negotiable.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is keenly awaiting the outcome of the Islamabad talks, but their primary focus remains on having their pressing concerns addressed. Prior to the conflict, the GCC had expressed reservations about the escalating situation, emphasizing that they had not been consulted by US President Donald Trump. As a result, they had warned of the potential devastating consequences of such a war. Even if a ceasefire is established immediately, it may take several months for the GCC to return to its normal operational capacity. The GCC’s main objectives in these talks include resolving their security concerns, ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, and incorporating Lebanon into the ceasefire agreement. There is a growing concern that Israel may attempt to disrupt the negotiations. The GCC is seeking a comprehensive implementation of the ceasefire, the cessation of hostilities, and the unobstructed flow of energy supplies to the global market. The stakes are high, as the Gulf region plays a crucial role in the global economy.

According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, a high-level Iranian delegation has embarked on a diplomatic mission to engage in crucial discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
Sharif and his government officials are playing a pivotal role in facilitating the Iran-US ceasefire negotiations, which are currently underway in the Pakistani capital.

A definitive roster of high-ranking officials has been revealed for the Iranian delegation attending negotiations in Pakistan, comprising the following key members:

Pakistan’s foreign minister expressed optimism that the US and Iran will engage in productive dialogue during peace negotiations, as a US delegation touched down in the country’s capital earlier today. The Pakistani government reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating a mutually beneficial resolution to the conflict, as stated in a recent foreign ministry announcement. According to reports, Iran’s delegation arrived in Islamabad in the late hours of the previous night.

As Pakistani leaders characterize the upcoming talks in Islamabad as a make-or-break moment, ordinary Iranians are exhibiting a profound lack of faith in the United States, according to Dr. Zohreh Kharazmi, a respected associate professor at the University of Tehran’s Faculty of World Studies.

Dr. Kharazmi, speaking with Al Jazeera, emphasized that Iranians are not holding out much hope for the negotiations due to a pervasive sense of distrust. They perceive the US and its allies as unreliable partners in any potential agreements.

Dr. Kharazmi drew attention to a recurring pattern in which past negotiations with the US were exploited as a smokescreen for aggressive actions, citing the Trump administration’s contradictory stance on Iran’s 10-point proposal as a prime example. The proposal was initially accepted, only to be subsequently disregarded.

At the same time, Dr. Kharazmi noted that Iranians believe they possess a significant advantage in the negotiations. They are well aware of the domestic and international pressures faced by the Trump administration, which they believe has left it vulnerable.

Regarding a potential Lebanon ceasefire as a precondition for talks, Dr. Kharazmi was unequivocal: the US holds the key to exerting influence or pressure on Israel. She warned that Israel has a history of sabotaging any opportunities for a ceasefire in the region.

Dr. Kharazmi described Iran’s economic demands – including sanctions relief, the unfreezing of assets, reparations, and tolls on the Strait of Hormuz – as logical and sophisticated. She argued that regaining control over the strait would unlock significant revenue streams and reconnect Iran to the global economy, which has been severely impacted by US economic sanctions and terrorism. The introduction of tolls in Hormuz would also grant the Global South a more substantial share in the global economy, according to Dr. Kharazmi.

Upon his arrival in Pakistan for high-level talks with US representatives, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed his stance, stating that the US must acknowledge Iran’s legitimate rights if a mutually beneficial agreement is to be reached.
According to sources, Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran’s delegation has come to Islamabad with genuine intentions, despite lingering distrust towards the United States.
He pointed out that the US has consistently failed to uphold its obligations in past negotiations with Iran, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.

Hezbollah militants claimed responsibility for launching a coordinated assault against Israeli military personnel stationed at the Kiryat Shmona settlement in northern Israel, utilizing a combination of missile and drone strikes.
The group also asserted that military outposts in Ya’ara were struck by rockets.