Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said after speaking to Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun.

“These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST,” Trump said on his Truth Social network, without mentioning Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

Trump said he had directed US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and top US military officer Dan Caine to work with the two countries “to achieve a Lasting PEACE.”

“It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!” said Trump, who launched the war on Iran alongside Israel on February 28.

Hezbollah then pulled Lebanon into the Middle East war, firing rockets at Israel in support of its backer, Tehran.

Since then, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than one million, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country’s south.

Shortly afterwards, Trump added that “I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House.”

The truce announcement comes amid Washington’s continuing efforts to reach a deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran. Tehran has insisted that a Lebanon ceasefire must be part of any agreement.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war on March 2 after the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, attacked Israel.

Since then, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced more than a million, and Israeli ground forces have invaded the country’s south.

A lawmaker from Hezbollah told AFP the group would “cautiously adhere” to the ceasefire if Israel stopped attacks.

Ibrahim al-Moussawi thanked Iran for having applied pressure in Lebanon’s favour, adding that “the ceasefire would not have happened without Iran considering the ceasefire as equal to closing the Strait of Hormuz.”

‘Breathing room’

The first signs of movement on Lebanon came when Trump said late Wednesday that Aoun and Netanyahu were due to speak on Thursday.

“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon,” Trump said Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, referring to the two countries’ ambassadors meeting held in Washington the day before — the first meeting of its kind since 1993.

But Aoun rejected the US request for a direct phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday, an official source told AFP.

Instead, Aoun’s office confirmed a call during which he thanked the US leader for his “efforts” to secure a ceasefire with Israel.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire, saying a truce was a “key Lebanese demand that we have pursued since the very first day of the war” between Hezbollah and Israel. He also thanked European and Arab states for their involvement.

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen hailed the ceasefire as “a relief.”

But fighting on the ground continued right up until Trump’s announcement.

The Lebanese army said on Thursday that Israeli strikes that destroyed the Qasmiyeh bridge over the southern Litani River have cut off the area from the rest of the country.

The Israeli army on Thursday again called on civilians to evacuate the entire area of southern Lebanon up to the Zahrani River, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of the border.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported clashes in Bint Jbeil, a town five kilometres from the border where Hezbollah fighters are battling the Israeli army.

The White House has said it is discussing a possible second round of talks with Iran in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, after a first round last weekend failed to produce a deal.

But a senior US administration official stressed that any end to the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was not part of talks between Washington and Tehran.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a deal with Iran was “very close” and fresh negotiations could take place later this week, adding he may visit Islamabad if an agreement is reached.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said there had been significant progress in talks aimed at ending six weeks of conflict and ensuring Tehran does not acquire nuclear weapons.

“They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust,” Trump said, referring to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.

“There’s a very good chance we’re going to make a deal.”

Emphasising the core issue, he said: “We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon… They’ve totally agreed to that. They’ve agreed to almost everything, so maybe if they can get to the table, there’s a difference.”

Trump added that negotiations were advancing and a breakthrough could come soon. “Something’s going to happen [that is] very positive,” he said.

Asked if he might travel to Pakistan to sign an agreement, Trump added: I might go, yeah. If the deal is signed in Islamabad, I might go.“

He warned, however, that failure to reach a deal would lead to renewed hostilities. “If there’s no deal, fighting resumes,” he said.

The US president also said Iran had indicated willingness to give up its enriched uranium reserves, which Washington says could be used to build nuclear weapons.

Trump claimed that US military actions had significantly degraded Iran’s naval and air capabilities and said Tehran was now more open to terms it had previously resisted.

He added that the ceasefire with Iran could be extended if needed, but warned that war would resume if talks collapsed.

Highlighting Pakistan’s role, Trump said: “Pakistan has played a very strong role. The Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif] and the Field Marshal [Syed Asim Munir] have done a tremendous job.”

He also said global oil prices were declining and claimed credit for brokering multiple ceasefires worldwide, adding that “very soon something important is going to happen.”

Vice President JD Vance led a US delegation to Islamabad last weekend for talks with Iranian officials but came away empty-handed.

Commenting on the regional situation, Trump said a 10-day ceasefire had been agreed between Lebanon and Israel, with Hezbollah also part of the arrangement.

He said he would meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, without specifying dates.

The US House of Representatives on Thursday rejected an effort to curb President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran, another setback in Democrats’ campaign to force Congress back into decisions over military action in the Middle East.

The vote, held after Democrats forced the issue onto the floor, came as unease over the six-week conflict continued to spread on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers wary of rising costs, an unclear endgame and the risk of a wider war.

The measure would have required Trump to end US military operations against Tehran unless Congress explicitly approved them, invoking the 1973 War Powers Resolution that limits presidential freedom to conduct prolonged hostilities without lawmakers’ consent.

It was largely party-line vote, although one of Trump’s Republicans supported the resolution and another abstained, while a Democrat voted against it.

Democrats argue that Trump launched the conflict jointly with Israel on February 28 without the congressional authorisation required by the constitution, which gives Congress sole power to declare war.

“We are standing at the edge of a cliff, and Congress must act before this president pushes us off. Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp,” Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said ahead of the vote.

The defeat came despite Democrats narrowing the margin from a previous failed House vote in March, when a similar resolution lost by seven votes.

But in the end, Republican support remained too thin.

Trump has so far retained broad backing from his party, despite frustration among some lawmakers over the administration’s refusal to publicly detail the financial and military burden of the war.

At congressional hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, White House budget director Russ Vought declined to estimate the taxpayer cost, and would not confirm an estimate by the Senate Budget Committee’s top Democrat Jeff Merkely that the figure was around $50 billion so far.

Democrats insist failed war powers votes are still valuable because they force lawmakers to go on the record.

The House vote came a day after the Senate again rejected its own war powers effort, though Democratic leaders in both chambers have vowed to keep bringing the issue back.

“Americans are seeing hundreds of casualties in a war that no one has given them the respect to explain,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.

“But one thing is clear: Americans are being asked to foot the bill. With the lives of their sons and daughters. And with the $2 billion a day that we are spending on this conflict that could be going to help Americans afford to go see a doctor.”

Qatar has praised Pakistan’s role in supporting efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Thursday.

The meeting, held at the Emiri Diwan and lasting over an hour, focused on the evolving situation in the Middle East, with both leaders stressing the need for dialogue and coordinated international efforts to ensure regional stability.

PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of attacks targeting Qatar and other Gulf countries, and reaffirmed Islamabad’s “full solidarity and support” for the Qatari leadership and people.

“I had a most warm and cordial meeting with my dear brother, Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha today,” the prime minister said in a post on X.

“We discussed the evolving regional situation, particularly in the Gulf region, and underscored the importance of de-escalation, dialogue, and close international coordination to ensure peace and stability,” he added.

He also thanked the Qatari leadership for “the exceptionally warm and generous gesture of sending Qatar’s fighter jets to escort our aircraft as it entered Qatari airspace.”

“I am truly touched by this gesture, which also embodies the spirit of Qatar’s renowned hospitality and the strength of our enduring ties,” he said.

Both sides emphasised the importance of maintaining smooth global energy supply chains and agreed to enhance coordination in light of ongoing regional developments.

The leaders also reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in key sectors, including security, defence and energy.

In a separate one-on-one meeting, they exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and agreed to maintain close consultation as the regional situation evolves.

The Emir later hosted a luncheon in honour of the prime minister and his delegation.

Shehbaz arrived in Doha earlier in the day on the second leg of his three-country tour, aimed at advancing diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions, including reviving US-Iran talks.

He was received at Doha International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, where a ceremonial guard of honour was presented.

The visit followed his trip to Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and briefed him on Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and spokesperson for international media Musharraf Zaidi.

At least two large oil tankers entered the Gulf apparently bound for Iran in defiance of Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports, news agencies and tracking data indicated Thursday.

A trickle of ships has passed the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days, though the US military said Wednesday that its blockade of vessels going to or from Iranian ports had been fully implemented during the first 48 hours.

On Thursday, two very large crude carriers (VLCC), the RHN and the Alicia, were near Iran’s coast in the Gulf having passed the strait after the US imposed its blockade on Monday, according to data from maritime tracking firm Kpler.

US regional command CENTCOM said more than 10,000 personnel were deployed for the blockade “against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”.

The two supertankers had previously broadcast their destinations as Iraq but changed them to “for order” as they passed the strait, Kpler data showed.

A third VLCC, the Agios Fanouris I, and a liquid petroleum gas tanker, the G Summer, were also in the Gulf after crossing the strait during the blockade and reported their destinations as Iraq, the data showed.

Two other vessels, the container ship Zaynar 2 and empty general cargo ship Neshat, also crossed the strait on Wednesday and Thursday and were detected near the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, according to Kpler’s tracking platform MarineTraffic.

US House Democrats introduced six articles of impeachment against Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of “high crimes and misdemeanours”, including waging war on Iran without congressional approval.

The impeachment resolution is led by Yassamin Ansari, a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona, and has slim chances of passing due to the Republican majority in the House.

Impeachment is the process by which the US House of Representatives brings charges against a government official for alleged wrongdoing, with removal from office only possible if the Senate convicts after a trial.

“I’ve introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran,” Ansari wrote on X.

“Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal.”

The War in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring and dented Trump’s approval ratings ahead of crucial midterm elections in November.

The first impeachment article alleged that Hegseth started the conflict with Iran “without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorisation by the Congress,” and “knowingly exposing members of the Armed Forces of the United States to substantial and foreseeable risk of injury or death.”

Another article held Hegseth responsible for the strike on an Iranian primary school on February 28 — the day the United States and Israel began bombing Iran — which killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers.

The New York Times has reported that the preliminary findings of a US military investigation indicate that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake.

Defence Secretary Hegseth has “authorised, condoned, or failed to prevent the use of military force in a manner inconsistent with the law of armed conflict,” such as the strike on the school, the document read.

The Democrats also criticised Hegseth for so-called “double tap” strikes — hitting targets twice — against alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean.

They said the double-tap strikes were illegal and undermined rules of engagement designed to protect non-combatants.

Other allegations included “negligence and reckless handling” of sensitive military information, as well as obstructing congressional oversight, referring to Hegsteth’s use of commercial messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told news outlet Axios “This is just another Democrat trying to make headlines as the Department of War decisively and overwhelmingly achieved the President’s objectives in Iran.”

The United States has warned it could target Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and restart full-scale combat operations if Tehran refuses to agree to a peace deal, as Washington tightens a sweeping naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

US forces in the Middle East are “postured to restart combat operations immediately,” top American military officials said on Thursday, underscoring the risk of rapid escalation.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade, now in its fourth day, would continue indefinitely as part of efforts to pressure Iran.

“The United States will block all shipping to and from Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz for ‘as long as it takes,’” he said.

“Let me be clear, this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality,” Hegseth told a news briefing.

“For as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade.”

Addressing Iran directly, he said: “You Iran, can choose a prosperous future, a golden ⁠bridge, and we hope that you do for the people of Iran.”

“But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.”

Hegseth warned of a sharp military imbalance, saying: “this is not a fair fight, ⁠and we know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to.”

He added that Washington was closely monitoring Iranian movements and operating at heightened readiness, with only a fraction of US forces currently deployed.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said US forces were “ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice.”

He said US Navy ships would pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or those providing material support to Iran, with enforcement extending across Iranian territorial waters and international waters.

Ships attempting to breach the blockade would be intercepted and warned that “If ⁠you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force”.

Caine said the objective of the operation was to choke Iran’s oil exports and disrupt its maritime activity.

“The blockade applies to all vessels heading to Iranian ports,” he said, adding that 13 ships had already turned back rather than risk confrontation.

He noted that no vessels had been boarded so far, but said the blockade had effectively halted Iranian exports.

Caine added that military rules would be enforced across Iranian maritime zones, while US forces remained ready to launch strikes “at a moment’s notice.”

Hegseth said the United States could escalate further if Iran failed to reach an agreement, including targeting its nuclear infrastructure to reopen shipping lanes.

He also defended the operation as sustainable, saying Washington could maintain control of the strategic waterway for as long as required.

The Trump administration has expressed optimism about a potential deal but warned that economic and military pressure would intensify if Iran remains defiant.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir met Iranian Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Thursday, as Islamabad continues its diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington.

Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in the Iranian capital on Wednesday and is leading a high-level political and security delegation comprising officials from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, security institutions, and technical experts.

According to sources and official statements, the delegation’s discussions are focused on exploring a framework for a possible second round of indirect negotiations.

Islamabad has emerged as a potential venue for the next round of talks following an earlier round of discussions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the Pakistani delegation was holding talks in Tehran, noting that indirect communication between Iran and the United States is ongoing.

“Following the talks that took place in Islamabad, and discussions the Pakistani side has had with the United States, our positions have been conveyed and heard,” Baghaei said.

He added that the visit would include detailed exchanges of views on the negotiating process.

The diplomatic engagement comes as a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States remains in place, after being brokered with Pakistan’s mediation following weeks of intense hostilities.

Iran has suspended all petrochemical exports until further notice in a move aimed at prioritising domestic demand and preventing shortages of raw materials, according to media reports on Thursday.

The decision, reported by the economic newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad, follows disruptions to production after recent Israeli strikes on several key petrochemical facilities.

Citing industry officials, the report said the instruction was issued on April 13 by a senior National Petrochemical Company official overseeing downstream operations, directing firms to temporarily halt exports.

The measure is intended to stabilise domestic supply chains and ensure sufficient feedstock for local industries after damage to infrastructure in major production zones.

Petrochemical hubs in Asaluyeh and Mahshahr were among those affected, with strikes reportedly hitting utilities that supply feedstock to processing plants and disrupting output.

Despite increasing international prices, domestic petrochemical product rates were kept at pre-conflict levels to support local industries and consumers during the ongoing crisis period.

The export suspension comes amid broader regional tensions, including US military moves this week to restrict shipping traffic in and out of Iranian ports as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran.

According to Fars News, Iran produces around 29 million tons of petrochemical products annually, valued at approximately $13 billion in exports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a detailed meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Thursday, during which both leaders discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf amid the Iran conflict.

According to a statement, the two sides exchanged views on regional peace and stability, with particular emphasis on reducing tensions, strengthening cooperation, and underscoring the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate the situation.

The prime minister strongly condemned recent attacks on Qatar and other regional countries, expressing Pakistan’s full solidarity with the people and leadership of Qatar.

He said Pakistan stood firmly with its “brotherly people” in Qatar and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.

Both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed a common resolve to enhance cooperation in key areas, including security, defence, and energy.

Prime Minister Sharif also appreciated Qatar’s warm hospitality, saying it reflected the deep and longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries.

Arrival in Doha

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Qatar on Thursday on an official visit, the second stop of his three-country tour, as part of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to revive US-Iran talks.

On arrival in Doha, Prime Minister Shehbaz was warmly received by senior Qatari officials.

The prime minister earlier held detailed discussions in Saudi Arabia, where he briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the progress on Islamabad’s efforts to defuse tensions in the region.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, welcomed the prime minister and the accompanying Pakistani delegation at Doha International Airport.

A ceremonial guard of honour was presented by the Qatar Armed Forces in recognition of the visiting delegation.

The airport and parts of Doha city were decorated with Pakistani flags on the occasion, reflecting the close ties between the two countries.

The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and the prime minister’s spokesperson for international media Musharraf Zaidi.

Pakistan said on Thursday that the US and Iran are willing to hold talks again soon, but there is no information yet on the venue for a second round.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that Lebanon was also part of the two-week ceasefire currently in effect.

“Peace in Lebanon is essential for peace talks,” the spokesperson said.

Andrabi said that Islamabad’s sustained diplomatic engagement played a key role in facilitating a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

The official stressed that Islamabad continued to keep communication channels open between the two sides as part of its broader peace efforts in the Middle East.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability had been widely recognised internationally.

He added that the country remained “firmly committed” to promoting peace through dialogue and mediation.

He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had both been actively engaged in maintaining contact with relevant stakeholders, ensuring that “channels of communication between the parties remained open” during sensitive negotiations.

The spokesperson said the details of the negotiations were treated as confidential by all parties involved, adding that operational matters — including delegation composition and participation — were decided solely by the negotiating sides.

He confirmed that Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently undertaking a three-country regional tour focused on diplomatic outreach.

Andrabi said Pakistan had also maintained contact with several global leaders, noting telephone conversations between the prime minister and the leaders of Qatar, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada, reflecting broad international engagement during the crisis.

He added that Pakistan hosted peace talks in Islamabad and had played a “constructive role” in facilitating dialogue between the parties, which ultimately contributed to de-escalation and a ceasefire agreement.

The spokesperson said Pakistan’s approach had been “quiet, confidential and trust-based,” and urged the media to avoid speculation regarding sensitive diplomatic engagements.

He also noted that Pakistan had recently hosted talks with Afghanistan in Urumqi, adding that the delegation had returned and Islamabad was awaiting verifiable assurances from Kabul.

Separately, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s position on regional issues, including opposition to India’s recent administrative changes in occupied Kashmir, which he described as an attempt to alter the region’s demographic structure.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan considers the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir “non-negotiable.”

The United States is preparing to intensify economic pressure on Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce a deal or extend a ceasefire set to expire next week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a White House briefing, Bessent said the administration is ready to escalate sanctions in what he described as the “financial equivalent” of a military campaign, targeting Iran’s access to global oil revenues and financial networks.

The proposed measures would expand secondary sanctions on entities and countries doing business with Iranian-linked individuals, firms and vessels — including those in third countries such as the United Arab Emirates and China.

Bessent said Washington has already warned foreign governments and companies against purchasing Iranian oil or holding Iranian funds in their banking systems, adding that the US is prepared to take “very stern measures” if such activity continues.

“If you are buying Iranian oil, if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions,” he said.

“The Iranians should know this is going to be the financial equivalent of what we saw in the kinetic activities.”

The remarks come as the Trump administration weighs its next steps in the conflict, with uncertainty over whether a ceasefire extension or broader agreement can be reached in the coming days.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity and support for Saudi Arabia amid recent regional escalation and appreciated the country’s “exemplary” patience and restraint, stating that Saudi leadership in the current crisis was a “source of strength” for all peace-loving people in the Kingdom and beyond.

The prime minister, during the “warm and cordial” meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah that lasted almost two hours, held detailed discussions on the evolving regional situation.

Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz conveyed deep condolences over the loss of precious lives during the recent regional escalation and said that the people of Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with their Saudi brethren.

He shared with the Saudi crown prince the recent developments related to Pakistan’s peace efforts that led to the US-Iran ceasefire and the recently held round of “historic” talks between both warring countries in Islamabad.

He reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to advancing its efforts to encourage both the US and Iran towards an agreement aimed at lasting peace and stability in the region, and thanked the crown prince for his support of Pakistan’s sincere peace efforts.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation, the prime minister is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye from April 15 to 18.

Earlier, as he arrived at Jeddah Airport, he was received by the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mushaal bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al Malki and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq.

The Saudi crown prince appreciated the constructive role of Prime Minister Shehbaz and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in the peace process.

While exchanging views on bilateral issues, the prime minister expressed his sincere appreciation for the crown prince for the Kingdom’s consistent support for Pakistan’s economic stability.

He also highlighted that Pakistan and the Kingdom enjoyed a unique relationship as they were both strategic defence partners under the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.

Both leaders expressed their shared commitment to further strengthening the bilateral enduring partnership and continuing close cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

Deputy Prime Minister Dar, who accompanied the prime minister, wrote on X that the meeting was “marked by warmth, brotherhood, and a shared vision for a stronger Pakistan-Saudi Arabia partnership”.

He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom, built on faith, trust, and mutual respect, and explored avenues to further enhance cooperation across all sectors.

“Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis, and we remain committed to strengthening this historic and fraternal relationship for generations to come,” Dar added.

A second US-sanctioned supertanker ​has entered the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz, shipping data showed, despite ‌a US blockade on vessels visiting Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump announced the blockade on Sunday after weekend peace talks in Islamabad between the US and Iran failed to reach a deal.

The US Central Command said on X that 10 ​vessels have been turned around and no ships have broken through since the start of ​the blockade on Monday.

Still, Iran’s Fars News Agency said on Wednesday that an Iranian ⁠supertanker subject to US sanctions crossed the strait towards Iran’s Imam Khomeini port despite the blockade. ​

Fars did not identify the tanker or give further details of its voyage.

The empty Very Large Crude ​Carrier (VLCC) RHN entered the Gulf on Wednesday, data from LSEG and Kpler showed.

It was not immediately clear where the VLCC, which is capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil, is heading.

The tanker’s entry into the Gulf ​comes a day after the US-sanctioned VLCC Alicia passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Alicia is ​heading to Iraq, Kpler data showed.

Both tankers have records of carrying Iranian oil in the past few years, according ‌to ⁠Kpler data.

Vessels that have been forced to turn back include the US-sanctioned tanker Rich Starry, which returned to the Gulf on Wednesday, a day after exiting.

The US has warned it could add secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil in an apparent effort to gain leverage ahead of more negotiations, just weeks ​after Washington loosened the ​enforcement of some Iranian ⁠energy sanctions.

Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of ​proposals it has offered in negotiations with the US, providing a deal is ​clinched to ⁠prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

The US blockade is expected to reduce Iran’s crude exports, although the OPEC producer could sustain its current production at 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) for weeks ⁠by ​storing oil in onshore tanks, analysts say.

Iran exported 1.84 million ​bpd of crude in March and has shipped 1.71 million bpd thus far in April, compared with an average of 1.68 ​million bpd in 2025, according to Kpler data.

Iran can withstand a complete halt ​in oil exports of up to two months before being forced to curb production, ‌analysts said, after the US began blocking shipping in and out of the country’s ports on April 13.

The blockade could prevent roughly 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude from reaching its main buyer China.

Any Iranian production shutdowns would add ​to more than 12 million bpd of supply already disrupted by the regional war, tightening markets ​further and lifting oil prices.

With its exports blocked, Iran faces having to divert crude ⁠into onshore storage tanks.

Once those tanks are filled, the OPEC member would be required to curb ​upstream output.

Consultancy FGE NextantECA estimates Iran has about 90 million barrels of available onshore crude storage capacity, ​out of total capacity of roughly 122 million barrels.

“Iran can sustain current production of around 3.5 million bpd for roughly two months without exports, extendable to around three months with a modest 500,000 bpd production cut,” FGE NextantECA said in ​a note.

Iranian domestic refineries process about 2 million bpd of oil, they added.

The relevant Iranian authorities were ​not immediately available for comment.

Energy Aspects assumes significantly lower available onshore storage of about 30 million barrels, based on ‌data from ⁠Kayrros.

Under that scenario, Iran could maintain current export levels for about 16 days before storage capacity runs out, based on export levels of 1.8 million bpd.

“The blockade may not have a significant impact on Iranian production in April, but if it continues into May then output would need to be reduced substantially,” ​said Richard Bronze, co-founder ​of Energy Aspects.

He said ⁠the consultancy assumes Iran cannot utilise its full nameplate storage capacity, adding that historic data show stocks peaked at 92 million barrels in May 2020, which ​likely marks a realistic ceiling.

Bronze also said Iran will likely deploy available oil ​tankers in ⁠ports as floating storage, delaying production cuts.

The US military said more vessels were being turned back under the blockade, including the Chinese-owned tanker Rich Starry, which is under US sanctions and which was seen heading back through the ⁠Strait ​of Hormuz on Wednesday.

Eight Iran-linked oil tankers have been intercepted since ​the blockade began on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A US destroyer stopped two tankers attempting to leave Iran’s Chabahar ​port on the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, a US official said.

Iran could consider allowing ships to ​sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has ‌offered in negotiations with the United States, providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.

The US-Israeli war with Iran has resulted in the largest-ever disruption of global oil and gas supplies due to Iran’s interruption of traffic through the strait, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas ​flows.

Hundreds of tankers and other ships and 20,000 seafarers have been stuck inside the Gulf since the war began on February 28.

A ​two-week ceasefire came into effect on April 8, and US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the war ⁠was close to over, but control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue in negotiations.

The source, who declined to be ​identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Iran could be willing to let ships use the other side of the narrow strait ​in Omani waters without any hindrance from Tehran.

The source did not say whether Iran would also agree to clear any mines it may have placed in that stretch of water or if all ships — even those linked to Israel — would be allowed to pass freely.

But the source added that the proposal hinged on whether ​Washington was prepared to meet Tehran’s demands, a condition that was central to any potential breakthrough with the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House ​did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Iran’s Foreign Ministry was not immediately available to comment.

A Western security source said the proposal to let ships ‌pass ⁠through Omani waters unhindered had been in the works, although it was not clear if there had been any response from Washington yet.

The strait, a strip of water only 34 km wide between Iran and Oman, provides passage from the Gulf to the Indian Ocean and is a main route for energy supplies from the Middle East and other vital goods, including fertilisers.

The proposal would be the first visible step by Tehran to pull ​back from more combative ideas floated in recent ​weeks, which included charging ships ⁠for passage through the international waterway and imposing sovereignty on the strait — seen by the global shipping industry as unprecedented unilateral steps in breach of maritime conventions.

Member countries of the UN’s International Maritime Organisation agency meeting ​in London this week pushed back on the idea of a toll being imposed by Iran ​for ships using the ⁠strait, which the IMO has said would “set a dangerous precedent”.

Iran’s proposal would also be the first move towards restoring the status quo on sailing through the strait, which had been in place for decades despite periodic seizures by Iran of ships crossing the waterway.

A so-called two-way traffic separation scheme, which was adopted ⁠by the UN’s shipping ​agency in 1968 with the agreement of countries in the region, created the current ship routing ​system that split sailing corridors through Iranian and Omani waters.

The US imposed a blockade on oil ships leaving Iranian ports on Monday, and broader shipping traffic has remained muted ​since February 28.

Optimism grew on Thursday that the war in the Middle East may be near an end, with a key Pakistani mediator in Tehran and the administration of President Donald Trump talking up hopes ​for a deal that would open the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Israel’s cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Lebanon, a senior Israeli official said, more than six weeks into its ‌war with Hezbollah.

Trump said talks between leaders of both countries would take place on Thursday, while the Financial Times reported a ceasefire could be announced soon, citing Lebanese officials.

Ending the fighting in Lebanon was a key sticking point in earlier peace talks, along with how to deal with Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

“We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference on Wednesday, calling conversations mediated by ​Pakistan “productive and ongoing.”

She denied reports that the US had formally requested an extension of a two-week ceasefire agreed by the two sides on April 8.

More in-person talks had ⁠not yet been confirmed but would likely take place in Pakistan again, Leavitt said.

Pakistan’s military confirmed Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had arrived in Tehran.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had mediated the last round of talks, would seek “to ​narrow gaps” between the two sides.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X, welcoming Field Marshal Asim Munir and said Tehran was committed to “promoting peace and stability in the region.”

The talks last weekend broke down without an agreement to end the war, which ​Trump began alongside Israel on February 28, triggering Iranian attacks on Iran’s Gulf neighbours as well as reigniting the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

Thousands of people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, while soaring energy costs have rattled investors and policymakers around the world.

Stock markets have rallied strongly in recent days on expectations of a swift resolution to the fighting, with indexes on Wall Street hitting record highs on Wednesday as crude oil prices steadied.

“While there are hopes for de-escalation, many investors remain sceptical, given that US-Iran talks have repeatedly broken down even ​after appearing to make progress,” said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.

Talks complicated by nuclear issue

Iran’s nuclear ambitions were ⁠a key sticking ​point at last weekend’s talks.

The US proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran — an apparent concession from longstanding demands for ​a permanent ban — while Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.

Washington has also pressed for any enriched nuclear material to be removed from Iran, while Tehran has demanded that international sanctions against it be lifted.

One source involved in the talks ​said back-channel discussions had made progress in narrowing gaps, bringing the two sides closer to a deal that could be presented at a new round of talks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the Saudi leadership on Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to help defuse tensions between the United States and Iran, according to an official statement released on Thursday.

The development took place during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

The meeting, held on Wednesday, lasted more than two hours and was attended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

During the talks, Sharif outlined Islamabad’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at reviving dialogue between Washington and Tehran, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting regional peace efforts.

He also conveyed Pakistan’s “full solidarity and support” for Saudi Arabia amid recent security challenges.

According to the statement, the crown prince praised the “constructive role” played by both Sharif and Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in ongoing peace efforts linked to the Middle East conflict.

Pakistan traditionally maintains close strategic ties with Saudi Arabia while also preserving working relations with Iran.

Islamabad also inked a longstanding defence agreement with Riyadh.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of retaliatory attacks launched by Iran against Saudi Arabia and other regional countries.

Sharif commended the Kingdom’s restraint under the crown prince’s leadership, while reiterating Pakistan’s support for its security and sovereignty.

The visit is part of a wider diplomatic push by Pakistan to coordinate with key regional partners as it seeks to reduce tensions and encourage dialogue between rival powers.

Field Marshal Asim Munir held high-level talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran as part of Pakistan’s efforts to revive US-Iran negotiations aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, with officials indicating that some progress has been made on the contentious issue of Iran’s uranium enrichment.

Sources familiar with the mediation effort say there is growing optimism about securing a breakthrough in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Islamabad’s latest diplomatic push is centred on a possible understanding over Tehran’s nuclear programme, with officials indicating that conditions may be aligning for a limited agreement — potentially involving constraints on uranium enrichment — in exchange for de-escalation and renewed talks.

Quoting experts, the report claimed Iran has not operated centrifuges since mid-2025, following US strikes on key facilities — a factor that could create space for compromise if verified.

According to sources familiar with the process, the unpublicised visit of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is part of a broader, coordinated effort involving both military and civilian leadership.

The initiative is tied to what insiders describe as a “major breakthrough” under discussion on the nuclear front, though details remain closely held.

The effort is unfolding through a multi-layered strategy.

In Islamabad, representatives from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan recently convened as part of a “Quad” consultation aimed at aligning regional stakeholders ahead of further diplomatic engagements.

The meeting came just before talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Saudi crown prince.

Sharif has since embarked on a regional tour, with planned visits to Qatar and Türkiye, where he is expected to push for greater coordination among allies to sustain dialogue channels with Tehran and Washington.

According to the report, Pakistan’s military leadership has been in touch with senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation efforts, thanking Islamabad for its “gracious hosting of dialogue” and emphasising shared commitments to regional peace and stability.

Diplomatic urgency has increased ahead of an April 22 deadline tied to a temporary ceasefire framework.

However, despite the positive outlook, officials cautioned that significant obstacles remain.

They pointed out that resistance to any deal existed across the region and beyond, including factions within Iran and the United States.

The sources also point to Israel as a key opponent of any agreement, arguing it favours sustained pressure over diplomatic resolution.

For now, Islamabad appears to be positioning itself at the centre of a delicate diplomatic balancing act, seeking to leverage its ties with both Washington and Tehran — as well as regional powers — to prevent further escalation and revive negotiations.

A trickle of ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday and Wednesday as a US blockade appeared to further curb traffic in the trade route already paralysed by Iranian forces, marine tracking data showed.

The crucial waterway normally sees about a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through it, but traffic has been almost halted since the US and Israeli strikes on Iran sparked the war on February 28.

Here are the latest developments in the strait, using maritime data from ship tracking firm Kpler unless stated otherwise:

US blockade enforced

The US military said the blockade of vessels either departing or destined for Iranian ports had been fully implemented during the first 48 hours.

“No vessels have made it past U.S. forces. Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area,” regional command CENTCOM said on X.

It posted photos and audio of its warships and operations in the area, saying more than 10,000 personnel were deployed for the blockade “against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas”.

Ships turn around

Sanctioned Chinese tanker Rich Starry, laden with methanol from Iran, crossed the Strait on Tuesday but U-turned and was close to Iran’s Qeshm island on Wednesday evening.

The Iranian-flagged container ship Golbon, sanctioned by the US, made it through the strait overnight but ground to a halt as it approached Pakistan and was last detected close to the Iranian port of Chabahar.

The Kashan, another Iranian-flagged container ship, appeared to have made it out of the Gulf of Oman on its way to India, but made an abrupt U-turn at around 1300 GMT and headed back towards the strait.

Tankers enter Gulf

Petrochemical tankers G Summer, Alicia and Agios Fanourios I, all sanctioned by the US for transporting Iranian products, passed westwards through the strait towards the Gulf using the so-called “toll” route set up by Iran, although all listed their destination as Iraq.

Bulk carrier Christianna and sanctioned tanker Elpis both passed eastwards through the strait away from the Gulf, having left Iranian ports, but later appeared to be stopped close to the UAE.

The only vessel destined for an Iranian port that has made it westwards through the strait is the Rosalina, which is laden with corn, according to Kpler.

The US has said that humanitarian shipments would be exempt from the blockade, according to news reports.

Another vessel, Seachampion, left the strait in the opposite direction having delivered soy beans to Iran, and was heading to Oman.

Massive slowdown

Just 388 commodity carriers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz between March 1 and April 15, 255 of them oil and gas tankers, and most were heading east away from the Gulf, Kpler data showed.

Only 16 commodity vessels have made the crossing since the US blockade came into force on Monday.

Vessels stuck

Around 670 commodity vessels sent signals from west of the strait on Tuesday, having apparently been stuck there since the end of February, according to data from maritime companies collated by Bloomberg.

Of those, 332 were oil or gas tankers.

More than 55 very large crude carriers are stuck in the Gulf – including nine owned by Japanese companies and several owned by companies from China, Greece and South Korea, according to Bloomberg data and other maritime companies.

Dozens of vessels targeted

No new attacks on ships have been reported since the start of a ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran last week.

Some 30 commercial ships, including 13 tankers, have been attacked or reported incidents in the region since March 1, according to the IMO, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre and Vanguard Tech.

China’s top diplomat told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing “supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and peace talks” in a phone call on Wednesday, as negotiators from Pakistan landed in Tehran to discuss a second round of US-Iran talks.

Peace talks are “in the fundamental interests of the Iranian people and are also the shared hope of regional countries and the international community,” Wang Yi said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

He said China was willing to continue to play a “constructive role” towards peace in the Middle East after a first round of Iran-US talks in Islamabad at the weekend failed to reach an agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran “looks forward to China playing a positive role in promoting peace and a cessation of conflict”, according to the Chinese readout.

Araghchi also expressed “Iran’s willingness to continue seeking a rational, realistic solution through peaceful negotiations”, it said.

Wang also said Iran’s “sovereign security and legitimate rights and interests should be respected and safeguarded” as a country bordering the vital Strait of Hormuz, while “at the same time… freedom of navigation and security should be guaranteed”.

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, as Islamabad intensified efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran.

The visit is aimed at advancing diplomatic engagement and easing regional tensions.

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, as Islamabad intensified efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also part of the delegation. The visit is aimed at advancing diplomatic engagement and easing regional tensions.

The delegation was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Sources said that the delegation is expected to discuss the possible next phase of negotiations.

Sources indicate a second round of US-Iran talks is likely to be held in Islamabad by the end of next week, with authorities directed to finalise security and administrative arrangements.

The expected US delegation may include Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Iran is expected to be represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Araghchi.

The diplomatic push follows recent talks in Islamabad that lasted over 20 hours but ended without agreement, as both sides remained divided on key issues including Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, the Strait of Hormuz, and US sanctions.

The conflict, which began on February 28 with a joint US-Israel campaign against Iran, escalated rapidly, disrupting regional stability and global energy routes.

A temporary two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 after efforts led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also invited both sides to Islamabad for dialogue.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Islamabad has continued backchannel diplomacy.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that Tehran and Washington are exchanging messages through Pakistan, underlining its growing role as a key intermediary.

Senior UAE and Iranian officials held a call to discuss de-escalation on Wednesday, UAE state media reported, the first high-level call since ties deteriorated over the US-Iran war.

UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan “held a phone call with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, during which they discussed regional developments and ways to de-escalate tensions in the region”, according to a statement released by the WAM news agency.

The discussion comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and continued diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

Since the start of the Middle East war, the UAE has taken a hawkish tone towards Iran, recalling its ambassador and closing its embassy after Tehran began its campaign targeting the Emirates and other Gulf countries.

The Gulf states joined Bahrain in calling for UN Security Council action on the Strait of Hormuz.

Since February 28, oil tanker traffic through the strait has fallen by more than 90 per cent after Iran closed it.

The UAE has endured a large number of missile and drone attacks originating from Iran during the conflict before US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire on April 8.

United Nations experts on Wednesday condemned Israel’s bombing in ​Lebanon earlier this month as “illegal ‌aggression and indiscriminate bombing campaign”, the United Nations Human Rights Council ​said.

“This is not self-defence. ​It is a blatant violation ⁠of the UN Charter, a ​deliberate destruction of prospects for ​peace, and an affront to multilateralism and the UN-based international order,” the ​experts were quoted as saying ​in a statement.

Israel carried out its heaviest ‌strikes ⁠on Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah broke out last month, killing more than 250 ​people on ​April ⁠8, as the Iran-aligned group resumed rocket attacks ​on northern Israel after ​a ⁠brief pause under a two-week US-Iran ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ⁠Netanyahu ​had said Lebanon ​was not part of the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China has agreed not to send weapons to its close partner Iran and that he has received personal assurances from leader Xi Jinping.

Last week, he threatened countries with an immediate 50% tariff if they ​supplied Iran with weapons.

“They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to his planned May 14-15 summit with Xi in Beijing.

Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo in a separate interview aired Wednesday that Xi had “essentially” promised not to deliver weapons.

“I had heard that China’s giving weapons to, I mean — you’re seeing it all over the place — to Iran,” Trump said.

“And I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially he’s not doing that.”

The conflict in the Middle East has added tension to the already complicated relationship between the world’s top economic powers.

The Trump-Xi summit had originally been scheduled for March but was delayed due to Trump’s decision to launch the war.

China accused the United States on Tuesday of “dangerous and irresponsible” behaviour over its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, with Xi vowing Beijing would play a “constructive role” in promoting peace in the Middle East.

In his Truth Social post, Trump insisted that “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also - And the World.”

China is Iran’s biggest trading partner and a major client for the country’s oil.

Trump was asked in the Fox interview about reports that China had recently conducted a major cyber attack against the FBI. He did not directly confirm the report, but said, “We do it to them. They do it to us.”

“China’s China,” he said. “They’re never easy, but we’re doing great with China.”

Trump said he was “the toughest person” on China.