Pakistan Hosts US-Iran Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Violence

Pakistan hosted the first round of negotiations between Iran and the United States after nearly six weeks of war.

“Islamabad, Pakistan – Pavements are being painted, an already formidable security presence is being bolstered, and an air of anticipation — and anxiety — is gripping Pakistan’s capital as it prepares to host meetings that the world will watch this weekend”

Al Jazeera

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the American delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.

Al Jazeera

The Iranian delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohamad Bagher Qalibaf, who set as a condition a ceasefire in Israel in Lebanon and the release of Iranian assets.

The ceasefire remained fragile as Israel and Hizballah continued exchanging attacks, with at least 10 people killed in Israeli bombardments against southern Lebanon.

Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States has more oil than the two largest oil economies combined.

A White House official said the United States has not agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets, contradicting a Reuters report.

Death toll estimates from the Rahman Textile factory fire diverged sharply among sources.

The Bangladeshi government and Reuters placed the figure at 28.

BBC

The Dhaka Tribune and Guardian at 33.

Al Jazeera correspondents at three local hospitals counted at least 41.

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said rescue crews found most of the victims near the stairwells on the third and fourth floors.

Witnesses told the BBC that the factory's main exit was locked when the fire broke out.

Survivors described scenes of workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

“What to know about the Iran war today: - Vice President JD Vance arrived in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad early Saturday for high-stakes negotiations amid a fragile two-week truce”

CBS News

Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024 but had continued operating.

This was not an accident. This was corporate murder.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands, including Hessen and BrandBox.

Both companies said they were deeply saddened by the deaths.

CNBC

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Rahman Textile owner Faisal Rahman issued a statement claiming the factory had passed its most recent safety inspection in January.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust said the audit system was fundamentally broken.

The Dhaka Tribune reported that Rahman was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut.