US Vice President Vance Meets Iran's Ghalibaf in Islamabad Amid Fragile Ceasefire Talks

The United States and Iran prepared for high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad, marking the highest-level talks since 1979.

“The Israeli army has carried out a wave of air attacks on Lebanon, killing more than 250 people on Wednesday, the bloodiest day since the US-Israel war on Iran began nearly six weeks ago”

Al Jazeera

Vice President JD Vance was set to meet Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Al Jazeera

The talks came amid a fragile two-week ceasefire that had already shown signs of strain.

Ghalibaf said the delegation had good intentions but we do not trust.

The talks were to address Tehran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, Israel's conflict with Hezbollah, and Iran's nuclear program.

The two-week ceasefire was already under intense pressure before the talks began.

Netanyahu insisted there is no ceasefire in Lebanon.

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat

The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed, with Iranian state media saying it was closed to 99% of ships.

Only ships from countries directly allied with Iran or not deemed hostile were getting through.

New Consumer Price Index data showed prices had risen 3.3% over the year.

Oil prices posted their first significant down week since the war started.

“Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in the United Arab Emirates on the second leg of his trip to Gulf countries amid signs the US-Iran ceasefire is coming under strain”

Alloa Advertiser

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz trapped approximately 600 cargo vessels.

An Iowa farmer told CBS News the cost of filling up had more than doubled since December.

Farm diesel rose from $1.89 to $4.17 per gallon.

The White House insisted these spikes were temporary.

Israel agreed to begin formal peace negotiations with Lebanon.

The U.S. was expected to host Israel-Lebanon talks next week.

AP News

Sir Keir Starmer was visiting Gulf countries.

The World Bank warned global growth could lower by 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points if the ceasefire lasted.

Inflation could rise 200 to 300 basis points.

The Common Sense highlighted fundamental differences in negotiation approaches.

“Lyse Doucet Chief international correspondent If and when a photograph is taken of US Vice President JD Vance standing next to Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Islamabad this weekend, it will make history”

BBC

The Western approach aims to resolve conflict and reach agreement.

BBC

The revolutionary framework views talks as a way to consolidate power.

Compromise in the West is central; for revolutionary actors, it is tactical.

Success for the West is a stable agreement; for revolutionary actors, it is shifting the balance of forces.