Live updates: Don't try to play the U.S. in peace talks, Vance warns Iran, as Strait of Hormuz remains closed

The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to begin negotiations with the U.S., according to the semi-official Fars News agency.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Defense Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the head of the central bank, Abdolnaser Hemmati, and several members of the Iranian parliament are also part of the delegation, the outlet reported.

Iran has stated that its conditions to begin peace talks include a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iranian assets.

The death toll in Lebanon since Israel and Hezbollah began exchanging fire last month has risen to 1,950, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Over 6,300 have been wounded in Israeli attacks on the country as well, the ministry said.

On Wednesday alone, Israel killed 357 people and wounded 1,223 in strikes across Lebanon, including in Beirut. Israel said it killed at least 180 members of Hezbollah in Wednesday's attacks on Beirut, Bekaa and southern Lebanon.

"This toll remains preliminary due to the ongoing work of clearing rubble and the presence of a very large quantity of remains, which necessitates time for DNA testing and confirming the identities of the victims before a final count of the April 8th casualties can be determined," the ministry said.

In an interview with the New York Post today, Trump said U.S. warships were being reloaded with "the best ammunition" to resume airstrikes on Iran if the upcoming diplomatic talks in Pakistan fail.

“We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,” Trump told the publication in a phone interview when asked whether he believed the peace talks would be successful.

Pope Leo XIV amplified his condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on Friday, saying that “God does not bless any conflict” and certainly doesn’t side with those who drop bombs.

Leo spoke during a gathering of top bishops of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq, an Eastern Rite Catholic church whose clerics are in Rome to elect a new patriarch.

Leo said they were signs of hope “in a world marked by senseless and inhuman violence,” especially in the lands of early Christianity that have been “desecrated by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives.”

He told them that no cause can justify the spilling of innocent blood, and he urged them “to proclaim clearly that God does not bless any conflict; to cry out to the world that whoever is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, never stands on the side of those who yesterday wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”

Civilians in southern Lebanon who remained in their homes amid the ongoing fighting are "unable to access basic necessities," including food and water, because Israel has restricted aid convoys to the area, according to Amnesty International.

Israel vowed to establish a security zone in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel from the region last month. The assault has seen the Israeli military strike bridges connecting the region to the rest of Lebanon as well as settlements in the area, issuing sweeping evacuation orders.

In a post on X, Amnesty International cited residents as reporting that humanitarian aid convoys have "almost ceased in recent days" amid the bombardment, with those who wish to leave for areas north of the Litani River "afraid to do so due to Israel’s bombardment of bridges and unsafe alternative routes."

The group called for "safe passage for civilians wishing to leave conflict areas" as well as "unfettered access to humanitarian aid for those remaining."

In a post on X, the head of Iran's national legislature said a ceasefire in Lebanon must be "implemented" before diplomatic talks begin in Pakistan.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf added that Iran's blocked assets must be released before "the commencement of negotiations."

"These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin," Qalibaf said in the post.

Kuwait's army ​said ‌today ​that ​an Iranian attack ⁠targeted ​several ​key National Guard ​facilities, ​injuring a number ‌of ⁠personnel.

"Significant material damage was also inflicted," Col. Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwanarmy, a Kuwaiti military spokesman, said in a post on X.

The Iranian army will not leave the U.S. and Israel unpunished for attacking its country, according to a statement issued by headquarters today, per state news agency IRIB.

This includes, the army said, not relinquishing its legitimate rights to the Strait of Hormuz, which it plans on maintaining control over, the outlet reported.

The army also said it will "deliver a crushing and painful response" if Israel continues its attacks against Hezbollah and the Lebanese people.

Twelve of Lebanon's state security personnel were killed in an Israeli attack on the south of the country in Nabatieh, according to President Joseph Aoun.

Nabatieh has been subjected to the most intense attacks since Israel and Hezbollah began exchanging fire last month.

Israeli raids in the city have resulted in severe destruction and many casualties, including the personnel deaths.

Aoun and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam both extended their condolences to the people of Nabatieh and to State Security following the attacks.

"This tragic loss only strengthens our resolve to achieve a ceasefire that will protect Lebanon and our people in the South," Salam said in a statement.

Aoun called on the international community to help stop Israel's repeated attacks on Lebanon.

Netanyahu announced today that he's removing Spain's representatives from Israel's coordination center after the country "defamed" the Israel Defense Forces, he said in a statement.

Spain has been one of Israel's staunchest critics, electing to withdraw its ambassador to the country last month in protest of its actions in the Middle East.

"Those who attack the State of Israel instead of the terror regimes—those who do so will not be our partners regarding the future of the region," Netanyahu said in the statement.

The chief of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, praised the efforts of his militia in more than 40 days of the war in Lebanon as he vowed resistance to Israeli invasion will continue “until our last breath.”

In a statement shared on Telegram, Qassem said Hezbollah will not accept a return to the status quo and “we call on those in authority to cease making gratuitous concessions.”

Qassem accused Israel of “bloody crimes” in capital Beirut and elsewhere around the country on Wednesday, in which hundreds of people died. “Together, as a state, army, people, and resistance, we will protect our country, restore its sovereignty, and expel the occupier,” he added. 

Nineteen vessels have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the ceasefire on Tuesday evening, according to data from the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic analyzed by NBC News.

Four of the ships were tankers carrying crude oil or chemicals, with the majority of the rest bulk carriers, a kind of merchant ship carrying dry cargo. Three of the vessels were sailing under Iranian flags.

Despite being an increase since Wednesday, when just five ships had transited through the strait in the first 24 hours following the deal, traffic is still significantly below the prewar average of more than 100 vessels passing through the waterway daily.

Vehicles drive beneath a billboard yesterday picturing a scene related to the Strait of Hormuz. Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s post on X calling Israel “evil” and a “curse for humanity” appears to have been deleted as Pakistan is due to host talks between the U.S. and Iran this weekend.

The post, which is now missing from Asif’s account on X, accused Israel of waging “genocide” in Lebanon as peace talks are taking place in Islamabad. “Bloodletting continues unabated” in Gaza, Iran and now Lebanon, the post said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called Asif’s post “outrageous” and not a statement that “can be tolerated from any government, especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peace.”

Vice President JD Vance said he was looking forward to a “positive negotiation” as he left Washington before heading to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran this weekend.

“We are looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive,” Vance said in brief comments to reporters.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” he added. “If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive. So we’re trying to have a positive negotiation.”

The foreign ministers of Pakistan and France have expressed concern about what they called “serious ceasefire violations” in Lebanon.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry shared a readout of the call between Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Jean-Noël Barrot, saying both leaders underscored the importance of full implementation and respect for the ceasefire.

The U.S. and Israel say that the fighting in Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire agreement struck earlier this week between Iran and the U.S., while Tehran insists it was a critical element of the agreement. Pakistan, set to host peace talks this weekend, also said it was part of the ceasefire.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee said he spent six weeks living at a command center but has moved back into his home after this week’s ceasefire.

In a post on X, Huckabee said he was living in one room with two dogs at the command center, “sleeping on cots, making meals in microwave & hot plate, & having very limited movement.”

With the ceasefire in place, Huckabee said he is now back to sleeping in an actual bed. “Being Ambassador is filled w/ luxury & adventure!” he wrote. 

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions earlier today that Iran’s 10-point plan will form the basis of negotiations with the U.S., the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

“We do not seek a ceasefire that allows the aggressor to rearm and carry out aggression again, and we have clearly told our friends that this situation will not be repeated without guarantees,” Takht-Ravanchi said, according to the agency.

He called the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran an “illegal war,” it added, but said Iran’s armed forces “imposed defeat on the American and Israeli aggressors and forced them to change their strategic outlook toward Iran.”

New Israeli strikes in Lebanon targeting what it says is the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah are threatening the fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. Leaders of Iran say Lebanon is an inseparable part of the ceasefire, which the U.S. and Israel dispute. It comes as a White House team is set to meet with Iranian officials in Pakistan for talks this weekend. 

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he and Trump discussed a plan including "military capabilities" to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz in a phone call yesterday.

Starmer traveled to the Middle East earlier this week to hold talks with Gulf partners on ensuring the reopening of the strait.

Speaking as he wrapped up that visit this morning, Starmer said he discussed military capabilities and the logistics of moving vessels though the strait when he spoke with Trump.

Qatar's Minister of State Muhammed Al Khulaifi bids farewell to Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the airport in Doha today. Alastair Grant / WPA Pool via Getty Images

“We’ve been pulling together a coalition of countries ... working on a political, diplomatic plan, but also looking at military capabilities and ... the logistics of actually moving vessels through the Strait,” Starmer said.

His Downing Street office said in a readout that the two leaders had discussed “a practical plan” for Hormuz.

Authorities believe an antisemitic motive prompted vandalism at an Israeli restaurant in Munich where the windows were broken early today, police said. No one was injured.

The owners of the restaurant are Jewish, police told German news agency dpa.

Visuals of the aftermath show that the restaurant is the Eclipse Grillbar, though police did not name it. The restaurant’s website says it is Munich’s first authentic Israeli restaurant; it did not immediately return a request for comment.

Grigori Dratva, the owner’s brother-in-law and an employee, told dpa there hadn’t been any direct threats against the restaurant. They’ve always felt safe in Munich, and plan to reopen, Dratva said. The restaurant had closed for service at 11 p.m. yesterday.

A U.S. Air Force transport aircraft with “Charleston” written on its tail was pictured approaching the Pakistani air force's base Nur Khan today, as Pakistan prepares to host the U.S. and Iran for peace talks.

Reuters

Lebanon is facing a food security crisis as the Iran war disrupts supplies of goods inside the country, the United Nations World Food Programme said.

“What we’re witnessing is not just a displacement crisis, it is rapidly becoming a food security crisis,” World Food Programme country director Allison Oman, said, speaking via video link from Beirut.

She warned that food was becoming increasingly unaffordable due to rising food prices and rising demand among displaced families.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed that recent Iranian attacks on its oil infrastructure included hits to a pumping station on the vital East-West pipeline, which is currently the country’s only outlet for exporting crude oil via the Red Sea terminals with the Strait of Hormuz blockaded by Tehran.

The Saudi State News Agency reported that the attack led to a loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day of pumped volume through the pipeline.

“The continuation of these attacks leads to supply shortages and slows the pace of recovery, impacting the security of supplies for dependent countries and contributing to increased volatility in oil markets,” the agency said.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry condemned attacks on “energy facilities in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” earlier today, calling it a “blatant criminal act” that violates international law and represents a dangerous escalation at a time of intensive international efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Kuwait accused Iran and its proxies of launching drone attacks despite the ceasefire. Iran has denied doing so.

Pakistan’s capital fell unusually quiet today as authorities locked down Islamabad ahead of high-stakes talks between the U.S. and Iran aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire after weeks of war.

Roads were nearly empty, checkpoints were set up at major arteries and a two-day public holiday kept residents indoors. Security was tightened, with additional troops and police deployed across Islamabad.

Vice President JD Vance is set to leave for Pakistan today, while an Iranian delegation was also expected there.

Security personnel stand guard near the expected venue of the U.S.-Iran talks in the Red Zone area of Islamabad today. Aamir Qureshi / AFP via Getty Images

 Aamir Qureshi / AFP via Getty Images

 Aamir Qureshi / AFP via Getty Images

Talks are expected to begin over the weekend, drawing global attention and placing Islamabad at the center of efforts to bring an end to the war.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry told NBC News it will be dispatching a special envoy to Iran to address its stranded marine vessels and crews in the region.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed Chung Byung-ha, Ambassador for Polar Cooperation, as Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister and plans to dispatch him to Iran in the near future,” it said in a text message earlier today.

“Through this visit, the Ministry intends to exchange views on the situation in the Middle East and hold consultations on the safety of South Korean nationals, vessels and crews, as well as issues related to the navigation of all ships, including those of South Korea,” the ministry added.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route in the region, remains effectively closed today despite the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., and Washington’s demands that it be reopened.

The U.S. has accused Iran-backed militants in Iraq of ambushing U.S. diplomats earlier this week in a previously undisclosed incident.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau summoned Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Khirullah yesterday to express the U.S. government’s “strong condemnation of the egregious terrorist attacks” by Iran-aligned militia groups launched from Iraqi territory against U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities, "including the April 8 ambush of U.S. diplomats in Baghdad."

The U.S. Embassy in the Iraqi capital said Wednesday that Iraqi terrorist militia groups conducted multiple drone attacks in the vicinity of the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and Baghdad International Airport.

These attacks come after hundreds in recent weeks against U.S. citizens, diplomatic facilities and commercial interests, a statement on the State Department’s website said, as well as Iraq’s neighbors and Iraqi institutions and civilians, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

The deputy secretary stressed the U.S. will not tolerate attacks on U.S. interests and expects the Iraqi government to immediately take all measures to dismantle the Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq, the statement added. 

Pakistan welcomes "all delegates, including journalists from participating nations" for negotiations expected to take place in Islamabad in the coming days, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X this morning.

Immigration authorities will issue visas on arrival, he said, adding that airlines should allow people to board flights without visas.

Pakistan otherwise requires journalists to apply for a visa before reporting in the country.

Lebanon has become the Israeli military's "primary operational focus," the Israel Defense Forces' chief of the general staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has said.

Speaking on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon yesterday, Zamir said that while Israel was not carrying out operations against Iran in compliance with the ceasefire deal negotiated by Washington and Tehran, it would continue to "operate here in Lebanon."

His comments came as Israel faced mounting global outcry over its deadly assault on Lebanon in its war with Hezbollah, with growing calls for Lebanon to be included in the ceasefire. Tehran has maintained that it was meant to be included under the truce agreed with Washington, while both the U.S. and Israel have said it was not.

“The IDF is in a state of war; we are not in a ceasefire on the northern front," Zamir said, adding that Lebanon would be the Israeli military's "primary operational focus." He warned that "in Iran, we are in a ceasefire, but we can return to operating there at any moment, and with great intensity."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drone specialists who went to the Middle East helped to destroy Iranian Shahed drones in several countries.

Calling it a “success” for Ukraine, Zelenskyy said in a post on X earlier today that it was not about a training mission or exercises, but about “support in building a modern air defense system that can actually work.”

Over more than four years of Russia’s invasion and highly technological drone warfare, Kyiv has built considerable expertise in countering Shahed drones in particular, which Russia uses regularly on Ukrainian territory.

“In those countries that opened up their air defense systems to us, our experts were able to very quickly advise how to make those systems stronger,” Zelenskyy added. “In some cases, we directly shared our experience in actual defense. In any case, all of this has had a very positive outcome, and it commands respect for Ukraine.”

Israel and Hezbollah continued to trade fire overnight, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would pursue direct talks with Lebanon.

Civilians inspect the site as a residential building lies in ruins after an Israeli strike, in Beirut yesterday. Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

The Israeli military said last night it had struck approximately 10 launchers that fired rockets toward northern Israel that evening.

It said it was continuing to locate and dismantle additional launchers.

Hezbollah has said it will continue to fire at Israel until the country ends its sweeping ground invasion and airstrikes on Lebanon.

Thirteen-year-old Naya Fakih smiled as she recorded herself walking down a residential street in Beirut with her dad yesterday, donning pink bunny ears dotted with hearts through a Snapchat filter. 

Seconds later, as Israel launched a barrage of strikes across Lebanon’s capital, she was wailing as the sounds of explosions rang out around her.

“Daddy!” she cries out in the video, her face crumpling into tears as her father pulls her into a building, desperate to bring his young daughter to safety.

Moments before, he had been picking her up from basketball practice, just minutes from their home in Beirut’s Mazraa neighborhood, Naya’s mother, Ghida Margie Fakih, told NBC News yesterday. 

Asian stocks were mostly up this morning, tracking Wall Street gains while oil prices also rose on the fragile ceasefire and ahead of talks in Pakistan.

South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.8% to 5,879.71. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was up 1.6% to 56,789.58.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.7% to 25,919.12, while the Shanghai Composite index was 0.6% higher at 3,991.14. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.4%. Taiwan’s Taiex rose 1.3%, while India’s Sensex gained 0.7%.

Oil was up modestly. Brent crude, the international standard, was 0.5% higher at $96.42 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude was up 0.4% to $98.28 a barrel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had directed his government to seek direct talks with Lebanon, but that there was no ceasefire in the country as Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah exchange strikes.

Iran has insisted Lebanon was part of the ceasefire agreement.

00:33

• Trump ‘optimistic’ about Iran peace deal even as ceasefire appears strained
• Strait of Hormuz shipping traffic is effectively at a standstill despite Iran ceasefire
• Oil prices hover around $100 as concerns about U.S.-Iran ceasefire persist
• Israel’s attacks devastate Beirut and threaten U.S.-Iran ceasefire
• A mother mourning the son she lost in the Iran war says she told Trump: ‘Go get ‘em’