The possibility of renewed talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war appeared to take shape on Friday, as representatives from the two countries, long-standing adversaries, were sent to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. However, there is no guarantee that direct negotiations will take place, two weeks after the failure of the initial attempt.
At the same time, the ceasefire in Lebanon, the other main front of hostilities, appeared extremely fragile.
The war in the Middle East, which began with the US and Israel’s attack on Iran on February 28, has claimed thousands of lives, mostly in the Islamic Republic and Lebanon, and has shaken the global economy.
Talks between Washington and Tehran, which began two weeks ago and were suspended after fifteen hours, were expected to resume in Islamabad, while the ceasefire had been unilaterally extended by the United States until further notice.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday evening for discussions with senior Pakistani officials.
However, “no Iran–US meeting is planned,” Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said via X, noting that Iran’s positions would instead be conveyed to the American side through Pakistani mediators.
Envoys of US President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected to travel to Pakistan for talks “with representatives” of Iran, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt had previously stated, adding that the meeting was requested by Tehran.
US Vice President J.D. Vance, who led the American delegation two weeks ago, is not expected to attend this time, though this could change if progress is made, Leavitt clarified.
After Pakistan, Araghchi is expected to continue his diplomatic tour with stops in Oman and Russia.
Meanwhile, shipping disruption continues in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes, as the waterway remains under a dual blockade by Iran and the United States.
Markets reacted with cautious optimism to the prospect of renewed negotiations. The price of WTI crude fell to $94.40 per barrel (-1.51%), while Brent crude rose slightly, closing at $105.33 (+0.25%).
Fragile ceasefire in Lebanon
On the Lebanese front, the ceasefire announced on Thursday by President Trump as extended for three weeks, following talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives at the White House, is already under serious strain.
“Airstrikes by the Israeli enemy in southern Lebanon resulted in the martyrdom of six civilians and the injury of two others,” Lebanon’s Health Ministry said in a statement released late Friday.
The Israeli military stated that it killed six Hezbollah fighters during exchanges of fire, after reporting that the group had shot down an Israeli drone.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to “sabotage” efforts to achieve a “historic peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”
Hezbollah, which is accused of dragging Lebanon into the war by resuming hostilities with Israel on March 2, called on the Lebanese state to refrain from direct negotiations with Israel, arguing that extending the ceasefire “makes no sense” given ongoing “hostile actions” by Israeli forces.
“We will return to our home”
The Israeli military on Friday ordered the urgent evacuation of residents from a village in southern Lebanon, the first such order since the ceasefire extension. Lebanon’s official news agency ANI later reported Israeli shelling in Deir Ames.
Direct negotiations with Israel “mean recognizing the enemy,” said 74-year-old Ahmad Soumari, who, despite his hesitation, decided to leave Saida, where he had taken refuge, and return to his village following the US announcement of the ceasefire extension.
“We will return to our home,” he said, surrounded by bags and mattresses, expressing hope that “the ceasefire will become permanent.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced the death of another Indonesian peacekeeper, who had been injured on March 29 in the south.
Source: Proto Thema
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