Iranian FM in Islamabad as US delegation expected to arrive soon

This live blog follows updates for Day 57 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 56, go here.

• Qatar emir, Trump discuss Washington-Tehran ceasefire
• Iranian FM arrives in Islamabad
• US envoys Witkoff, Kushner to head to Pakistan Saturday for Iran talks: White House
• EU chief says 'vital' the world Strait of Hormuz reopens
• Tehran airport to resume international flights Saturday

Israel targets residential blocks in Khiam, southern Lebanon

Published: April 25, 2026 | 09:54 GMT | by Web Desk 

The Israeli army has carried out bombings in the city of Khiam in southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera.

The strikes, including on residential blocks, came soon after the Israeli military said it was continuing its attacks on southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire extension.

Tehran's Jewish community affirms national unity in public gathering: State media 

Published: April 25, 2026 | 09:54 GMT | by Web Desk 

Members of Tehran’s Jewish community gathered Tuesday evening (April 21, 2026) at Valiasr Square to express solidarity with the public and affirm national unity.

The event was attended by Iran’s senior Jewish religious authority, the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Iran still plans to hold Caspian Summit: Media

Published: April 25, 2026 | 09:39 GMT | by Web Desk 

Tehran continues to intend to hold the Caspian summit, according to Tasnim News Agency.

Kazem Jalali, Iran's ambassador to Moscow, told RIA Novosti that Tehran still plans to organize the Caspian summit.

UK, Finland strongly condemn violence against journalists in Lebanon 

Published: April 25, 2026 | 09:19 GMT | by Web Desk 

A joint statement was issued by the UK and Finland, as co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, on attacks on journalists in Lebanon.

It said, "journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war."

"Attacks on journalists in Lebanon, including journalist Amal Khalil, killed in an Israeli strike on 22 April, are unacceptable," it said.

As co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK and Finland strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers.

"We call on the Israeli authorities and all other parties to make every effort to ensure that media workers in Lebanon can conduct their work freely and safely."

Turkiye could join de-mining operations in Hormuz after peace deal: Fidan

Published: April 25, 2026 | 09:05 GMT | by Web Desk 

Turkiye could join mine clearance operations in the Strait of Hormuz after a peace agreement between the US and Iran, says Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to Al Jazeera.

He told reporters in London that any de-mining work would be carried out by a technical team from various countries and that Turkiye would have “no problem” with participating.

Fidan cautioned that Turkiye would reassess its position if any future technical coalition of countries became a party to renewed conflict.

OIC strongly condemns attack on Kuwait

Published: April 25, 2026 | 08:44 GMT | by Web Desk 

The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on two northern land border posts of the State of Kuwait by two booby-trapped drones coming from the Republic of Iraq, in violation of the sovereignty and security of the State of Kuwait, said an official statement shared on X on Saturday.

"While strongly condemning this attack, the General Secretariat expresses its full solidarity with the State of Kuwait and supports the measures taken by the State of Kuwait to maintain its security and stability."

Pakistan, Egypt FMs stress sustained engagement to advance peace 

Published: April 25, 2026 | 07:43 GMT | by Web Desk 

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke late last night with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, said a post shared on X on Saturday by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The two leaders discussed the ongoing diplomatic efforts being facilitated by Pakistan, and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, the post said. 

They emphasized the importance of sustained engagement to advance peace and stability in the region, and beyond, it added.

Imam Khomeini airport resumes some international flights from Tehran

Published: April 25, 2026 | 07:35 GMT | by Web Desk 

Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport resumed some international flights on Saturday morning, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iran’s semiofficial Mehr news agency.

The initial passenger flights out of Tehran headed to Muscat, Istanbul, and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Mashhad airport, which serves the country’s second city in the far northeast, reopened earlier this week.

British Airways warns of ticket price hikes amid fuel crisis

Published: April 25, 2026 | 05:13 GMT | by Web Desk 

International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, has warned that ticket prices are set to rise as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war on Iran drives oil prices higher, according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement released on Friday, the group explained that the situation in the Middle East will necessitate an increase in flight costs to account for more expensive jet fuel.

According to United Kingdom media reports, airlines typically utilize “hedging” – the practice of purchasing a portion of their fuel in advance at fixed rates – to shield themselves from market volatility.

However, IAG noted that despite these fuel hedges, it is “not immune” to the broader economic fallout from the conflict.

More than 40 container ships still stranded in the Gulf

Published: April 25, 2026 | 05:08 GMT | by Web Desk 

Lloyd’s List is reporting that there are still at least 43 container ships from the world’s 10 biggest container shipping companies stranded in the Middle East Gulf, according to Al Jazeera.

Top carriers have all suspended their services in the region since the war on Iran began in late February, “causing significant delays and rising costs for global trade”, according to Lloyd’s List, a shipping industry journal.

Some ships belonging to CMA CGM, Cosco, Hapag-Lloyd, and MSC were able to “evacuate … safely”, Lloyd’s List added, “although two MSC vessels were seized by Iranian authorities”.

US vows no extensions for Iranian or Russian oil waivers

Published: April 25, 2026 | 03:04 GMT | by Web Desk

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed the US will not renew waivers permitting the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products currently in transit, reports The Associated Press, according to Al Jazeera.

Bessent further emphasised that any extension for Iranian oil currently at sea is completely out of the question.

“Not the Iranians, we have the blockade, and there’s no oil coming out,” he said.

Iran claims significant portion of missile capabilities ‘remains unused’

Published: April 25, 2026 | 02:54 GMT | by Web Desk

The spokesperson for Iran’s Defence Ministry, General Reza Talaei-Nik, has stated that a “significant portion of the missile capabilities” of the country “remains unused”, Al Jazeera reports, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

He also said that Iranian armed forces “maintained control over the skies of the occupied territories until the moment the ceasefire began”, according to Tasnim.

Israeli strikes kill six in Lebanon on Friday: Health ministry

Published: April 25, 2026 | 00:21 GMT | by AFP

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed six people Friday, the Lebanese health ministry said, despite an ongoing ceasefire in the more than six-week war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"The Israeli enemy's airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, April 24, resulted in the martyrdom of six citizens and the injury of two others," the ministry said in a statement.

Two people were killed in Wadi al-Hujair, two were killed in Touline, and one each in Srifa and Yater, all in southern Lebanon, the ministry said.

Iranian foreign minister arrives in Islamabad 

Published: April 24, 2026 | 18:55 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday as part of a high-level visit focused on regional developments and ongoing diplomatic engagement.

He was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

During the visit, Araghchi is expected to hold meetings with Pakistan’s leadership to discuss the evolving regional situation and efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability. 

The visit comes amid continued diplomatic activity following recent Pakistan-facilitated talks, with Islamabad maintaining a central role in supporting dialogue and engagement in the region.