Iran’s Foreign Minister to Visit Pakistan, Signaling Potential Renewed War Talks
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to commence a trip on Friday, including stops in Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, according to Iranian state media.
The state news agency IRNA stated,
“The purpose of this visit is to hold bilateral consultations, and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation in the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.”
The Pentagon chief expressed openness to a
“serious European effort”concerning the Strait of Hormuz and criticized a recent leaders’ conference as a
“silly conference.”
He emphasized the strategic importance of military capabilities, stating,
“I think it’s a wake up call. It’s a wake up call for countries around the world. Either you have capabilities or you don’t. Otherwise, you’re at the behest of a country, like Iran and the only country that can do something about it, is the United States military.”
He further warned that any attempts by Iran to deploy additional mines in the strait would violate the ceasefire agreement.
Commentator Pete Hegseth noted that transit through the strait is occurring but remains limited and risky, attributing the situation to Iran’s threats against vessels, including cruise ships.
He described the situation as
“a real, full blockade,”and stated,
“We’ll use up to and including lethal force if necessary - and that stopped. And other ships have taken note of that. So any ships that have attempted, there’s been levels of escalation, but none that far. And they’ve turned around.”
Hegseth urged that this should not be solely America’s responsibility, highlighting that Europe and Asia benefit more from the Strait of Hormuz than the US. He criticized European leaders for holding
“less fancy conferences… and get in a boat.”He added,
“This is more their fight than ours,”despite the conflict being primarily an American engagement.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine provided an update on the blockade situation.
Tehran Urged to Reach a 'Good Deal' with the US, Says Pete Hegseth
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth opened a press conference reiterating America’s military successes and suggesting Iran has an opportunity to negotiate a
“good deal.”
He described the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz as
“growing” and “gone global,”referencing the seizure of two Iranian dark fleet vessels.
Hegseth asserted,
“We are in control; nothing in, nothing out.”He noted that 34 ships have been turned away from the strait so far.
Repeating previous statements, he spoke of the Iranian navy
“sitting at the bottom of the sea,”and praised President Donald Trump’s
“fortitude.”
Sources told the Associated Press that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to travel to Pakistan for talks by the weekend. He is anticipated to be accompanied by a small team, with a US logistics and security team already present in Islamabad.
This development follows the collapse of direct talks between Washington and Tehran earlier in the week. Pakistan has been facilitating efforts to restart ceasefire discussions between Iran and the United States. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to comment publicly.
Upcoming Press Conference by Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine
At 8am ET (1pm BST), US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will hold a press conference regarding Operation Epic Fury. Live coverage will be provided.
US Stance on Iran’s Participation in the World Cup
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Thursday that Iran’s footballers will be welcome at this year’s World Cup, distancing the US government from suggestions that Italy might replace Iran in the tournament.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Rubio denied that the US had asked the Iranian team not to attend, but warned that some members of the Iranian delegation with ties to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) might be barred entry. The IRGC is designated a terrorist organization by the US and several other governments.
Rubio stated,
No one “from the US has told them they can’t come.” The problem lies not with the athletes but with some others in the delegation who have IRGC ties. We may not be able to let them in, but not the athletes themselves.
This was in response to a report that an individual had proposed to the Financial Times that Italy could take Iran’s World Cup place, a suggestion reportedly floated to President Trump and FIFA.
World Health Organization Reports on Displacement and Health Facility Damage in Iran
The WHO’s weekly report indicates that 3.2 million people are displaced in Iran, with health facilities in the region still damaged or closed due to Israeli attacks.
The report states,
“Disease risks are increasing in overcrowded settings, and supply chain disruptions continue to limit the delivery of essential medicines and equipment.”
It adds,
“Funding remains critically low: only 7 percent of the $30.3m required for the Middle East flash appeal has been received to date. Urgent, sustained investment is needed to maintain life-saving health services and scale up the response.”
UK Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Falkland Islands Amid US Internal Email Leak
The UK responded to the US after an internal email suggested reassessing US support for Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands due to perceived insufficient British assistance during the American bombing campaign in Iran.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Friday,
“We could not be clearer about the UK’s position on the Falkland Islands. It is longstanding, it is unchanged. Sovereignty rests with the UK and the islands’ right to self-determination is paramount. It’s been our consistent position and will remain the case.”
The spokesperson added that the UK has communicated this stance clearly to successive US administrations.
When asked if Starmer viewed this as US pressure to join the Iran war, the spokesperson replied,
“He has spoken about that and he has also spoken about how that pressure does not affect him, and he will always act in the national interest, and that will always remain the case.”
Leaked Pentagon Email Reveals US Frustration with NATO Allies
A leaked internal Pentagon email proposed that the US reconsider its support for Britain’s Falkland Islands claim, citing the UK’s insufficient assistance during the 38-day US-led bombing campaign against Tehran.
The memo, reported by , suggested reviewing US endorsement of European claims to longstanding “imperial possessions,” highlighting the Falklands, site of the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina.
It also recommended suspending Spain from NATO for denying US warplanes basing and overflight rights during Operation Epic Fury, though mechanisms for such suspension are unclear.
When asked for comment, Kingsley Wilson, US Department of War press secretary, said,
“As President Trump has said, despite everything that the United States has done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us. The War Department will ensure that the President has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part. We have no further comment on any internal deliberations to that effect.”
The Falklands proposal appears vague with no immediate plans for adoption but seems intended to provoke a response in the UK, where memories of the 1982 war remain vivid.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer largely kept the UK out of the Iran war, though he allowed US B-1 and B-52 bombers to operate from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to strike Iranian targets, including missile launchers and assets targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump repeatedly criticized the UK’s limited military support, claiming Britain only wanted to assist in protecting the strait post-conflict, dismissing Royal Navy aircraft carriers as “toys,” and comparing Starmer to Neville Chamberlain.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Visit Saudi Arabia for Defense Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a senior Kyiv official told AFP.
Zelenskyy has strengthened ties with Gulf states amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, securing defense agreements including with Riyadh to share Ukraine’s expertise in countering drones, developed during four years of Russian attacks. Ukraine claims its anti-drone defenses are among the best globally.
This visit, taking place on Friday, marks Zelenskyy’s second trip to Saudi Arabia in recent months. In a prior visit last month, he stated that the two sides had
“reached an important arrangement”on air defense.
Meanwhile, there is no indication that Iran and the US will meet in Pakistan soon, reports, despite Islamabad awaiting peace talks for nearly a week.
Key roads into Islamabad remain closed, and a strict security cordon covers the administrative “Red Zone.” Nearby, the “Blue Area” sees deserted markets, empty cafes, and bus terminals lacking service, complicating weekend commutes.
Government officials indicate these measures will persist and that they are prepared for delegates, including President Trump, to arrive at short notice.
One official stated,
“We have been told that the talks could be held any day.”
reports that Iran’s foreign minister has engaged in separate discussions with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Asim Munir regarding the ceasefire with the US.
Spain Downplays Pentagon Reports of NATO Punishments
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed reports that the Pentagon is considering punitive measures against NATO allies perceived as insufficiently supportive of the US offensive against Iran.
A US official told that an internal Pentagon memo outlined options including suspending Spain from NATO and reevaluating US support for the UK’s Falklands claim. The memo expressed frustration over some allies’ reluctance to grant basing and overflight rights (ABO) for US strikes on Iran.
The memo described ABO as
“just the absolute baseline for NATO,”and suggested suspending “difficult” countries from key alliance positions.
Sánchez, who has opposed the US and Israel’s war in Iran, angered President Trump by denying US permission to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain for attacks on Iran. Trump responded critically.
The socialist prime minister previously opposed US plans to use Spanish bases, calling them
“not only unreasonable but also counterproductive.”
The UK permitted US use of British bases for strikes on Iran but restricted certain attacks, such as those on Iranian missile sites.
Speaking in Cyprus at an EU leaders’ meeting addressing NATO’s mutual assistance clause, Sánchez affirmed Spain’s loyalty to NATO and compliance with its responsibilities.
He stated,
“We don’t work on the basis of emails; we work with official documents and statements made by the US government. The Spanish government’s position is clear: absolute cooperation with allies, but always within the framework of international law.”
However, Sánchez reiterated his criticism of the US war in Iran, saying,
“The crisis that this illegal war has brought to the Middle East shows the failure of brute force – and has prompted demands for international law to be respected and for the multilateral order to be safeguarded and reinforced.”
When asked about the memo, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said,
“As President Trump has said, despite everything that the United States has done for our NATO allies, they were not there for us. The War Department will ensure that the president has credible options to ensure that our allies are no longer a paper tiger and instead do their part. We have no further comment on any internal deliberations to that effect.”
Human Rights Watch Calls for Lebanon to Join International Criminal Court After Journalist Killing
Human Rights Watch urged Lebanon to join the International Criminal Court following the killing of Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounding of her colleague Zainab Faraj in an Israeli airstrike earlier this week.
The group posted on social media,
“The Lebanese government should join the ‘Rome Statute’ of the ‘international criminal court’ to enable accountability for serious international crimes.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, stating,
“Israel deliberately targets journalists in order to conceal the truth about its crimes against Lebanon.”He denounced the incident as
“war crimes.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam wrote on X that
“targeting journalists and obstructing access for rescue teams constitutes a war crime.”
Amal Khalil, 43, who worked for al-Akhbar newspaper, was buried on Thursday. Colleagues described her death as resulting from a sustained Israeli attack. Reports indicated rescuers were prevented from extracting her from the rubble and providing life-saving aid.
Khalil was the ninth journalist killed in Lebanon this year. Last month, three journalists died in a double-tap attack.
Lebanese MP Najat Saliba welcomed the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extension, noting its benefits for many in the region.
US President Donald Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Speaking in the Oval Office alongside meeting participants, Trump expressed hope that the leaders of both countries would meet during the extended cessation of hostilities.
Speaking to Newsday on the BBC World Service, Saliba said,
“Everybody is relieved that the ceasefire is going to continue for another three weeks. This is going to help a lot of people go back to their homes, check out their homes and get going with their lives.”
Regarding the Lebanese government’s response to the ceasefire extension, she stated,
“We don’t expect things to go forward very smoothly.”She added that the government is
“very firm about going forward with the discussion in order for us to find a common ground that will relieve the people from all the bombing and killing.”
Press Conference on Operation Epic Fury Scheduled
At 8am ET (1pm BST), US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine will hold a press conference on Operation Epic Fury, the US bombing campaign against Iran. Live reporting will be provided.
Iran’s Deputy President Warns of Retaliation Over Oil Facility Strikes
Iran’s Deputy President Esmaeil Saqab Esfahani warned the US of reciprocal action regarding oil facility strikes, as reported by Mehr news agency.
He stated,
“If the enemy makes another mistake, our strategy will be an eye for an eye. If any of our oil wells are hit, one of the oil [facilities] of the countries from whose soil we are attacked will be targeted.”
Esfahani added that Tehran’s negotiation team has
“grabbed the enemy’s collar at the negotiating table.”
He reassured Iranians about energy supplies, saying
“necessary arrangements”have been made.
This follows repeated threats by US President Donald Trump to strike oil plants in the region and to
“obliterate”Iran’s power stations and freshwater plants.
