US and Iran Give Mixed Signals on Peace Talks as Conflict Continues

Both the US and Iran are giving mixed signals about where the peace talks are headed. While the US maintained that it was ready “give diplomacy a chance,” Iran rejected claims of any meeting with Tehran and the US in Pakistan despite top officials’ arrival in Islamabad. Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also headed to Pakistan, according to the White House. According to an ANI report, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has reportedly characterised the ongoing conflict in Iran as "a gift to the world", asserting that the American blockade of Iranian maritime traffic will persist "as long as it takes." Addressing journalists at the Pentagon on Friday, Hegseth stated that the naval restrictions are essential to fulfilling what he described as a "bold and dangerous" mission aimed at neutralising Iran's perceived threat to international stability. While American officials maintained that the blockade has successfully intercepted 34 vessels, maritime monitoring data indicates that Tehran continues to circumvent these measures to export sanctioned oil. A painful fuel crunch and soaring oil and gas prices triggered by the Iran war have nudged the European Union to look hard into funding alternative energy routes in the Middle East to circumvent hot spots like the Strait of Hormuz. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that the EU is ready to work with Persian Gulf countries for new projects conveying energy to global markets that wouldn't be held hostage to war or geopolitical strife. "The events of the past month have taught us a hard lesson," von der Leyen told a news conference at the end of an informal meeting of EU leaders in the capital of Cyprus. "Our security is not just related, it is intrinsically linked. A threat to a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is a threat to a factory, for example, in Belgium." The Head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament, Ebrahim Azizi, said that their Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has traveled to Pakistan to specifically discuss bilateral relations. Azizi said that nuclear negotiations remain Iran's red line, and will not be under discussion in Pakistan. "In the meeting with foreign journalists, I mentioned that Mr. Araghchi, our country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has traveled to Pakistan to discuss bilateral relations. He has no mission whatsoever in this trip regarding nuclear negotiations, which are considered one of Iran's fundamental red lines," he wrote on X. According to a CNBC report, Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes is working under the assumption that the Strait of Hormuz may not fully reopen for months. A senior executive of the company reportedly explained during an earnings call that normalcy might not be restored until the second half of 2026. Chief Financial Officer Ahmed Moghal told investors that Baker was assuming in its financial guidance that the conflict would continue through the end of June. https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2047839041182130273 The State Department says a detained Kuwaiti-American journalist who was arrested in Kuwait has been released after intervention by the Trump administration. The department said late Friday that Ahmed Shihab-Eldin had been freed and allowed to leave Kuwait. It offered no other details, citing privacy concerns. Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters continued exchanging attacks on Friday, a day after the announcement of a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The Israel Defence Forces said it carried out strikes on Hezbollah rocket launchers in the southern Lebanese towns of Yater and Kafra. The IDF said these had posed a threat to its troops and Israeli civilians. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon left at least six people dead and two others injured, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said, as cited by CNN. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it had targeted an Israeli armoured personnel carrier in the southern Lebanese town of Ramyah. In a statement, the group said the attack was carried out in retaliation for Israel's destruction of homes in southern Lebanon, which it described as a violation of the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei shared via X that a delegation had reached Islamabad in Pakistan for an official visit. He insisted that there was no meeting planned between Iran and the US --- even as US President Donald Trump confirmed he was sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday to continue talks. "We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region. No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," Baghaei tweeted. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday. He was received by Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials upon arrival. Meanwhile President Donald Trump is sending his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday to continue talks with Iran. White House press secretary Karolien Leavitt said in an interview on Fox News Channel that the two will have talks with Araghchi. The Trump administration said on Friday it had imposed sanctions on an independent "teapot" refinery in China for buying billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil. This came even as Washington and Tehran headed into another round of peace talks due this weekend. The Treasury Department targeted Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, which it said is one ⁠of Iran's ​largest customers of crude oil and petroleum products. The department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said it also imposed sanctions on about 40 shipping companies and vessels that operate as part of Iran's shadow fleet. China has said it opposes "illegal" unilateral sanctions. As quoted by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, the spokesperson for Iran’s Defence Ministry, General Reza Talaei-Nik, said a "significant portion of the missile capabilities” of the country “remains unused." He also said that Iranian forces "maintained control over the skies of the occupied territories until the moment the ceasefire began." The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has condemned “in the strongest possible terms” a recent drone attack originating from Iraq targeting border posts in Kuwait. In a statement, the GCC’s Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the attack “constitutes a flagrant violation of the principles of good neighbourliness and all international laws and norms.” Kuwait's army previously said that two drones from Iraq had hit two northern border posts, causing damage. Kuwait's army said two drones from Iraq hit two norther border posts. No casualties were reported despite the damage caused. Iraq's prime minister has since ordered an examination of the attack to identify those responsible, according to Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari . He also added that Iraq condemned the attack in a call with his Kuwaiti counterpart. The US has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency assets over links to Iran. The Treasury Department “will continue to systematically degrade Tehran’s ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds”, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement on X, adding that they were imposing sanctions on "multiple wallets tied to Iran." Tasnim News Agency, the semi-official news outlet of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, called out White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for lying to Fox News about Iran requesting face-to-face talks with the US. “Iran has not made any request to talk with the Americans, and, on the contrary, it has completely rejected the requests of the Americans for negotiations due to their arrogance until this moment,” the agency posted on Telegram. “Despite the great thirst and need of the Americans for negotiations, Iran has emphasized that there is no decision to negotiate with the United States ‘currently and under the existing conditions’ due to the excesses of the United States." Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed the arrival of top officials in Islamabad. He also noted that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would be meeting with "Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region. " At the same time, he rejected the possibility of any meeting between Iran and the US in Pakistan. "No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan," he added on X. https://twitter.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2047787169776038085/photo/1 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the US was not planning to renew waivers allowing the purchase of Russian and Iranian oil stuck at sea. “Not the Iranians,” Bessent told The Associated Press. "We have the blockade, and there’s no oil coming out.” "And we think in the next two, three days, they’re going to have to start shuttering production, which will be very bad for their wells.” White ⁠House Press ⁠Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “Iranians want to talk in person” and that the US president is willing to “give diplomacy a chance.” She added that Vice President JD Vance is on standby in Washington and could be sent to Pakistan “if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time.” White ⁠House Press ⁠Secretary Karoline Leavitt said US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday morning for talks with Iran. The visit is aimed at engaging with Abbas Araghchi as part of ongoing efforts to advance negotiations over the Iran conflict. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “maintaining full freedom of action against any threat, including emerging threats,” following the US president’s announcement extending a Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks. “We struck yesterday and we struck today,” he said, accusing Hezbollah of “trying to sabotage” the deal, while Israel continues operations in southern Lebanon. US President Donald Trump is sending special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, according to CNN. EU Council President Antonio Costa said it is “too early” to discuss easing sanctions on Iran, with Ursula von der Leyen. However, Friedrich Merz said sanctions could be gradually lifted if a comprehensive agreement with Iran is reached. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he is embarking on a “timely tour” of Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow “to closely coordinate with our partners… and consult on regional developments.” “Our neighbors are our priority,” he wrote on X, with officials describing the Pakistan visit as a key step toward resuming direct talks with the US. US Central Command said the “blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports continues,” with 34 vessels redirected since patrols began around the Strait of Hormuz on April 13. Pete Hegseth earlier said all ships linked to Iran or travelling to and from its ports had been turned around. National News Agency reported three Israeli air strikes on Deir Aames after residents were warned to evacuate. Lebanon PM Nawaf Salam said there is a “glimmer of hope” to steer Lebanon out of crisis, urging efforts to “seize and strengthen” the moment despite challenges. “The government is working to mobilise all elements of internal strength and external support… to extricate Lebanon from its predicament,” he said, highlighting backing from Arab states. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will “begin a round of visits to Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow” from this evening, according to Mehr News Agency. “The purpose of this trip is bilateral consultations… and the latest situation of the imposed war by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran,” the agency said. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said US would act if Iran makes “reckless attempts” to lay mines, calling it a ceasefire violation. He added the US would welcome a stronger European role in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it’s a “wake up call” as countries without capabilities risk being “at the behest” of Iran. Pete Hegseth said the US blockade on Iranian ports “has gone global,” expanding beyond the region. He added that two Iranian “dark fleet” ships that departed before the blockade were seized as part of enforcement efforts. Pete Hegseth said Iran still has an “open window to choose wisely,” urging it to abandon nuclear weapons in “meaningful and verifiable ways.” “We’re not counting on Europe… This is much more their fight than ours,” he said, adding “we have all the time in the world” and “the ball is in their court.”