US war latest: Trump’s envoys Witkoff and Kushner leaving for Pakistan as Tehran denies direct talks

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan but ‘no meeting is planned’ with US
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to leave for Pakistan for a fresh diplomatic push, even as Iran insists no direct talks with Washington are on the table.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed talks were taking place because Iran reached out to the US for an in-person meeting.

But in a post on X, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that although Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Pakistan , “no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US”, adding that “Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan”.

Donald Trump would also not say who the US was negotiating with from the Iranian side, but claimed that “we're dealing with the people that are in charge ⁠now".

He has claimed Iran plans to offer a deal to satisfy his demands.

“They're making an offer and we'll have to see”, the US president told Reuters yesterday.

The US has been unwavering in its demand that Iran give up its enriched uranium and pledge to never obtain a nuclear weapon.

IRGC commander blocked 'pragmatist' Ghalibaf from peace talks, says ISW
The Institute for the Study of War reports that Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his inner circle have repeatedly blocked attempts by Tehran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other “pragmatist” officials who are more willing to be flexible with US demands.

“Vahidi appears to have prevailed in this internal power struggle and will likely shape the regime’s approach toward negotiations and the war with a maximalist and uncompromising stance,” it wrote in a note on Friday.

“Ghalibaf likely lacks the leverage to alter this trajectory in a meaningful way at this time.”
It follows reports that Ghalibaf had threatened to resign or had actually resigned ahead of a second round of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ghalibaf has previously hit out at attempts to split Iran’s political establishment into “hardliners” or “moderates”, writing on Thursday: “In Iran, there are no radicals or moderates; we are all ‘Iranian’ and ‘revolutionary,’ and with the iron unity of the nation and government, with complete obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the aggressor criminal regret his actions.”
In pictures: Smoke rises in Lebanon after explosion
Turkey would have 'no problem' demining Hormuz after deal, says minister
Turkey could consider taking part in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz if a deal is agreed between Iran and the United States, foreign minister Hakan Fidan has told reporters in London on Friday.

A technical team was expected to carry out mine‑clearing work in the strait after any agreement, he said, adding that Turkey viewed such efforts positively in principle as a humanitarian duty.

Fidan expressed belief that disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme could be resolved at the next round of talks in Islamabad.

US imposes sanctions on Chinese 'teapot' refinery for buying Iranian oil
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.

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.

Why a century-old naval disaster means Trump can’t take the Strait of Hormuz by force
Why has nothing been done to reopen the Strait of Hormuz ?

The answer is simple – as his advisers will have told Donald Trump before he attacked Iran , it is almost impossible to clear a passage through a minefield when the shoreline is held by the enemy, without being prepared to take significant casualties.

And this, it seems, the US is not prepared to do.

It is one thing to bomb a less technologically sophisticated enemy from the air, but quite another to get involved in a real fight at sea level with an opponent who has been planning this form of asymmetric warfare for a very long time .

History gives a stark lesson on why America needs to tread warily - a page from the First World War .

John Clark, former Royal Naval Reserve officer who commanded various minesweepers and minehunters during his service, reports:
Trump to talk to King about Iran and Nato rift at ‘high stakes’ US state visit
Donald Trump has revealed he plans to talk to King Charles about the Iran war and strained relations with Nato during the monarch’s “high stakes” state visit .

The US president also plans to raise the UK digital services tax with the royal during the four-day visit next week.

The president has threatened to impose tariffs on Britain ⁠if ​Sir Keir Starmer does not drop ​the tax, which targets several major tech firms.

"I'm going to talk about everything," Donald Trump said during ​a phone interview with Reuters.

"I'm going ​to talk about it.

He's a ‌friend ⁠of mine, and he's a great guy."
Iran resumes commercial flights from Tehran's international airport
Iran has resumed commercial flights from Tehran’s international airport on Saturday for the first time since the conflict with the US and Israel began around two months ago.

Flightradar24, a flight tracking platform, showed that at least three Istanbul-bound flights departed Saturday morning.

Iran partly reopened its airspace earlier this month amid a ceasefire with the US which halted fighting between the two countries.

Starmer vows to ban Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
Sir Keir Starmer has committed to introducing legislation within weeks to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Labour leader has faced increasing pressure to take action against the Iranian military organisation, which is already designated a terrorist entity by the European Union and listed as a state sponsor of terrorism in Australia.

Watch: Hegseth says Iran war is Trump's 'gift to the world'
Iran executes January protester for being Israeli 'intelligence agent'
Iran says it has executed an Iranian working as an Israeli intelligence official on Saturday after the man is alleged to have engaged in vandalism and violence during nationwide protests in January earlier this year, according to Tasnim news agency.

Erfan Kiani was accused of being a “hired thug of Mossad” and of engaging in the destruction and arson of public and private property, spreading fear and terror across Isfahan while wielding a machete, according to the agency.

He was executed by hanging on Saturday morning shortly after his sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court.

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