Iran delegation arrives in Pakistan for US talks, as Lebanon and Israel to discuss ceasefire

Lebanon’s government faces difficult situation as country is in deep crisis

Hugo Bachega
Middle East correspondent, in Beirut

If the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon is seen as jeopardising the ceasefire deal in Iran, it is likely President Trump will put pressure on Israel to stop.

After inflicting widespread horror and destruction in the country with a wave of air strikes on Wednesday, Israel has decreased the scale of its attacks, and reports say that happened after American calls for restraint.

The widely condemned attacks killed more than 300 people, at least a third of them women, children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

They happened in the middle of the day without warning and some of them hit busy, densely populated neighbourhoods that had never been targeted before – places people felt they were safe.

There is now the prospect of direct talks between Israeli and Lebanese officials, a significant development for countries that have no diplomatic relations.

Lebanon, however, says no negotiations will happen before a ceasefire first. Israel says the war will continue. This is probably the easiest obstacle to be overcome.

The Lebanese government is in a difficult situation: the country is under attack, in deep crisis, and the authorities cannot deliver Hezbollah’s disarmament.

President Joseph Aoun, who made what he calls the “state monopoly on arms” one of his priorities, has warned that disarmament cannot be delivered by force. Without Hezbollah’s consent, he has said, there is the risk of violence.

Hezbollah has, so far, refused to discuss the future of its weapons. Its supporters call it “the resistance”, the only force able to protect them.

Since its creation in the 1980s it has been armed, trained, and financed by Iran. And observers say any decision about its arsenal will not be taken in Beirut, but in Tehran.

Hezbollah lawmaker criticises Lebanese government over upcoming talks with Israel

Away from Islamabad, we can bring you an update from a lawmaker affiliated with Iran-backed Hezbollah:

Lebanese lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah, a member of Hezbollah, has criticised the Lebanese government for holding talks with Israel.

This follows Lebanon’s president announcing that a meeting is set for next week in Washington DC. Israel says Hezbollah won’t be included in ceasefire discussions with Lebanon.

In a statement published by Hezbollah-run Al-Manar TV, Fadlallah calls the move “a blatant violation of the constitution and Lebanese laws”, and says it “exacerbates domestic divisions” in Lebanon. He adds: “What the enemy has been unable to do on the ground… it will not obtain in negotiations with an authority that lacks decision-making power, has abandoned its most basic duties, has failed to protect its people and cannot be trusted to safeguard national sovereignty.”

In our next post, we’ll bring you some analysis from the BBC’s Hugo Bachega on the talks between Israel and Lebanon, and where Hezbollah fits in the ongoing discussions.

Vance meets Pakistani PM

US Vice President JD Vance has met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He was assisted by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and Sharif expressed hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region, according to a statement from the Pakistani prime ministers office. It follows a separate meeting between the Iranian delegation and Sharif – which our South Asia correspondent reported on a little earlier.

Iran’s 10-point plan: What are negotiators hoping for?

Prior to today’s scheduled negotiations, Iran and the US agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, during which shipping traffic will be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran also sent the US a 10-point plan, which US President Donald Trump described as “a workable basis on which to negotiate”. Neither the Iranian proposal or Washington’s 15-point plan have been formally unveiled – even though reported versions of both have been leaked.

According to an Iranian state broadcaster, Iran’s 10 points include, among other things, the complete cessation of war in the region; “full commitment” to lifting sanctions on Iran; the release of Iranian funds and frozen assets held by the US; and a “full payment of compensation for reconstruction costs” to Iran.

Iranian TV says talks could be cancelled if Tehran’s conditions not met

p>A correspondent reporting live from Islamabad on the Iranian state-run news channel IRINN has cautioned that talks could still be cancelled if Iran’s preconditions are not met.

She said withdrawing from negotiations that fail to respect Iran’s “interests, demands and red lines” could itself be viewed as an “achievement” for what officials describe as “assertive diplomacy”.

Earlier this morning, the correspondent also said the Iranian delegation was expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif first, after which further details – including the timing of any talks with the US delegation – would likely become clear – as we’ve just reported that conversation with Sharif has now happened.

State TV is stressing Iran’s conditions and red lines, as well as a lack of trust in the US. The reports argue that Iran holds the upper hand and could proceed without talks if its conditions are not met.