US Iran War Ceasefire Talks Highlights: Iran warns America as US destroyer makes way into Strait of Hormuz

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said any potential peace agreement with Lebanon must be durable and “last for generations,” as he confirmed that Beirut has reached out for talks.

Speaking in a televised address, Netanyahu said Lebanon had approached Israel multiple times over the past month to initiate direct negotiations.

“Lebanon has reached out to us several times to begin direct peace talks,” he said, adding that he has approved moving forward with discussions.

However, the Israeli leader outlined two key conditions for any agreement: the dismantling of weapons held by Hezbollah, and a “real” peace deal that ensures long-term stability.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the region, with both sides weighing the possibility of diplomatic engagement. (AFP)

In his strongest remarks yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday criticised what he described as a “delusion of omnipotence” driving the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, urging global leaders to halt hostilities and pursue dialogue.

Speaking during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff called for an end to the “display of power” and emphasised the need for peace talks. His remarks came as the United States and Iran began direct negotiations in Pakistan and a fragile ceasefire appeared to be holding.

While the US-born pope did not explicitly name the United States or Donald Trump, his message was widely interpreted as a critique of rhetoric highlighting military strength and religious justification for the conflict.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money,” he said. “Enough of the display of power. Enough of war.” (AP)

Iranian media reports that the US is pushing “excessive demands” on the Strait of Hormuz issue in ongoing Pakistan talks, according to AFP.

Pope condemns driving US-Israel war in Iran in strongest rebuke yet, reported AP.

Despite Iran rejecting the reports, US Central Command said in a statement that two US Navy warships have transited the Strait of Hormuz to clear the mines laid by Iran.

"Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce," said Centcom commander Admiral Cooper.

Earlier in the day, New York Times cited some some US officials as saying that Iran couldn't open the Strait of Hormuz as it did not know where it planted the mines.

French Prez Emmanuel Macron has said that in his talks with Iranian President, he urged him to use Islamabad talks to achieve ‘lasting de-escalation’.

“I urged him to seize the opportunity presented by the talks launched in Islamabad to pave the way for a lasting de-escalation and a demanding agreement that provides solid guarantees for security in the region, involving all the countries concerned,” he said.

There was a brief dinner break. It's reportedly over and the delegation is back discussing terms of a ceasefire.

Amid talks between Iran and America, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that he held talks with Iranian President Pezeshkian.

"I stressed the need for Iran to restore freedom of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz as quickly as possible, to which France stands ready to contribute. I insisted on the importance of fully respecting the ceasefire, including in Lebanon," Macron said in a post on X.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a post on X: “The high-ranking Iranian delegation that has arrived in Pakistan is a staunch guardian of Iran's interests with all its might, and in this vein, it will engage in negotiations with courage. In any case, our service to the people will not pause for a moment, and whatever the outcome of the negotiations may be, the government stands firmly by the people's side.”

Apart from Vice President JD Vance, Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also part of the US delegation that's in Islamabad. Jared Kushner is married to Ivanka Trump.

Tasneem News Agency has informed that Iran has informed the Pakistani mediator during the peace talks that if the US destroyer vessel continued to move, it would be targeted within 30 minutes, damaging peace talks.

The report had earlier mentioned that the US destroyer was attempting to enter the channel.

US Iran War Ceasefire Talks in Pakistan LIVE: The talks between the American and Iranian delegations are still underway. The talks are happening at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. Some source-based reports have shared that there has been progress in the talks.

After Axios reported that US Navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday amid peace talks between the US and Iran, IRIB broadcaster quoted a senior military official denying the information.

US Iran War Ceasefire Talks in Pakistan LIVE: Donald Trump posted on social media that the US military has started to clear the Strait of Hormuz, and that all of Iran's minelaying ships have been sunk.

"We're now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote in a social media post, adding that "all 28" of Iran's "mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea".

As per a report in Axios, US Navy ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as a delegation-level talk between the US and Iran is underway in Islamabad.

The Serena Hotel has emerged as the focal point of the diplomatic activity, with both the Iranian and American delegations inside the hotel to participate in the peace talks.

Visuals from outside the luxury hotel showed tight security and a flurry of movement as international representatives convened at the venue.

As the talks are underway to end the war between America and Iran, Donald Trump has claimed in a new post that Tehran is ‘LOSING, and LOSING BIG’.

He said, “Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft apparatus is nonexistent, Radar is dead, their Missile and Drone Factories have been largely obliterated along with the Missiles and Drones themselves and, most importantly, their longtime “Leaders” are no longer with us, praise be to Allah!”

Al Jazeera has quoted some sources as saying that the US and Iran delegations are making progress in the peace talks. Progress has been made on following points:

1. Lebanon ceasefire
2. Unfreezing of Iranian assets

It was earlier reported that the US and Iranian delegations will stay in separate rooms and Pakistan would relay messages between them. However, reports suggest that direct face-to-face talks are being held between the two delegations.

Inside the closed doors, a three-way talks are being held face-to-face between United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance and Jared Kushner, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Pakistan’s army chief Munir, a Pakistani source said.