Third US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East as Washington and Tehran clash over Strait of Hormuz
It is the first time that the US has had three aircraft carriers in the Middle East since 2003, the year America invaded Iraq.
Maira Butt25 April 2026 15:20
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif issues update on talks
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said that talks with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday were a “warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation”.
Araghchi arrived in Islamabad for discussions about the future of a deal with the US but Tehran denied that the negotiations would encompass “direct talks” with American counterparts and said that their position would instead be conveyed by Pakistani officials.
“Was pleased to meet Seyed Abbas Araghchi, foreign minister of Iran, and his delegation in Islamabad today,” Mr Sharif wrote on X on Saturday.
“Had a most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation. We also discussed matters of mutual interest, including the further strengthening of Pakistan–Iran bilateral relations.”
(X/Shehbaz Sharif)
Maira Butt25 April 2026 15:20
Lebanon resident recognizes family crucifix smashed by Israeli soldier in viral image
Houssam Naddaf said no words could capture the shock of seeing an Israeli soldier smash a crucifix in his family’s private garden in the southern Lebanese village of Debel — an image he recognized instantly as it spread online.
“I saw it on the internet like everyone else,” he said. Naddaf had not been able to go to the house in person to see the damage because of restrictions on movement imposed by Israeli forces in the area.
Israeli forces took control of the area as part of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, which began on March 2 when the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group fired a salvo of missiles over the border two days after the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran. Israel then launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon and its forces have remained there despite the announcement of a truce last week.
A new crucifix that was sent by Italy to replace the one that was defaced last week by an Israeli soldier stands in the Christian village of Debel, south Lebanon, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (AP)
Maira Butt25 April 2026 14:50
Iran won’t accept ‘maximalist demands’, diplomatic source tells Reuters
Iran says it will not accept “maximalist” demands as the country’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Islamabad, Pakistan for a second round of negotiations on Saturday.
Asked about Tehran’s reservations on the US position in the talks, an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters: “Principally, Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands.”
Maira Butt25 April 2026 14:25
Israeli military says it ‘struck rocket launchers’ in Lebanon attack
The Israeli military said it had struck loaded rocket launchers belonging to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in three locations in southern Lebanon overnight.
“These launchers posed an immediate threat to IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers and to Israeli civilians,” it said in a statement.
It named the locations as Deir El Zahrani, Reman, and Al-Saamiya in southern Lebanon, all north of its so-called buffer zone.
It was unclear whether the deaths reported by the state news agency were linked to the Israeli strikes.
Maira Butt25 April 2026 14:12
UK and Finland condemn attacks on journalists after Lebanese reported killed in Israeli attack
“Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war,” read the statement posted on the UK foreign office social media account on Saturday.
“Attacks on journalists in Lebanon, including journalist Amal Khalil, killed in an Israeli strike on 22 April, are unacceptable.
“As co-chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK and Finland strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers.
“We call on the Israeli authorities and all other parties to make every effort to ensure that media workers in Lebanon can conduct their work freely and safely.”
The Committee for the Protection of Journalists has warned that Israel is engaging in the “deadliest and most deliberate effort to kill and silence journalists that the CPJ has ever documented”. A record 129 journalists were killed in 2025, according to the CPJ. Two-thirds of those were killed by Israel.
(Reuters)
Maira Butt25 April 2026 13:50
BREAKING: Four dead in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon
Four people have died in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s state news agency.
It comes two days after a three-week ceasefire extension between Lebanon and Israel was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, following high-level talks at the White House.
Hostilities between the Iran-aligned armed group Hezbollah and Israel reignited on 2 March, when the group opened fire in support of Iran in the regional war.
On Friday, six people were killed in Lebanon, the deadliest day during the ceasefire that was recently extended.
Natalie Crockett25 April 2026 13:25
Uncertainty clouds US-Iran talks as Iran’s top diplomat arrives in Pakistan
Direct US-Iran talks remained uncertain as Iran’s top diplomat arrived in Pakistan ahead of a planned visit by Donald Trump’s envoys, while the eight-week war kept rattling global markets and energy supplies.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday, convening a meeting with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of a diplomatic tour to discuss the ongoing hostilities.
But he is not there for direct talks with the US as the White House confirmed that son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff would be leaving for Islamabad because the Iranians wanted to talk “in person”.
Maira Butt25 April 2026 13:20
Iran’s top military command warns US forces will face repercussions if blockade and ‘piracy’ continues, says state media
Iranian state media has shared a message by Iran’s top military command on Saturday warning that US forces will face Tehran’s reaction if a US blockade on Iranian ports and coastlines continues.
The military called such actions “piracy”.
The statements come as foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are to meet with officials in Islamabad for a second round of negotiations.
Maira Butt25 April 2026 12:50
Israel orders civilians to evacuate southern Lebanon
Israel has resumed its attacks on southern Lebanon and has demanded that all civilians evacuate the region.
“We reiterate our confirmation that during the period of the ceasefire agreement, the Israel Defense Forces continue to maintain their positions in southern Lebanon in the face of the ongoing terrorist activities of the Hezbollah organization,” wrote Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
“We reiterate and warn that, out of concern for your safety and the safety of your families’ members and until further notice, you are required not to move south of the line of the villages shown and their surroundings.
“Additionally, approaching the area of the Litani River, Wadi Salhania, and Saluki is not permitted.”
Maira Butt25 April 2026 12:20