United News of Bangladesh

Iran has threatened to target ports across the Middle East after the United States announced a plan to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas, escalating tensions and raising concerns over global oil supply and regional stability. The US military said the blockade would take effect Monday, aiming to increase pressure on Tehran amid stalled ceasefire negotiations. In response, Iranian authorities warned that no port in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman would remain secure if the move is enforced. Iranian state media quoted military officials as saying regional maritime security would either be ensured for all or for none, signaling possible retaliation. The US Central Command said the blockade would apply to vessels of all nations entering or leaving Iranian ports, though ships traveling between non-Iranian ports would still be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement has already disrupted limited shipping activity in the strait that resumed after a ceasefire, with vessel movement remaining significantly lower than pre-war levels. The development follows failed US-Iran talks held in Pakistan over the weekend. US officials said negotiations broke down after Iran refused to accept conditions related to its nuclear programme, while Tehran demanded compensation for damages from earlier strikes and the release of frozen assets. The blockade is expected to put further pressure on Iran’s oil exports, including shipments that reportedly bypass sanctions through covert routes. It may also impact global energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz previously handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Oil prices rose sharply following the announcement, with both US crude and Brent crude registering notable gains. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has said it will not participate in any US-led blockade, emphasizing efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and avoid deeper involvement in the conflict. Senior Iranian officials have issued strong warnings of retaliation, with one adviser saying the country has significant means to counter any blockade. Iran’s parliamentary speaker also cautioned Washington against escalation, saying Tehran would respond if attacked. Although Iran maintains that the strait remains open for civilian vessels, it warned of a firm response to military presence in the area. Despite recent high-level talks—the most significant since Iran’s 1979 revolution—both sides remain far apart on key issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme. The US has demanded strict limits, while Iran has rejected what it calls excessive conditions. There is still no clarity on what will happen after the current ceasefire expires on April 22, though diplomatic efforts to resume dialogue are ongoing. Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its programme is for peaceful purposes, despite ongoing international concerns.

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Algeria on Monday on the first-ever papal visit to the North African country, beginning an 11-day tour of four African nations with a strong message of peace and Christian-Muslim coexistence. The two-day Algeria visit marks the start of his broader trip that will also take him to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, as the first U.S.-born pope seeks to engage with Africa’s growing Catholic population. The visit comes amid global tensions, including the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran. US President Donald Trump recently criticised the pope, accusing him of supporting left-leaning views. Pope Leo, who had earlier condemned the “illusion of absolute power” behind the conflict during a prayer service, said during his flight that the Vatican’s calls for peace are rooted in the Gospel and stressed he was not concerned about political criticism. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune welcomed the pope at Algiers international airport. The two leaders are scheduled to hold official talks at the presidential palace. During his stay, the pope is set to meet government officials, visit the capital’s Great Mosque, and attend a gathering at the Our Lady of Africa basilica. He will also take part in prayers at a nearby memorial dedicated to migrants who died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The Vatican said the visit’s main message is peace and interfaith harmony, reflected in its motto: “Peace be with you.” Algeria’s Catholic community is small, with around 9,000 followers, mostly foreigners, living alongside a Sunni Muslim population of about 47 million, according to Vatican data. Algiers Archbishop Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco said the basilica regularly attracts Muslim visitors, showing a spirit of coexistence. “It shows that people of different faiths can live together and help build society,” Vesco told AP. However, concerns remain over religious freedom. The United States has placed Algeria on a watch list over alleged violations. While the constitution allows non-Muslims to practise their faith, efforts to convert Muslims are illegal, and some churches have been closed. Local residents expressed mixed feelings about the visit. “It’s good that the pope is coming, but will it change anything?” asked Selma Dénane, a student from Annaba. The visit also carries historical significance. During Algeria’s civil war in the 1990s, around 250,000 people were killed. Among them were 19 Catholic clergy, including seven monks from Tibhirine, who were abducted and killed in 1996. Pope Leo is expected to pay tribute to them during his visit. The pontiff will also meet members of his Augustinian order, inspired by St. Augustine, a major figure in early Christianity who was born in present-day Algeria. On Tuesday, the pope will travel to Annaba, where St. Augustine once served as bishop, highlighting the personal and spiritual importance of the visit. Church officials say Pope Leo is likely to focus strongly on peace during the trip, calling it a timely message amid ongoing global conflicts.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s latest visit to China, his fourth in four years, reflects the steady growth of bilateral relations and highlights a model of cooperation at a time of global uncertainty. The regular high-level exchanges between the two countries underline a relationship built on consistency and mutual trust, offering an example of stable engagement between China and Europe despite a volatile international environment. Experts say such ties are the result of long-term efforts rather than sudden developments. Spanish scholar Jordi Bacaria noted that relations between the two countries have been carefully developed over time through sustained cooperation. Analysts believe reliability and policy consistency have become increasingly important as global tensions and uncertainties affect international partnerships. In this context, China’s focus on long-term cooperation and multilateralism has made it an attractive partner for many countries, including Spain. China and Spain, despite differences in history, culture and political systems, have managed to strengthen ties by focusing on shared interests. During a meeting last year between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spain’s King Felipe VI, both sides stressed mutual respect, practical cooperation and fairness in global governance as key principles guiding their relationship. Economic cooperation remains a strong pillar of bilateral ties. China is Spain’s largest trading partner outside the European Union, while Spain is an important partner for China within the bloc. Bilateral trade exceeded $55 billion in 2025, marking a nearly 10 percent increase from the previous year, according to official data. Beyond trade, both countries see opportunities for deeper cooperation in areas such as technology and renewable energy. Spain’s focus on sectors like semiconductors and green energy aligns with China’s push for high-quality development, opening the door for further collaboration. The transition to clean energy has emerged as a key area of cooperation. Chinese investments in Spain’s electric vehicle and wind power sectors are supporting industrial growth, while Spain contributes its expertise in renewable energy. Spain’s engagement with China is part of a broader trend, as several European leaders have recently visited Beijing to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties. Observers say this reflects Europe’s efforts to enhance economic resilience and strategic independence. Sanchez’s visit, analysts say, sends a wider message that continued dialogue and cooperation remain essential even in a fragmented global landscape. At a time of growing uncertainty, China-Spain relations are seen as contributing to stability and offering a constructive path for broader China-Europe engagement.

The U.S. military announced it will begin a blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, tempering President Donald Trump ‘s earlier vow to entirely block the strategic Strait of Hormuz as early reports indicated that ships had stopped crossing the waterway. The move came after marathon U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement, and it set the stage for a showdown. Iranian leaders vowed to counter the blockade. U.S. Central Command announced the blockade would begin on Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran, and would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.” CENTCOM said it would still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the strait, a step down from the president’s earlier threat to blockade the entire strait. The announcement of the blockade halted the limited ship traffic that resumed in the strait since the ceasefire, said an early report from Lloyd’s List intelligence. Marine trackers say over 40 commercial ships have crossed since the start of the ceasefire, down from roughly 100 to 135 vessel passages per day before the war. Later Sunday, Trump extended his feud over the war with Pope Leo XIV, lashing out in a Truth Social post that called the Catholic leader “terrible on foreign policy.” The extraordinary broadside came after Leo denounced the war and demanded that political leaders stop and negotiate peace. The blockade could have far-reaching effects The blockage is likely intended to add pressure on Iran, which has exported millions of barrels of oil since the war began, much of it likely carried by so-called “dark” transits that evade Western government sanctions and oversight. Trump also hopes to undercut Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz after demanding that it reopen the waterway where 20% of global oil transited before fighting began. A U.S. blockade could further rattle global energy markets. Oil prices rose in early market trading after the blockade announcement. The price of U.S. crude rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel, and Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 7% to $102.29. Brent crude cost roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February. Iran says ‘if you fight, we will fight’ A chorus of top-ranking Iranian officials threatened retaliation. Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser and a former Revolutionary Guard Commander, wrote on X that the country’s armed forces had “major untouched levers” to counter a Hormuz blockade. He said Iran would not be coerced by “tweets and imaginary plans.” Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who led Iran’s side in the talks, addressed Trump in a statement on his return to Iran: “If you fight, we will fight.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later said the strait remained under Iran’s “full control” and was open for non-military vessels, but military ones would get a “forceful response,” two semi-official Iranian news agencies reported. During the 21-hour talks this weekend in Pakistan, the U.S. military said two destroyers had transited the strait ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. Iran denied it. No word on what happens after ceasefire expires The face-to-face talks that ended early Sunday were the highest-level negotiations between the longtime rivals since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Trump said Tehran’s nuclear ambitions were the core reason for the talks’ failure. In comments to Fox News, he again threatened to strike civilian infrastructure if it didn’t give up its nuclear program. “In one half of a day they wouldn’t have one bridge standing, they wouldn’t have one electric generating plant standing, and they’re back in the stone ages,” Trump said. Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. side in the talks, said Washington would need “an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon.” Iranian negotiators could not agree to all U.S. “red lines,” said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to describe positions on the record. Those red lines included Iran never obtaining a nuclear weapon, ending uranium enrichment, dismantling major enrichment facilities and allowing retrieval of its highly enriched uranium, along with opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending funding for Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi rebels. Iranian officials said talks fell apart over two or three key issues, blaming what they called U.S. overreach. Qalibaf, who noted progress in negotiations, said it was time for the United States “to decide whether it can gain our trust or not.” Iran’s foreign minister claimed that the U.S. tanked the negotiations when they were within “inches” of an agreement, but did not provide evidence. “We encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade,” wrote Abbas Araghchi on X. Neither Iran nor the U.S. indicated what will happen after the ceasefire expires on April 22. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said his country will try to facilitate a new dialogue in the coming days. Iran said it was open to continuing dialogue, state-run IRNA news agency reported. Iran’s nuclear program is a key sticking point Iran’s nuclear program was at the center of tensions long before the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28. The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 2,055 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and damaged infrastructure in half a dozen countries. Tehran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons but insists on its right to a civilian nuclear program. The landmark 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump later pulled the U.S. out of, took well over a year of negotiations. Experts say Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, though not weapons-grade, is only a short technical step away.    

Hungarian voters on Sunday ousted long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán after 16 years in power, rejecting the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement that he embodied in favor of a pro-European challenger in a bombshell election result with global repercussions. It was a stunning blow for Orbán — a close ally of both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin — who quickly conceded defeat after what he called a ″painful″ election result. U.S. Vice President JD Vance had made a visit to Hungary just days earlier, meant to help push Orbán over the finish line. Election victor Péter Magyar, a former Orbán loyalist who campaigned against corruption and on everyday issues like health care and public transport, has pledged to rebuild Hungary's relationships with the European Union and NATO — ties that frayed under Orbán. European leaders quickly congratulated Magyar. His victory was expected to transform political dynamics within the EU, where Orbán had upended the bloc by frequently vetoing key decisions, prompting concerns he sought to break it up from the inside. It will also reverberate among far-right movements around the world, which have viewed Orbán as a beacon for how nationalist populism can be used to wage culture wars and leverage state power to undermine opponents. It's not yet clear whether Magyar’s Tisza party will have the two-thirds majority in parliament, which would give it the numbers needed for major changes in legislation. With 93% of the vote counted, it had more than 53% support to 37% for Orbán’s governing Fidesz party and looked set to win 94 of Hungary's 106 voting districts. “I congratulated the victorious party,″ Orban told followers. “We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition.″ Jubilation erupted along the Danube In a speech to tens of thousands of jubilant supporters at a victory party along the Danube River, Magyar said his voters had rewritten Hungarian history. “Tonight, truth prevailed over lies. Today, we won because Hungarians didn’t ask what their homeland could do for them — they asked what they could do for their homeland. You found the answer. And you followed through,” he said. On the streets of Budapest, drivers blared car horns and cranked up anti-government songs while people marching in the streets chanted and screamed. Many revelers chanted “Ruszkik haza!” or “Russians go home!” — a phrase used widely during Hungary’s 1956 anti-Soviet revolution, and which had gained increasing currency amid Orbán’s drift toward Moscow. Turnout in the election was nearly 80%, according to the National Election Office, a record number in any vote in Hungary’s post-Communist history. ‘Choice between East or West’ Orbán, the EU’s longest-serving leader and one of its biggest antagonists, traveled a long road from his early days as a liberal, anti-Soviet firebrand to the Russia-friendly nationalist admired today by the global far-right. The EU will be waiting to see how Magyar changes Hungary's approach to Ukraine. Orbán repeatedly frustrated EU efforts to support the neighboring country in its war against Russia’s full-scale invasion, while cultivating close ties to Putin and refusing to end Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy imports. Recent revelations have shown a top member of Orbán's government frequently shared the contents of EU discussions with Moscow, raising accusations that Hungary was acting on Russia’s behalf within the bloc. Members of Trump's “Make America Great Again” movement are among those who see Orbán's government and his Fidesz political party as shining examples of conservative, anti-globalist politics in action, while he is reviled by advocates of liberal democracy and the rule of law. In Budapest, Marcell Mehringer, 21, said he was voting “primarily so that Hungary will finally be a so-called European country, and so that young people, and really everyone, will do their fundamental civic duty to unite this nation a bit and to breakdown these boundaries borne of hatred.” Strained relationship with the EU During his 16 years as prime minister, Orbán launched harsh crackdowns on minority rights and media freedoms, subverted many of Hungary's institutions and been accused of siphoning large sums of money into the coffers of his allied business elite, an allegation he denies. He also heavily strained Hungary's relationship with the EU. Although Hungary is one of the smaller EU countries, with a population of 9.5 million, Orbán has repeatedly used his veto to block decisions that require unanimity. Most recently, he blocked a 90-billion euro ($104 billion) EU loan to Ukraine, prompting his partners to accuse him of hijacking the critical aid. His challenger came from the inside Magyar, 45, rapidly rose to become Orbán's most serious challenger. A former insider within Orbán's Fidesz, Magyar broke with the party in 2024 and quickly formed Tisza. Since then, he has toured Hungary relentlessly, holding rallies in settlements big and small in a campaign blitz that recently had him visiting up to six towns daily. In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Magyar said the election will be a “referendum” on whether Hungary continues on its drift toward Russia under Orbán, or can retake its place among the democratic societies of Europe. Tisza is a member of the European People's Party, the mainstream, center-right political family with leaders governing 12 of the EU's 27 nations. Uphill election battle Magyar faced a tough fight. Orbán's control of Hungary's public media, which he has transformed into a mouthpiece for his party, and vast swaths of the private media market give him an advantage in spreading his message. The unilateral transformation of Hungary's electoral system and gerrymandering of its 106 voting districts by Fidesz also required Tisza to gain an estimated 5% more votes than Orbán’s party to achieve a simple majority. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries had the right to vote in Hungarian elections and traditionally have voted overwhelmingly for Orbán's party. Russian secret services have plotted to interfere and tip the election in Orbán's favor, according to numerous media reports including by The Washington Post. The prime minister, however, accused neighboring Ukraine, as well as Hungary's allies in the EU, of seeking to interfere in the vote to install a “pro-Ukraine” government.  

Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer in security studies at Kings College London, said Sunday that Trump’s plan to use the U.S. Navy to block the Strait of Hormuz is unrealistic. “We should bear in mind that the Americans have a much lower threshold of pain than the Iranians,” Krieg said. “The Iranians, whatever happens, can sustain this for far longer than the world economy, far longer the Gulf states, far longer then the Americans.” Krieg said Trump doesn’t have “any good options” and that he will have to concede on some issues. “There isn’t any tool in the toolbox in terms of the military lever that he could use to get his way,” he said. Earlier, President Donald Trump said the U.S. Navy would swiftly begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement. U.S. Central Command announced that it will blockade all Iranian ports beginning Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran. CENTCOM said the blockade will be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.” It said it would still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the day, the United States and Iran ended 21 hours of face-to-face talks in Islamabad without reaching a deal, leaving the fate of the fragile, two-week ceasefire still unclear. The war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets has entered its seventh week.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday that his country is prepared to reach a deal that would ensure “lasting regional peace.” He added that Iran’s national interests are a red line, according to a readout of the call carried by Iran’s state-media. Pezeshkian criticized the U.S. use of bases in Gulf countries to carry out strikes against Iran, while maintaining that Gulf countries are “brothers” and that Tehran is willing to cooperate with them to achieve regional security “without outside powers” Iran has said it has repeatedly struck U.S. facilities in neighboring Gulf countries since the war started in late February. Gulf countries say Iran has also targeted civilian infrastructure and facilities. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade to stop ships from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S.-Iran peace talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement. Iran has demanded the right to collect tolls from vessels traveling through the strait, but Trump said no one who paid them would “have safe passage on the high seas.”  

Iran’s chief negotiator has blamed the United States for the collapse of high-stakes talks. However, U.S. officials said the negotiations collapsed over what they described as Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear programme. The discussions, held in Islamabad and lasting nearly 21 hours, ended without any agreement despite what Iranian officials described as multiple proposals aimed at moving the process forward. Neither side indicated what will happen after the 14-day ceasefire expires on April 22. Meanwhile, Pakistani mediators urged all parties to maintain it. Both said their positions were clear and put the onus on the other side, underscoring how little the gap had narrowed throughout the talks. “We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vice President JD Vance said after the long talks. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who led Iran in the negotiations, said it was time for the United States “to decide whether it can gain our trust or not.”    

After 21 hours of marathon-like negotiations, the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the latest round of talks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday in Islamabad, Pakistan. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency also reported that negotiations in Islamabad concluded without any outcome, as "excessive demands" by the United States hindered the development of a common framework and agreement. WHAT HAPPENED? The third round of face-to-face U.S.-Iran talks concluded within a two-week conditional truce window, more than a month after the start of joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran. The historic talks in Islamabad has drawn global attention amid ongoing turbulence. However, the talks failed to produce any breakthrough. Confirming his constant communication with U.S. President Donald Trump and others in the administration, Vance said the U.S. side had presented its "final and best offer" after continuous communication, adding that a number of substantive discussions were conducted in "good faith," but the proposal had yet to secure any endorsement. Meanwhile, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the talks were conducted in an atmosphere of mistrust, and agreement shouldn't be expected to be reached within a single session. "We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won't be attacked again," said Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, ahead of the talk. KEY STICKING POINTS The U.S. vice president said the key question between the two sides is whether Iran is willing to demonstrate sustained intent to refrain from pursuing nuclear capabilities, not only in the immediate term but in the years ahead. Vance said Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities have been "destroyed," shifting the focus of negotiations to securing a long-term commitment from Tehran not to develop nuclear weapons. "The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon," Vance said. "That is the core goal of the president of the United States and that's what we've been trying to achieve through these negotiations." The Iranian side later confirmed that the two sides reached an understanding on several issues, but their views diverged on two or three critical ones. Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on X that discussions with the United States over the past 24 hours included the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, war reparations, the lifting of sanctions, and the complete end to the war against Iran. WHAT'S NEXT? Trump said on Saturday that it "makes no difference" to him whether both sides reach a deal. However, the failure to secure a deal has cast fresh doubt over the ceasefire's durability, with disputes over its scope, including whether it extends to Lebanon. Uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is adding to regional tensions. Despite the breakdown in talks, Pakistan reiterated its readiness to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that Islamabad would continue to play a constructive role in promoting engagement between Iran and the United States. "We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond."

As of 10:21 p.m. local time in Islamabad, the trilateral in-person talks were ongoing, a senior White House official told reporters traveling with Vice President JD Vance. Earlier, the historic face-to-face negotiations began on Saturday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week. The talks came after U.S. and Iranian officials met separately with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that the United States and Iran are exchanging written texts amid historic, in-person ceasefire talks in Pakistan’s capital. The White House confirmed the direct nature of the talks, a rare instance of high-level engagement. Iran's state-run news agency said three-party talks including Pakistan began after Iranian preconditions, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, were met, and after U.S. and Iranian officials met separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian one led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf were discussing how to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel's continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the most direct U.S. contact had been in 2013 when President Barack Obama called newly elected President Hassan Rouhani to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The most recent highest-level meetings were between Secretary of State John Kerry and counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif during negotiations over the program. Now talks are underway between Vance, a reluctant defender of the war who has little diplomatic experience and warned Iran not to “try and play us,” and Qalibaf, a former commander with Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard who has issued some of Iran's most fiery statements since fighting began. Iran sets ‘red lines’ including compensation for strikes Iran doubled down on parts of its earlier proposal, with its delegation telling Iranian state television it had presented some of the plan’s ideas as “red lines” in meetings with Sharif. Those included compensation for damage caused by U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the war on Feb. 28 and releasing Iran’s frozen assets. The war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 1,953 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and caused lasting damage to infrastructure in half a dozen Middle Eastern countries. Iran's chokehold on the vital Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring. Reflecting the high stakes, officials from the region said Chinese, Egyptian, Saudi and Qatari officials were in Islamabad to indirectly facilitate the talks. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. In Tehran, residents told The Associated Press they were skeptical yet hopeful about the talks after weeks of airstrikes left destruction across their country of some 93 million people. Some said the path to recovery would be long. “Peace alone is not enough for our country, because we’ve been hit very hard, there have been huge costs,” 62-year-old Amir Razzai Far said. Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with strikes in Lebanon after saying there is no ceasefire there. Iran and Pakistan have disagreed. The Lebanese state-run news agency reported at least three people killed. Officials posture over key issues ahead of talks Ahead of the talks, President Donald Trump accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy supplies, for extortion, and told reporters Friday it would be opened “with or without them.” Iran’s closure of the strait has proved its biggest strategic advantage in the war. Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil had typically passed through on over 100 ships a day. Only 12 have been recorded transiting since the ceasefire. On Saturday, Trump said on social media that the U.S. had begun “clearing out” the strait, but it was unclear whether he was referring to the reported use of mines there or Iran’s broader ability to control the area. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Tehran was entering negotiations with “deep distrust” after strikes on Iran during previous rounds of talks. Araghchi, part of Iran’s delegation in Pakistan, said Saturday that his country was prepared to retaliate if attacked again. Iran and the United States outlined competing proposals ahead of the talks. Iran’s 10-point proposal called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It included ending fighting against Iran’s “regional allies," explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah. The United States’ 15-point proposal includes restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the strait. Israel and Lebanon will have direct negotiations Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said Friday, after Israel's surprise announcement authorizing talks despite the countries lack of official relations. But thousands in Lebanon protested the planned negotiations, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he had postponed a planned trip to Washington “in light of the current internal circumstances.” It was not immediately clear what that meant for the talks. Israel wants the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, much like was envisaged in a November 2024 ceasefire. But it is unclear whether Lebanon's army can confiscate weapons from the militant group, which has survived efforts to curb its strength for decades. Israel’s insistence that the ceasefire in Iran does not include a pause in its fighting with Hezbollah has threatened to sink the deal. The militant group joined the war in support of Iran in the opening days. Israel followed up with airstrikes and a ground invasion. The day the Iran ceasefire deal was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people in the deadliest day in Lebanon since the war began, according to the country's Health Ministry. Energy pressures grow The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, was above $94 on Saturday, up more than 30% since the war started. And new pressures emerged in Europe for travelers. The head of Airports Council International-Europe, Olivier Jankovec, warned the European Union that a ″systemic jet fuel shortage’’ could come within three weeks because of the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. Jankovec said in a letter obtained by the AP that the crunch could impact the summer travel season and ″significantly harm the European economy.’′