Smoke rose over Lebanon after an explosion, visible from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, Reuters reported. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by phone that Tehran will not enter negotiations while the United States maintains a blockade on Iranian ports, according to ISNA and Tasnim. Pezeshkian said the US “should first remove operational obstacles, including the blockade,” before a new round of talks could begin. Sharif called the exchange a “warm and constructive discussion.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrapped up a one-day visit to Islamabad after meetings with Pakistan’s military and government officials, but the trip produced no breakthrough on restarting negotiations. US President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit by envoys to Pakistan, telling Fox News he ordered envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to travel and saying Iran “can call us any time they want.”
US Central Command said it intercepted the merchant vessel Sevan in the Arabian Sea on Saturday and identified the ship as part of a 19-vessel “shadow fleet” moving Iranian oil and gas products to foreign markets.
With both Tehran and Washington showing little willingness to soften demands, diplomatic hopes faded as talks stalled. Trump said Iran’s peace offer had “improved but remained inadequate,” and described the proposed envoys’ trip as too costly and extensive for the concessions offered. Reuters contributed reporting.
