War in Iran: JD Vance has arrived in Islamabad; meeting Tuesday on Lebanon

Hezbollah Deputy Calls Negotiations with Israel a Violation of the Constitution

A Hezbollah deputy, Hassan Fadlallah, reiterated on Saturday the refusal of the pro-Iranian Lebanese movement to engage in direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, following the announcement by the Lebanese presidency of a meeting next week in Washington between the representatives of the two countries.

These negotiations are “a blatant violation of the (national) pact, the Constitution, and Lebanese laws” and “they exacerbate internal divisions at a time when Lebanon needs solidarity and internal unity more than ever to face Israeli aggression”, the deputy stated in a press release.

10:50 AM – Iranian Delegation Meets Pakistani Prime Minister

The Iranian delegation, which is set to hold negotiations in Islamabad with the American side on Saturday, has begun a meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, whose country plays a mediator role, the Iranian state television reported.

The modalities of the Iranian-American discussions, including the agenda and format, will be defined after this meeting, the television clarified.

9:05 AM – Pakistan Hopes Iran and US will Participate Constructively

The Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, expressed hope on Saturday that Iran and the United States “participate constructively” in the peace talks starting today in Islamabad.

The minister also “reiterated Pakistan’s desire to help the parties reach a lasting solution to the conflict”, according to a statement released shortly after the arrival of the American delegation.

8:19 AM – JD Vance Arrives in Pakistan

American Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, where negotiations between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East are set to take place amidst mutual distrust. JD Vance landed in Islamabad in the morning – a city under high security – to lead the American delegation, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump.

The Vice President, leading the American delegation, was welcomed by the powerful Pakistani army chief Asim Munir upon arrival at the Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad.

Key News Overnight

• Donald Trump assured on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be open, as navigation in this essential waterway for global trade remains severely restricted by Iran. “It will open automatically,” because Iran “is not making any money otherwise”, the American President estimated to journalists.

• The Lebanese presidency announced on Friday evening that a meeting would take place on Tuesday with Israel in Washington. According to the statement, the discussion will focus on a ceasefire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. But shortly after, Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter affirmed that “he refused to discuss a ceasefire with the terrorist organization Hezbollah”.

• The Iranian delegation led by the Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to participate in peace negotiations with the United States, as announced Friday evening by the state television. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also part of the delegation. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had previously demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon and the freezing of his country’s assets before any discussion.