Israel-Iran war LIVE: Iran says no direct talks with U.S....
2026-04-25·via The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Pakistani officials and Iran would convey messages between the delegations
Updated - April 25, 2026 06:44 am IST
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (left) meets with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar upon his arrival in Pakistan on April 24, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP
Shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Pakistan, his government made it clear that there would be no direct negotiations with American government representatives during this visit.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on X that “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S.” Instead, Baqaei said Pakistani officials would convey messages between the delegations.
Following the Iran’s confirmation, the White House has confirmed that U.S. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Pakistan’s capital city on Saturday morning (April 24, 2026) for a new round of talks with Iran on ending the war. U.S. President J.D. Vance, who was part of the first round of talks, will not be part of the delegation, but is on “standby”.
Follow the live updates below:
April 25, 2026 06:44
Israeli strikes kill six in Lebanon: Health Ministry
Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed six people on Friday (April 24, 2026), the Lebanese Health Ministry said, despite an ongoing ceasefire in the more than six-week war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“The Israeli enemy’s airstrikes on southern Lebanon today, April 24, resulted in the martyrdom of six citizens and the injury of two others,” the Ministry said in a statement.
Two people were killed in Wadi al-Hujair, two were killed in Touline, and one each in Srifa and Yater, all in southern Lebanon, the Ministry said.
Earlier Friday (April 24, 2026), the Israeli Army said it had killed six people in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which saw intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah for days leading up to the April 17 ceasefire.
- AFP
April 25, 2026 06:41
U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist released after war coverage detention
An American-Kuwaiti journalist has been released after being held for weeks in Kuwait during a crackdown on sharing footage of the U.S.-Iran war, a U.S. State Department official said on Friday (April 24, 2026).
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who has contributed to The New York Times, PBS, and Al Jazeera English, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly spreading false information, harming national security and misusing his mobile phone.
A U.S. State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Friday (April 24, 2026) that Shihab-Eldin “has safely departed Kuwait.”
“While in detention, the State Department was in contact with Mr Shihab-Eldin and provided consular assistance,” the official added.
- AFP
April 25, 2026 06:39
Trump dispatches Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for talks with Iran’s FM Araghchi
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump is sending his Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday (April 25, 2026) to continue talks.
Mr. Araghchi will lead a small delegation to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia on Friday (April 24, 2026) to “hold bilateral consultations and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation” in the U.S.-Iran war, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.
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April 25, 2026 06:35
Iran says no direct talks with U.S. in Islamabad planned
Shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in Pakistan, his government made it clear that there would be no direct negotiations with American government representatives during this visit.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on X that “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S.” Instead, Baqaei said Pakistani officials would convey messages between the delegations.
Mr. Baqaei thanked the Pakistani Government for its “ongoing mediation and good offices for ending the American-imposed war of aggression.” The White House said earlier on Friday (April 24, 2026) that its envoys would meet Mr. Araghchi.
