US President Donald Trump has raised concerns about how effective the two-week ceasefire will be, pointing to Iran’s continued control over the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Kuwait has accused Iran and its allied groups of carrying out drone strikes despite the truce being in place.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has rejected claims that it carried out attacks on Persian Gulf countries on Thursday night.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated a possible opening for de-escalation by approving direct talks with Lebanon, although there has been no response from the Lebanese government so far. The move comes in the aftermath of intense Israeli strikes on Beirut earlier in the week that reportedly left more than 300 people dead. The proposed discussions are expected to take place in Washington next week, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Several key issues remain unresolved, including the future of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, the timeline for restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the extent of Iran’s capability to carry out missile strikes or support proxy groups in the region.
Efforts to resolve the broader conflict are set to continue, with talks between the United States and Iran scheduled to begin Saturday in Islamabad. The White House has said that Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation.
Meanwhile, an Iranian medical official has estimated that more than 3,000 people have been killed in the conflict involving Israel and the United States. Abbas Masjedi, head of Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization, said the deaths were the result of enemy attacks, though no detailed breakdown of casualties has been provided by the government.
In a separate development, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung shared a video on social media that appeared to show Israeli soldiers pushing a body off a rooftop in the West Bank. While not directly commenting on the current conflict, he stressed that humanitarian law must be upheld at all times and warned against repeating past tragedies. His government also announced that a senior diplomat would be sent to Iran to address concerns over citizen safety and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Singapore has ruled out restricting fuel exports despite disruptions caused by the conflict. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the country would continue supplying refined petroleum products, noting that exports were not limited even during the peak of the COVID pandemic. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Wong had conveyed the same assurance during bilateral talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces had intercepted Iranian made Shahed drones in multiple Middle Eastern locations during the conflict. He described these operations as part of a wider effort to support allies facing similar threats.
Global markets reacted cautiously, with Asian stocks posting gains and oil prices rising amid uncertainty over the ceasefire and upcoming US Iran negotiations. Analysts noted that pre war oil price levels are unlikely to return soon, with forecasts suggesting higher average prices going forward.
In Pakistan, Islamabad was placed under heightened security ahead of the talks, with roads largely empty, checkpoints set up and a public holiday keeping residents indoors. Additional security forces have been deployed as delegations from both countries arrive for the negotiations.
Reports of air defence activity and explosions were heard overnight in parts of Iran, including Tehran, although authorities did not confirm any attack. Similar incidents have occurred in recent days as tensions remain high.
Japan has announced plans to release additional oil reserves to address supply concerns linked to the conflict. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the release would begin in May, adding to earlier measures taken to stabilise energy supplies. The country is also exploring alternative import routes that do not rely on the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan has also announced that it will grant visas on arrival to visitors attending the upcoming talks, reflecting the global attention focused on the negotiations.
