Pakistan

Taliban arrests senior co-founder Mullah Mutasim Agha Jan amid deepening internal rifts

Agha Jan, a close associate of the late Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, served as finance minister in the group’s first government prior to the 9/11 attacks.

Mutasim Agha Jan.
Vice President JD Vance disembarks Air Force Two after attending talks on Iran in Islamabad, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, April 12, 2026.

Trump threatens to bomb Iran if ceasefire breaks down as Vance reportedly en route to Islamabad

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to hold peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026.

Iran rejects second round of talks with US

 US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office after signing an Executive Order April 18, 2026 in Washington, DC.

'No more Mr. Nice Guy!': Trump says Iran committed 'serious' ceasefire violation, still wants deal


Trump to cancel Iran's ceasefire profit with full Hormuz blockade

Trump added that he has instructed the US Navy to interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran.

US President Donald Trump walks toward reporters before answering questions prior to boarding Air Force One on April 10, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. President Trump is traveling to Charlottesville, Virginia.

PMO appoints new Mossad chief, Trump orders Hormuz blockade after US-Iran talks fail

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz • Netanyahu says Israel's war with Iran 'not over yet'

Mossad Director Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman attends a ceremony marking the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle of the 7th Armored Brigade at the National Library in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2025.

Pakistan attempts to persuade Iran to enter talks without preconditions - The New Arab

According to an anonymous source, Pakistani officials urged the Iranian delegation to enter the ongoing talks in Islamabad "with a new spirit," and that the delegation had shown "positive signals."

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to hold peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026.

No deal reached after talks with Iran, Vance says

According to Vance, Iran chose not to accept US terms, despite the US being "quite flexible."

US VICE President JD Vance boards Air Force Two following a meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran on April 12, 2026 in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Pakistan Defense Minister deletes anti-Israel post from X after diplomatic backlash

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif briefly posted a message on X accusing Israel of carrying out “genocide” and using language Israeli officials condemned as inflammatory and offensive.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 20, 2025.

Vance: No deal reached after talks with Iran, Netanyahu says Iran campaign 'not over yet'

John Kerry: Netanyahu presented Iran attack plan to former presidents • Iran warns military vessels against transiting Strait of Hormuz • CENTCOM clears underwater mines in Hormuz

Detail view of US Vice President JD Vance motorcade is seen at the Serena Hotel shortly after his arrival on April 11, 2026 at Islamabad, Pakistan.

Trump: Iranians only alive to negotiate, have no cards but 'short-term extortion' with Hormuz

"The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the world by using international waterways," Trump posted on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump gives a press conference in the White House, April 6, 2026.

Pakistan in the spotlight: A ceasefire mediator Israel should watch closely-opinion

Pakistan and Israel have no diplomatic relations and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif urged the Muslim world to identify Israel and India as “true and eternal enemies.”

Iran and Pakistan falgs. Illustration.

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran negotiations

According to security sources, a US Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying an advance security and tactical team landed at Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon. 

Army soldiers sit in a truck, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

IDF destroys launcher fired from inside school, Israel excludes France from talks with Lebanon

IDF reservist severely wounded, another soldier lightly injured by shrapnel • Israel expels Spain from US's CMCC in Kiryat Gat over 'blatant anti-Israel bias'

IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon, April 10, 2026.