Pakistan

Turkey's 'strategic triad' gains sway in Trump's Middle East policy, posing challenges for Israel

BEHIND THE LINES: Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan are emerging as a powerful bloc - an alliance openly opposed to Israel.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (left) is greeted by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Doha, in March.
 A Pakistani Ranger stands guard during the 'Beating Retreat' ceremony at the border gates of Pakistan and India at the Wagah border post near Lahore on May 4, 2025.

Over 100 Indian and Pakistani figures urge Modi and Sharif to restart stalled diplomatic talks

A Pakistani bus upturned in a ditch, July 3, 2026.

Pakistani bus falls into roadside ditch, rescue agency reports 40 killed, 8 injured

An Afghan Taliban fighter sit next to an anti-aircraft gun near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan, October 15, 2025.

US says it supports Pakistan's right to defend itself amid renewed conflict with Afghanistan


Trump, Pakistani sources say US-Iran talks could begin Friday as ceasefire extended - report

The New York Post reported that US President Donald Trump, when asked via text message about the possibility of talks happening on Friday, said: “It’s possible!”

US President Donald Trump speaks about research into mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2026.

Israel, Lebanon face new risks even if US-Iran talks advance - analysis

Hezbollah’s position in southern Lebanon and Israel’s demand for long-term security arrangements could keep the northern front unstable.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) speaks during a meeting with Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad (2R) and Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter (2L) at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 14, 2026.

United States Treasury Department imposes fresh sanctions against suppliers of weapons to Iran

The move comes as a two-week ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump is due to end in the coming days.

A general view of the Treasury Building on day two of a partial government shutdown in Washington, DC, US, February 1, 2026.

Trump says he does not want to extend ceasefire with Iran, will get 'great deal'

Trump told CNBC that he believes the US is “going to end up with a great deal” with Iran to end the weeks-long war, saying "they have no choice."

US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on April 18, 2026.

Initial Iranian, US delegations land in Islamabad for talks, but Tehran denies travel - report

However, Iranian state media denied this, saying that nobody has left Tehran as of Tuesday morning.

Pakistani army soldiers patrol at D Chowk near the President's House, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 21, 2026.

Vance to travel to Islamabad, Iranian delegation gets reported approval from supreme leader - Axios

According to a source with knowledge, cited by Axios, the Iranian negotiating team hesitated under pressure from the IRGC to take a stronger line and refuse talks without an end to the US blockade.

US Vice President JD Vance waves as he boards Air Force Two, after peace talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, April 12, 2026.

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.

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

Trumps told PBS News that he is unsure if the Iranians will attend the talks in Pakistan, while insisting that Tehran will not achieve nuclear weapon capability.

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

Iran rejects second round of talks with US

Two sources told The Jerusalem Post that Washington aims to first reach a framework agreement before negotiating the details.

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 more Mr. Nice Guy!': Trump says Iran committed 'serious' ceasefire violation, still wants deal

A White House official later confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner would be among those heading to Pakistan.

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