The White House confirmed that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to travel to Pakistan Saturday for a new round of talks aimed at ending the war with Iran. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad Friday; Pakistan hosted direct U.S.-Iran talks earlier this month. Araghchi’s spokesperson denied a direct meeting with U.S. officials was planned, and Pakistan said Araghchi was meeting senior Pakistani officials. Araghchi wrote on social media that “Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.” He said the purpose of his visit was to coordinate with partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments; he also plans visits to Oman and Russia.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News the president had dispatched Witkoff and Kushner “to go hear” what the Iranians have to say, expressing hope the meetings would be productive and move negotiations toward a deal. Vice President Vance, who led the U.S. delegation previously, is not traveling this weekend but remains “deeply involved” and will be standing by with the president, secretary of state Marco Rubio and the national security team.
The announcement came as Israel said it attacked southern Lebanon, targeting sites it asserted belonged to Iran-backed Hezbollah, which fired rockets into Israel. That violence occurred despite President Trump’s statement that Israel and Lebanon had agreed during talks at the White House to extend their ceasefire by three weeks; Hezbollah was not part of those negotiations and opposes them. The shaky Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is tied to broader U.S. efforts to draw its war with Iran to a close. Tehran has insisted that fighting in Lebanon remain paused as a precondition for further U.S.-Iran talks.
Trump unilaterally extended a ceasefire with Iran this week hours before it was set to expire, without specifying a new expiration date. Iran dismissed that extension as “meaningless,” arguing the continued U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports violates the deal and saying Iran’s delegation will not return to the table until the blockade is lifted.
1) Witkoff and Kushner travel to Pakistan for Iran talks
Leavitt said the Iranians requested talks. She reiterated U.S. hopes for progress but left open whether Araghchi would participate directly. President Trump told reporters Thursday he is in no hurry to reach a deal, saying he wants to “take my time” and wait for “the best deal.”
2) NATO rift — Spain rebukes reported Pentagon memo
Reuters reported an internal Pentagon memo prepared by Elbridge Colby that floated measures to retaliate against NATO allies deemed “difficult” on the Iran war, including suspending Spain from the alliance and blocking allies from top positions. NPR has not independently reviewed the document. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson declined to comment on internal deliberations but said the department is ensuring the president has “credible options” to make sure allies “do their part.” Spain, which has refused to allow U.S. use of bases on its territory and labeled the war illegal, rejected the report; Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said they work from official documents and positions, not emails.
3) Mines in the Strait of Hormuz
Trump said he ordered the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill any boat” attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that threat, calling such vessels “pirates” and “terrorists” and criticizing European allies for not joining the U.S.-Israeli effort. A Pentagon assessment shared in closed briefings with Congress suggests clearing Iranian-laid mines from the strait could take up to six months.
The threat of attacks in the strait has severely affected global shipping. Some vessels have attempted transits, but many are avoiding the area after Iran attacked and seized several ships earlier in the week. Around 20,000 seafarers have been stuck aboard ships since the start of the war. Tanker owners are keeping vessels away from the Middle East, and disruptions have delayed shipments of helium, fertilizer and aluminum, causing shortages and rising costs.
4) U.S. sanctions China refinery, shipping firms and tankers
The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co., Ltd., saying it sustained Iran’s oil economy, and targeted about 40 shipping firms and vessels alleged to be part of a clandestine tanker network moving Iranian oil. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at President Trump’s direction the department will constrict the network of vessels, intermediaries and buyers Iran uses to move oil and that facilitators “risk exposure to U.S. sanctions.” Separately, the administration extended a waiver of the Jones Act to help domestic supplies of gasoline and refined products amid the global oil disruption; experts say the waiver eases shipping between U.S. refineries and customers but has minimal effect on consumer gas prices.
5) Pope Leo urges return to talks
Pope Leo XIV called on the United States and Iran to return to negotiations to end the war, urging leaders to adopt “a culture of peace.” Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane after an African trip, he described the negotiations as “complex” but pressed all sides to remain committed to dialogue. He carried a photograph of a young Muslim Lebanese boy killed in Israel’s recent attacks on Hezbollah areas and questioned how to promote values without so many innocent deaths.