Trump downplays talks for ceasefire cope with Iran, claiming army victory. ‘It doesn’t matter. From the standpoint of America, we win’ | Fortune

The US and Iran started face-to-face negotiations Saturday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was introduced.

The warfare that has killed hundreds of individuals and shaken international markets entered its seventh week.

The White Home confirmed the direct nature of the talks. The talks got here after U.S. and Iranian officers met individually with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf had been discussing methods to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued assaults in opposition to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

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Trump downplays Iran negotiations, says deal ‘makes no difference’

Talking to reporters exterior the White Home on Saturday, Trump claimed army victory in opposition to Iran and downplayed the significance of ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving Vice President JD Vance as a result of “regardless what happens we win.”

“Let’s see what happens – maybe they make a deal maybe they don’t,” the president stated. “It doesn’t matter. From the standpoint of America, we win.”

Trump acknowledged “very deep negotiations” with Iran. However he additionally stated the U.S. army was trying to find mines within the Strait of Hormuz, which nonetheless remained successfully closed to most freighters carrying oil and pure fuel out of the Persian Gulf.

Qatar to totally resume maritime navigation actions

The nation’s Ministry of Transport introduced Saturday the complete resumption of maritime navigation actions efficient Sunday from 6 a.m. to six p.m., extending the choice to “all categories of marine vessels and transport modes.”

The ministry urged operators in a press release to adjust to security protocols.

It was not instantly clear whether or not the choice meant that Qatari vessels can be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which remained successfully closed as of Saturday.

Iran denies claims that US vessels entered the Strait of Hormuz, state media say

A spokesperson for Iran’s joint army command denied an earlier declare by the U.S. that two Navy destroyers transited the waterway, including that “initiative over the passage of any vessel rests with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, in response to Iran’s state media.

The Strait of Hormuz, the slender mouth of the Persian Gulf by which 20% of all oil and pure fuel traded as soon as handed, is anticipated to be some of the difficult factors of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, at the moment going down within the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

1000’s attend anti-war demonstration in Tel Aviv after wartime restrictions eased

The protesters crammed Tel Aviv’s Habima Sq. on Saturday night, holding up indicators calling for an finish to Israel’s “eternal war” and chanting “more suffering in Lebanon will not bring us security.”

At a smaller protest held there the earlier weekend, amid missile assaults from Iran and Yemen, police dispersed the protesters utilizing drive and arrested a minimum of 17, citing safety restrictions.

Ifat Kalderon, whose cousin Ofer Kalderon was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza and launched final 12 months, informed the Related Press she got here to the protest to name for Israel to place an finish to its wars “in Iran, in Lebanon and in Gaza.”

She stated the warfare with Iran had achieved no optimistic outcomes. “The reality is the same as before, perhaps even worse. We need to translate everything into agreements, we can’t keep living constantly in war.”

US says talks with Iran and Pakistan persevering with

As of 10:21 p.m. native time in Islamabad, the trilateral in-person talks had been ongoing, a senior White Home official informed reporters touring with Vice President JD Vance.

Greater than 2,000 individuals have been killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon in the course of the Israel-Hezbollah warfare, in response to well being officers

The dying toll in Lebanon from Israeli strikes within the ongoing warfare between Israel and Hezbollah has risen to 2,020, the Lebanese well being ministry stated Saturday.

The dying toll from practically six weeks of warfare contains 248 ladies,165 kids and 85 well being staff, the ministry stated. One other 6,436 individuals have been wounded. Almost 100 individuals had been killed prior to now 24 hours.

The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group fired missiles into Israel on March 2 in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli assaults on Iran. A tentative truce is now in place in Iran, however the U.S. and Israel say the settlement doesn’t apply to Lebanon, whereas Tehran says it does. The query is prone to be one of many thornier factors within the U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations now underway in Pakistan.

2 destroyers transit Strait of Hormuz forward of mine-clearing operation, US army says

The destroyers are a part of a broader mission to make sure the strait is absolutely away from sea mines beforehand laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, CENTCOM acknowledged.

Iran’s state media stated earlier on Saturday that it had compelled a U.S. army ship that was making an attempt to cross the Strait of Hormuz to show round.

The strait has been successfully closed to most oil and fuel freighters for the reason that U.S. and Israel started to strike Israel on Feb. 28. Stop-fire talks at the moment are underway in Pakistan.

Pope Leo XIV blasts ‘delusion of omnipotence’ fueling the US-Israeli warfare in Iran

In his strongest phrases but, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that’s fueling the U.S.-Israel warfare in Iran and demanded political leaders cease and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over a night prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the identical day the US and Iran started face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.

Historical past’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t point out the US or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was deliberate earlier than the talks had been introduced. However Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officers, who’ve boasted of U.S. army superiority and justified the warfare in non secular phrases.

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo demanded. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”

Talks between US and Iran officers resume after a break

U.S. and Iranian officers resumed a second spherical of talks Saturday night time in Islamabad after a break, with either side backed by technical consultants, two Pakistani officers stated.

They added that Pakistan’s high political and army management is encouraging either side to resolve their variations to make sure sturdy peace within the area, and the talks had been progressing.

The officers spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk to the media.

The officers declined to share additional particulars, saying they hoped for a win-win answer.

-By Munir Ahmed

Trump says he has ‘no idea’ how talks will go along with Iran

When requested how negotiations would go, Trump stated: “I have no idea.”

The U.S. president stated he would know shortly if he felt Iran was appearing in good religion about resolving the warfare.

Trump added that the U.S. knew the place mines had been positioned within the Strait of Hormuz and that the army was bringing gear to take away them.

Saturday’s negotiations mark uncommon face-to-face assembly between US and Iranian leaders

Saturday’s face-to-face talks in Pakistan which can be being led by Vance and Qalibaf mark a uncommon occasion of high-level engagement between American management and the Iranian authorities.

For the reason that Islamic Revolution in 1979, the highest-level direct contact had been when President Barack Obama, a Democrat, in September 2013 known as newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to debate Iran’s nuclear program.

It’s a high-stakes political activity for Vance, who has been a reluctant defender of the U.S. warfare with Iran, and has little earlier diplomatic expertise. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who’re becoming a member of Vance on the desk, are also comparatively new gamers in worldwide diplomacy.

The White Home stated it despatched “a full suite of U.S. experts on relevant subject areas” to hitch the negotiators in Islamabad, and stated different consultants had been supporting the group from Washington.

In Jerusalem, hundreds of Orthodox Christians collect in Church of Holy Sepulchre after restrictions lifted

1000’s of worshippers took half within the annual “Holy Fire” ceremony on Saturday in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an Orthodox Christian ritual that dates again greater than 1,200 years.

The ceremony, held the day earlier than Orthodox Easter, symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus, the place the Greek Orthodox Patriarch brings out candles reportedly lit by a miraculous, non-burning flame from the tomb, which is then handed to hundreds of worshipers.

Holy websites throughout Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis, together with Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Western Wall, remained closed for 40 days beneath Israeli safety restrictions following the warfare on Iran, however reopened on Thursday as a fragile, two-week ceasefire between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. appeared to carry.

“Just two days ago there was absolutely no one in the Old City, it felt like an orphaned town,” stated Fr. Antonious Al-Orshalemy. “But now we see wedding-like celebrations on every level. Everyone is happy, and everyone is joyful.”

1000’s protest Lebanese deliberate negotiations with Israel

Amid the protests, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated Saturday he had postponed a deliberate journey to Washington “in light of the current internal circumstances.”

Forward of his announcement, an adviser to Iran’s supreme chief on worldwide affairs warned in opposition to sidelining Hezbollah, saying in a social media publish: “Mr. Nawaf Salam must know that ignoring the unparalleled role of the Resistance and the heroic Hezbollah will expose Lebanon to irreparable security risks.”

President Joseph Aoun stated Friday a primary assembly can be held Tuesday on the U.S. State Division to debate a ceasefire and launch U.S.-mediated Lebanon-Israel negotiations, following a name between the 2 international locations’ ambassadors in Washington with the participation of the U.S. ambassador to Beirut.

Protesters burned portraits of Salam in downtown Beirut close to the Grand Serail, calling him a “Zionist” as they carried Hezbollah flags.

It was not instantly clear whether or not Salam was becoming a member of the delegation on Tuesday or what his choice meant for the talks.

Qatari official says Iranian assaults have decreased however ’not stopped’

Qatar’s Overseas Ministry spokesperson stated that assaults in opposition to any Gulf state represent an assault on all of them, denying that Qatar pays Iran to cease assaults in opposition to its territory.

“Qatar does not pay in exchange for stopping attacks on it,” stated Majed al-Ansari in a televised interview with Al Jazeera, including that Qatar intercepts the Iranian assaults.

Al-Ansari added Iran had additionally attacked civilian and industrial targets, regardless of Iran’s declare that it was solely concentrating on army websites.

Pakistani official says talks ‘progressing well’

“I cannot say whether they are sitting in the same room or in separate rooms, but talks have started and are progressing well,” the official with data of the peace efforts stated, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to speak to the media.

-By Munir Ahmed

Face-to-face negotiations have begun between the US and Iran in Pakistan

The White Home stated that delegations from the US, Iran and Pakistan are holding face-to-face conferences on Saturday.

The beginning of the assembly represents a major take a look at as as to whether the ceasefire, which has already proven strains, is sturdy sufficient to resolve the Iran warfare.

President Donald Trump forward of the assembly has engaged in provocative social media posts, suggesting that the U.S. power sector will profit from Iran successfully closing the Strait of Hormuz to grease and pure fuel tankers.

Vitality costs have risen sharply for the reason that U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, with the acknowledged targets of stopping its growth of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.

Vice President JD Vance is main the U.S. delegation, together with Steve Witkoff, the particular envoy, and Jared Kushner, who’s President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

US releases names of delegation in talks with Iran and Pakistan

The White Home supplied an inventory of the U.S. officers concerned in negotiations for ending the Iran warfare, together with Vice President JD Vance, particular envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.

Additionally taking part are Andrew Baker, the nationwide safety adviser to the vice chairman, and Michael Vance, the particular adviser to the vice chairman for Asian affairs.

Troublesome points for the talks

Foremost is Iran’s nuclear program, particularly the standing of its enriched uranium after final 12 months’s U.S. and Israeli strikes on nuclear websites. Tehran has not allowed the U.N. nuclear watchdog to examine since then.

Earlier than the warfare, Iran’s ballistic missile program was one other fundamental concern, particularly for Israel, together with Iran’s help for armed proxies within the Center East together with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza.

Now different points have emerged, notably Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a serious waterway for Center East oil, pure fuel and associated merchandise like fertilizer.

Iran now needs an finish to assaults, compensation for earlier ones and a assure that no extra will happen. It needs U.S. army forces to depart the area.

Tehran additionally needs longtime sanctions lifted.

Israel says it struck over 200 Hezbollah targets within the final 24 hours

The Israeli army stated its air drive hit infrastructure of the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon and was persevering with to help its floor forces working in southern Lebanon.

The assertion got here as Teheran was urgent for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in three-party talks that started Saturday afternoon between Iran and the US in Pakistan.

In Israeli communities alongside the border with Lebanon sirens continued to warn of drone and rocket assaults from Lebanon all through the day Saturday. There have been no reviews of accidents.

Trump says he opposes greater fertilizer prices for US farmers

The U.S. president posted on social media that he’s monitoring fertilizer value and “will not accept” any enhance in prices for farmers.

Fertilizer prices have elevated globally due to pure fuel provides being stranded due Iran’s management of the Strait of the Hormuz. Iran has used the strait as strategic leverage in its ongoing warfare with the U.S. and Israel.

However Trump’s publish was focused at a home viewers.

“I am watching fertilizer prices CLOSELY during our FIGHT FOR FREEDOM in Iran,” he posted. “The United States will not accept PRICE GOUGING from the fertilizer monopoly! American Farmers, we have your back!”

US revokes inexperienced playing cards of extra Iranian born relations of present and former Iran officers

The Trump administration has revoked the inexperienced playing cards of extra long-term Iranian residents of the US who’re associated to present or former senior Iranian officers.

The State Division stated Saturday it had taken motion in opposition to Seyed Eissa Hashemi, a Los Angeles-area psychology trainer, his spouse and son, all of whom had been Iranian born lawful everlasting residents of the US.

The division stated in a press release launched as talks to finish the warfare with Iran had been getting underway in Pakistan that they’d been taken into custody by immigration authorities and are slated for deportation.

Hashemi, it stated, is the son of Masoumeh Ebtekar who served as a spokeswoman for the attackers who took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and was later promoted to be Iran’s first feminine vice chairman.

Simply final week, the State Division revoked the inexperienced playing cards of the niece and grand-niece of former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad in early 2020.

3-way talks with the US and Iran start in Pakistan after earlier oblique discussions

Trump says on social media that US has begun ‘clearing out’ Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. president posted on social media that Iran’s army has been destroyed and that America is starting to open up the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway chokepoint utilized by Iran to limit the transport of 20% of the world’s oil provides.

It was unclear from the publish if Trump was referring to the potential use of mines within the Strait of Hormuz or Iran’s broader means to regulate the realm.

“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others,” Trump posted. “Incredibly, they don’t have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves.”