US Envoys Travel to Pakistan for Iran Nuclear Talks

Hello, I'm Gita Guramuthi. This is the Iran War today, our daily briefing bringing you up to date with all you need to know on day 56 of the USIsrael war with Iran. Over the next 24 minutes, we'll be live with our teams of correspondents around the world. Well, let's start with some of today's key developments. And President Trump is sending his special envoys Steve Rickoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan for fresh peace talks. Well, that comes as Iran's foreign minister is expected to arrive in Pakistan later today. A warning from the US defense secretary that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is growing and going global as he calls on Iran to make a wise deal. A leaked Pentagon email suggests America may rethink its position on Britain's claim

to the Falkland Islands as punishment for its stance on the Iran war. And President Trump announces a 3-week extension to the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. We start with the US as the White House says that special envoy Steve Wickoff and Jared Kushner are heading to Islamabad for fresh Iran talks. That comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hexath insisted the administration is not in a hurry to make a deal with Iran. At a Pentagon press conference, Hexath struck a defiant tone and said that the US wasn't anxious to come to an agreement. Similar to previous comments made by President Trump. But a short time ago, the White House press

secretary confirmed a team are going now to Islamabad. The president has decided to dispatch uh special envoy WhitF and Jared Kushner back to Islam Abbad. Um the Iranians want to talk. They want to talk in person. And so the president is, as I've said many, many times to all of you, always willing to give diplomacy a chance. So Stephen Jared will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow to hear the Iranians out. We hope progress will be made and we hope that positive developments will come from this meeting. Um, and we will see and the president, the vice president, the secretary of state will be waiting here in the United States uh for updates and the vice president I understand is on standby and will be willing to dispatch

to Pakistan if we feel it's a necessary use of his time. Let's speak to our correspondent Shima Khalil. Shima, uh, what is the significance then of this meeting that Wickoff and Kushner are heading to Pakistan? Well, we're getting official confirmation from the Trump administration that now talks are back on the table with the US special envoy Steve Wkov and Jared Kushner now on their way to Islamabad. Earlier in the day, we heard that the Iranian foreign minister uh Abbas Araji was also on his way to the Pakistani capital which means that even though Pete Hexith was saying that the United States wasn't in a hurry um for talks, the United States is now going to be in talks with Iran. What

could be achieved I think I is the real challenge here because hanging over those talks are a lot of stumbling blocks that have been more made more difficult by the US uh blockade of Iranian ports that has been described as ironclad growing going more global by Pete Hexith himself. I will uh comment on that phrase that uh Pete Hexith used not in a hurry not anxious to make a deal. Remember that Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran. We don't know for how long. But what that also means is that the conflict itself has now extended. We're on today 56. We're going into 2 months. And the president had promised the American people that this would last between 4 to

6 weeks. That is not the case. This is a war that's deeply unpopular here in the United States with 68% of people worried about the war. 64% of Americans not happy about the way that the president has um has handled it. And so going into those negotiations, you've got the Straight of Hormuz, who controls it, is it open or is it not? Which vessels can go through? That's a big stumbling block. The blockade itself, which Iran says is a violation of the ceasefire, is another stumbling block. And of course, Iran's nuclear program, which we're nowhere near any clarity on that. So there are going to be many hurdles. And I think what Caroline Levit said there that they hope that some progress

would be made for many people watching this progress for now could also mean clarity about where it goes from here and potentially when it's going to end. Shy Khalil, many thanks. While staying with the prospect of a diplomatic solution to the war as the Iranian foreign minister is also expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night. On a post on X, he said that he will visit Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. But he didn't mention whether he would be meeting US officials whilst in Pakistan. Let's speak to Gia G from BBC Persian who's in Islamabad. And Gia, where do you think we are now if these talks are going to be held on Saturday?

We really don't know yet this. We haven't got a confirmation from Pakistani side. Even Abbas Arachi Iranian foreign minister in a tweet he said he's only going to Islamabad to meet his neighbors official to consult about the war with Israel and United States and I think at this point of time I don't think is it is a coincidence United States decide to send its envy to Islamabad most likely there is some new proposal from Iranian side and also we know Pakistanis in the past few days they have been shuttling between both countries particularly the commander of Pakistani army general Assam Munir and also Pakistani foreign minister and prime minister they have been talking to both side in hopes of closing the gap

between them and bringing both side again back to Islamabad on the negotiation table we know Iranian I have been watching Iranian state media Iranian official particularly revolutionary regards they say the discussion about enriched uranium taking out of Iran is not on the table and also obviously removing the blockade on the straight of Horus which is imposed by United States they say they it must be removed I think also Iranian they have a lot of demand we don't know clearly what is what is their proposal but what we know at this point of time Mr. Arachi is not the person who could make decision in this negotiation but possibly he and his team could pave the way and prepare a final proposal then the head of Iranian negotiation team and

vice president JD Vance come here again and finalize it but as I said I don't think at this point of time it is clear whether they meet or not but most likely the Arachi has the proposal for the US. Gia Gaul from BBC Persian. Thank you. Let's turn now to another potential diplomatic headache. The Pentagon is reported to be considering options for punishing its NATO allies over what the Trump administration considers their lack of support in this war. It's reported that the US is reviewing America's position on Britain's ownership of the Falkland Islands. The UK insists the sovereignty of the islands is not in question. Our correspondent Joe Inwood explained how politically significant this would be.

We should say for many years the US position has been one of official neutrality but essentially recognizing de facto rule um ownership of the Brit of the Faulland Islands by the British. What's vaguely would be suggested and we don't know it's not been explicitly written out anywhere but what they could be talking about is shifting so they no longer recognize British sovereignty. We should say that wouldn't have any official impact. It's not up to the United States these territorial disputes, but it would be, I think, both very politically significant if that were to happen um in terms of the conversations that Argentina would want to have um but also incredibly

significant for the British and US relationship which would really suffer. The NATO alliance is a defensive alliance. set up to defend countries. And so most members of the NATO alliance, they don't view what the war in Iran as a defensive war. They see it as a war of choice that the Americans started. And so many, many European nations decided not to join in with it because it's not an article 5. It's not part of the collective self-defense. The Americans don't seem to see it that way. They seem to be viewing what is a defensive alliance as a an all for one and one for all alliance where if they decide they want to start a war, everyone else should join in. And I think most European nations, in fact all European nations simply don't see it

that way. But what we're seeing now is the possible American sort of retaliation for them taking that position. Joe Inwood there. Now, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has been extended for three weeks after talks between ambassadors from both countries at the White House. Israel wants to see Hezbollah disarmed and the Lebanese government says it wants to start deploying its army to the south. Hezbollah was not a part of the talks and opposed them because Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon where many areas have been reduced to rubble after Israeli attacks.

Despite an announcement of a ceasefire extension, there have been explosions in the southern Lebanese town of De Amos after the Israeli military has ordered residents to leave. Well, let's speak to our correspondent Lena Synab in Beirut. Lena, what's the reaction been to the truce extension? Are there concerns that Hezbollah may have and may that be uh are there concerns that Hezbollah might be an obstacle? Well, there is definitely a great uh joy about this ceasefire extended, but also the prospect of a lasting ceasefire after the talks yesterday in the US between uh the uh Lebanese and Israeli, you know, representatives for the negotiations with the support and

sponsorship of the uh Americans. There is the uh criticism coming from Hezbollah saying that no lasting solution without the full withdrawal of the Israelis from south of Lebanon. But they're also saying that they will not stop responding and retaliating to Israeli uh attacks and violations for the ceasefire. And we've seen over the past few days that there were mutual violations of the ceasefire happening on th on Wednesday. Five people were killed including a journalist and just today you know there was another evacuation order by the Israelis and an attack on the town in a near tier city. Uh this is all raising concern among the Lebanese over the past year after the 2024 um agreement. Israel continue to violate the ceasefire and the worry here

is that Israel is continue will continue with these kind of violations as well as the concern of Hezbollah not adhering to the agreement. The US president is adamant to uh push and help this deal to happen. He said that the uh Lebanese president and the Israeli prime minister are possibly due to meet in the coming weeks in Washington. something that Lebanon has not confirmed nor the Israelis confirmed. But it will be difficult to find a lasting peace between the two countries while Hezbollah is on the table. Especially the Israelis want to disarm Hezbollah and the government failed to do so over the past few months.

Lena Singab, thank you very much. Let's speak to our correspondent John Donison in Jerusalem. John, how's the ceasefire been received in Israel and what are the prospects of a longerterm peace deal? Well, look, I think there is obviously some relief that Israel to a large extent is no longer under fire. The rocket fire coming from Hezbollah has been reduced significantly. It's not been totally eradicated, but people living particularly in the north of Israel are not being woken up every night uh by sirens and having to go to the shelter. But I also think there is a skepticism about the long-term prospects for peace and the fact that the threat from Hezbollah has not gone away. And first of all, as Lena was

saying there, there are a number of reasons to be skeptical about these talks uh that are going to continue during this 3-week extension. First of all, the fighting hasn't stopped entirely. Both sides are violating uh that ceasefire. There are thousands of troops in southern Lebanon. uh the not only Hezbollah but also the Lebanese president has insisted that as part of this deal those troops need to fully withdraw back into Israel to the internationally recognized border. The Israeli government has shown no sign of doing that and I think you know there is quite a lot of appetite within the government particularly from members of that right-wing coalition to continue the war in Lebanon and in their view

finish the job against Hezbollah. And just finally, of course, the key elephant in the room in these talks is Hezbollah are not involved in them. So it is the Lebanese government who are negotiating. They're saying, are they going to have a plan to disarm Hezbollah and get rid of the threat from the south? There'll be skepticism whether the Lebanese government can do that from the Israelis. So look, I guess, yeah, it's good that the ceasefire is continuing, but no great optimism about the chances for a long-term peace. Okay, John Donison, thank you. Let's look more closely now at the experience on the ground in Lebanon after a BBC Verify investigation revealed that the scale of

Israeli destruction on the south, one family's worst fears were confirmed when satellite imagery revealed their home was destroyed. Merlin Thomas reports. From his mountaintop villa overlooking the valley, Joe Ellas could see for miles over rows of his family's prized olive trees. We planted so many olive trees around my house and other places you know that my father planted, my grandfather. There in his ancestral village of Koza near the Israeli border, Joe and his wife Diana remember fondly holidays spent with their six children, meal times around their long dining table and enjoying the valley's bountiful harvest.

Then Israel destroyed the house along with nearly a third of the buildings in the main residential area of the village between the 3rd of March and the 16th of April. My wife and I both were devastated. It's a catastrophe for all of us. Not only my family, but every single family that lives in that town. It's a tragedy. He currently lives east of Beirut and his family contacted BBC Verify following our reporting on Israel's systematic demolition in at least 12 villages and towns across southern Lebanon. We asked Israel's military why they demolished Joe's home. It said five anti-tank missiles were launched towards troops from there, injuring four

soldiers. It didn't provide any evidence or details when asked, but said it had struck several military targets, including the alle home, to prevent further attacks against IDF troops. Israel has been fighting the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, after it launched rockets and drones into Israel in support of Iran at the start of the war with Israel and the US. Israel responded with a wave of strikes, targeting what it said was Hezbollah infrastructure and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. For now, Joe doesn't know when or if he'll be able to return.

I understand there is a war two party shooting at each other, firing missiles and all of this, but at the end, in reality, the Lebanese civilians the one who pays the price. Joe and Diana's story is just one of the more than 1.2 Two million people the UN says have been displaced across Lebanon since this conflict began. Merlin Thomas, BBC News. Now, we've spoken a lot over the last 8 weeks or so about the global economic fallout of the war. From the price of fuel to food and fertilizer. Ships in the street of Hormuz remain at a near standstill. Global energy flows are

massively disrupted. The price of oil remaining stubbornly high as a result. Let's speak to our economics editor Fisel Islam. And fisel, this really is such a key question, isn't it? How long can global supply chains and the global economy endure so much disruption? Yes. And it's almost like every time you take a step forward here, you get two steps backwards. It seems like peace talks get out there, the talk of them, it affects the markets, and then you hear some contradiction. I think one of the dynamics here that's quite intriguing and predictable is the idea and the reality that the economic consequences of this are not some byproduct. They're an intrinsic part of the conflict clearly in terms of how the

Iranians are fighting this. This is how they're getting leverage. So it leads it makes very difficult to kind of come to some sort of settled equilibrium. Uh even now even today actually with the uh palpably better news from the vibes in terms of the uh negotiations that are going to resume we think in Islamabad the markets sort of like it's almost like they were saying well let's just wait and see what actually happens this time. They've got excited before the oil oil price in terms of Brent crude remains it's still pretty high. came down a little bit, but it's still well over $100 a barrel. And then you have this issue of the supply chains. You know, when the IMF last week outlined a

scenario that was relatively benign, we're already getting towards the adverse scenario, which is it lasts for weeks. And then you have the supply chains of things like helium, ura, important for fertilizer, napa as well, important in semiconductors and plastics. All these sorts of things creating problems particularly in Asian markets with knock-on impacts for prices around the world. And then you have this really important issue don't you about food prices. It hasn't yet sort of metastasized this into a into an all encompassing energy shock because it hasn't impacted on food prices fundamentally. If this lasts until June July then you will affect the uh the sewing season in the south in the developing world which then will have a

ratchet effect on food prices too. We just don't know where it's going. Um but that is the risk as this seems to drag on. Fisel Islam, thank you very much indeed. Uh those are really big key global concerns. Well, there are now signs that peace talks could be resuming between the US and Iran, but those reports haven't yet been confirmed in Thran. And the latest from the country's foreign minister is that they're currently more focused on their neighbors than the US. Our chief international correspondent, Lee Ducet, is in Tehran. Reports are coming in tonight from Washington about

a possible new round of talks between the United States and Iran. Not at the level of the US Vice President JD Vance, but President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, possibly heading to Islamabad. Again, those reports still haven't been confirmed here in Thran. And Iran's foreign minister Abbas Saraki is now making it clear his focus is on his neighbors. He has written a post on social media in which he said, "Our neighbors are our priority as he embarks on what he described as a timely tour visits which will take him to Pakistan, to Oman, as well as to Russia. Iran has a lot to discuss with its neighbors. Not just support during this crisis with the United States, but also future arrangements in the region, whether it's

security or control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran clearly sees its presence in that strait, not just as a bargaining chip in its current talks with the United States, but also an economic lifeline as it tries to ease the effects of international sanctions. And on top of that, political leverage in the long run if and when an agreement with the United States is ever reached. And for the moment, US naval blockade of that port, it seizure of a vessel belonging to Iran as well as its crew remain one of the major stumbling blocks to the resumption of any discussions. Leet in Thran for us. Well, with the US envoys now heading to Pakistan and the Iranian foreign minister heading to Islamabad too, there are growing hopes

that progress could be made in terms of further peace talks and the potential for a diplomatic end to the war. Let's speak to our security correspondent Frank Gardner. What is the prospect of progress in any talks that could happen over the weekend, Frank? Well, it's obviously a great positive move that uh this these two envoys are going to Islamabad. Um but the fact that JD Vance is not going and he was there at the previous ones shows that the US is kind of cautious about exactly what Iran is going to be prepared to offer. Um let's just remind ourselves what the core issues are because the straight of four moves has become a major issue but it wasn't an issue at the beginning of this war because it was open. The war

has caused it to be shut um effectively. So the core issues are really about Iran's nuclear enrichment program. Iran wants to be allowed to carry on to continue to enrich its own uranium. The US would like to stop it alto together and it also wants to remove the approximately 441 kilograms of highlyenriched uranium that is believed to be sitting in gaseous form u in canisters down beneath the tunnels underneath this in the mountains where it was bombed in June last year during America's operation midnight hammer. Now, Iran is hanging tough on both of these, but clearly progress has been made of some sort, otherwise they wouldn't be having these talks at all. And let's not forget that both in Islamabad nearly two weeks ago when they

had that marathon 21-hour session, there was an admission that progress was made, just nothing like as far as they needed to get. But also don't forget that back in February before this war started, Bad Alasi, the Omani foreign minister was moderating or mediating the talks between Iran and the US in Geneva. And he was very upbeat. He said, "We were nearly there on the nuclear file." Now, what Iran was refusing to discuss back then was its ballistic missile program or its support for proxies in the region. two issues that are of huge concern not just to Israel but to the Gulf Arab states and Frank do we know what the detail is briefly of where you know movement could be happening where there could be progress

well it's most likely to be on the nuclear file because um the question I think is probably going to center on um a moratorum of uh Iran enriching its nuclear its uranium material And there a suggestion that uh Iran has offered to suspend its enrichment for 5 years. The US would like it to be 20. If that's the case, I'm sure they can find a number in the middle. Front gardener, thank you very