United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Saturday for discussions with Iran, as announced by the White House. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in Islamabad.
This visit occurs amidst stalled negotiations between the US and Iran, with uncertainty persisting for days regarding Tehran’s potential return to the negotiating table. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that Iran still has an “open window” to reach a deal and abandon its pursuit of a nuclear weapon in “meaningful and verifiable ways.”
Here’s a summary of the events on day 57 of the conflict:
**In Iran**
The United States has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency assets linked to Iran, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This move is part of Washington’s efforts to increase pressure on Tehran amid energy supply disruptions caused by the ongoing situation.
**War Diplomacy**
* **Diplomatic Visits to Pakistan:** Araghchi arrived in Islamabad with a small team for meetings, while the White House confirmed Witkoff and Kushner’s Saturday morning travel to Pakistan.
* **Deadlocked Negotiations:** These trips take place amid ongoing uncertainty over whether Iran will participate in renewed negotiations.
* **Hormuz ‘Must Reopen’:** European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must reopen immediately “without restrictions and without tolling,” following talks with leaders from Lebanon and Syria.
* **‘Diplomacy is Not Closed’ Between Iran and US:** Al Jazeera’s Almigdad Alruhaid reported from Tehran that no direct talks are currently planned in Islamabad, but diplomatic efforts are continuing, with Araghchi touring regional capitals as Pakistan mediates.
* **Pakistan ‘Cautiously Optimistic’:** Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reported from Islamabad that mediators are observing signs of progress, though clarity on direct talks remains elusive.
**In the Gulf**
* **Kuwait Drone Incident:** Two drones launched from Iraq struck northern Kuwaiti border posts, causing damage but no casualties, as reported by Kuwaiti authorities. Iraq’s Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari stated that an investigation has been launched.
**In the US**
* **US Rules Out Oil Waiver Extensions:** Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent informed The Associated Press that Washington will not renew waivers for Russian oil shipments in transit, and any extension for Iranian oil is “completely out of the question” given the ongoing blockade.
* **US Sanctions Target Iran Oil Network:** Washington imposed sanctions on a major China-based refinery and approximately 40 shipping firms and tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil.
* **US Buildup:** The US military noted the presence of three aircraft carriers in the Middle East, marking the first time since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
**In Israel**
* **Netanyahu ‘Sabotage’ Claim:** Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of attempting to “sabotage” efforts to achieve a “historic” peace deal with Lebanon.
**In Lebanon and Gaza**
* **Israel Kills Six:** The Israeli military stated it had killed six Hezbollah fighters in a southern Lebanese town “during an exchange of fire.”
* **Hezbollah Downs Drone:** The Israeli military confirmed Hezbollah’s statement that it used a missile to shoot down an Israeli drone in southern Lebanon.
* **Israeli Attacks Kill at Least 12 in Gaza:** At least 12 Palestinians, including six police officers, were killed, according to medics and officials in Gaza.
**Oil and Gas**
* **‘Tight’ Gas Markets:** The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted that the market for liquefied natural gas (LNG), strained by the conflict, will remain “tight” through 2026 and 2027.
* **Oil Mixed, Stocks at Record Highs:** Oil prices saw a mixed day, with Brent oil futures rising to finish above $105 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US benchmark, dropped 1.5 percent to $94.40 a barrel. The S&P 500 rose 0.8 percent, pushing the benchmark for US stocks to an all-time high.
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