Trump dispatches Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for new talks with Iran’s foreign minister, JD Vance won’t attend: White House

Vice President JD Vance will not travel but remains “deeply involved,” Leavitt added, noting he is on standby in the US along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the national security team, ready to head to Pakistan if needed.

Earlier, Araghchi posted on X that he was travelling to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia for talks focused on “bilateral matters and regional developments.” Islamabad has been trying to revive negotiations between Tehran and Washington, which have yet to resume as expected this week.

War pressure builds despite ceasefires

Israeli strikes killed at least nine people across Gaza on Friday, including a woman and a child, according to local health officials, underlining how fragile ceasefire conditions remain on the ground.

Despite a truce with Hamas in place since October, more than 790 Palestinians have been killed in near-daily strikes, according to Gaza health authorities, pointing to continued violations and escalating humanitarian risks.

In Lebanon, authorities said the death toll from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has climbed to 2,491, with thousands more wounded. Even after a ceasefire extension, hostilities have continued, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the US are operating in “full cooperation” on Iran, while also signalling ongoing negotiations with Lebanon—highlighting the multi-front nature of the crisis.

Global trade shockwaves

The war has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies, forcing companies to reroute cargo and absorb higher costs.

Traffic has surged through the Panama Canal, where companies are now paying millions of dollars in auction fees to secure faster passage amid mounting delays and risks in the Gulf.

Analysts say the rerouting reflects a broader shift in global supply chains as businesses try to avoid conflict-hit maritime zones.

(With inputs from AP)