US-Iran peace talks: High-stakes US Iran discussion begins in Islamabad, Tehran in touch with Hezbollah |LIVE UPDATES
Iran’s consulate in India has said that a second shipment of donated medical supplies from the people of India has been dispatched to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
A senior Iranian source has told Reuters that the United States has agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, potentially marking a significant breakthrough in ongoing negotiations in Islamabad. However, the claim has not yet been independently confirmed by US officials.
The reported move comes as Iran continues to press for sanctions relief and access to billions of dollars in blocked funds as part of broader ceasefire discussions. Past rounds of negotiations have repeatedly tied diplomatic progress to the unfreezing of Iranian assets held overseas.
If verified, the development could serve as a key confidence-building step in the fragile US-Iran talks, aimed at ending the six-week conflict and easing regional tensions.
An earthquake measuring 4.58 magnitude struck southern Iran on Saturday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometres, the agency said.
The relatively shallow depth—around 10 km—is typically associated with stronger shaking at the surface in affected areas.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The region lies within a seismically active zone, where earthquakes are frequent due to ongoing tectonic activity.
Iranian state television has suggested that the start of negotiations with the US delegation in Islamabad will hinge on whether Tehran’s preconditions are clearly addressed. The statement highlights continued uncertainty over when formal talks will begin, even as both sides are already in the Pakistani capital.
Iran has consistently maintained that discussions cannot move forward without prior commitments, including matters related to Lebanon and relief from sanctions, reflecting deep mistrust and a cautious stance toward the diplomatic process.
Earlier, District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh had confirmed six deaths, but four more bodies were later recovered, taking the toll to 10.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he hopes the United States and Iran will engage constructively as high-level peace talks begin in Islamabad. His remarks came as the US delegation landed in the Pakistani capital for negotiations aimed at ending the six-week conflict.
#WATCH | Pakistan: US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad for peace talks with Iran.
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2026
(Video Source: US Network Pool via Reuters; quality as incoming) pic.twitter.com/oHjsaiSigX
US Vice-President JD Vance has arrived in Islamabad to lead Washington’s delegation in crucial peace talks with Iran. His aircraft, a Boeing C-32A, landed in the Pakistani capital after following a carefully planned route that avoided Iranian airspace.
The arrival signals the formal beginning of high-level diplomatic engagement, with both sides preparing for what has been described as “make-or-break” negotiations aimed at bringing an end to the six-week conflict.
PTC News Desk: An Iranian negotiating team led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Friday for peace talks with the United States, according to Iranian media, marking the beginning of a crucial diplomatic push to end the conflict.
Reports said the talks would move forward only if Washington agrees to Tehran’s “preconditions.” The delegation comprises top political, military, and economic figures, including the foreign minister, defence council secretary, central bank governor, and several lawmakers.
Key members of the delegation include:
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf – Parliament Speaker and head of the delegation
Abbas Araghchi – Foreign Minister
Ali Akbar Ahmadian – Secretary of the Supreme National Defense Council
Abdolnaser Hemmati – Central Bank Governor
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr – Former IRGC commander
The visit underscores intensifying diplomatic efforts as both sides explore possibilities for de-escalation and a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict.
- With inputs from agencies
