US-Iran war live updates: Peace talks under way in Pakistan; Two US warships pass through Strait of Hormuz

Good morning and welcome to today’s live coverage of the conflict in the Middle East.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Peace talks between the US and Iran took place in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, with Vice President JD Vance leading the US delegation.
• The talks ended after 14 hours, with disagreements remaining between the two parties. Negotiations will continue tomorrow.
• Iran’s state-run news agency said talks began after Iranian preconditions, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, were met, and after US and Iranian officials met separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• The US military said two of its warships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz and conditions were being set to clear mines, while Iran’s state media denied any US ships had transited the waterway.
• Reports from inside the peace talks suggest the status of the strait remains a key point of contention.
• On Saturday, Energy Minister Chris Bowen provided a weekly update on Australia’s fuel reserves, with diesel stocks up and petrol and jet fuel stocks slightly down.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has struck a non-binding agreement with Singapore, which has promised to do everything possible to keep supplying Australia with 55 per cent of its petrol.

Details from the marathon peace talks between the US and Iran remain scarce after the day’s 14-hour negotiations ended after 3am in Islamabad.

The talks took place in the luxury Serena Hotel in Pakistan’s capital.

The US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf discussed how to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

It was the highest-level face-to-face talks between high-ranking US and Iranian officials since 1979.

Historic peace talks between the US and Iran have ended for the day after 14 hours, the Iranian government confirmed.

Disagreements remain. The US wants the Strait of Hormuz open now, while Iran does not want to free the waterway until a final peace deal is reached.

The talks – led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and mediated by Pakistan – marked a rare instance of direct engagement between American and Iranian leadership.

Negotiations will continue.

There are reports the latest round of face-to-face talks between Iran and the US have ended. It is after 3am in Islamabad.

Iran’s semi-official news agency, Tasnim, reported serious disagreements between the two parties remain.

Talks are expected to continue tomorrow.

with Reuters

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any attempt by military vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz would be met with “a strong response”.

Only non-military vessels would be allowed to pass under specific regulations, the IRGC said in a statement carried by Iranian media.

Earlier, the US claimed it had sent two destroyers through the strait ahead of a mission to clear sea mines from the critical waterway. Iran denied that claim.

with Reuters

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump claimed military victory against Iran and downplayed the importance of ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving Vice President JD Vance because “regardless what happens we win”.

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

Trump acknowledged “very deep negotiations” with Iran. But he also said the US military was searching for mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which remained effectively closed to most freighters carrying oil and natural gas out of the Persian Gulf.

AP

Historic talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad may be the “last opportunity” to find common ground, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, given what it described as “excessive US demands”.

Iran’s state broadcaster has reported there are “serious disagreements” and last-ditch efforts are under way to find a solution before dawn. It’s approaching 2am in Islamabad.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major sticking point, The New York Times reported citing two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The US has demanded the strait should open now, while Iran is resolute it won’t open until a final deal is reached.

The talks – led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and mediated by Pakistan – mark a rare instance of direct engagement between American and Iranian leadership.

with Reuters

More than 90 people were killed in Israeli air strikes across Lebanon yesterday, the Lebanese health ministry said, bringing the war’s death toll to 2020 people, including 165 children, nearly 250 women and 85 medics.

Hezbollah said it had conducted several military operations against Israeli positions on Saturday, both within Lebanese territory and in northern Israel.

Israeli and Lebanese officials plan talks in the US on Tuesday.

Reuters

A spokesperson for Iran’s joint military command denied an earlier claim by the US that two American Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz, adding that “initiative over the passage of any vessel rests with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, according to Iran’s state media.

The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 per cent of all oil and natural gas traded once passed, is expected to be one of the most challenging points of negotiations between the US and Iran, currently taking place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

AP

US and Iranian officials have resumed a second round of talks in Islamabad after a break, with both sides backed by technical experts, two Pakistani officials said.

It is past 1am in Islamabad with no sign of talks having ended. The talks were announced at least seven hours ago.

Pakistan’s top political and military leadership is encouraging both sides to resolve their differences to ensure durable peace in the region, a senior White House official told reporters travelling with Vice President JD Vance.

“There were mood swings from the two sides and the temperature went up and down during the meeting,” said another Pakistani source of the first round of talks.

AP

In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV has denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fuelling the US-Israel war in Iran and demanded that political leaders stop and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over an evening prayer service in Saint Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan, and as a fragile ceasefire held.

History’s first US-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and US officials, who have boasted of US military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

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

AP