Netanyahu Seeks Israeli Talks With Lebanon 'As Soon As Possible'

Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian has confirmed to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Iran will participate in upcoming negotiations with the United States, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on April 10.

According to a statement from the Sharif's office, the two leaders held a "warm and cordial conversation" lasting over 45 minutes on April 8.

"President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran's participation in the upcoming negotiations and expressed appreciation for Pakistan's efforts," Sharif wrote in a post on X following the phone call with the Iranian president.

Earlier, Sharif said he had invited US and Iranian delegations to Islamabad on April 10 "to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes."

Iran's semiofficial ISNA news agency reported that the country's conservative parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, is expected to lead the Iranian negotiating team, while US Vice President JD Vance is anticipated to represent the United States at the talks in the Pakistani capital.

However, these details have not yet been officially confirmed by either the US or Iranian governments.

US President Donald Trump said he thinks China was involved in getting Iran to negotiate a two-week cease-fire that was announced late on April 7.

Trump told the AFP news agency during a brief phone interview after the cease-fire deal that he believes Beijing played a role in pushing Tehran to negotiate.

"I hear yes. Yes they were," Trump said when asked if China was involved in bringing Iran to the table.

The Associated Press, citing unnamed sources, also reported that Chinese officials were in touch with Iranian counterparts to encourage Tehran to find a path to a cease-fire deal as the negotiations evolved.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on April 8 that Beijing welcomed the agreement for a two-week pause in the fighting.

"China has consistently advocated for ‌an immediate cease-fire and cessation of hostilities, as well as the resolution of disputes through political and diplomatic channels," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said during a daily press briefing.

Mao did not elaborate on the details of China's efforts when asked by reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the cease-fire between the United States and Iran, calling it the "right decision to ending the war," adding that Ukraine is "ready to respond in kind if the Russians stop their strikes."

"Ukraine has always called for a ceasefire in the war waged by Russia here in Europe against our state and our people, and we support the ceasefire in the Middle East and the Gulf that paves the way for diplomatic efforts," Zelensky wrote on X on April 8.

He added that "in recent weeks, Ukraine has been helping to protect lives in the Middle East and the Gulf" and announced that "Ukrainian expert military teams will continue to work in the region to help further develop security capabilities."

European leaders have expressed support for the two-week cease-fire announced by Washington and Tehran on April 8, although they emphasized the continuing need for de-escalation and diplomacy.

“Ceasefires are always good news. Especially if they lead to a just and lasting peace,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. “But this momentary relief cannot make us forget the chaos, the destruction, and the lives lost. The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.”

“What’s needed now: diplomacy, international legality, and PEACE,” he added in a post on X.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he welcomed the news of the temporary truce between Washington and Tehran, but added that the situation in Lebanon remains critical and called for Lebanon to be included in the deal. Israel earlier on April 8 released a statement saying that while it supports Trump's decision to stop attacking Iran for two weeks, the cease-fire doesn't include Lebanon.

"Our wish in ⁠this ​context is to be ​assured that the cease-fire fully includes Lebanon," Macron said.

Macron said about ​15 countries were planning to facilitate ‌the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the ​world's oil supply usually flows.

"About 15 countries ​are currently mobilized and are participating in ​the planning, under France's leadership, to enable the implementation of this strictly defensive mission in ​coordination with Iran to facilitate the ​resumption of traffic," Macron said on April 8.

European Council President Antonio Costa said in a statement on X that he urges “all parties to uphold [the cease-fire’s] terms in order to achieve sustainable peace in the region. The EU stands ready to support ongoing efforts and remains in close contact with its partners in the region. I thank Pakistan and all other parties involved in facilitating this agreement.”

"I welcome ‌the two-week ceasefire the US and Iran agreed last night. It brings much needed de-escalation," European Commission President Ursula ​von der Leyen said on X, adding it was crucial negotiations continue for ⁠an enduring solution.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said that the agreement represents "a step ​back from the brink after weeks of escalation."

"It ​creates a much-needed chance to tone down threats, stop missiles, restart ‌shipping, ⁠and create space for diplomacy towards a lasting agreement," she added.

With reporting by Reuters

NetBlocks, a web-outage monitor, says Iran's Internet blackout has entered its 40th day amid the announcement of a temporary cease-fire between the United States and Iran.

NetBlocks said in a post on X on April 8 that the "wartime censorship measure" continues in Iran even as Washington and Tehran "each declare victory," "with the Iranian people once again left in the dark."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he is traveling to the Gulf region on April 8 to meet with regional leaders following the announcement of a temporary cease-fire between the United States and Iran.

The prime minister's office said the trip is aimed at strengthening diplomatic efforts to preserve the cease-fire and turn it into a lasting agreement. He will reportedly return to the United Kingdom on April 10.

In a statement, Starmer said he welcomed the agreement on a two-week cease-fire, which he described as "a moment of calm" for the region and the wider world, and stressed that Britain, together with its partners, would work to "support and sustain the cease-fire."

The British leader has previously faced criticism from US President Donald Trump for not supporting US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Starmer has also hosted multinational meetings on how allies can respond to disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz.

The British government said Starmer will discuss ways to aid the truce during the trip, with the aim of achieving a lasting solution to the conflict and protecting the British and global economies.

This trip was planned before the cease-fire was announced.

Bahrain has reported an Iranian strike just hours after Tehran and Washington agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities, which included Iran refraining from attacking countries in the region.

The Interior Ministry of Bahrain issued a warning earlier to citizens ahead of an incoming attack, urging them to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place." Soon after, it reported on X that the country's "Civil Defense extinguished a fire in the facility as a result of the Iranian aggression."

As a result of the strike, "two citizens sustained minor injuries and a number of houses were damaged in the Sitra area as a result of shrapnel falling from the interception of an Iranian drone," the ministry reported.

Smoke had been seen rising from an area on Sitra Island, which is close to Manama and hosts the country's principal energy facilities.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has welcomed the US-Iran agreement to "unblock" the Strait of Hormuz and achieve a two-week cease-fire, calling it a sign that "American decisiveness works."

Sybiha added that similar decisiveness is now needed "to force Moscow to cease fire and end its war against Ukraine."

Israel said that it supports Trump's decision to stop attacking Iran for two weeks subject to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of attacks against the United States, Israel, and other countries in the region.

But the statement, released by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the cease-fire did not include Lebanon, which contradicted an earlier statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan.

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US Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says she welcomes a temporary cease-fire to stop the fighting with Iran, though concerns remain over what the war has achieved, citing a sharp increase in gas prices, the "enormous disruption" to the global economy, and the deaths of 13 US service members.

“Diplomacy is the only way forward. There must now be an intensive diplomatic effort, alongside our allies, to conclude this conflict and ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon,” the senator from New Hampshire said in a statement late on April 7 after the cease-fire deal was announced.