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The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the destroyers USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy "transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf" as part of a mission to clear sea mines allegedly laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Admiral Brad Cooper hailed the operation as a turning point in the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran, saying the navy was establishing a "new passage" to restore safe commercial flow. Iran’s Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters immediately rejected the claim, stating that any vessel movement in the strait remains under the "Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and that the U.S. report is "strongly denied." The strait, a narrow chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas transits, has been a flashpoint since the February 28 U.S.–Israel attacks that prompted Iran to restrict passage to pre‑approved ships. The closure spiked global fuel prices and disrupted both commercial and military traffic. Analysts, such as Maria Sultan of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute, argue that any U.S. navigation would require Tehran’s explicit permission, underscoring the strategic leverage Iran holds over the waterway. Simultaneously, senior delegations from the United States and Iran met in Islamabad for historic face‑to‑face talks—the highest‑level engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The negotiations, sparked by a preliminary ceasefire announced earlier in the week, focus on contentious issues including Iran’s nuclear program, frozen assets, and the future of Israeli operations in Lebanon. Both parties acknowledge that control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a major point of disagreement. Iran has signaled willingness to temporarily reopen the channel for commercial shipping but insists on maintaining leverage, proposing tolls to compensate for war damages. The United States, however, deems continued Iranian control a "non‑starter." U.S. President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to assert that Iran is "losing big" and to downplay the strait’s importance to the United States relative to its allies, claiming the mine‑clearing effort benefits nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany. Al Jazeera’s on‑the‑ground correspondents noted that despite a "deficit of trust," negotiators are working late into the night to bridge gaps, though fundamental disagreements over the strait’s governance persist.

Pakistan dispatched a mixed fleet of fighter and support aircraft to King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Saturday, marking the first visible military action under the mutual defence agreement signed in September 2025. The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed the landing, noting the deployment aligns with the collective defence clause that obliges each signatory to treat an attack on the other as an attack on itself. At the same time, Islamabad is hosting direct US‑Iran negotiations aimed at halting weeks of regional fighting triggered by Iran’s missile and drone strikes on Gulf targets after the US‑Israeli killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on 28 February. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told reporters he personally warned Iranian leaders in early March that Pakistan must honour its obligations to Riyadh. Tehran, seeking assurances that Saudi soil would not be used for attacks against it, received such guarantees, Dar added. Despite these diplomatic overtures, Iranian attacks on Saudi facilities – including key bases and a US embassy building – have persisted. In early March, Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, flew to Riyadh to discuss measures to curb Iranian strikes within the framework of the defence pact. Four days before the jet deployment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif phoned Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pledging that Pakistan would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia. The two leaders also agreed to accelerate a $5 billion Saudi investment package earmarked for Pakistan. Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al‑Jadaan met Sharif, Dar and Munir in Islamabad on Saturday, underscoring the economic dimension of the partnership. Saudi Arabia hosts roughly 2.5 million Pakistani workers, whose remittances are vital to Pakistan’s fragile economy, and has repeatedly provided financial assistance. Security analyst Imtiaz Gul told Al Jazeera the deployment was not intended as a military escalation but as a “messaging tool” to remind Tehran of Pakistan’s treaty obligations. “Three jets won’t make much of a difference militarily,” he said, noting Saudi Arabia’s own sizable air force. Michael Kugelman, senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, described the move as “a risky gambit.” He warned that if Iran refuses concessions, Pakistan could be drawn closer to Saudi Arabia, potentially invoking the defence pact in a renewed conflict.

The forthcoming negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad are expected to be significantly influenced by the growing leverage of the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway, through which a substantial portion of the world's oil supplies passes, has become a focal point of heightened tensions in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, is a vital artery for global energy exports, with approximately 20% of the world's oil supply passing through it. Any disruption in this waterway could have profound implications for global energy markets and the world economy. The talks in Islamabad come at a time when regional tensions are on the rise, with various geopolitical factors contributing to the complex dynamics at play. The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz is likely to be a central theme in the discussions, as both sides seek to assert their positions on key issues.

The discussion centers on the complex calculus behind forging a permanent ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Analysts consider whether sustained diplomatic pressure, strategic incentives, and the potential fallout from missteps can collectively drive the parties toward a conclusive settlement. Pressure tactics—including sanctions relief and political engagement—are examined for their ability to compel concessions, while incentive packages such as economic aid or security guarantees are weighed as possible carrots. Equally critical are the risks involved: misinterpretation of signals, regional power dynamics, and domestic opposition on both sides could derail negotiations. The piece underscores that any viable deal must balance these elements to achieve durability and broader regional stability.

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has weighed in considerably lighter than his previous fight in 2024, but still carries a few pounds more than his opponent, Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov. Fury registered 267.9 pounds in his underwear during Friday's weigh-in, while Makhmudov stepped up at 264.9 pounds.Fury's weight is a decrease from the 281 pounds he recorded for his rematch with world champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024 and 262 pounds against the Ukrainian in May that year. The 37-year-old Briton stated he still had 'a bit left in the tank' as he came out of retirement for the fifth time.'After another four or five retirements, I should be good,' Fury said. 'My priority is to beat this fella, I've got loads of Easter eggs in the fridge ready for me. Whoever has these belts, I want them back.'Fury emphasized his commitment to making a statement, saying he came in 'nice and light and lean' for the fight. He has spent 16 weeks training in Thailand and has promised fans a knockout win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.'I'll knock his head right off his two shoulders,' Fury told reporters on Thursday. 'I'll be like the gamecock on top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he'll be like the knocked-out man sparked out on the floor.'The bout against Makhmudov will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix, highlighting Fury's continued commercial appeal even after a 16-month absence from the ring. Fury boasted about his financial draw, saying, 'I'm the money man. When you mention Tyson Fury in heavyweight boxing, you know you're getting paid.'

A temporary 32‑hour ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine started at 4:00 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday and will run until midnight on Sunday, according to the Kremlin. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy affirmed Kyiv’s commitment to honor the pause provided Moscow does the same. President Vladimir Putin ordered the ceasefire to align with Orthodox Easter celebrations, more than a week after Zelenskyy first proposed the truce. Both sides have publicly confirmed their intention to observe it. Zelenskyy posted on social media that Ukraine will “adhere to the ceasefire and respond strictly in kind. The absence of Russian strikes in the air, on land, and at sea will mean no response from our side.” The Ukrainian army added it stands ready to react immediately if the truce is breached. Hours before the truce began, Russian forces launched at least 160 drones against Ukrainian targets, killing four civilians in the east and south and wounding dozens. The southern Odesa region suffered two fatalities and damage to civilian infrastructure. In the Russian‑occupied parts of Donetsk and Kherson, Ukrainian drone attacks killed four people, according to officials installed by Moscow. Public confidence in the ceasefire remains low. Last year’s Easter pause saw numerous accusations of violations from both sides, and similar doubts persist this time. Despite the tension, the warring parties completed a reciprocal exchange of 175 prisoners of war each on Saturday. The United Arab Emirates facilitated the swap, as confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defence. Prisoner exchanges have become one of the few tangible outcomes of the stalled U.S.-brokered peace talks, which continue to falter over territorial issues. Ukraine has reiterated its proposal to freeze the conflict along the current front lines, a suggestion Russia rejected, insisting Kyiv relinquish all territory it holds in the Donetsk region—an offer Kyiv deems unacceptable. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia did not discuss the Easter proposal with the United States in advance and did not signal an immediate revival of the three‑way peace negotiations. Fighting on the front has largely stalled. While Russia has achieved modest territorial gains at a high cost, Ukrainian forces have recently pushed back in the southeast, and Russian advances have slowed since late 2025, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Moscow now occupies just over 19 percent of Ukraine, most of which was seized in the early weeks of the conflict.

The United States and Iran have initiated direct talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, in an effort to bring an end to their six-week conflict. These face-to-face discussions, confirmed by the White House, follow a recent fragile ceasefire agreement and separate bilateral meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The US delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. The Iranian delegation, comprising over 70 people, is headed by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Iranian state media, the talks proceeded after Iranian preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Iran had insisted on the inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire and the lifting of US sanctions as prerequisites for the negotiations. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif expressed hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region. Despite earlier assertions from Tehran that they would not engage without commitments on Lebanon's inclusion and US sanctions, the negotiations have moved forward. Sources indicate some progress on basic conditions, including the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon, with reports of a possible understanding to limit strikes to southern Lebanon. There are also indications of potential movement on the unfreezing of Iranian assets. US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the only reason Iranian officials were alive was to negotiate a deal, stating that Iran had no cards other than short-term extortion. Vance expressed optimism about a positive outcome but warned that the negotiating team would not be receptive if Iran tried to play them.

Israel has firmly stated that it will not engage in discussions about a ceasefire with Hezbollah when it meets with Lebanese officials in Washington next week. This stance comes as Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue, intensifying diplomatic efforts to address the escalating conflict. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter confirmed that the talks will mark the beginning of formal negotiations with the Lebanese government, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, Israel has ruled out any discussion involving Hezbollah, labeling the group a terrorist organization. The diplomatic push includes US involvement, with the American delegation, including US Vice President JD Vance, set to engage in talks with Iranian representatives in Islamabad. The US and Iran had agreed to a two-week pause in hostilities, but Israel has rejected the interpretation that this includes a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Iran has responded by keeping the Strait of Hormuz shut and stated it will not engage in negotiations without a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The conflict has resulted in close to 2,000 deaths in Lebanon in recent weeks, with over 350 killed on Wednesday alone. Next week's talks are likely to focus on demands directed at the Lebanese state, which has long struggled to contain Hezbollah. The situation remains volatile, with no sign of easing in the fighting.

Pakistan’s prime minister has publicly described the current US‑Iran negotiations as a ‘make or break’ moment, emphasizing the critical importance of reaching an agreement for regional peace and security.