US Cancels Pakistan Talks Amid Ongoing Tensions with Iran

reported that a Navy helicopter intercepted the M/V Sevan, a vessel affiliated with Iran's shadow fleet, in the Arabian Sea. The ship is being escorted back to Iran. CENTCOM stated the vessel was among 19 sanctioned by the US Department of Treasury for transporting Iranian energy products.

Diplomatic Activities Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

visited Oman, marking his first trip to the region since the US initiated military actions against Iran. Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed commitment to strengthening mutual trust in the Gulf region. Araghchi is expected to visit Pakistan again after Oman and then travel to Russia.

Air defense systems were activated in Iran's Kermanshah province, with sounds heard across the city. Local sources attributed this to testing, though official confirmation is pending. Separately, Iran executed Erfan Kiani, convicted of ties to Israel's Mossad and participation in January protests, according to Iran's judiciary news agency Mizan.

In Gaza, a US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025 led to the release of remaining Israeli captives held by Hamas and halted major operations. Health officials in Gaza reported over 790 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the deal, including about 225 children.

Israel states that its withdrawal from controlled areas in Gaza, return of displaced people, establishment of new authority, and reconstruction depend on Hamas disarming. More than half a million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank voted in local elections, with lower turnout in a central Gaza town.

A committee of Palestinian technocrats has been set up to govern Gaza temporarily, but Israel has not allowed their entry from Egypt.

described the US-Israel conflict with Iran as unnecessary, contributing to instability affecting Europe, Asia, and the US. Merz spoke after a meeting with EU heads of state and government, emphasizing the need for a united European response. A former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, stated that the truce between the US and Iran will not lead to lasting peace.

He said ceasefires stop escalation but do not resolve issues, addressing an immediate political problem for Trump in exiting the war. Jon Alterman, chair of global security and geostrategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Iran's leaders appear to believe they can outlast the blockade amid US domestic pressures, including midterm elections.

He added that ceasefires can lock in unsustainable patterns without resolving underlying conflicts.