Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange strikes on Friday as uncertainty deepened around the ceasefire linked to the wider Iran war. In comments to US media, Donald Trump said he had asked Benjamin Netanyahu to be more “low-key” in Lebanon, a remark that added to the sense of fragility around the truce.
Netanyahu, however, said there is no ceasefire in Lebanon, underscoring the gap between political messaging and conditions on the ground. Israel also launched fresh strikes, even as diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region continued in parallel.
Talks in Islamabad under tight security
Attention is also turning to Pakistan, where the streets of Islamabad are under strict lockdown ahead of historic negotiations between Iran and the US. The meetings are being presented as a possible path toward ending a war that has devastated the Middle East, but the outlook remains uncertain.
Pakistani officials say the talks will go ahead over the weekend as planned, despite growing concerns about the ceasefire and the broader conflict. The discussions are being described as make-or-break peace negotiations, with the promise of a breakthrough tempered by continued military activity and political disagreement.
The atmosphere in the capital reflects both the significance of the talks and the tensions surrounding them. Authorities have stepped up security as the city prepares to host negotiations that could shape the next phase of the crisis.
Ceasefire doubts deepen
Trump’s remarks cast fresh doubt on the stability of the Iran war ceasefire, particularly as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved. That key waterway has become central to concerns about the conflict’s wider economic and strategic impact.
At the same time, continued bombardment in Lebanon has raised questions about whether the ceasefire can hold in practice. With Israel and Hezbollah still trading fire, and with no clear agreement on the terms of the talks, the pause in fighting appears increasingly precarious.
The situation has left diplomats, officials and regional observers watching closely for any sign that the weekend negotiations in Islamabad might produce movement. For now, however, the combination of ongoing strikes, disputed ceasefire terms and political uncertainty suggests that the road to de-escalation remains highly unstable.
More developments are expected as the talks approach and the military situation continues to evolve across the region.
