Ceasefire now extended till May 17

Iran Rules Out Direct Talks With US As Araghchi Arrives In Islamabad; Engagement Through Pakistan

Apoorva Gupta — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 06:55:13 +0530

Iran has denied any plans for direct talks with the United States during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s ongoing visit to Islamabad, even as diplomatic activity intensifies in the region.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that while Araghchi is leading a delegation for high-level discussions with Pakistani leadership, no meeting with US officials has been scheduled.

In a post on X, Baghaei wrote, "We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region."

He further clarified, "No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan."

Pakistan As Diplomatic Intermediary

Araghchi’s visit has drawn attention amid signals from Washington indicating renewed diplomatic outreach. The White House recently announced that US President Donald Trump would dispatch Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan for discussions linked to Tehran.

Despite these developments, Tehran has opted to avoid direct engagement, instead using Islamabad as a channel to communicate its position.

High-Level Meetings In Islamabad

Upon arrival, Araghchi was received by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with Army Chief Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

In a post on X, Dar stated, "Pleased to receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, H. E. Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi, to Islamabad, alongside Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi."

He added, "Look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability."

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the Iranian delegation will hold talks with top leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, focusing on evolving regional dynamics and ongoing peace efforts.

Araghchi's Pak Visit Part Of Broader Regional Outreach

The Islamabad visit forms part of Araghchi’s wider diplomatic tour, which includes planned stops in Muscat and Moscow. The outreach comes amid heightened tensions and parallel efforts by multiple stakeholders to revive dialogue and stabilize the region.

While speculation persists about potential US-Iran engagement, Tehran’s latest stance underscores a preference for indirect communication, at least for now, through regional partners like Pakistan.

Indian envoy meets US energy secretary

PTI — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:47:29 +0530

Washington, Apr 24 (PTI): India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Friday met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and discussed the energy partnership between the two countries.

Kwatra received Wright and his wife Liz at the India House here.

“Honoured to host @SecretaryWright and Mrs. Wright at India House. Productive conversation on a range of subjects including the India-US energy partnership,” Kwatra said in a post on X.

The US is keen to cooperate with India on civil nuclear cooperation in addition to other areas, such as coal gasification and US LPG exports.

India has increased its energy imports from the US over the past year amid trade pact negotiations with Washington.

India is the largest buyer of US coal globally with coking coal contributing 40 per cent of the total 20 million tonnes (mt) of coal imported by New Delhi from the US in FY25.

Earlier this week, GAIL (India) Limited flagged off an LNG vessel from a US terminal, signalling deeper India-US cooperation in securing cleaner fuel supplies.

The LNG vessel Energy Fidelity was flagged off on April 20 from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal by India’s Consul General in Houston, D C Manjunath.

“GAIL (India) Limited proudly marks a significant milestone in India’s global energy journey,” the company said on Tuesday. It described the development as part of its long-term LNG shipping portfolio. PTI SKU GSP GSP

(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrives in Islamabad for second round of talks with US

PTI — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:15:07 +0530

Islamabad, Apr 24 (PTI): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late on Friday night in connection with the second round of talks with the US, a government official said.

Araghchi is accompanied by a small delegation which also includes government spokesperson Ismaeel Buqai.

The official said Araghchi would meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Gen Syed Asim Munir. He said he may also meet the US officials for the second round of peace talks.

"Following key discussions with the Pakistani mediation team, a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is expected to be held in Islamabad," the official said.

He said that a US logistics and security team is already present in Islamabad to facilitate the negotiation process.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday that US Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner would be leaving for Pakistan on Saturday for a second round of talks with Iran.

The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue. PTI MZ GSP GSP

(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

Islamabad In Focus: Kushner, Witkoff Set For Iran Talks As Tensions Simmer

Sagarika Chakraborty — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:57:27 +0530

The White House has indicated that preparations for a second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad are nearly complete.

According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are expected to depart for Pakistan on Saturday to take part in potential peace talks.

The White House added that Vice President J. D. Vance may attend if required, although his participation remains uncertain.

Iran has also expressed interest in direct dialogue with the United States, strengthening the prospects for talks.

Araghchi’s Visit Adds Momentum

Abbas Araghchi is set to arrive in Islamabad with a small delegation. His visit follows recent discussions with Ishaq Dar, where ceasefire-related issues and diplomatic efforts were reviewed.

Reports suggest US logistics and security teams are already present in Islamabad, although there has been no official confirmation.

According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, Islamabad is attempting to bring both countries to the negotiating table after the first round of talks failed to yield results.

Calls In Iran To Cancel Visit

Iran’s Fars News Agency on Friday urged Araghchi to cancel his planned visit to Islamabad.

The agency argued that if his trip coincided with the arrival of the US delegation, it would signal Iran’s willingness to continue negotiations, which it described as “costly” and “useless.”

The report added that concerns are growing domestically over the Foreign Minister’s approach, noting that earlier rounds of talks with the US had not produced positive outcomes and instead preceded the current conflict.

Military Build-Up In Parallel

Alongside diplomatic developments, the United States has increased its military presence in the region.

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) has arrived in the Indian Ocean and joined deployments alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in the Red Sea.

Talks And Tensions Run Parallel

The simultaneous push for dialogue and military reinforcement underscores the sensitivity of the situation. While efforts to resume negotiations are intensifying, the expanded deployment signals continued preparedness amid ongoing regional tensions.

High-Stakes Diplomacy: Iran FM Araghchi Heads to Pakistan Amid Fresh US Talk Buzz

Sagarika Chakraborty — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:46:44 +0530

Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad late tonight with a small delegation. Reports suggest Pakistan is exploring the possibility of facilitating a second round of talks between the United States and Iran.

However, neither side has issued an official statement on Araghchi’s visit.

Trump Envoys May Join Talks

According to a CNA report, Donald Trump plans to send his special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Pakistan in the coming days to participate in discussions with Araghchi as part of a potential second round of talks.

Previous Talks Yielded No Breakthrough

The first round of US-Iran talks, held in Pakistan on April 11 and 12, did not produce any concrete outcome. Since then, Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and sustain dialogue.

Diplomatic Engagements Ahead of Visit

According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the visit follows a phone call between Ishaq Dar and Araghchi, during which they discussed the US-Iran ceasefire and Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

Reports indicate that US logistics and security teams are already present in Islamabad, suggesting preparations for possible negotiations.

Wider Regional Tour

As per Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, Araghchi’s visit is part of a broader regional tour that also includes Muscat and Moscow. The trip is aimed at discussions on bilateral ties, regional developments, and tensions involving the US and Israel.

Araghchi also held discussions with Ishaq Dar and Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir. According to Mehr News Agency, these talks covered regional developments and ceasefire-related issues.

Islamabad Under Tight Security

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic push to bring both sides to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, Islamabad has witnessed major disruptions amid expectations of high-level visits.

Traffic remained paralysed on Friday, with authorities imposing restrictions to facilitate potential talks. Over 10,000 security personnel have reportedly been deployed as part of heightened security measures.

Roads And Services Disrupted

Several major roads and markets have remained closed since Sunday to manage VIP movement. Areas around the Nur Khan Airbase have yet to reopen, while metro bus and electric bus services, along with freight transport, have been suspended since April 19.

Residents in localities such as Shah Faisal Colony, Khalid Colony, Gulzar-e-Quaid, and Fazal Town have been largely confined to their homes due to restrictions.

Public Life Affected

The metro bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad remains suspended, and electric buses on seven routes are not operational. Freight transport has also been halted, causing inconvenience to the public.

The “red zone” continues to remain fully closed, with many office employees working from home amid ongoing security measures.

From Terror Accused To Seminary Chief: Inside Pakistan’s ‘Reward And Protect’ System

Shivank Mishra — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:23:33 +0530

Even as Pakistan has spent the last 48 hours denying any involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, evidence continues to expose the deep-rooted nexus between Pakistan-based terror groups and the Pakistani establishment. From Lashkar-e-Taiba terror handler Habibullah alias Sajid Jatt alias Ali Sajid, designated as a terrorist under UAPA, who directed the attack, to terrorists Bilal Afzal alias Suleman, Habib Tahir, and Hamza Afghani, Pakistani identity documents linked to the attackers and handler have exposed Islamabad’s repeated denials.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and the country’s Foreign Office have also claimed that Pakistan has “nothing to do” with terror activities in India. However, ABP News has accessed evidence that points towards continued state patronage of terrorists operating openly from Pakistani soil.

Focus On Abdur Rahman Abid

At the centre of this investigation is Abdur Rahman Abid, currently the head of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Jamia-ud-Dawa seminary in Muridke. Publicly projected as a religious cleric from Faisalabad, Abid frequently appears at religious gatherings and posts videos promoting Islamic teachings and jihad on social media.

Alleged Role In 2012-13 Attack

But behind the cleric’s image lies the record of a hardened terrorist. Abdur Rahman Abid was one of the terrorists involved in a brutal terror attack on the Indian Army between December 2012 and January 2013, in which Indian soldiers were killed in action and one of the bodies was mutilated. ABP News has accessed a clip recorded by the terrorists themselves after the attack, in which Abid can be clearly seen at the scene.

Sources further claim that this video is still shown during Lashkar-e-Taiba’s “Daura-e-Fidayeen” training sessions to indoctrinate new recruits on ambush tactics against Indian security forces.

Rewards And Rise Within Lashkar

Sources further reveal that immediately after the attack, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence rewarded Abdur Rahman Abid with PKR 1 million. At the time, he operated under the codename “Abu Sufiyan.” Soon after the attack, he was appointed head of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s KFC terror camp in Muzaffarabad, where the terror outfit paid him a monthly stipend of PKR 15,000.

Promotions And Current Position

In 2018, Abdur Rahman Abid was shifted to Lashkar’s Markaz Tayyaba terror facility in Muridke, where he was given the title “Ustad-ul-Mujahideen Ghazi.” Later, in 2021, Lashkar-e-Taiba elevated him to become the head of Jamia-ud-Dawa, one of the organisation’s biggest seminaries in Muridke. Sources say the terror group currently pays him nearly PKR 500,000 every month.

Claims On Control Of Terror Infrastructure

In 2019, then Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed that terror camps, seminaries and headquarters belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed had been taken over by the Pakistani government in order to secure Pakistan’s removal from the FATF grey list. However, according to sources, then ISI chief Asim Munir ensured that operational control of these camps and seminaries remained in the hands of Lashkar terrorists themselves. This arrangement was continued later under Lt Gen Faiz Hameed and subsequently Asim Malik.

Continuing Operations

Today, despite evidence available with Indian intelligence agencies regarding his role in horrific terror attacks against Indian soldiers, Abdur Rahman Abid continues to roam freely in Pakistan under the protection of the Pakistani establishment and remains the head of a seminary that Islamabad claimed to have “taken over.”

Broader Implications

The revelations once again expose what the world describes as Pakistan’s double standards on terrorism. While Islamabad projects itself globally as a victim of terrorism and a peace-seeking nation, terrorists involved in attacks against India are rewarded, protected and promoted within Pakistan’s terror ecosystem. Even today, the first phase of Lashkar-e-Taiba’s terror indoctrination programme, known as “Daura-e-Suffa,” continues under the supervision of Abdur Rahman Abid in Muridke, where new recruits are taught the ideology of jihad and terror operations.

Missiles, Money, And Strain: Inside The True Cost Of The US-Iran Conflict

Sagarika Chakraborty — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:56:24 +0530

When American forces launched ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran at the end of February, the financial implications were not immediately clear. Now, with a ceasefire holding for over two weeks, the scale of expenditure and its implications are becoming evident.

Heavy Use Of High-End Missiles

The United States deployed approximately 1,100 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) systems during the conflict, each costing around $1.1 million, according to internal Defence Department estimates and congressional officials cited by The New York Times.

These long-range stealth cruise missiles, capable of striking targets over 600 miles (960 km) away, are designed to penetrate hardened defences. Pentagon estimates suggest that only about 1,500 remain.

More than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles were also used, around ten times the number typically procured annually by the United States. Each Tomahawk costs roughly $3.6 million.

A study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) places the remaining stockpile at around 3,000, a level considered insufficient for a major conflict in the Western Pacific.

“While sufficient munitions exist to wage this war,” the CSIS study concluded, “the high expenditure of Tomahawks and other missiles in Operation Epic Fury creates risks for the United States in other theatres, particularly the Western Pacific.”

Air Defence Systems Under Strain

The strain on air defence capabilities is particularly significant. The Pentagon deployed more than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles, each costing over $4 million, to counter Iranian drone and rocket attacks.

For comparison, the US produced roughly 600 Patriot interceptors across all of 2025.

In addition, more than 1,000 Precision Strike and ATACMS ground-based missiles were used, leaving inventories described internally as “worrisomely low”, according to sources cited by The New York Times.

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser at CSIS, said: “The United States has many munitions with adequate inventories, but some critical ground-attack and missile-defence munitions were short before the war and are even shorter now.”

Financial Toll: Billions Spent Daily

The 38-day conflict is estimated by two independent groups to have cost between $28 billion and $35 billion, close to $1 billion per day.

In just the first 48 hours, defence officials told members of Congress that $5.6 billion worth of munitions had been expended.

However, writing for Harvard Kennedy School, economist Linda Bilmes suggested the real short-term cost could be closer to $2 billion per day, describing these expenses as “the tip of the iceberg”.

“I am certain we will spend one trillion dollars for the Iran war,” she said, noting that veteran disability and medical care costs, historically about 40% of total war expenditure, have yet to be fully accounted for. She also pointed out that the US already owes $7.3 trillion in disability benefits to veterans of previous conflicts.

Ripple Effects Beyond The Middle East

To sustain operations, the Pentagon diverted resources from both Europe and Asia.

In Europe, reduced availability of surveillance and attack drones has been flagged internally as a concern, with implications for Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank.

In Asia, interceptor missiles from the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea were redirected to the Middle East. Two Marine Expeditionary Units, totalling around 4,400 personnel, were also moved from the Pacific.

Production Bottlenecks And Delays

Senator Jack Reed warned that replenishing depleted stockpiles could take considerable time.

“At current production rates, reconstituting what we have expended could take years,” he said.

Although the administration announced seven-year agreements with major defence contractors, including Lockheed Martin, to expand production of precision-guided munitions and THAAD interceptors, officials told The New York Times that no increased production has begun due to lack of funding approval from Congress.

White House Pushback

The White House has rejected reports of munitions shortages.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “the entire premise” of such reporting was “false”, asserting that the US military remains “fully loaded with more than enough weapons and munitions”.

The Pentagon has not disclosed specific usage figures, citing operational security concerns.

Domestic Cost Comparisons

Analysts have also drawn comparisons with domestic spending.

At an estimated $1 billion per day, the conflict exceeds the daily cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the US food stamps scheme, which costs about $110 billion annually, or roughly $300 million per day, and supports around 42 million people.

The burden is also being tracked by researchers at Brown University’s ‘Costs of War’ project, including the impact on fuel prices.

Petrol prices in the United States rose by nearly 27 cents in a single week as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz escalated, the fastest weekly increase since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Funding Pressures Mount

The Pentagon has requested a $200 billion supplemental appropriations package from Congress. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has suggested that Arab allies should share the financial burden, a proposal that has so far received a muted response from the region.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu Undergoes Treatment For Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

Sagarika Chakraborty — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:58:50 +0530

Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is “in excellent physical condition” following the release of his annual medical report, which revealed that a malignant tumour had been removed.

Tumour Detected During Routine Monitoring

In a post on X on Friday, Netanyahu said doctors identified an early-stage malignant tumour during routine medical monitoring conducted after his earlier surgery for an enlarged benign prostate.

He noted that the treatment had “removed the problem and left no trace of it”.

Initial Surgery And Follow-Up Care

The Israeli leader said he underwent surgery for an enlarged benign prostate around a year and a half ago and has since been under regular medical supervision. During the latest check-up, “a tiny spot of less than a centimetre” was detected.

“I had a minor medical issue with my prostate that was completely treated. Thank God, it's behind me,” he said.

Delay In Disclosure

Netanyahu said he had asked for the publication of his medical report to be delayed so that it did not coincide with the peak of the conflict between United States, Israel and Iran, citing concerns that Tehran might use the information for “even more false propaganda against Israel”.

‘Address Potential Danger Immediately’

Explaining his approach, Netanyahu said, “when I'm given information in time about a potential danger, I want to address it immediately”.

“This is true on the national level and also on the personal level,” he added.

Visit To White House Expected

The disclosure comes ahead of Netanyahu’s planned visit to the White House in the coming weeks, as the United States seeks to broker a long-term peace deal in the conflict with Iran.

Ceasefire Extension In Lebanon

Separately, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, following fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah, has been extended by three weeks.

Israel Conducts Airstrikes In Southern Lebanon Despite 3-Week Ceasefire Extension

ANI — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:16:30 +0530

Tel Aviv [Israel], April 24 (ANI): The Israel Defense Forces on Friday claimed to carry out airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting "militant structures", despite the announced ceasefire.

In a post on X, the Israeli Air Force said, "The Air Force struck military structures in the Khirbet Salam and Tulin areas in southern Lebanon, which were used by the Hezbollah terror organization to advance terror plots against IDF forces and the State of Israel."

The X post further added, "The strikes were carried out in response to the rocket fire launched by the Hezbollah terror organization toward the Shlomi area last night."

The development was reported despite Trump's claim that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their ceasefire by an additional three weeks, following talks with senior officials from both sides.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday (local time), Trump said, "We had a great meeting with the very high officials of Lebanon and the very high officials of Israel, and I think that the president of Lebanon and the prime minister of Israel, over the next couple of weeks, will be coming here."

"They've agreed to an additional three weeks of, I guess, no firing -- ceasefire -- no more firing. Let's see. We hope that happens. It's not going to happen between them, but we still have Hezbollah to think about," he said.

Earlier, in a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would be extended by three weeks, adding that the United States would work with Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah.

"The President of the United States, DONALD J. TRUMP, Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, met today with High Ranking Representatives of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office. The Meeting went very well! The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah. The Ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by THREE WEEKS. I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun. It was a Great Honor to be a participant at this very Historic Meeting!," the post read."

Further, US Vice President JD Vance described the extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks as a significant and historic step, crediting President Donald Trump's direct involvement for making the agreement possible.

"I think this is a major, historic moment. We're going to extend the ceasefire for three weeks; that's already in place between Israel and Lebanon. Of course, it would not have happened without the President's direct engagement," he said.

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

Ceasefire now extended till May 17

ABP Live — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:16:10 +0530

Ceasefire now extended till May 17