Published on: 04/25/2026 - 07:11 Last updated: 04/25/2026 - 22:45

US President Donald Trump canceled a visit to Islamabad that was scheduled for two American envoys to hold meetings in Pakistan, which is mediating the war with Iran, after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left the Pakistani capital following talks, in a new setback for peace prospects. Return to live coverage of the events of Saturday, April 25, 2026.

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A series of Israeli raids on southern Lebanon after Netanyahu ordered attacks against Hezbollah (National Agency)

A series of Israeli raids targeted southern Lebanon on Saturday night, according to the official Lebanese National News Agency, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his army to “vigorously” attack Hezbollah targets.

The agency reported that Israel launched raids on the towns of Hadada, Zibqin, Khirbet Selm, and Al-Sultaniyeh in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli army announced in a statement that it was “attacking military buildings used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”

Araqchi will return to Pakistan after his visit to Muscat (Iranian official media)

Iranian official media reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will return to Pakistan after the end of his visit to Muscat, after he had left earlier on Saturday in light of Islamabad-led mediation between Tehran and Washington.

The official IRNA news agency reported, “The Foreign Minister is scheduled to visit Pakistan again after completing his visit to Oman, and before traveling to Russia,” the third stop on his foreign tour.

She added that some members of the delegation that accompanied the minister to Pakistan returned to Tehran to consult "and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war, and they are scheduled to join Araqchi in Islamabad on Sunday night."

Pezeshkian calls on the Iranian people to rationalize energy consumption

President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Iranians on Saturday to rationalize electricity consumption, warning that the United States and Israel were seeking to stir up “popular discontent” despite there being no shortage of energy supplies.

Pezeshkian said in a televised speech, “We ask our dear people, who are ready and present in the field, a simple request, which is to reduce their consumption of electricity and energy.”

He continued, "We are not asking the people to make sacrifices at the present time, but we need to control consumption. Instead of turning on ten lights, we must turn on two lights in the house. What is the problem with that?"

The Prime Minister of Pakistan confirms its commitment to play the role of mediator between Iran and the United States

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian of his country's commitment to playing the role of mediator between Tehran and Washington, during a call on Saturday after US President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of an expected visit of his two envoys to Islamabad.

Sharif wrote in a post on the

He continued, "I reiterated that with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains committed to being an honest and sincere mediator, and works tirelessly to advance sustainable peace and lasting stability in the region."

Pakistani Prime Minister: I had a phone call this evening with the Iranian President

Netanyahu orders the Israeli army to “vigorously” attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that he had instructed the army to “vigorously” attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, after the army announced that the party had violated the ceasefire.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that Netanyahu ordered the army to "vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon," two days after US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the truce for three weeks.

New toll: six killed in Israeli raids on southern Lebanon

Trump: “No one knows who is responsible” in Iran

US President Donald Trump stressed on Saturday that no one knows who holds the reins of leadership in Iran, shortly after he announced the cancellation of the visit of his envoys to Islamabad to hold a new round of negotiations.

The US President said in a post on his Truth Social platform, “There is massive infighting and a state of confusion within their so-called ‘leadership’. No one knows who is responsible, including themselves.”

Araqchi: We are waiting to find out whether Washington is serious about diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday that his country is waiting to show whether the United States is serious about reaching a diplomatic settlement to the war in the Middle East, with his arrival in Muscat coming from Pakistan, which is leading the mediation efforts.

“A very productive visit to Pakistan, whose good intentions and fraternal efforts to restore peace in our region,” Araqchi wrote on the X platform. “I presented Iran’s point of view on a framework...to end the war on Iran permanently. We have to see if the United States is really serious about diplomacy.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali X: It is not yet clear whether America is really serious about diplomatic efforts

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali X: We shared Iran’s position on a viable framework to permanently end the war on Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister: A very fruitful visit to Pakistan

Official Iranian media: The Iranian Foreign Minister arrived in Muscat

Revolutionary Guard: Controlling the Strait of Hormuz is a “firm” Iranian strategy

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said on Saturday that controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and gas supplies, is a “firm strategy” for Tehran in its dispute with the United States.

The Guard said in a statement: “Controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining its deterrent effects on America and the White House’s supporters in the region is a firm strategy” for Iran.

Trump: The visit of American envoys to Pakistan to discuss with Iran was cancelled

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had asked his envoys to cancel a visit to Pakistan, which was expected within the framework of completing discussions with Iran, mediated by Pakistan.

Trump explained in a call with Fox News, "I told them: No, you will not take an 18-hour trip to get there. We have all the papers. They can call us whenever they want, but you will no longer make 18-hour trips to sit (around a table) and talk about nothing."

Trump: Canceling the envoys’ visit to Pakistan does not mean resuming the war with Iran

Fox News: Trump says he canceled Witkoff and Kushner's trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran

Fox News reported on Saturday that US President Donald Trump canceled a scheduled visit to Pakistan for envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to conduct a visit to Pakistan.

Peace talks with Iran.

The Israeli army says it bombed Hezbollah positions in various areas of southern Lebanon

France 24/ Agencies

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