Leaders from multiple countries met Friday under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France to discuss access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. According to a statement from the U.K. prime minister’s office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said participating countries welcomed Iran’s decision to keep the waterway open. He said leaders agreed the route must remain accessible without tolls or restrictions, citing its importance to global trade and energy supply. Starmer said reopening and maintaining shipping through the strait is critical to stabilizing economic pressur

A shooting at a middle school in Kahramanmaras on Wednesday left at least nine people dead, including students, and 13 others injured, according to Turkish officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Sifti said six are in serious condition, with three in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims. Governor Mukerem Unluar said the suspected shooter, an eighth-grade student at the school, was also killed. According to the governor, the student used a firearm belonging to his father, a former police officer. Officials said the student brought the weapon into the scho

U.S. President Donald Trump says stalled negotiations with Iran could resume within the next two days, following an unsuccessful round of talks held in Pakistan. Speaking Tuesday, Trump indicated the next meeting is also likely to take place in Pakistan. He did not provide a confirmed date or agenda but said discussions remain ongoing. According to statements from both sides, disagreements over nuclear weapons have been the primary obstacle. Iranian officials are seeking firm guarantees that any agreement would prevent renewed military conflict or future airstrikes after a deal is reached. Ira

Italy has halted the automatic renewal of its defence agreements with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, citing ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the need to support diplomatic efforts. According to statements from the Italian government, the decision comes as conflict dynamics involving Iran and the United States continue to raise concerns about regional stability. Meloni said advancing peace talks remains a priority and stressed the importance of reopening key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. The Italian government said the suspension applies specifically to th

Former U.S. vice-president Kamala Harris says she is considering a bid for the presidency in 2028, according to recent public remarks made during appearances tied to her national book tour. Harris, who was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in the 2024 election, said she is weighing her next political steps amid what she described as ongoing challenges facing the country. She noted that “a lot of work” remains to be done and that current conditions are not working for many Americans. The comments come as Harris travels across the United States following the release of her 2025 c

U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Iran should not attempt to “play” the United States as he departs for Pakistan to lead negotiations aimed at ending a six-week war between Washington and Tehran. According to White House officials, Vance will participate in mediated talks in Islamabad as part of an effort directed by President Donald Trump to seek a resolution to the conflict, which began Feb. 28. The administration has not confirmed whether the will be conducted directly with Iranian officials or through intermediaries. The talks come amid signs that a temporary ceasefire could collapse.

Spain says it will reopen its embassy in Tehran following a reported ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a statement from the country’s foreign minister. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the diplomatic mission would resume operations after the pause in hostilities. He also accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire and violating international law, though no independent verification of those claims was immediately available. Reactions from European officials have emerged alongside the announcement, reflecting broader concern about the situation in the r

Differences between the United States and Iran over the terms of a recently announced ceasefire continue to raise uncertainty, with officials indicating there is no clear agreement on key conditions. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, said in London that he remains “optimistic” about a potential meeting between the two sides in Islamabad later this week. According to his remarks, efforts are underway to turn the current two-week ceasefire into a more durable arrangement. Faisal said that despite reported violations, the ceasefire is largely holding.

The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire following approximately 40 days of conflict, according to statements attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump and media reports. The pause in hostilities is expected to halt attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran during the agreed period. Trump said the decision followed appeals from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country’s military leadership. Reports also indicate the arrangement was facilitated through Pakistan’s mediation, with last-minute diplomatic involvement from China. These claims ha