Erdoğan: Israel's death penalty for Palestinians akin to Hitler's policies

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the Israeli parliament’s decision to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, saying it is “essentially no different from Hitler’s policies against Jews.” He called the move discrimination, racism, and a worse version of the South African apartheid regime, turning law into an instrument of racist fascism.

Pakistan PM holds separate talks with Vance, Iranian delegation ahead of landmark negotiations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with US Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation in Islamabad on Saturday, expressing hope that the “Islamabad Talks” would serve as a “stepping stone toward durable peace” in the Middle East. The negotiations aim to end the war that began on 28 February.

Iranian delegation meets Pakistan PM ahead of landmark US talks

Iran’s negotiating team, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Saturday ahead of direct talks with a US delegation headed by Vice President JD Vance. Tehran is expected to raise alleged US ceasefire violations and present its 10‑point proposal for a permanent end to the war.

China may send Iran air defence systems despite ceasefire

US intelligence suggests China could supply Iran with shoulder‑launched anti‑aircraft missiles in the coming weeks, even as a fragile two‑week ceasefire holds. Beijing has denied the claim, calling it “untrue” and urging the US to stop making baseless allegations.

Kerry: Netanyahu pushed multiple US presidents to strike Iran; only Trump agreed

Former Secretary of State John Kerry said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly urged US administrations to carry out military strikes on Iran, but Presidents Bush, Obama and Biden refused. “The only president who has agreed to this, obviously, is President Trump,” Kerry told Jen Psaki’s podcast.

Turkish energy minister Bayraktar says Curad-1 opens new chapter for Somalia's energy sector

Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that a “new era” has begun in Somalia’s energy sector with the launch of Curad-1

US lost 8 Reaper drones in April, total hits 24 in Iran war

The United States has lost eight MQ‑9 Reaper drones in the Middle East since 1 April, raising the total number downed in the conflict with Iran to 24, CBS News reported. Each drone costs $30 million or more, putting the financial impact at an estimated $720 million.

US to seek release of American detainees in Iran talks

US negotiators will demand the release of American citizens imprisoned in Iran during Saturday’s high‑stakes talks in Islamabad, the Washington Post reported. At least six US nationals are known to be detained in Iran, though it remains unclear how much pressure officials will apply on the issue.

EU chides Gulf for not supporting Ukraine war effort, urges shared responsibility

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe has not received sufficient help from Gulf countries on the Russia‑Ukraine war, stressing that cooperation “can’t be a one‑way street.” She defended the EU’s role in Middle East security, rejecting criticism as “unfair,” while warning that some nations are helping circumvent sanctions on Iran.

Qatar denies US combat role from Al Udeid, says energy damage significant

A senior Qatari defense official told Al Jazeera that no US combat or logistical elements at the Al Udeid base participated in operations against Iran. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al‑Ansari rejected Tehran’s claims about Qatari evidence of US force usage, calling them an excuse for bombing. He added that damage to Qatar’s energy sector has been significant.

Lebanon, US ask Israel to pause attacks ahead of Washington talks

Lebanon and the United States have formally requested that Israel halt its strikes on Lebanese territory as a “gesture” before direct negotiations begin in Washington next week, Axios reported. The US supports Beirut’s request, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet decided, and an Israeli official insisted “there is no ceasefire.”

Iran has ‘good intentions but no trust’ ahead of US talks

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tehran enters negotiations with the United States with good intentions but no trust, citing repeated US attacks during previous talks. He warned that Iran would respond firmly if the talks are used as a cover for insincere actions, while Vice President JD Vance said Washington is willing to extend an open hand if Iran negotiates in good faith.

Vance lands in Islamabad for high‑stakes Iran talks

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Saturday for direct and indirect negotiations with Iran, aimed at ending the Middle East conflict. The “Islamabad Talks” are being mediated by Pakistan, which secured a two‑week ceasefire on Wednesday. The talks may last several days and are seen as “make‑or‑break” for a permanent ceasefire.

Iran cannot fully reopen Hormuz due to missing mines – NYT

Tehran has been unable to completely reopen the Strait of Hormuz because it cannot locate all the sea mines it deployed and lacks the capacity to remove them quickly, the New York Times reported. The situation has limited shipping traffic and is expected to be a key issue in Islamabad talks between Iranian officials and a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance.

Lebanon death toll since March 2 reaches 1,953 as Israeli strikes continue

The number of people killed by Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 1,953, with 6,303 wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported Friday. A single wave of strikes on April 8 killed 357 people and injured 1,223, as rescue teams continue to clear rubble and identify remains through DNA testing.

Fidan meets Turkish Cypriot PM Üstel in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Ünal Üstel in Ankara on Friday, the Foreign Ministry announced. No further details of the closed‑door talks were disclosed.

Erdoğan receives FIFA chief Infantino in Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Dolmabahçe Office in Istanbul on Friday. Infantino presented Erdoğan with a signed jersey, a replica of the World Cup trophy and an official match ball, while TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu also gave the president a national team jersey.

Israeli tanks shell Syria’s Daraa province, local TV reports

Israeli tanks shelled the outskirts of Jamla town in Daraa province, southern Syria, on Friday, according to Alikhbaria TV. No further details were immediately available, and Syrian authorities had not commented by Friday evening.

Türkiye, Saudi resolve transit visa issue after decade-long blockade

Ankara has secured transit visas for Turkish truck drivers travelling through Saudi Arabia to the wider Gulf, reopening a crucial land trade corridor after ten years of diplomatic deadlock. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat hailed the breakthrough as a game‑changer, especially as maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz remain paralysed by war.

Trump promises mass pardons for staff before leaving office – WSJ

President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised sweeping pardons to top administration officials before he leaves office, the Wall Street Journal reported. “I’ll pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval,” he told aides in a recent meeting. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a joke, but insisted the president’s pardon power is absolute.

Iran insists on Lebanon truce, asset release before US talks

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets must be implemented before negotiations with the United States can begin. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also stressed that the ceasefire understanding includes Lebanon and urged Washington to uphold its commitments.

Erdoğan, Pezeshkian discuss US-Iran truce as Türkiye backs lasting peace

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that the upcoming US‑Iran talks must be used fully to secure lasting peace and stability. Ankara has made intensive efforts alongside other concerned countries to help broker the two‑week ceasefire, Erdoğan said, warning against any attempts to sabotage the peace process.

Fidan, EU's Kallas discuss US-Iran ceasefire developments

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to discuss recent developments surrounding the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, diplomatic sources said Friday. The two exchanged views on the broader global implications of the temporary truce.

Eyes on the table, hands on the trigger

A fragile US‑Iran ceasefire has cracked on its first day over Lebanon, uranium enrichment and control of the Strait of Hormuz. As both sides trade accusations and harden their rhetoric, Saturday’s direct talks in Islamabad will either open the door to lasting peace or push the region toward a wider war. Israel openly hopes the process will fail.