US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: On Saturday, April 25, West Asia tensions remained elevated as Donald Trump cancelled Islamabad talks with Iran, flagged leadership rifts, while indirect diplomacy continued and Israel maintained military pressure despite a ceasefire extension.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi returned from Pakistan without any progress over the weekend, while US President Donald Trump called off a planned visit by his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Islamabad. The back-to-back developments have dimmed hopes of a near-term resolution.
The standoff continues to weigh on global markets. Oil prices have remained elevated, adding to inflation concerns and clouding the outlook for growth worldwide.
Iran has made it clear that it will not engage in negotiations under pressure. In a phone call with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Masoud Pezeshkian said talks can move forward only if the United States removes restrictions, including those affecting Iranian ports. Officials in Tehran have also pushed back against what they see as unreasonable demands from Washington.
Trump, however, said the decision to cancel the diplomatic visit was driven by the lack of a meaningful offer. Speaking to reporters, he said Iran had made some proposals, but they fell short of expectations.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump also pointed to internal disagreements within Iran’s leadership. Iranian leaders have rejected that claim. Pezeshkian said the country is united, with no divisions within its leadership, a view echoed by other senior officials in recent days.
The situation on the ground remains tense. Israel has stepped up military action against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, even as a ceasefire in the broader conflict remains in place.
Watch this space for Live Updates on the War in West Asia