Here's the latest
• Diplomatic push: Iranian officials and Pakistan’s military chief will meet in Tehran today to discuss messages exchanged between Iran and the US. Yesterday, the White House expressed optimism about reaching a deal, noting that a potential second round of talks would likely be held in Pakistan.
• Israel-Lebanon talks: The leaders of Israel and Lebanon will also speak today for the first time in decades, according to US President Donald Trump. Yesterday, Israel’s security cabinet met to discuss a possible ceasefire in Lebanon, according to an Israeli source, as its military continued its bombardment targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah.
• Naval blockade: Iran’s military has threatened shipping in the Red Sea if the US continues its blockade of Iranian ports. Reports on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz differ, though the trade chokepoint remains effectively shut.
Trump says leaders of Israel and Lebanon to speak today
President Donald Trump said the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak on Thursday.
He did not give any details on where or how they would speak.
Lebanon’s presidency declined to comment. CNN has reached out to the Israeli prime minister’s office and the Lebanese prime minister’s office.
Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in 40 years this week in Washington, DC. But fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued despite the negotiations.
On Thursday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic spokesperson issued an urgent evacuation warning to residents of southern Lebanon who are located south of the Zahrani River.
“Staying south of the Zahrani River may put your life and the lives of your families at risk,” the warning said.
Chinese airlines are quietly canceling international flights
Several state-owned Chinese airlines have started canceling flights ahead of one of the country’s busiest travel seasons as global fuel prices surge, with destinations in Southeast Asia and Australia among those affected.
More than a dozen Chinese travelers have confirmed with CNN that their flights to popular vacation spots, operated by various Chinese airlines, were canceled over the past few days.
The sudden cancellations have left some travelers stranded. Li Huoyu, a 24-year-old vacationing in Melbourne, Australia, said she received a text from Sichuan Airlines saying her return flight to China at the end of April was canceled. Li said she had planned to go to work the day after her return.
Una Han, a graduate student in Hebei province, said she received a text from China Eastern Airlines this week saying her flight from Beijing to Thailand, scheduled for the end of April, was canceled.
The cancellations come ahead of China’s “Golden Week,” a five-day Labor Day holiday in May. It is one of China’s busiest travel seasons, when many travel internationally.
None of the Chinese carriers publicly announced the cancellations. CNN reached out to China Eastern Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, and both confirmed cancellations, citing a “policy adjustment.”
CNN’s Joyce Jiang contributed reporting.
Iran and Pakistan will meet today as push to resume US talks inches forward
Iranian officials and Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir will hold talks in Tehran on Thursday to discuss messages exchanged between Iran and the US since negotiations in Pakistan fell apart, Iranian state media Tasnim reported.
Iran has been exchanging messages with the US through Pakistan amid a wider diplomatic push for a second round of talks between Tehran and Washington.
Munir, a key intermediary, travelled to Tehran on Wednesday and met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Pakistani delegation, headed by Munir, was carrying a message from Washington, Pakistan’s military said.
Araghchi said he was “very pleased” to welcome Munir to Iran in a message released after the meeting, where he affirmed Iran’s commitment to “promoting peace and stability in the region.”
CNN’s Nic Robertson in Islamabad reports on the diplomatic efforts of Pakistani officials to bring about another round of U.S.-Iran peace talks.
It is not clear whether Araghchi will meet with Munir today.
The US and Iran are edging toward another round of talks. Here's what to know
The United States and Iran are edging towards an agreement to end the war after marathon talks between the two parties in Islamabad over the weekend ended with no resolution.
Signs of willingness have surfaced in the past 12 hours, with the Trump administration expressing optimism in the prospect of a deal with Iran, and the Iranian foreign minister reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to promoting peace.
If you’re just joining us, catch up on the latest developments below:
Thursday talks: Iranian officials and Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir will meet in Tehran today to discuss recent communications between Iran and the US, according to Iran state media.
Message from Washington: Munir, a key intermediary between the US and Iran, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday and met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Pakistani delegation, led by Munir, was carrying a message from the US, Pakistan’s military said.
CNN’s Nic Robertson in Islamabad reports on the diplomatic efforts of Pakistani officials to bring about another round of U.S.-Iran peace talks.
White House optimism: The Trump administration has expressed confidence about striking a deal with Iran, with a potential second round of in-person talks likely to take place in Pakistan. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said nothing is official yet, “but we feel good about the prospects of a deal.”
Sanctions: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US is “now willing to apply secondary sanctions” on countries that buy Iranian oil or take Tehran’s money. The department also announced sanctions on more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels it says are involved in exporting Iranian oil and natural gas.
Naval blockade: The diplomacy came as Iran threatened to shut down shipping in the Red Sea, as well as in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, if the US continues its blockade of the country’s ports.
Stocks rise: Asian stocks climbed on Thursday, tracking record highs in the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite. Investor sentiment improved with hopes for an extended ceasefire and a conclusive agreement with Iran. A pullback in oil prices – though still elevated compared to pre-war levels – helped fuel the stock market rally.
Espionage report: Iran is using a Chinese spy satellite to target US bases, according to a report by the Financial Times. FT reporter Demetri Sevastopulo told CNN’s Newsroom that the Iranians have signed a contract with a Chinese company, granting the Iranian military control over the satellite.
“Famine timebomb”: UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband warned of a humanitarian crisis if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. Miliband called for a humanitarian corridor to allow essential supplies through, like food and medical aid, and warned of a “famine time bomb” that could otherwise arise in June.
