Vance heads to Pakistan for talks with Iran to end war

[0:00] Welcome to the NewsHour. Vice President J.D. Vance is heading to Pakistan, where he's set to meet Iranian officials this weekend in a bid to end the nearly six-week U.S.-Israel war with Iran. [0:11] The demands are steep, trust is thin, and President Trump said today he's unsure if he'll support further talks after this round. [0:19] Meantime, in Lebanon, residents are still digging out from this week's Israeli strikes. Liz Landers starts our coverage. [0:26] Today, in Lebanon, pain and grief as mourners gather to share memories and bid a final farewell to loved ones following Israel's deadliest wave of strikes since the start of war, devastating buildings and leaving more than 300 dead. [0:49] The loss of people can never be replaced, you know, but as for the stones and buildings, God can compensate for that. What can we do? We want to live, not continue in this situation. [0:58] It's compounding an already desperate humanitarian situation. According to the World Food Program, the conflict has displaced over one million people. [1:07] And even before the Iran War, more than 800,000 people in Lebanon faced acute food insecurity, causing aid teams to scramble on the ground and provide food to families like this one. [1:20] That suffering is dividing Lebanon's people on the merits of planned peace talks with Israel next week. [1:25] Negotiation is the only way to peace and for people to live. People are all displaced living on the streets. People aren't living. [1:34] If you want to conduct negotiations under war, as Israel wants to operate under fire, we do not accept, and we will remain steadfast. [1:46] Meantime, in Israel, sirens blared after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired a barrage of missiles, one of which damaged this church complex. [1:54] The IDF says it struck 10 Hezbollah launchers inside Lebanon. [1:59] But before the Israel-Lebanon talks, another major test of diplomacy. [2:03] U.S. and Iranian officials are gearing up for high-stakes negotiations this weekend, aimed at making a ceasefire permanent. [2:10] Earlier this week, President Trump escalated his rhetoric with a startling threat to wipe out Iran's civilization. [2:16] But he quickly reversed course after a shaky two-week truce was reached. [2:22] The president relayed his expectations to reporters this afternoon. [2:25] What would a good deal look like for you? [2:29] No nuclear weapon, number one. [2:32] You know, I think it's already been regime change, but we never had that as a criteria. [2:37] No nuclear weapon. [2:39] The talks, to be held in Pakistan, are the most senior-level negotiations between the U.S. and Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. [2:49] The U.S. is sending members of Trump's innermost circle, Special Envoy Steve Whitcoff and the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. [2:56] We're looking forward to the negotiation. [2:57] And Vice President J.D. Vance, who gave the Iranians a warning as he boarded his plane to Islamabad early today. [3:04] If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand. [3:09] If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive. [3:14] Leading the Iranian side, the Speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohamed Bagar Galibaf. [3:19] He warned tomorrow's negotiations could be called off unless two outstanding agreements from the temporary truce are implemented, [3:27] a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets. [3:31] Those conditions were echoed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and the foreign ministry. [3:37] Meantime, the U.S. has made demands of its own, namely for Iran to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as agreed upon. [3:45] Marine traffic data from today shows hundreds of vessels crowding the Gulf, [3:49] yet only a handful selected by Iran trickling through the narrow but critical maritime passageway. [3:55] On Truth Social today, President Trump said Iran has, quote, [3:58] no cards other than a short-term extortion of the world by using international waterways. [4:04] And last night, he acknowledged reports that Iran is charging tankers to pass through $2 million in Bitcoin per ship, [4:11] as Iran has publicly claimed. [4:14] Quote, they better not be, the president wrote, and if they are, they better stop now. [4:19] Iran, meanwhile, doubled down. [4:21] The Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war control system. [4:26] All movements, traffic, comings and goings in the Strait of Hormuz are under strict, [4:30] precise and calculated control of our armed forces. [4:35] Meanwhile, the world is watching. [4:37] Today, Pope Leo warning that, quote, God does not bless any conflict, [4:41] instead urging parties towards dialogue to reach peace. [4:45] For the PBS NewsHour, I'm Liz Landers. [4:47] Support journalism you trust. [4:59] Support PBS News. [5:01] Donate now, or even better, start a monthly contribution today.