Trump Declares Iran Will Never Acquire Nuclear Capability
Former President Donald Trump has emphatically stated that Iran will "never have a nuclear weapon" while simultaneously criticising Tehran's management of oil shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump rejected claims from The Wall Street Journal that he had declared a premature victory, asserting instead that "it is a Victory... Because of me, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON."
However, the former president also launched a scathing attack on Iran's handling of oil flow through the crucial maritime passage, accusing the Islamic Republic of performing a "very poor job, dishonourable some would say" in facilitating shipments. These comments have raised significant concerns about the durability of the fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week, which Trump indicated was conditional upon Iran reopening the Strait to normal traffic.
Shipping Disruption Continues Despite Diplomatic Efforts
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted despite the ceasefire agreement, suggesting the diplomatic arrangement has yet to fully take effect. According to Reuters, Trump is considering withdrawing some United States troops from Europe amid growing frustration that NATO allies have not contributed sufficiently to securing the vital waterway.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised direct negotiations with Lebanon "as soon as possible" following one of the deadliest single-day strikes on Wednesday that resulted in approximately three hundred fatalities. The announcement signals a potential diplomatic opening amid ongoing regional tensions.
Islamabad Security Lockdown Ahead of Crucial Peace Talks
Islamabad has been placed under an extensive security lockdown with more than ten thousand security personnel deployed across the Pakistani capital ahead of crucial peace talks between the United States and Iran. Authorities have implemented a comprehensive, multi-layered security plan overseen by the military with support from paramilitary Rangers, Islamabad police, and Punjab police forces.
The substantial deployment includes approximately six thousand Islamabad police personnel, nine hundred Frontier Constabulary troops, and three thousand members of the Punjab Constabulary, alongside Rangers and Pakistan Army units. An additional one thousand traffic police officers have been stationed to manage road closures and diversions throughout the city.
Talks are scheduled for Saturday, though delegations are expected to begin arriving on Friday. According to Dawn newspaper reports, a thirty-member United States team has already arrived in Islamabad to review security arrangements. The American delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, indicating high-level engagement from both sides as efforts continue to stabilise the fragile ceasefire.
Regional and Global Implications of Ongoing Conflict
Security has been particularly tightened in Islamabad's high-security "red zone," where key government buildings and diplomatic sites are concentrated. The talks occur against a backdrop of broader regional developments, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meeting with Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong as Canberra seeks to shore up fuel security amid ongoing disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.
Albanese noted that "fuel security is on the agenda right around the globe" due to the Middle East crisis, with Singapore serving as Asia's key oil trading hub and Australia's largest supplier of petrol. Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains near standstill despite the ceasefire, tightening global petroleum supplies significantly.
Financial markets have responded cautiously to developments, with stocks rising on Friday as investors maintained guarded optimism about the fragile US-Iran ceasefire ahead of planned weekend talks. Asian equity markets extended weekly gains in early trading, while Brent crude climbed one percent to $96.83 per barrel as trading resumed in Asia, reflecting persistent supply concerns despite tentative diplomatic progress.
Military Assessments and Diplomatic Tensions
Admiral Brad Cooper, leader of United States Central Command, declared in a social media video that "Iran has suffered a generational military defeat." The admiral added that "the United States and Israel systemically destroyed Iran's ability to conduct large-scale military operations for years to come," while noting that military operations have been paused amid a two-week ceasefire with forces remaining "present, vigilant, and ready if called."
Diplomatic tensions have escalated elsewhere, with the United States summoning Iraq's ambassador following a drone strike near key diplomatic facilities in Baghdad. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called in Iraqi Ambassador Nizar Khirullah after a drone hit an area close to a major American diplomatic installation. The State Department has accused Iran-aligned "terrorist militias" of carrying out multiple drone attacks near the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center and Baghdad International Airport.
During the meeting, Landau acknowledged efforts by Iraqi security forces to respond but emphasised what Washington described as the government's failure to prevent the attacks. The State Department stated that the United States expects Iraq to take concrete steps to dismantle Iran-backed militia groups operating within its borders, alleging that some elements within Iraq's state apparatus continue providing political, financial, and operational support to these groups.
Violence has surged across Iraq since the beginning of the Iran conflict, with dozens reported killed according to Iraqi health authorities. Casualties include civilians, members of Iran-linked Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces, US-allied Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, as well as police and army personnel.
Broader International Responses and Developments
In a separate development, Kuwait's National Guard reported that one of its military bases was hit by a drone attack, causing damage but no injuries according to Associated Press reports. Meanwhile, Trump has issued a lengthy social media rant against former MAGA supporters he calls "losers," name-dropping prominent American conservative media figures Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, and Alex Jones, all of whom have criticised his approach to the Iran conflict.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has denied striking Gulf nations or any country following the ceasefire announcement, with Iranian state media reporting that the paramilitary organisation made "absolutely no launches toward any country" since the two-week ceasefire was announced on Tuesday. These developments occur as global powers navigate the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the Iran conflict and its far-reaching implications for regional stability and international security.
