Trump tells JD Vance to find a way out of Iran war as vice president prepares to fly to Pakistan for peace talks: Live updates

Donald Trump has told JD Vance to find a way out of the war against Iran, as the vice president is set to fly out to Pakistan for crucial peace talks.

Donald Trump has told JD Vance to find a way out of the war against Iran, as the vice president is set to fly out to Pakistan for crucial peace talks.  

Vance, departing today, has been one of the most reluctant defenders of the war against Iran in Trumps inner circle. 

He has long been sceptical of foreign military interventions and outspoken about the prospect of sending troops into open-ended war.

The vice presidents visit to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad comes as a tenuous, temporary ceasefire appears to be on the precipice of collapsing.

The chasm between Irans public demands and those from the US and its partner Israel seems irreconcilable.

Mr Vance is joined by US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who took part in three rounds of indirect talks with Iranian negotiators aimed at settling US concerns about Tehrans nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes and its support for armed proxy groups in the Middle East before Mr Trump and Israel launched the February 28 war against Iran.

The White House has provided scant detail about the format of the talks - whether they will be direct or indirect - and has not provided specific expectations for the meeting.

06:48

Trump tasks JD Vance with finding a way out of Iran quagmire

JD Vance is set to travel to Pakistan to lead talks with Iran and find a solution to the end of the Middle East crisis.

He will be joined by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Both Witkoff and Kushner took part in three rounds of indirect talks with Iranian negotiators aimed at settling US concerns about Tehran's nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes and its support for armed proxy groups in the Middle East before Mr Trump and Israel launched the February 28 war against Iran.

Little is known about how the talks might play out, as the White House has provided scant details on the format and the points set to be raised.

06:55

Trump tells Netanyahu to be 'low-key it' in Lebanon

Trump told NBC overnight that he has spoken to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and asked him to scale back strikes against Lebanon, which have killed hundreds and left over 1,000 injured.

He told the US media outlet: 'I spoke with Bibi [Netanyahu] and he's going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key.'

06:45

Islamabad streets all but empty ahead of crucial talks

Save for patrolling soldiers, the streets in large swathes of Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad, are empty.

The city is hosting peace talks between Iran and the US this weekend, and Pakistan is taking its role as mediator seriously.

People walk along a closed street in the Red Zone area in Islamabad on April 10, 2026. Pakistan has been preparing for high-stakes talks involving US and Iranian representatives over the war in the Middle East, with the White House saying Vice President JD Vance will be leading a team to the negotiations in Islamabad

Pakistani soldiers stand guard near the President House in the Red Zone area in Islamabad on April 10, 2026. Pakistan has been preparing for high-stakes talks involving US and Iranian representatives over the war in the Middle East, with the White House saying Vice President JD Vance will be leading a team to the negotiations in Islamabad

Pakistani soldiers and police officers stand guard near the President House in the Red Zone area in Islamabad on April 10, 2026. Pakistan has been preparing for high-stakes talks involving US and Iranian representatives over the war in the Middle East, with the White House saying Vice President JD Vance will be leading a team to the negotiations in Islamabad

06:41

Good morning, and welcome to the Daily Mail's covering of the Middle East crisis

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