Iran state media reports senior delegation to attend Islamabad talks

Only two ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to ship-tracking data from S&P Global Market Intelligence cited by NBC News.

The data showed that neither of the vessels were oil or gas tankers, marking a steep decline in traffic through the strategic waterway.

The report said daily transits have fallen in recent days compared with pre-war levels of around 130 to 160 ships, which typically carry oil, gas and other goods to global markets.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened “soon” and “one way or the other."

"They're militarily DEFEATED, and now we're going to open up the [Strait], with or without them. But that WILL be open," Trump said to reporter before boarding Air Force One.

The United States is deploying more military forces to the Middle East ahead of planned talks with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

The report said the buildup includes additional troops and military assets positioned for possible operations, as Washington pursues diplomacy while maintaining pressure on Tehran.

"US deployments in recent weeks have included Marines, warships and other assets, part of a broader reinforcement of its regional presence," the report added.

An Iranian delegation led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has arrived in Islamabad for potential talks with the United States, according to Iranian media reports.

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. Several members of parliament are also part of the delegation, Iran's state TV said.

The talks are expected to begin only if Washington accepts Tehran’s preconditions, the report said.

It said the team is structured around multiple committees, including security, political, military, economic, and legal groups, suggesting preparations for wide-ranging discussions.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ‌said ​late ⁠on ‌Friday that the US-Iran talks in ​Islamabad slated to ‌begin on Saturday were a make ‌or break to achieve a permanent ⁠ceasefire in the ‌weeks-long ​Middle East conflict.

Sharif thanked the leadership of Iran and the US for agreeing to a ceasefire and holding peace talks at his request, adding that his government would do its best to ensure the success of the peace process.

He also urged citizens to pray for the talks to succeed.