Islamabad: Last‑minute ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran appeared uncertain on Tuesday as a two‑week truce neared expiration and both countries warned that, without an agreement, they were prepared to resume fighting.U.S. Vice President JD Vance, expected to lead U.S. negotiators if talks continued in Pakistan, remained in Washington on Tuesday, according to a White House official. Pakistan, which has been urging both sides to return to Islamabad, said it was still awaiting confirmation on whether Iran would participate.Earlier in the day, two regional officials said Washington and Tehran had signalled they would hold a second round of talks, with Vance leading the U.S. team and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf serving as Tehran’s top negotiator. Both spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to brief reporters.However, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar later said on X that Iran had not formally confirmed its participation. The ceasefire was set to expire on Wednesday.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state television that there had been “no final decision” on attending talks because of “unacceptable actions” by the United States, apparently referring to a recent blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.Vance had policy meetings scheduled at the White House on Wednesday morning, a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The vice president’s office and the White House did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether he still planned to travel to Pakistan.Both sides remained entrenched rhetorically. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that “lots of bombs” would “start going off” if no deal was reached before the ceasefire deadline, while Iran’s chief negotiator said Tehran had “new cards on the battlefield” yet to be revealed.The ceasefire, which began on April 8, could be extended if talks resume, though Trump said in a CNBC interview on Tuesday, “Well, I don’t want to do that.”“We don’t have that much time,” Trump said, adding that Iran “had a choice” and “they have to negotiate.”White House officials have said Vance would lead the American delegation, but Iran has not confirmed who it might send. Iranian state television reported Tuesday that “no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad … so far.”On Tuesday, the United States said its forces boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude oil in Asia. The Pentagon said U.S. forces boarded the M/T 'Tifani' “without incident.”The military did not disclose where the vessel was boarded, though ship‑tracking data placed it in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The Pentagon added that “international waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels.”

Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, affirmed that Dubai’s aviation sector, under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, continues to play a vital role in connecting global markets, supporting the global economy through efficient passenger and cargo movement, and shaping the future of aviation.His Highness commended the outstanding performance of all teams at Dubai International Airport, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, reviewed operations at Dubai International Airport, including passenger services provided by Emirates. He also visited the Dubai Police operations centre and was briefed on its role in safeguarding the airport and enhancing travel safety through advanced smart services. His Highness was further briefed on ongoing smart technology upgrades designed to promote efficiency, ensure seamless passenger flow, expedite travel procedures, and enhance passenger comfort.“I am proud of the teams at Dubai Airports, Emirates and flydubai. Our world‑class aviation ecosystem continues to maintain smooth and efficient operations amid evolving conditions while ensuring safety, reflecting the resilience and preparedness of Dubai’s systems,” His Highness said.“Dubai Airports continues to play a central role in reinforcing the city’s sustainable growth and its position as a bridge between global markets. As we look to the future, Dubai Airports will continue to advance its expansion plans in line with our vision to shape the future of global aviation, driven by our relentless focus on innovation and excellence. We continue to invest in advanced infrastructure and talent to further strengthen Dubai’s position as a vital global gateway connecting people, markets and opportunities worldwide,” he added.His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed also reviewed Emirates Airline’s operations, expressing appreciation for the efforts of its teams. His Highness highlighted the airline’s pivotal role, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in connecting the world to Dubai and reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leading global aviation hub through a network spanning 123 destinations in 65 countries. He praised the professionalism and commitment of pilots and cabin crew at all times and under various conditions, commending their continued delivery of the high standards of quality long associated with Emirates.His Highness received a briefing on the functions of Emirates’ Network Operations Control Centre, the nerve centre of the airline’s operations, and its recent upgrades. The centre is equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, high‑precision computer vision systems, and real‑time geospatial mapping to proactively monitor flight movements, weather conditions, and global developments. This enables rapid response and efficient operations management, ensures on‑time arrivals and departures, and supports seamless cargo and logistics operations through integrated coordination across departments.His Highness was also accompanied by His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander‑in‑Chief of Dubai Police; His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs; and His Excellency Lieutenant General Awad Hader Al Muhairi, Vice President of Dubai’s State Security Department.Dubai International Airport recorded a milestone performance in 2025, welcoming more than 95 million passengers and retaining its position as the world’s busiest international airport for the twelfth consecutive year. Total flight movements reached 454,800, an increase of 3.3% year‑on‑year, reflecting sustained network and capacity growth throughout the year.