Friday, April 10th 2026: EVE OF ISLAMABAD: THE TABLE IS SET

1. Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner on the ground in Islamabad – Pakistan declared two days of holidays for security; first direct US-Iran face-to-face talks since Operation Epic Fury began; scheduled for Saturday morning2. Iran threatening to walk – Wall Street Journal reported Iran told mediators its participation is conditional on a ceasefire in Lebanon; Tehran also reconsidering Hormuz reopening entirely, may maintain it as a “closed military zone”3. Hormuz still largely closed – only 10 vessels have transited in five days; Iran limiting traffic to under 15 ships per day with naval escort and tolls; UAE ADNOC CEO: “Let me be clear, the Strait of Hormuz is not open. It amounts to coercion.” UK PM Starmer: “Open means toll-free navigation.”4. Lebanon in crisis – 300+ killed in single deadliest day of Israeli strikes; Lebanon declared national day of mourning; Netanyahu agreed to begin talks with Lebanon under US pressure; Trump told Bibi to “tone it down”5. Iran’s full 10-point proposal detailed – Al Jazeera published the framework: non-aggression commitment, controlled Hormuz under Iranian military, acceptance of enrichment, all sanctions lifted, IAEA/UNSC resolutions terminated, US troop withdrawal, compensation via ship tolls, frozen assets released, binding UNSC resolution6. Trump Truth Social – “Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That is not the agreement we have!” Also: “They better stop now” on tolls; “Very optimistic” about a deal on NBC but “if they don’t make a deal, it’s going to be very painful”7. Domestic – DHS shutdown Day 55, Congress returns April 14, oil prices climbing back; Pakistan – not China, not Russia – now the essential global broker