NPR News Now: April 10, 2026

Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to lead a U.S. delegation to Pakistan this weekend for talks on the ceasefire with Iran, which has been under significant strain. Iran says Israel's deadly attacks in Lebanon violate the Pakistan-brokered truce and has choked off access to the Strait of Hormuz in response.

From Iran's perspective, NPR's Daniel Estrin reported, the regime feels emboldened. "This war that started with a call to replace the regime — well, one Khamenei was replaced by another Khamenei. The regime is still there. It is proven that it can withstand the most powerful army in the world and the most powerful army in the region, Israel. And it discovered the Strait of Hormuz and what havoc it can wreak."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that he has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants. The announcement came amid disagreement over whether the Iran ceasefire includes Lebanon. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the ceasefire as fragile and criticized Israel's strikes on Lebanon. Speaking from Bahrain during a tour of the Gulf, Starmer told ITV News: "That shouldn't be happening, that should stop. That's my strong view." He said Israel should stop its strikes as a matter of principle.