Despite US ceasefire negotiation, Israel vows to continue to fight Iran, proxies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations against Iran and its proxies, even as the United States and Iran began high-level de-escalation talks mediated by Pakistan in Islamabad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to its military campaign against Iran, dismissing the momentum of international ceasefire efforts. In a pointed statement released on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Netanyahu signaled that diplomatic maneuvers would not deter Israel’s security objectives regarding Tehran and its regional affiliates. The Prime Minister utilized the address to contrast his administration’s policy with that of Turkey’s leadership, stating, “Israel under my leadership will continue to fight Iran’s terror regime and its proxies, unlike Erdogan who accommodates them and massacred his own Kurdish citizens.” The hardline rhetoric underscores a significant rift between Israel’s tactical goals and the broader diplomatic push for a regional stand-down.

Netanyahu’s declaration coincides with the commencement of high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan. Facilitated by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the “Islamabad Talks” represent a critical attempt to bridge the divide between the two primary adversaries and stabilize the Middle East. On Saturday, Sharif held separate high-level meetings with the Iranian delegation and U.S. Vice President JD Vance to establish a framework for the dialogue. “Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region,” the Government of Pakistan disclosed in an official statement shared on X.

While the Islamabad summit marks a rare moment of direct diplomatic engagement, the disconnect between the negotiating table and the battlefield remains stark. Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s strategic role as a neutral mediator, noting that his administration looks forward to continuing its “facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region.” However, with Israel maintaining its offensive posture and the U.S. delegation navigating complex domestic and allied pressures, the success of the talks remains uncertain. For now, the dual tracks of intensifying military action and burgeoning diplomacy suggest a region in deep flux, as mediators work to convert “stepping stones” into a lasting security architecture.

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