Hezbollah movement rejected a new ceasefire in Lebanon on Thursday and Israel said it would not withdraw troops from the country, undermining US President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt fighting there to forge peace with Tehran. Iran has made a ceasefire in Lebanon a condition for any peace deal with Washington, and has suggested in […]
US-Iran
Pakistan helped avert full-blown US-Iran war: EU diplomat
The European Union’s (EU) top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, on Monday termed Pakistan a major regional power and an important partner of the EU as the two sides held a strategic dialogue in Islamabad. Kallas is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Both co-chaired the 8th EU-Pakistan Strategic […]
Govt restores early market closures as US-Iran crisis fuels energy-saving drive
Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has restored early market closures starting today, Monday, an official notification said as the ongoing US-Iran conflict prompts authorities to implement austerity measures to conserve expensive fuel. The Punjab government on Monday decided to re-enforce the prescribed working hours for business centers across the province following the Eid holidays, ending the temporary […]
Pakistan hopes to host next round of US-Iran talks soon
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that Pakistan hopes to host the next round of talks between the United States and Iran “very soon,” as diplomatic efforts intensify toward a possible agreement aimed at easing regional tensions. In a post on X, the prime minister said Pakistan would continue its peace efforts “with utmost […]
Pakistan steps up diplomatic bid to get US-Iran talks on track
Pakistan stepped up diplomatic efforts on Thursday to hasten US and Iran peace talks, as Tehran said it was reviewing Washington’s latest responses and President Donald Trump suggested he could wait a few days for “the right answers” from Tehran but was also willing to resume attacks on the country. Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces […]
PM says US-Iran truce holds but war strains Pakistan economy
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the US-Iran temporary ceasefire is currently in place, but the war has created significant hurdles for regional economies, including Pakistan. The prime minister made these remarks while addressing a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad. Iran has largely shut the Strait of Hormuz to ships apart from its […]
US-Iran deadlock puts fragile ceasefire on ‘life support’
Iran said Monday it had demanded the release of its frozen assets and the end of a US blockade of its ports, after President Donald Trump angrily rejected Tehran’s terms for ending the Middle East war. The sharp exchange of messages raised the spectre of a return to open conflict in the Gulf, dashed hopes […]
Pakistan discusses US-Iran diplomacy with top US envoy amid push for regional deal
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met the top US diplomat in Islamabad on Monday to discuss efforts to secure a ceasefire and broader agreement between Washington and Tehran, as Pakistan continues to position itself as a key intermediary in the talks. The meeting between Dar and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. […]
Pakistan ‘optimistic’ about US-Iran deal
The United States and Iran are edging toward a temporary agreement to halt their war, sources and officials said on Thursday, with Tehran reviewing a proposal that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues unresolved. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran had not yet reached a conclusion on the emerging plan, which […]
Dar says Pakistan is working for permanent US-Iran ceasefire
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed hope on Wednesday that the indefinitely extended ceasefire between the United States and Iran could be made permanent. US President Donald Trump has indefinitely extended what was initially a two-week ceasefire between the two countries, brokered with the help of Pakistan’s mediation, but the conflict – […]