Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been recognized for its constructive diplomatic engagement in supporting de-escalation and ceasefire efforts and facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said this during a weekly briefing on Thursday. &nbsp; Regarding the ongoing peace process, Andrabi said, &ldquo;Pakistan has been recognized for its constructive diplomatic engagement in supporting de-escalation, ceasefire efforts, and a broader pursuit of stability between the United States and Iran.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2044666270524882962&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ccd382a539894cff2a9b1a4a4f1d993bfcc1360f&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 641px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&ldquo;Throughout sustained interaction with both Washington and Tehran, Islamabad has sought to encourage dialogue, facilitate the exchange of messages and help create conditions and space for conducive and meaningful negotiations.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;Facilitative and mediatory roleAmbassador Andrabi said, &ldquo;The approach that Pakistan has undertaken underscores consistent commitment to regional stability and international peace, reflecting our preferences for principled dialogue-oriented diplomacy for addressing complex geopolitical challenges and managing complicated disputes and conflicts.&rdquo; &ldquo;In this context, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif, and with active engagement of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Chief of the Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan has maintained open channels of communication with the concerned parties as part of our facilitative and mediatory role.&rdquo;&nbsp;Constructive and stabilizing contributionsHe said, &ldquo;As part of these ongoing efforts, the Prime Minister is currently undertaking visits to key regional countries, while the Chief of Defense Forces and the Chief of Army Staff arrived in Tehran yesterday.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Collectively, these initiatives, these pursuits, reflect our sustained efforts for peace and our commitment that these efforts are best advanced through dialogue and cooperation.&rdquo; &ldquo;And this has been a fact which has been acknowledged in diplomatic circles around the world, Pakistan&#39;s constructive and stabilizing contributions,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;Intense diplomatic exchangesBut before embarking on this visit, the prime minister engaged in intensive diplomatic exchanges with his counterparts around the world. This was at the start, before the Islamabad peace talks, and the exchanges continued afterward.&nbsp;&nbsp;Peace talks&nbsp;Regarding the Islamabad Talks, Andrabi said, &ldquo;The talks continued for 21 hours, that is the duration of actual negotiation.&rdquo; &ldquo;Overall, the process continued for well above 30 hours, if you count the movement of the delegations and the momentary breaks for meals and coffees and so on.&rdquo;&nbsp; Ambassador Andrabi said, &ldquo;The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, along with the Chief of Defense Forces and the Chief of Army Staff, helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations.&rdquo; &ldquo;You would recall that in his remarks at the conclusion of these talks, the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, had expressed hope that the two sides would continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity in the entire region and beyond.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire.&quot;&nbsp; Facilitating engagement and dialogue&nbsp; The DPM has also reiterated that Pakistan has been, and will continue to, play its role in facilitating engagement and dialogue between the two countries in the days to come. &quot;And indeed, these words of the Deputy Prime Minister are being upheld now that our Chief of Defense Forces was in Iran yesterday, arrived in Iran yesterday, and our prime minister has embarked on a three-country visit,&quot; Ambassador Andrabi said.&nbsp; &quot;Let me reiterate that the visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar has, of course, a very strong bilateral component.&quot;&nbsp; The prime minister&#39;s visit to the three countries will take place from April 15 to 18. The visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar is in the bilateral context, he said.&nbsp; Anatolia Diplomacy Forum The visit to Turkiye is in the context of the Anatolia Diplomacy Forum, where the prime minister will participate in a high-level panel discussion alongside world leaders and present Pakistan&#39;s perspective, the ambassador said. Last evening, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, he added.&nbsp; The prime minister expressed full solidarity and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the wake of recent regional escalations, and he appreciated Saudi Arabia&#39;s exemplary restraint demonstrated throughout the conflict, and indeed, exemplary patience.&nbsp; The prime minister shared with His Royal Highness the recent developments related to Pakistan&#39;s peace efforts that led to the US-Iran ceasefire and the recently held Islamabad talks between the US and Iran, Ambassador Andrabi said. The Crown Prince appreciated Pakistan&#39;s constructive role in the peace process. Pakistan-Saudi tiesThe prime minister expressed his sincere appreciation to the Crown Prince for the Kingdom&#39;s consistent support for Pakistan&#39;s economic stability. Both countries enjoy a unique relationship; we have a strong strategic defense partnership under the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement. Apart from the prime minister&#39;s engagement, the deputy prime minister also remained busy throughout the last two weeks, holding numerous telephone conversations and direct interactions with his counterparts, the FO spokesperson said in his briefing.&nbsp;

Foreign Affairs

FO spokesperson says, ‘Throughout sustained interaction with both Washington and Tehran, Islamabad has sought to encourage dialogue, facilitate the exchange of messages, and helps create, helping create, condition and space for conducive and meaningful negotiations.’ 

Pakistan recognized for constructive diplomatic engagement in US-Iran ceasefire efforts: FO

Says, 'Before the negotiations, I emphasized that we have the necessary good faith'; adds, 'America has understood our logic and principles, and now it's time for it to decide whether it can earn our trust or not?'


It is for US to decide to earn our trust: Iranian speaker

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon during a call with his Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam.&nbsp;&ldquo;I strongly condemned Israel&rsquo;s ongoing aggression against Lebanon and offered condolences over the loss of thousands of precious lives in Lebanon as a result of these hostilities,&rdquo; Sharif said in a post on X.&nbsp;Israel carried out its most intense airstrikes on Lebanon on Thursday, after the two-week ceasefire between US and Iran was announced, killing more than 200 people in a single day.&nbsp;Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to advancing peace efforts and facilitating dialogue in the upcoming Iran&ndash;US talks in Islamabad on Saturday.&nbsp;&ldquo;Grateful to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam who expressed his appreciation for Pakistan&rsquo;s peace efforts,&rdquo; Sharif added that his counterpart also &ldquo;underscored the need for our continued support in securing an immediate end to the attacks targeting Lebanon and its people.&rdquo;&nbsp;<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;' id="isPasted">US Vice President JD Vance, who is set to lead the American delegation to Islamabad on Saturday, has said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, &ldquo;If Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart&hellip; over Lebanon&hellip; that&rsquo;s ultimately their choice.&rdquo;&nbsp;<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'> <p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'>Both&nbsp;Israel and the US have said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon. Iran&#39;s parliamentary speaker warned that Tehran sees Lebanon as an &quot;inseparable part of the ceasefire&quot; and threatened &quot;strong responses&quot;, coinciding with mounting international calls for Lebanon to be encompassed in the truce. Earlier during the day, Pakistan&#39;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon in the strongest terms.&nbsp;&quot;Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the widespread destruction of infrastructure,&quot; said a press release issued by Pakistan&#39;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2042145465207288241&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=a87d4f6f40a6c88d17fbf434d9a70a6ab76435b5&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 901px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&quot;The Israeli actions undermine international efforts to establish peace and stability in the region and constitute a blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles,&quot; the statement said. Pakistan calls upon the international community to take urgent and concrete steps to end Israeli aggression against Lebanon, it added. Pakistan reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the Government and people of Lebanon during this difficult time and supports Lebanon&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its peace and stability, the statement concluded.

'Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the widespread destruction of infrastructure,' said a press release issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Pakistan, Lebanon call for end to Israeli strikes amid Islamabad peace talks

ISLAMABAD: Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty expressed his gratitude to Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for the hospitality shown during the recent meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad. He also welcomed the Pakistan-China five-point initiative, which aims to promote dialogue and help resolve conflicts, as stated by Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office in a post on X. The conversation highlighted Islamabad&rsquo;s efforts to build support for a diplomatic, negotiation-led approach amid heightened instability in the region.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039620873490227229&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=ae7ddec59798bc7abb6eee7d2c7b3f942873f552&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 746px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Egypt&rsquo;s positive response to the five-point proposal suggests that Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach is resonating with key regional actors seeking de-escalation rather than further confrontation. Both ministers reaffirmed the close fraternal relations between Pakistan and Egypt and agreed to remain in close contact.&nbsp;The exchange underscored the importance both governments attach to sustained engagement as the regional situation continues to evolve. The call also reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s broader diplomatic position as an advocate of dialogue, political settlement and peace while strengthening coordination with influential partners in the Muslim world.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Wednesday night, with both sides reaffirming close bilateral ties and continued diplomatic coordination amid wider regional tensions.

 Pakistan-Egypt FMs reiterate support for peace initiatives

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said the responsibility for ending hostilities with Afghanistan rests with Kabul, as both sides engage in ongoing talks aimed at easing tensions following weeks of cross-border conflict.&nbsp;Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan is participating in the dialogue process but expects concrete action from Afghan authorities.&nbsp;&ldquo;The burden of real process&hellip; lies with Afghanistan, which must demonstrate visible and verifiable actions against terrorist groups using its soil against Pakistan,&rdquo; Andrabi told reporters at a weekly briefing.&nbsp;Talks began in Urumqi, China, after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Beijing for discussions with Chinese officials, including Wang Yi.&nbsp;Andrabi described the engagement as preliminary.&nbsp;&ldquo;These are working-level talks&hellip; our delegation has not returned yet,&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan is seeking a &ldquo;durable solution.&rdquo;&nbsp;Conflict, pause and renewed diplomacyThe talks come after weeks of heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where Islamabad launched Operation Ghazab lil Haq following sustained cross-border terrorist attacks.&nbsp;The operation was briefly paused during Eid-ul-Fitr at the request of regional partners before resuming after the truce period ended.&nbsp;Pakistani officials say the campaign targets terrorist infrastructure, including camps, logistics networks and support systems used to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.&nbsp;Pakistan highlights diplomatic outreachAndrabi said Pakistan has simultaneously intensified diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions both regionally and beyond.&nbsp;He noted that Islamabad hosted a second round of four-party consultations with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, T&uuml;rkiye, and Egypt, following an earlier meeting in Riyadh.&nbsp;The discussions focused on de-escalation, humanitarian concerns and promoting dialogue amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Gulf region.&nbsp;&ldquo;The ministers agreed on dialogue as the primary path to prevent conflict and strengthen cooperation,&rdquo; Andrabi said.&nbsp;He added that Pakistan has also engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach through high-level calls and consultations with regional and global leaders.&nbsp;China engagement and regional coordination&nbsp;Andrabi highlighted Dar&rsquo;s recent visit to China as a key development, where both sides discussed Afghanistan and broader regional stability.&nbsp;He said a five-point peace initiative jointly emphasized cessation of hostilities, humanitarian assistance, civilian protection, dialogue and adherence to international law.&nbsp;Pakistan also welcomed steps aimed at maintaining stability in critical global trade routes, including safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, he added.&nbsp;Push for verifiable actionDespite ongoing talks, Pakistan maintains that progress depends on concrete steps by Afghan authorities.&nbsp;&ldquo;We did explore all avenues&hellip; but violence and attacks from Afghanistan did not stop,&rdquo; Andrabi said, referring to past diplomatic engagement efforts.&nbsp;Officials say Islamabad remains committed to dialogue but insists that any sustainable resolution requires guarantees that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.&nbsp;The talks in China are ongoing, with Pakistani officials framing them as part of a broader effort to balance military action with diplomacy amid a complex and evolving regional security landscape.

Pakistan intensified its diplomatic efforts last week to address ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and Iran, engaging in high-level meetings, bilateral talks, and regional consultations.

Pakistan says Afghanistan must act as talks seek end hostilities

ISLAMABAD: A fire aboard the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker &lsquo;Al Salmi&rsquo; was extinguished after the vessel was struck while anchored at Dubai port, in an incident that has heightened concern over the widening risks to commercial shipping in Gulf waters amid the regional war.&nbsp; Dubai authorities said maritime firefighting teams brought the blaze under control and that all 24 crew members were safe, with no injuries reported.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2038844927589888250&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=bdd89d88d1ece0f32958598ad7476eec283e3fb9&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 297px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2038844927589888250"></iframe></div></div>The attack was first confirmed by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), whose statement was carried by Kuwait&rsquo;s state news agency KUNA. KPC said the tanker had been hit in what it described as an Iranian attack while anchored in Dubai, causing hull damage and a fire onboard, and warned of a possible oil spill in surrounding waters.&nbsp; Reuters also reported that work was under way to assess the extent of the damage. The Al Salmi was carrying around 2 million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and was bound for Qingdao, China, according to shipping data cited by Reuters.&nbsp; The strike immediately rattled energy markets, with Brent crude briefly rising above $115 a barrel in early Asian trade before easing later. The tanker incident came amid a broader pattern of attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the current conflict.&nbsp; Earlier the same day, a Greek-owned container ship off Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Ras Tanura had also reported two projectiles splashing into the water nearby, though no injuries or damage were reported there. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the strike on Al Salmi, and Iranian officials did not immediately comment. But the episode is likely to intensify already acute concerns over the safety of one of the world&rsquo;s most strategically important energy and shipping corridors

Middle East

A strike on the Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Salmi at Dubai port caused a fire and hull damage, raising fresh fears over Gulf shipping security as regional conflict spreads and energy markets react to mounting risks

Kuwaiti oil tanker hit in Dubai Port, fire extinguished

​Demonstrators hold banners while gathering for the weekly anti-war protest at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv on March 28, 2026. (AFP)

Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv and some other Israeli cities on Saturday to protest the war in the Middle East, in unauthorised demonstrations that security forces sought to disperse.

All you need to know about the US Israel war on Iran day 29

Americas

Iran’s atomic energy organization said US-Israeli strikes on Friday hit the Ardakan uranium processing plant in central Yazd Province, but said the attack caused no release of radioactive material.

All you need to know about the US Israel war on Iran day 28

CERNAY LA VILLE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday arrived at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France for talks expected to be dominated by tensions over the war against Iran, an AFP correspondent said. Making his first trip abroad since the US-Israeli war on Iran broke out on Feb. 28, Rubio is expected to be pressed by European and other allies over American strategy for the further conduct of the conflict, which has led to a spike in global energy prices. His attendance at the second day of the meeting at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey outside Paris comes after US President Donald Trump on Thursday pushed back his deadline for strikes on Iran&#39;s energy assets to April 6 in the latest twist in Washington&#39;s plans. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that talks with Iran, whose nature remains largely unclear, &quot;are going very well&quot;. The talks of the G7 group of industrialized democracies, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the United States will include sessions on Iran and also on Ukraine, which European ministers have insisted must not be forgotten. The meeting is due to wrap up with a news conference from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot at 1500 GMT.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Britain's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Germany's Foreign Minist

Europe

Marco Rubio joined Group of Seven foreign ministers in France as talks focused on the Iran war, US strategy and rising global tensions.

US Secretary of State Rubio arrives at G7 foreign ministers meeting in France

Tehran submits its response to a US proposal through intermediaries, with Pakistan relaying messages between both sides as indirect talks continue and regional partners support efforts to reach a possible end to the conflict.

Articles tagged with "US-Israeli War on Iran"