US-Israel Iran War Live Updates

According to Maria Sultan, chairperson and president of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University in Islamabad, Pakistan’s involvement in the crisis is a calculated response to pressing security and economic concerns.

Sultan emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue, stating that the country’s primary objective is to establish a productive negotiating environment. “It’s crucial that we successfully navigate these complex talks and bring all parties to the table,” she explained to Al Jazeera.

Sultan also highlighted Pakistan’s unique geostrategic position, underscoring its significance in regional diplomacy. “Pakistan’s proximity to the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz makes it an indispensable player in regional trade and security,” she noted. Without a thriving trade, Sultan warned, reconstruction and rebuilding efforts would be impossible.

Pakistan’s approach to mediation, Sultan observed, is multifaceted, combining security, economic, and political considerations. While security may be the foundation of its strategy, economics is the driving force, and politics is the catalyst for progress.

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased, a stark departure from the norm, as Iran embarks on a new approach to managing the strategic waterway. The Iranian government is signaling a shift towards a more selective strategy, one that welcomes all nations while restricting access to perceived adversaries. This new direction is underscored by a recently released map by the IRGC, outlining designated shipping lanes for vessels navigating the Strait. Furthermore, Iran is exploring the imposition of tariffs and fees on ships passing through, a move that could have far-reaching implications for global trade.

Rami G. Khouri, a prominent public policy expert at the American University of Beirut, views the recent two-week truce between the US and Iran as a pivotal moment in global geopolitics. According to Khouri, the conflict has exposed fresh dynamics that undermine the long-standing dominance of Western and Israeli powers in the region.

Writing for Al Jazeera, Khouri posits that Iran has presented the US and Israel with an unexpected opportunity to disengage from a war that has proven futile. He notes that the devastating impact of the conflict on civilian infrastructure and the blatant disregard for international law in protecting non-combatants have been starkly revealed.

Khouri emphasizes several crucial aspects of the negotiations and their regional repercussions:
Khouri cautions that neglecting the historical legacy of colonial violence, suffering, and brutality in the Middle East would be a missed chance for justice, potentially paving the way for even more dire local and global disasters.

Read Khouri’s full opinion piece here.

In the lead-up to high-stakes negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has received a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders. These leaders expressed their support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts following the recent ceasefire announcement, which is set to pave the way for a two-week pause in hostilities.

The US and Iran are scheduled to begin talks in Islamabad on Saturday, with the aim of finalizing a lasting peace plan. The list of dignitaries who have contacted Sharif includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of Lebanon, Chancellor Christian Stocker of Austria, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. These calls serve as a testament to Pakistan’s pivotal role in facilitating dialogue between the US and Iran.

With its strategic position at the crossroads of global and regional powers, Pakistan has skillfully utilized its relationships with key nations like the United States, China, and Gulf countries to establish itself as a respected diplomatic mediator.
The country’s influence has been instrumental in shaping significant historical events, including Henry Kissinger’s clandestine visit to China, the Geneva Accords, and the landmark agreement between the US and Taliban in Afghanistan.
For a deeper look into Pakistan’s diplomatic endeavors, click on the following link to watch a related video.

Despite a decrease in intensity, the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel persists in Lebanon, with no signs of a lasting ceasefire.
Recent Israeli military operations, including airstrikes and artillery bombardments, have targeted southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has retaliated by firing rockets into Israel and attacking Israeli troops stationed in Lebanese territory.
In Beirut, a 24-hour period has passed since the large-scale Israeli attack on Wednesday, suggesting a temporary lull in hostilities. However, the US administration’s efforts to persuade Israel to reduce violence, or even agree to a ceasefire, appear to be driven by its desire to salvage a key deal with Iran.
Iran’s commitment to maintaining the status quo is evident in its insistence that the Lebanon front be included in any agreement, a stance that underscores its strategic interests in the region.
The Lebanese government has once again extended an offer of direct talks to Israel, a proposal that has sparked intense debate within the country. However, the president’s precondition for talks – a ceasefire – is likely to be a major obstacle to any potential agreement, as Israel’s willingness to engage in negotiations remains uncertain.

With its unique position as a bridge between global and regional powers, Pakistan has consistently utilized its relationships with the United States, China, and Gulf countries to facilitate diplomatic efforts.
Notably, the country has been instrumental in pivotal moments, including Henry Kissinger’s clandestine trip to China, the Geneva Accords, and the landmark US-Taliban Agreement.
For a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s role in shaping international diplomacy, view the accompanying video.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has disclosed that his country has provided several Middle Eastern nations with the know-how to neutralize Iranian Shahed drones, leveraging Ukraine’s extensive experience in countering these aerial threats. Zelenskyy’s recent visit to the region came as Gulf states were grappling with a barrage of daily missile and drone attacks from Iran. Notably, Ukraine has been at the forefront of combating Shahed drones, which Iran had supplied to Russia.

A leading Israeli analyst and activist, Abid Abou Shhadeh, has expressed deep concern over the implications of Israel’s decision to engage in talks with Lebanon in the United States. According to Abou Shhadeh, this move is a calculated attempt by Israel to pursue a strategy of “escalation through normalisation”, which involves simultaneously maintaining a state of conflict in southern Lebanon and engaging in diplomatic discussions with the Lebanese government in Beirut.

According to eyewitness accounts from Al Jazeera’s correspondent, Israeli military forces have carried out a dual assault on the Lebanese towns of Al Shahabiya and Jabal Al Batm, situated in the country’s southern region.