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IRAN SAYS US RESPONSE TO 14-POINT PROPOSAL RECEIVED THROUGH PAKISTAN, UNDER REVIEW Monday, 4 May, 2026 | 16 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
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g IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON SAYS 'AT
THIS STAGE, WE DO NOT HAVE NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS'
Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 39 | 48 Pages | Karachi Edition
g 'TRUMP MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN 'AN IMPOSSIBLE
MILITARY OPERATION OR A BAD DEAL: IRGC
Dar deepens diplomatic outreach as Jordan lauds Pakistan’s peace role in Middle East Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday, amid Pakistan’s continued diplomatic engagement for peace and stability in the Middle East, the Foreign Office said. In a post on X, the Foreign Office (FO) said Foreign Minister Safadi conveyed Jordan’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s “constructive role and continued efforts” in promoting peace, dialogue and regional stability in the context of ongoing tensions in the region. The FO said Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting constructive engagement among all parties and supporting the peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. Both sides also reiterated the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Jordan and under-
scored the importance of continued cooperation at bilateral and multilateral forums. They agreed to remain in close contact. The ministry further stated that the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement and coordination, highlighting shared interest in regional peace and stability. Dar has continued to receive international recognition for Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach as Islamabad positions itself at the centre of mediation efforts linked to the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Pakistan hosted the so-called “Islamabad Talks” in early April, which concluded without a breakthrough, but diplomatic engagement has continued through sustained contacts with regional and global partners. A day earlier, FM Dar held talks with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, discussing the evolving regional situation and its wider economic implications.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam has said the continuation of negotiations between Tehran and Washington hinges on a change in US behavior, as diplomatic efforts to revive talks remain in focus, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported. In an exclusive interview with Islamic Republic News Agency in Islamabad on Sunday, Amiri Moghaddam said Iran had presented a comprehensive plan aimed at ending what he described as US-Israeli aggression and had made its position clear. However, he stressed that progress in the diplomatic process depends on Washington’s sincerity and willingness to resolve outstanding issues through genuine negotiations. The ambassador reiterated the Islamic Republic’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and defending Iran’s rights, saying Tehran remained firm on its core
When asked about Iran's proposal before boarding a flight to Miami at West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump replied: "They told me about the concept of the deal. They're going to give me the exact wording now". He added on his social media channel that he could not imagine
the proposals would be acceptable and that Iran had not paid a big enough price for what it had done. Asked if he might restart strikes on Iran, Trump replied: "I don't want to say that. I mean, I can’t tell a reporter that. If they misbehave, if they do something bad, right now we’ll see. But it’s a pos-
sibility that could happen". US Navy acting "like pirates" Trump said the US Navy was acting "like pirates" in carrying out Washington's naval blockade of Iranian ports during the US and Israel's war against Iran. Trump made the comments
ISLAMABAD
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TEHRAN/WASHINGTON agencies
RAN said on Sunday that the United States had responded to its 14-point proposal via Pakistan and that it was reviewing the response, state media reported. "At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations," an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to state media. Trump must choose 'impossible' war or 'bad deal' with Iran, says IRGC Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump must choose between an "impossible" war or a "bad deal" with Iran. In a post on X, the intelligence department of the IRGC said Tehran sent the US military a deadline to end its blockade of Iranian ports. It
added that Europe, China and Russia were adopting a more critical tone toward Washington. "There is only one way to read this: Trump must choose between 'an impossible military operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran. "The room for US decisionmaking has narrowed," it said. Trump says US could restart Iran strikes 'if they misbehave' US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he had been told about the concept of a deal with Iran, but was waiting for the exact wording, while warning there was still the possibility of restarting strikes on the country if Tehran misbehaves. Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official said that an Iranian proposal so far rejected by Trump would open shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade of Iran while leaving talks on Iran's nuclear program for later.
PM Shehbaz briefs Nawaz on political, regional crises amid Pakistan’s diplomatic push LAHORE
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday briefed PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on the “situation in the country” as the two leaders exchanged views on the domestic political landscape and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to state media. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif at their Jati Umra residence in Lahore on Sunday, where they discussed the Middle East conflict and the political situation in the country,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Maryam Nawaz was also present during the meeting. The PMO said the premier took Nawaz Sharif into confidence over
the “situation in the country” and exchanged views on political developments, besides apprising him of the latest situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region. The conflict in the Middle East, now stretching beyond two months, erupted after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Although active hostilities have remained suspended since a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire on April 8 — later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump — the fallout from the war continues to reverberate globally. Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has remained engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts, positioning Islamabad at the forefront of regional de-escalation initiatives. On April 11 and 12, Pakistan
hosted the first high-level contact between Iran and the United States in decades, facilitating the meetings later dubbed the “Islamabad Talks.” However, amid difficulties in arranging a second round, Islamabad has since reverted to its role as a facilitator and intermediary. The conflict has also led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies would normally pass in peacetime, triggering a global energy crisis and driving up oil prices in international markets. According to the PMO, Prime Minister Shehbaz also briefed Nawaz Sharif on the surge in international oil prices and the government’s measures to shield the public from its impact.
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Hardie, Samad power Peshawar Zalmi to PSL 11 glory 7,000 policemen deployed for multi layered security LAHORE
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LAHORE
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Peshawar Zalmi produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Hyderabad Kingsmen and lift the PSL 11 title at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night. Chasing a modest target of 130, Zalmi overcame an early wobble to reach 130/5 in just 15.2 overs, thanks to a match-winning partnership between Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad. Earlier, Kingsmen’s innings never truly gathered momentum despite a fighting half-century from Saim Ayub, who scored 54 off 50 balls. The Kingsmen were bundled
out for 129 in 18 overs after a dramatic middle-order collapse. The innings began brightly with skipper Marnus Labuschagne and Maaz Sadaqat providing early impetus, but the introduction of Hardie turned the game. The all-rounder dismantled the top and lower order alike, finishing with impressive figures of 4/27. From 51/1, Kingsmen slumped to 73/6 within a span of three overs, losing key players including Glenn Maxwell and Kusal Perera cheaply. Late cameos failed to revive the innings as disciplined bowling from Nahid Rana and Sufyan Moqim kept the scoring in check.
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Progress in negotiations depends on Washington ‘changing its behavior’: Amb Moghaddam
More than 7,000 police officers and personnel, backed by intensive patrolling and drone surveillance, provided comprehensive security to local and foreign players, officials and cricket fans during the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 on Sunday. The PSL 11 final was played between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Peshawar Zalmi at Gaddafi Stadium. According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, extensive security arrangements were put in place across Lahore, with more than 7,000 police officers and personnel deployed to perform security duties during the high-profile match Punjab IGP Abdul Kareem directed supervisory officers to personally review all arrangements, including security and traffic management, while deployed personnel remained on high alert and maintained strict vigilance over suspicious activities.
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positions. He confirmed that Iran had shared its latest proposal with Pakistan, the principal mediator in the ongoing diplomatic process, which was subsequently conveyed to the American side. Underscoring Pakistan’s role in the process, Amiri Moghaddam praised Islamabad’s mediation efforts and said the facilitation mechanism remained intact despite the deadlock. He also criticised US conduct, calling it unpredictable and aggressive, while contrasting it with what he described as Iran’s transparent diplomatic posture. On the economic front, the envoy said Pakistan was seeking to expand trade with the Caucasus and Central Asian states, adding that Iran’s transit corridor remained the most viable route for regional connectivity. He said border crossings between Pakistan and Iran held strategic importance in strengthening bilateral trade and transit cooperation. while describing the seizure by US forces of a ship a few days ago. "We took over the ship, we took over the cargo, we took over the oil. It's a very profitable business," Trump said in remarks on Friday evening.
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