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PAKISTAN VOICES HOPE FOR EARLY RESOLUTION OF US, IRAN CONFLICT AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ TENSIONS SURGE
Profit
Wednesday, 6 May, 2026 | 18 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
g DAR SAYS END TO MIDEAST
CONFLICT IS PAKISTAN'S ‘GOAL AND AIM’ AS FACILITATOR AND MEDIATOR
g HOPES EFFORTS TO MEDIATE END TO US,
IRAN CONFLICT WOULD SUCCEED AT EARLIEST, CALLING IT A NECESSITY FOR REGIONAL AND GLOBAL STABILITY
g TRUMP DISMISSES IRAN’S MILITARY CAPABILITY,
CLAIMING TEHRAN ‘SHOULD WAVE THE WHITE FLAG OF SURRENDER’
D
ISLAMABAD/WASHIINGTON/TEHRAN saleem jadoon/agencies
EPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan’s efforts to mediate an end to the US-Iran conflict would succeed at the earliest, calling it a necessity for regional and global stability. His remarks came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, including renewed US maritime actions in the Strait of Hormuz and a strong Iranian response, with Tehran warning of retaliation against any escalation involving countries hosting US bases. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed Iran’s military capability, claiming Tehran “should wave the white flag of surrender,” and asserting that the United States had already destroyed much of its military strength. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Iran’s forces had been reduced to firing “peashooters” and claimed Tehran privately sought a deal despite its public rhetoric. “They play games, but let me just tell you, they want to make a deal. And who wouldn’t, when your military is totally gone?” he said. “Whatever has happened so far
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g CLAIMS ‘ISLAMABAD TALKS’ HELD HAD
REACHED AN ‘ADVANCED STAGE,’ EXPRESSING OPTIMISM THEY WOULD CONCLUDE ‘VERY SOON’
g US PRESIDENT CLAIMS TEHRAN PRIVATELY SOUGHT A DEAL
DESPITE ITS PUBLIC RHETORIC, PRAISING BLOCKADE AS TENSIONS ESCALATE IN GULF WATERS
Saudi Arabia backs Pakistan’s mediation and urges restraint over US-Iran tensions
PM condemns ‘missile, drone’ attacks on civilian infrastructure in UAE
staff report
staff report
RIYADH
has already dented global GDP to a great degree,” Ishaq Dar told foreign ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, reiterating that ending the Middle East conflict remained Pakistan’s “goal and aim” as facilitator and mediator. He said Pakistan was actively working to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiation table to secure a peaceful settlement. “Pakistan has consistently supported stability and restraint in the Middle East,” the deputy prime minister said, adding that he had engaged with around 120 international
counterparts since the outbreak of hostilities as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach. Meanwhile, Trump praised the US blockade of Iranian maritime routes, describing it as highly effective. “It’s like a piece of steel. Nobody is going to challenge the blockade, and I think it’s working out very well,” he said. Asked what would constitute a violation of the ceasefire, Trump said: “Well, you’ll find out, because I’ll let you know… they know what not to do.”
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ISLAMABAD
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday called for restraint and deescalation amid rising tensions in the Gulf, while backing Pakistan’s mediation efforts aimed at securing a political settlement between Iran and the United States. In a statement posted on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the kingdom was concerned about the current military escalation in the region and urged support for Pakistan’s diplomatic role. The ministry also called for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to return to conditions that existed before the conflict. The Saudi statement came after a fresh deterioration in the Gulf situation on Monday. According to the report, the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of firing 15 missiles and four drones at its territory. Tehran, meanwhile, said it had fired warning shots after US destroyers operating near the Strait of Hormuz did not respond to initial alerts. Regional tensions have remained high since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the reported missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, expressing full solidarity with the Emirati leadership and people. In a statement posted on X, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s support for the UAE and extended solidarity to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “Pakistan stands firmly with our Emirati brothers and sisters as well as with the Government of the United Arab Emirates at this difficult time,” he wrote. PM Shehbaz also stressed the importance of respecting the ceasefire, warning that any escalation would undermine regional stability. He urged all parties to preserve diplomatic space and prioritise dialogue to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. “It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be upheld and respected, to allow necessary diplomatic space for dialogue leading to enduring peace and stability in the region,” he added.
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