Monday, 13 July, 2026 27 Muharram, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 108 | 8 Pages Islamabad Edition
Middle east conflict spirals as Us-iran strikes ignite wider gUlf crisis
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US LAUNCHES FRESH STRIKES ON IRAN AS TEHRAN AGAIN CLOSES STRAIT OF HORMUZ
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TEHRAN/DOHA
STAFF REPORT / AGENCIES
HE Middle East lurched into a dangerous new phase of conflict on Sunday as the United States launched fresh strikes on Iran following Tehran’s attack on a container ship, while Iran announced it had once again closed the Strait of Hormuz and expanded retaliatory strikes against US military facilities across Gulf states, sharply escalating a confrontation that threatens regional stability, global energy supplies and the future of a fragile US-Iran ceasefire framework. The latest strikes marked another round in the cycle of attacks and counterattacks as Iran sought to assert control over shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. However, the renewed barrage represented a signif-
Dar steps up diplomatic push as Middle East crisis deepens ISLAMABAD
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IRAN TARGETS US-LINKED MILITARY FACILITIES IN JORDAN, KUWAIT, OMAN AND QATAR
icant escalation in both pace and geographical scope. The attacks spread to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had not been targeted since early May, and Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations that had remained free from attacks since April. Iran said it closed the strait after firing a warning shot that struck a vessel travelling on an "unauthorised route." It warned that any retaliation over the incident would be met with a "severe response." Iran later announced that it had disabled a second vessel. India said one of its nationals was missing following an attack on the container ship GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman earlier on Sunday. Oman said 23 crew members had been rescued, while Qatar advised all vessels, including leisure boats, fishing boats and jet skis, to suspend activities.
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Pakistan urges urgent de-escalation, honour commitments ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday intensified Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint, deescalation and a return to dialogue during a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while separately engaging the Saudi ambassador and a British parliamentarian to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, diplomacy and stronger bilateral relations. During the telephone call with his Iranian counterpart, both leaders exchanged views on the rapidly evolving regional situation, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a post on X. The FO said DPM Dar stressed “upon the parties to follow the path of deescalation and show restraint, as agreed in the Islamabad MoU in June 2026.”
Pakistan on Sunday voiced “deep concern” over the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East following a fresh exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran that also spilled into several Gulf states, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint, pursue immediate de-escalation and honour their commitments under the Pakistan-mediated Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to preserve regional peace and stability. In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) said Pakistan was “following with deep concern the recent incidents that are further escalating the regional tensions”. “Pakistan reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all brotherly countries in the region, and urges all sides to exercise restraint, take immediate steps towards de-escalation, and uphold respective commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” the statement read.
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SALEEM JADOON