After the US-Iran episode, Pakistan is now leading the talks for arranging emergency ceasefires in Yemen and Lebanon, Reuters reported.
The federal government has also imposed strict security measures around the five-star Serena Hotel in Islamabad for the upcoming US-Iran peace talks. Despite conflicting reports, both US and Iranian delegations are expected to arrive as scheduled and stay at the hotel.
So far, Iran has continued to block the Strait of Hormuz after misinformation by the US press on Trump’s stance on Israel’s bombing of Lebanon. Earlier today, this news sent oil prices to near $100 per barrel. Shipping traffic through the Strait has dropped to less than 10 percent of normal levels since the war began.
Israel insists its attacks on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon are not covered by Trump’s ceasefire. Iran and Pakistan have strongly maintained that Lebanon is explicitly included in the truce. Several European countries, including Britain and France, have echoed the same.
On Thursday, the Israeli military reported killing the nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, who served as his personal secretary. Airstrikes struck Beirut as well as towns across southern Lebanon since yesterday.
The violence has plunged Lebanon into chaos. The country declared a day of national mourning, closed state offices, and emergency crews worked overnight to rescue the injured and recover bodies from collapsed buildings.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts aim to expand the truce framework to include both Lebanon and Yemen. All three Gulf countries will be discussed during the upcoming talks, and a decision will be announced soon.
