The US and Israel on Feb 28 launched what they described as a “pre-emptive” joint strike against Iranian targets, with Trump announcing start of “major combat operations”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has discussed regional developments and ongoing diplomatic processes in a telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Iran’s state media IRIB reports.
In a social media post on X, the IRIB said, “Iran’s FM Araghchi and Saudi FM Faisal held a phone call, discussing the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic processes.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz during a call, Al Jazeera reports, citing a Downing Street spokesperson.
“The leaders discussed the urgent need to get shipping moving again in the Strait of Hormuz, given the severe consequences for the global economy and cost of living for people in the UK and globally,” the spokesperson for Starmer’s office said in a statement.
“The prime minister shared the latest progress on his joint initiative with [French] President Macron to restore freedom of navigation,” the spokesperson added.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has held talks in Oman, during which security in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf waters and diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran were discussed, reports Reuters, citing an Iranian foreign ministry statement.
In talks in Muscat with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al Said, Araqchi said the US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division and called for a regional security framework free of outside interference.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that Hezbollah’s actions in Lebanon are “dismantling” the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Lebanon, AFP reports.
“It must be understood that Hezbollah’s violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire,” Netanyahu said during a weekly cabinet meeting.
The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of seven villages in southern Lebanon, saying it would respond to what it alleged were Hezbollah’s violations of a ceasefire agreement between the countries, AFP reports.
The statement issued by the military’s Arabic-language spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee on X named seven villages south of the Litani River.
Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi would again meet Pakistani officials to convey “Iran’s positions and views on the framework of any understanding to completely end the war”, AFP reports, citing the Iranian news agency ISNA.
The minister had been in Islamabad only the day before, after which he travelled to Oman, while other Iranian envoys had headed back to Tehran “to consult and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war”, according to ISNA.
As the Hormuz strait crisis continues, the UN Office for Project Services (Unops) has warned that the disruption of fertiliser supplies threatens a global humanitarian catastrophe, Al Jazeera reports.
Unops executive director Jorge Moreira da Silva warned that continued maritime disruptions could push millions into a cycle of hunger and famine.
He stressed that raw material prices for fertilisers had increased to record levels, which now required urgent diplomatic action to secure supply chains.
Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has highlighted Pakistan’s “responsible and proactive role” in promoting peace, reconciliation and dialogue at both the regional and international levels, APP reports.
He made the remarks while addressing the Old Ravians Association’s annual dinner held at a hotel.
“The world is changing rapidly and we must adapt ourselves to new global requirements,” Gilani said.
He noted that Pakistan’s mediation efforts for stability in the region, particularly its diplomatic initiatives to reduce tensions and build mutual trust between Iran and the US, were being acknowledged by the international community.
A fire has broken out at the RAF Fairford airbase in the United Kingdom’s Gloucestershire, which was being used by the US in the war against Iran, UK-based The Telegraph and Gloucestershire Live report.
Several crews of emergency services were deployed to tackle the blaze in the early hours of Sunday, The Telegraph said, adding that no injuries have been reported and no RAF aircraft have been damaged.
“The extent of damage to the US air force is currently unknown,” it added.
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq was briefed by FM Abbas Araghchi “on the Iranian side’s perspectives” regarding the regional developments and the peace efforts, Oman’s foreign ministry says.
Araghchi “listened to His Majesty’s views on ways to advance these efforts in a manner that enhances opportunities for reaching sustainable political solutions and limits the repercussions of crises on the peoples of the region”.
The sultan affirmed the importance of prioritising the language of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing issues, in a way that contributes to consolidating the foundations of peace.
Araghchi expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s positions in “supporting dialogue efforts and enhancing endeavours for security and stability in the region, especially amid the current regional challenges”, the ministry said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke to US negotiators on the phone and discussed latest developments in US-Iran peace talks, Reuters quoted a Turkish Foreign Ministry source saying.
The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, has met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, where both sides discussed the regional situation and mediation efforts aimed at ending the Iran war, Reuters reports, citing Oman’s state news agency.
Iran’s IRGC has warned of delivering a “beyond expectation” response to further aggression, IRNA reports.
In a statement, it emphasised that the “powerful and intelligent silence” of Iran’s armed forces was “not a sign of weakness”.
The statement warned that this restraint “can at any moment, in the event of miscalculation and any renewed aggressive action by the warmongering and oath-breaking enemy, become the prelude to a ‘hellish storm’ against them”.
The News’s Absar Alam says Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed to him that “Pakistan, from a facilitator between US and Iran, has become a mediator now due to the situation”.
Iran’s foreign ministry has announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Pakistan again after concluding his trip to Oman and before travelling to Russia, state media IRNAreports.
Part of Araghchi’s delegation returned to Tehran after talks in Islamabad to seek guidance on issues related to ending the war, and is expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad tonight, the report added.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has stressed that Tehran remains committed to building and strengthening relations with all neighbouring countries, including those along the southern shores of the Persian Gulf, based on mutual respect, Mehrreports.
He made the remarks during his phone call with PM Shehbaz Sharif yesterday.
Reaffirming Iran’s determination to defend its national security, Pezeshkian warned of the potential consequences of any renewed confrontation by the US and the Israeli regime for both regional and global stability.
Iran will not enter into negotiations under pressure, threats, and siege, President Masoud Pezeshkian has said, Mehr news agency reports.
During his phone call with PM Shehbaz yesterday, President Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s sustained efforts to help restore peace in the region.
Referring to recent developments surrounding the ceasefire, Pezeshkian criticised “continued violations and coercive behaviour by the United States during both the negotiations and the ceasefire period”, Mehr said.
He stated that actions related to Washington’s so-called maritime restrictions on Iran constitute a clear breach of the ceasefire understandings and are inconsistent with the United Nations Charter.
He contended that such measures, together with threatening rhetoric, have heightened doubts regarding the US commitment to the diplomatic process.
