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”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed the hope that talks between the US and Iran would lead to lasting peace. He made the remarks while addressing the 6th International Paigham-e-Islam Conference in Islamabad.
In his remarks, he thanked the two countries for coming to Pakistan. The premier also thanked Saudi Arabia, China and Turkiye for playing their part in peace talks between the US and Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasised the importance of cooperation among regional countries to prevent rising tensions in West Asia, IRNA reports.
Araghchi, who is currently in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials, held a phone conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, to discuss the recent regional developments.
During the call, the two top diplomats reviewed the latest developments in the region, underlining the need to continue diplomatic efforts and strengthen regional coordination to avoid the outbreak or escalation of tensions, IRNA said.
Russia will buy foreign currency on the market in the coming month for the first time since before the start of the war in Ukraine, according to a Finance Ministry statement, as windfall revenues start to arrive from high oil prices triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran, Reuters reports.
The Finance Ministry said it will buy 110.3 billion roubles ($1.46 billion) worth of forex, mostly Chinese yuan, from May 8 to June 4 for the National Wealth Fund, which is used to stabilise the budget. The move should also prevent the rouble from excessive strengthening.
Smoke rises from southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel on May 6, 2026. — Reuters
People look at destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel on May 6, 2026. — Reuters
Buildings lie in ruin in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel on May 6, 2026. — Reuters
United Nations’ post in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel on May 6, 2026. — Reuters
US news outlet Axios has reported that Washington and Tehran are close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and “set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations”.
The report, citing US officials and sources, says the US expects Iran’s response on several key matters in the next 48 hours.
It further states that the deal “would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the US agreeing to lift its sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds, and both sides lifting restrictions around transit through the Strait of Hormuz”.
“Many of the terms laid out in the memo would be contingent on a final agreement being reached, leaving the possibility of renewed war or an extended limbo in which the hot war has stopped but nothing is truly resolved,” the report says.
South Korea’s presidential office says it has suspended a review of whether to participate in a US operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump put the mission on hold, Reuters reports.
A Blue House official also said it was still unclear if a South Korean-operated vessel that suffered an explosion and caught fire on Monday had been attacked in the strait.
“After checking additional information, it seems to be unclear whether the vessel was attacked,” Wi Sung-lac, South Korea’s presidential national security adviser, told a briefing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked US President Donald Trump for announcing a pause in the operation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I am grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz,” PM Shehbaz said in a social media post on X.
“President Trump’s gracious response to the request made by Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H R H Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period.”
The prime minister maintains that “Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy”.
He expressed hope that “the curent momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond”.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East and for the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible”, during talks with his Iranian counterpart, AFP reports.
“China considers that a complete cessation of fighting must be achieved without delay, that it is even more unacceptable to restart hostilities, and that continuing to negotiate remains essential,” he said, according to a statement from his ministry after the talks with Abbas Araghchi in Beijing.
A container ship owned by French shipping company CMA CGM was the “target of an attack” in the Strait of Hormuz, the major shipping firm said, AFP reports.
“The CMA CGM San Antonio was the target of an attack yesterday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries among crew members and damage to the vessel,” the shipping firm told AFP, adding those injured had been evacuated for treatment.
“We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in Beijing after a meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, Iranian media reported, according to Reuters
“We only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement.”
He did not directly address Trump’s offer of a pause in the US operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
British clothing retailer Next plans to mitigate the cost increases caused by the Iran war with “moderate” price rises in some international markets and cost savings elsewhere, it said, AFP reports.
European apparel retailers, including H&M, have warned that a prolonged Middle East conflict, will push up prices and dent consumer demand.
Next also reported a better-than-expected 6.2 per cent rise in full price sales for its first quarter to May 2 and edged up its full-year profit guidance.
The Israeli military has issued an urgent warning to residents of 12 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, including some north of the Litani River, telling them to leave their homes, saying Hezbollah had violated the ceasefire agreement, Reuters reports.
The military said civilians near Hezbollah fighters or facilities may be at risk.
A fire ripped through a commercial complex near Iran’s capital Tehran, killing at least eight people and leaving dozens more wounded, state media reported, according to AFP.
The blaze erupted on Tuesday in Arghavan commercial complex in the city of Andisheh, west of Tehran. Footage broadcast by state television showed a multi-storey building on fire with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Anti-war protester Guido Reichstadter atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC, US on May 5, 2026. — Reuters
Anti-war protester Guido Reichstadter atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, with an airplane flying in the background, in Washington, DC, US on May 5, 2026. —Reuters
Anti-war protester Guido Reichstadter stands atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC, US on May 5, 2026. —Reuters
People gesture as anti-war protester Guido Reichstadter sits atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC, US on May 5, 2026. —Reuters
The Israeli army claims its forces struck multiple Hezbollah-linked sites in southern Lebanon, killing several fighters and targeting what it claimed to be military infrastructure, Al jazeera reports.
It added that Israeli jets hit “several buildings” while Hezbollah fighters “were operating inside them”.
According to the army, around “25 targets of the Hezbollah terror organisation” were struck over the past day, including a weapons depot and “additional terror infrastructures”.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran as “illegitimate” during his meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Beijing, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Al Jazeera reports.
Wang stated that the Middle East is at a “decisive turning point” and that a comprehensive ceasefire is “indispensable” for regional stability.
He also reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to de-escalation efforts and said direct dialogue between the two sides is essential, Tasnim reports.
The United States is looking for “concrete actions” by Iraq’s next prime minister to distance the state from pro-Iran armed groups before resuming financial shipments and security aid, a senior official said, according to AFP.
Germany’s Lufthansa warned of rising risks to the firm’s financial performance because of the Middle East war even as it maintained its outlook for the year, AFP reports.
“The risk-opportunity profile has shifted toward risks,” the firm said in a statement.
“While no restrictions in kerosene supply are currently expected at any of the Lufthansa Group hubs, potentially reduced fuel availability later in the year represents an additional risk factor,” it added.
Lufthansa planes stand parked as Frankfurt airport is closed to passengers with planned departures due to a strike organised by Verdi union, in Frankfurt, Germany, on March 7, 2024. — Reuters/File
Marking Lebanon’s annual Martyrs’ Day commemoration, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has paid honour to media professionals killed in attacks by Israel, specifically citing those “deliberately targeted” for reporting the truth, Al Jazeera reports.
“Media martyrs refused anything but to convey the reality on the ground, paying with their lives for a sacred message,” Aoun said in a statement.
“Their blood stands as testimony that the Lebanese word cannot be defeated,” he said.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun speaks during the commemoration of Lebanese Army Day, in Baabda, Lebanon, July 31, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a video. — Reuters/File
A loud noise heard on Qeshm island in southern Iran was caused by air defences intercepting small drones and reconnaissance drones, the Hormozgan provincial authorities said, according to the Iranian news agency Students News Network, Reuters reports.
It said that no impact, damage or explosion had occurred.
