Trends - US Iran Rift

China and Pakistan call on US, Iran to resume talks, cease hostilities

Statement by Beijing's foreign ministry says Dar and China's Wang Yi express "concern over deterioration of current situation".

Published 17 Jul, 2026 11:33am

Iran launches fresh attacks on American facilities in Gulf after sixth consecutive day of US strikes

US military says it completed another night of strikes on Iran “to further degrade Iranian military capabilities”; Iran says it attacked US facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Updated 17 Jul, 2026 02:38pm

Late sex offender Epstein clearly had connections to American, Israeli intelligence: Vance

US vice president says some members of Israeli government tried to influence US public opinion to oppose Washington's deal with Tehran.

Updated 16 Jul, 2026 06:48pm

Pakistan urges US, Iran to 'end violence', resume technical-level talks

FO spokesperson notes Islamabad MoU "facing challenges"; says Pakistan has “no connection” with the case of Shabbir Ahmed, a child grooming gang’s ringleader.

Updated 16 Jul, 2026 01:17pm

US strikes Iran's coastal defences in fresh salvo; Tehran again targets American assets in Gulf states

IRGC says it targeted communication systems, fuel storage facilities of US military in Jordan, other American assets at air bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Published 16 Jul, 2026 11:20am

IRGC warns of blocking more waterways after Hormuz as US renews blockade of Iranian ports

Iran Guards warn routes serving US and its allies could also be shut, say Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until “the end of America's evils”.

Updated 15 Jul, 2026 01:49pm

Back to war

The latest events will make it far harder for Iran and the US to reach a negotiated peace deal.

Published 15 Jul, 2026 07:47am

Oil prices hit four-week high as US, Iran step up attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude futures climb to $86.19 per barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude rises to $79.67 a barrel.

Updated 14 Jul, 2026 05:57pm

US launches third night of strikes on Iran; IRGC targets American assets in Bahrain and Jordan

US Centcom says latest salvo targeted Iran's coastal defence systems, missile and drone sites, maritime capabilities; IRGC says air control radar of US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain destroyed.

Updated 14 Jul, 2026 01:20pm

Dire straits

FOR some time, the escalating confrontation between the US and Iran has been playing out round the strategically...

Updated 14 Jul, 2026 08:27am

Trump reimposes blockade on Iran, eyes Hormuz tolls

Trump says MoU "was a test" that Iran did not honour; claims they will be hit hard in the coming days.

Updated 14 Jul, 2026 08:43am

After the US-Iran MoU: Diplomacy’s unfinished business

Lasting peace depends upon resolving the disputes that produced them in the first place.

Published 13 Jul, 2026 12:49pm

Oil jumps 3pc as new strikes by US, Iran threaten Hormuz shipments

Brent crude futures climbs to $78.48 while US WTI crude rises to $73.76 a barrel.

Updated 13 Jul, 2026 06:19pm

Middle East rocked by heaviest attacks since US-Iran April ceasefire

Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain intercept Iranian projectiles; Tehran says MoU "in crisis", blames US attacks for rendering peace efforts "futile"; Hormuz traffic slows to two-month low.

Updated 13 Jul, 2026 09:48pm

Pakistan expresses 'deep concern' over Middle East escalation, urges all sides to exercise restraint

Dar stresses parties to de-escalate and pursue diplomacy in phone call with Iran FM.

Updated 12 Jul, 2026 10:03pm

Iran expands attacks on Gulf states after US strikes, says Strait of Hormuz closed

US Centcom says 140 Iranian targets hit in latest wave of strikes; UAE, mediator Qatar among Gulf countries struck.

Updated 13 Jul, 2026 02:12am

Iran thanks Pakistan for abstention at UNSC meeting

Says Iran's programme remains peaceful and under international monitoring; accuses Western countries of using council for political purposes.

Updated 12 Jul, 2026 08:07am

Mixed messaging

In case the parleys fail, a return to full-scale war would be the likely outcome.

Updated 12 Jul, 2026 08:59am

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows revenge for assassinated father

Trump warns any attempt to assassinate him would lead the US to “completely decimate” Iran; mediators working to bring diplomacy back on track.

Published 11 Jul, 2026 09:15pm

Mediators call for parley amid re-escalation in Middle East

Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar renew efforts to bring Washington, Tehran back to negotiating table.

Published 11 Jul, 2026 06:04am

Assassinated Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei laid to rest in Mashhad

The burial in Mashhad in northeast Iran follows a week of mass funeral processions, rallies and mourning ceremonies.

Published 10 Jul, 2026 07:23am

Funeral prayers offered for supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Iran's Mashhad

Khamenei was buried with his infant granddaughter, son-in-law, daughter and Mojtaba Khamenei's wife Zahra Haddad Adel.

Updated 10 Jul, 2026 12:06am

US, Iran trade strikes for a 2nd day in fight over Strait of Hormuz

"If you strike, you will be struck back,” Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, says; US says it struck 90 military targets in Iran.

Updated 09 Jul, 2026 11:57am

Gulf flare-up

IS the fragile US-Iran ceasefire — and the memorandum of understanding that underpins it — collapsing? Unless...

Updated 09 Jul, 2026 08:09am

Khamenei to be laid to rest today in Mashhad

Huge crowds thronged the streets of Najaf and packed the courtyards of its majestic shrine of Imam Ali where the coffin was brought from Iran before being flown to Karbala.

Updated 09 Jul, 2026 07:47am

Trump says Iran ceasefire over, vows to 'hit 'em hard'

Both the US and Iran said they had hit dozens of targets, placing fresh strain on their interim deal to end the war.

Updated 08 Jul, 2026 09:50pm

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in US for key talks

Naqvi is currently in New York to represent Pakistan at the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit 2026.

Updated 08 Jul, 2026 07:44am

Three ships struck in Hormuz flare-up, Qatar slams Iranian attack

String of attacks revives concerns about freedom of navigation; vessels were struck close to Oman.

Published 07 Jul, 2026 10:42pm

Oil tanker hit by 'unknown projectile' in Strait of Hormuz region, says maritime agency

Says there are no reports of casualties or environmental damage, advises vessels to transit with caution.

Published 07 Jul, 2026 10:33am

Trump threatens to strike Iran if deal not reached

Netanyahu acknowledges "differences" with Washington, plays down "deeper rifts"; Israel continues to test Lebanon ceasefire as four killed in fresh strike.

Updated 07 Jul, 2026 07:36am