Pakistan Looks to Play Peacemaker Between U.S. and Iran, Again

After talks in Islamabad last weekend led to a two-week cease-fire, Pakistan is offering to host another round in an attempt to sustain ongoing peace efforts.

By Elian Peltier

France finance minister says Hormuz must open 'but not at any price'

His comments come as French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting talks in Paris on Friday with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz once there is a ceasefire.

Morning news brief

President Trump's timeline for an end to the Iran war continues to shift, U.S. and Iran block the Strait of Hormuz, trapping the Gulf's oil and gas, Trump's allies defend his remarks about Pope Leo.

By Leila Fadel

No date set for US-Iran talks, as Pakistan pushes to keep diplomacy alive

Pakistan's prime minister and army chief are both travelling to key players in the war, attempting to keep talks going.

Europe’s chemical industry is in free fall — America's could be next

Europe's chemical industry is unraveling due to overregulation and Chinese imports, serving as a critical warning for U.S. chemical manufacturing policy.

Brent oil price near $100 again with U.S.-Iran talks uncertain and Hormuz still blocked

Just a few tankers are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as the U.S. Navy blocks Iran's coast and Tehran threatens to retaliate against ships in the Gulf.

Why India is rankled by Pakistan playing mediator in US-Iran war

The quiet conclusion of US and Iranian backchannel engagements in Islamabad left more than diplomatic ambiguity. It crystallised a striking image: a financially strained, politically volatile Pakistan briefly positioning itself as a facilitator in one of the world’s most combustible rivalries. Substantive or symbolic, the episode underscores a deeper churn in West Asian geopolitics – one in which agility trumps credibility. Pakistan’s role was not incidental. Islamabad offered itself as a...

By Neeta Lal

Iran, US narrow differences after Pakistani mediation but splits remain, senior Iranian official says

French President Macron calls PM Modi ahead of France-UK meet on Strait of Hormuz

Macron and Modi discuss restoring navigation in Strait of Hormuz ahead of France-UK meet amid rising West Asia tensions

Turkey urges ‘constructive’ US-Iran talks to end war - The Straits Times

Turkey urges ‘constructive’ US-Iran talks to end war  The Straits Times

PM Modi Speaks To French President, Discusses Middle East, Starit Of Hormuz

In a post on X about his telephonic conversation with Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi said on Thursday, "We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond."

No date set for second round of US-Iran talks, FO says

No dates have been decided for the second round of talks between the United States and Iran, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday. “Nuclear issues are among the subjects being discussed by the countries,” he said while responding to a question during his weekly briefing. “We will not comment on the positions of Tehran and the parties involved in the negotiations. This is part of the parties’ trust in us,” Andrabi said, urging the media to refrain from speculations. The FO spokespers...

By none@none.com (Reuters)

Lee’s participation in UK-France-led Hormuz summit under positive review: Seoul

Seoul said it is weighing President Lee Jae Myung’s participation in a multilateral summit on ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, to be jointly led by the United Kingdom and France. “A multilateral meeting jointly hosted by the leaders of the United Kingdom and France is being arranged, and we are positively considering the president’s participation,” a senior official at Cheong Wa Dae, said Thursday on condition of anonymity. “Free and safe passage through the Strait of

By The Korea Herald

The case for ‘hardened engagement’ with America

Allowing a distaste for one U.S. president (no matter how bombastic) to sever the ties that bind the free world is not only bad policy, it's a recipe for strategic irrelevance.

Iran, US narrow differences after Pakistani mediation but splits remain, senior Iranian official says

Iran and the United States have made some progress as they push for an agreement under Pakistani mediation, but more than halfway through a two-week truce big splits remain including over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, a senior Iranian official said on Thursday. “The trip of the Pakistani army chief to Tehran was effective in reducing differences […]

By newsroom

Stock index futures rise as hopes of U.S.-Iran peace deal boost sentiment

China opposes US threat to sanction buyers of Iran's oil - China Daily - Global Edition

China opposes US threat to sanction buyers of Iran's oil  China Daily - Global Edition

Egypt, Turkey FMs discuss reviving US–Iran negotiations - Foreign Affairs - Egypt - Ahram Online

Egypt, Turkey FMs discuss reviving US–Iran negotiations - Foreign Affairs - Egypt  Ahram Online

Iran war brings US close to position of net crude exporter

The U.S. nearly became a net crude exporter last week for the first time since World War II ​as its shipments rose close to a record high to meet growing demand from Asian and Euro...

Bullying partners? Inside UDA running tension with allies ahead of 2027

Ruto’s UDA has had running political tension with its allies, including ODM.

King welcomed being able to “discuss differences” with Trump

King Willem-Alexander told reporters on the final day of his visit to the US that he is “very grateful that...

By Robin Pascoe

Astana Becomes Seoul’s Energy Backup as Hormuz Risks Rise

The Astana Times provides news and information from Kazakhstan and around the world. ASTANA – South Korea is turning to Kazakhstan and other suppliers while shifting to alternative transport routes to secure energy supplies and reduce risks related to instability in the Middle East, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced. South Korea has agreed to purchase 18 million barrels of oil from Kazakhstan as part of a… The post Astana Becomes Seoul’s Energy Backup as Hormuz Risks Rise ap...

By Fatima Kemelova