Iran seeks Pakistan’s role in Israel-Hezbollah truce mediation

WEB DESK: Iran has called on Pakistan to persist with its mediation efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and safeguard a precarious ceasefire, even as US President Donald Trump announced an understanding between Israel and Hezbollah to halt hostilities in Lebanon.

The request came during a telephone conversation on Monday between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, highlighting Islamabad’s growing prominence as a diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran, according to Arab News.

Diplomatic engagement

According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Minister Araghchi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in regional diplomacy and urged Islamabad to continue using its good offices to facilitate de-escalation and preserve the ceasefire.

In response, Dar expressed Islamabad’s serious concern over reported ceasefire violations in Lebanon and stressed the need to prevent any breakdown of existing understandings.

The call took place against the backdrop of uncertainty in indirect Iran-US negotiations, with Iranian media reporting that Tehran had suspended dialogues through mediators due to continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza.

Iran is reportedly demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli actions and withdrawal from newly occupied Lebanese territory before talks can resume.

Trump announces halt in fighting

Hours after the Pakistan-Iran contact, President Trump claimed progress in separate contacts with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah representatives.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had secured commitments from both sides to stop attacks.

“I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut,” he wrote, adding that Hezbollah had agreed that all shooting would stop, with neither side attacking the other.

The announcement followed a day of heightened tensions, including Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs and retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli positions.

Pakistan has played a key intermediary role since the conflict intensified earlier this year, helping facilitate a temporary ceasefire in April and hosting subsequent talks aimed at a longer-term settlement.

The fragile truce has faced repeated challenges, with disputes persisting over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the scope of ceasefire arrangements concerning Lebanon.

Iranian media has warned that Tehran and its allies could disrupt key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz if hostilities continue, raising concerns over global energy supplies.