Pakistan on Sunday highlighted the importance of all involved parties in the Middle East conflict adhering to the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, following a series of retaliatory strikes between Tehran and Washington. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed these views during a phone conversation with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, as they assessed the shifting dynamics in the region.
The EU’s chief diplomat acknowledged Pakistan’s dedicated role, which led to the signing of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. Kallas expressed concern over recent breaches of the ceasefire and underscored the necessity of maintaining open communication channels among all conflict parties.
In response, DPM Dar detailed Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for peace and stability in the Middle East. He stressed the critical need for all sides to respect the ceasefire agreement to prevent further escalation.
These remarks came shortly after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain early Sunday, following President Donald Trump’s warning to eliminate Iranian leadership if they failed to comply with the interim agreement designed to halt hostilities.
Meanwhile, Israel reported striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Saturday, just a day after agreeing to a new ceasefire deal with Lebanon intended to reduce fighting. Iran has insisted that this ceasefire must be upheld for the broader agreement to hold.
The US military confirmed it had conducted strikes against Iran hours after a tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping lane that Tehran has largely blocked during the conflict. President Trump warned on social media that if diplomacy failed, the US would be forced to complete the military campaign, threatening the existence of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Shortly after Trump’s statement, Kuwait’s military reported intercepting missile and drone attacks, while Bahrain activated sirens in response to similar threats. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced coordinated missile and drone operations targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, condemning US strikes as violations of the ceasefire that could halt all diplomatic efforts.
The IRGC Navy command warned that American military sites in the region would face severe consequences in the coming days. A US official confirmed the attacks on US facilities but reported no casualties or significant damage, noting the situation was still developing.
Later, Bahrain experienced a second alarm when an Iranian attack damaged a residential building in Muharraq province, though no injuries were reported. Bahrain called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency session to hold Iran accountable. Kuwait’s army also intercepted two ballistic missiles without any damage or casualties.
Last week, Pakistan facilitated talks in Switzerland between US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf. During these discussions, Washington temporarily lifted sanctions on Tehran. However, despite the 14-point interim peace accord intended to cease hostilities that began on February 28 and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, fighting has resumed and intensified.
