Russia and Ukraine agree to 32-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire

MOSCOW, April 10: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has announced a 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming that Ukraine will honour it.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that the pause in fighting will begin at 4pm Moscow time (13:00GMT) on Saturday and run until midnight on Sunday, covering Easter celebrations observed in both countries.

“We proceed on the basis that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

It added that Defence Minister Andrei Belousov had instructed Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to halt military operations during the period. Russian forces, however, would remain ready to respond to any violations.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine had already proposed a similar pause and would act in kind.

“Ukraine has repeatedly stated that we are ready for reciprocal steps. We proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holiday this year and will act accordingly,” he wrote on Telegram.

“People need an Easter without threats and a real move towards peace, and Russia has a chance not to return to attacks even after Easter.”

Israel criticises Pak Defence Minister remarks, calls them outrageous

TEL AVIV, April 10: Israel has strongly criticised remarks made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, calling them “outrageous” and questioning Pakistan’s credibility as a neutral mediator in ongoing Middle East tensions.

In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said calls for Israel’s annihilation are unacceptable from any government, particularly one positioning itself as a facilitator of peace. The response came after Asif made controversial comments on social media, referring to Israel in highly critical terms and making remarks widely condemned as inflammatory.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also denounced the statements, terming them “blatantly antisemitic” and asserting that Israel will continue to defend itself against threats to its security. Pakistan has recently been credited with mediating a temporary two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and is expected to host further peace talks in the coming days. However, the latest remarks have cast a shadow over its role in the diplomatic process.

In his statement, Asif also referred to ongoing conflicts in the region, alleging continued violence involving Israel in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon. The development comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilise the situation and sustain the fragile ceasefire in the region.

'Burn in hell': Pak minister Khawaja Asif deletes post on Jews after Israel hits back

ISLAMABAD, April 10: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who triggered a controversy with his criticism of Israel appears to have backtracked by deleting his post on X. Amid a shaky truce between Iran and the US and possible negotiations likely in Islamabad on Saturday, Asif raked up a storm after he called Israel "evil and a curse for humanity".

"I hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hell," a part of his X post reportedly read. T

The Pakistan minister lashed out at Israel for continuing attacks in Lebanon despite Iran and the US declaring a ceasefire. "Israel is evil and a curse for humanity, while peace talks are underway in Islamabad, genocide is being committed in Lebanon. Innocent citizens are being killed by Israel, first Gaza, then Iran and now Lebanon, bloodletting continues unabated," he said.

Israel-Lebanon talks likely next week in US, Hezbollah rejects proposal

TEL AVIV: Hezbollah MP on Thursday said the group rejects any direct talks between Lebanon and Israel, after reports said that the talks between Israel and Lebanon are expected to take place next week in Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he has ordered his cabinet to open direct talks with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish "peace relations" between the two countries.

"In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," his office wrote in a statement.

He also added that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between Israel and Lebanon.

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed support for people in Lebanon, stating that Iran has “fingers on the trigger” as Israel continues to attack Lebanon.

“Israel's renewed incursion into Lebanon is a blatant violation of the initial ceasefire agreement. The continuation of these actions will render negotiations meaningless. Our fingers remain on the trigger. Iran will never abandon its Lebanese sisters and brothers,” he said in a post on X.

Israel said on Thursday it had killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, the nephew and personal secretary of Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, in an overnight strike on Beirut.

After Ceasefire Deal, Pak PM Invites US, Iran For Talks On Friday

ISLAMABAD, April 8: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the United States, Iran, and all their allies have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon. Pakistan has been a key negotiator in attempting to reach a diplomatic solution between the two warring parties.

In his statement announcing the truce, the Pakistani PM invited delegations from Tehran and Washington to Islamabad on "Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes."

"With the greatest humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY," he wrote.

He said he welcomes the "sagacious gesture" and extended "deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries."

India welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, calls for free navigation through Hormuz

NEW DELHI, April 8: India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the temporary truce would pave the way for lasting peace in West Asia.

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said it has consistently advocated for de-escalation, stressing that “dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict.”

The government underscored the broader humanitarian and economic impact of the conflict, noting that it has caused “immense suffering” and disrupted global energy supplies and trade networks.

India reiterated its long-standing position that peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels remains the only viable path forward in the region.

Highlighting the strategic importance of maritime routes, the MEA said it expects “unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce” through the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway is a critical artery for global oil shipments, and its disruption in recent weeks has triggered volatility in energy markets worldwide.

The statement comes after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire aimed at halting escalating hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan may end up on US-Israel side vs Iran due to Saudi defence pact

ISLAMABAD, April 7: Iran's attacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia — its long-term nemesis which houses US military bases — on Tuesday put Pakistan's top civil and military leadership in a bind, at a time when it was trying to play peacemaker in a conflict that has created global ripples and is now in its second month.

At the heart of the bind is a defence pact that nuclear-armed Pakistan has with its oil-rich patron Saudi Arabia.

For six weeks so far, Pakistan walked a precarious tightrope — condemning American and Israeli strikes on Iran, then also condemned Iran's retaliatory strikes on Gulf states as "blatant violations of sovereignty", while simultaneously reaffirming its defence obligations to Saudi Arabia; and all this while serving as a communication channel between Washington and Tehran. It even got Saudi along as a fellow mediator.

On Tuesday, that tightrope all but snapped.

"The Government of Pakistan expresses its deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the missile and drone attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran last night against energy facilities in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Pakistan Foreign Office said on Tuesday.

This came as US President Donald Trump heightened threats just hours ahead of his 8pm ET (5:30 IST, Wednesday) deadline for Iran to reopen the global oil route Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the strait be opened or “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again”.

Iran, facing attacks on its energy facilities, hit back with its own threat: of putting the entire Gulf region into “darkness”, and years of oil and gas shortage for the world.

Pakistan called Iran's attacks on Saudi infrastructure a "dangerous escalation" while there was no clarity if the peace process was still on. The US has put a 15-point proposal on the table, which Iran has rejected and countered with its own 10 points.

Amid this, the Pakistan Army, which de factor runs the otherwise democratic country, issued a statement after a commanders' conference at its headquarters in Rawalpindi, chaired by Field Marshal Asim Munir.

"The Forum noted with concern and vehemently condemned the latest attacks on Saudi's petrochemical and industrial complex as an unnecessary escalation which spoils sincere efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful means," it said.

"The restraint and calibration so far exhibited by Saudi Arabia, despite grave provocations, enabled mediation and diplomatic resolution; however, such unwarranted aggressions have serious repercussions, to spoil the ongoing peaceful options and conducive environment," it warned.

A Pakistani security source said that if the Saudi kingdom were to retaliate, "the talks would be over", and Pakistan could be drawn directly into conflict against Iran.

Given its long land border with Iran, Pakistan has for long been a logistically possible launchpad for ground invasion by US troops. So far, it's been a war of airstrikes, while Pakistan has been fighting its neighbour Afghanistan in a stop-start war of its own.

A bitter irony is that at the very moment Iran struck Saudi facilities, Pakistan was engaged in an intensive phase of its mediation effort.

Field Marshal Munir had spent the night in direct contact with US Vice President JD Vance, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian foreign minister Araghchi, working to finalise what sources had tentatively dubbed the "Islamabad Accord". It was to be a two-phase framework involving an immediate ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and in-person talks in Pakistan's capital, news agencies reported.

Iran had even formally submitted its 10-point counter-proposal to Washington via Pakistani intermediaries. Trump called it "significant" but “not good enough”. Negotiations were, by multiple accounts, at their most active.

Then came the strikes on Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement last year, pledging that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both.

In September 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman signed the agreement in Riyadh. Its central clause is modelled on NATO's Article 5, which says any aggression against either nation shall be considered aggression against both.

Pakistan foreign minister Ishaq Dar had even asserted to Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi the pact's existence. Iran had until Tuesday largely spared Saudi Arabia from its most strikes.

Now that that restraint ends, Pakistan is struggling to claim total neutrality.

Iran Guards intelligence chief killed in strikes

TEL AVIV, April 6: Israeli strikes killed the intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as the Islamic republic on Monday defied threats from US President Donald Trump to devastate civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The warring sides kept up their barrage of strikes, with Iranian missiles and drones targeting Israel, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, and Israeli strikes hitting Iran and swathes of Lebanon where it is battling Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Iran said that "much more devastating" attacks would come if Trump followed through on his vow to hit civilian targets.

Modi speaks to Netherlands PM, discusses bilateral ties and West Asia situation

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Monday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing the evolving situation in West Asia. During the call, the two leaders reviewed the growing partnership between India and the Netherlands and explored ways to expand cooperation in key sectors such as semiconductors, green hydrogen, water management, and skilled workforce mobility....more

Oman, Iran discuss smooth transit in Strait of Hormuz, Muscat says

MUSCAT, April 5: Oman and ⁠⁠Iran ⁠⁠have held deputy foreign ⁠⁠minister-level talks, discussing ⁠⁠options to ensure the smooth transit of vessels through the Strait ‌‌of Hormuz, according to the Omani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting was held on Saturday “at the level of undersecretaries in the foreign ministries of the two countries”, the ministry said on Sunday in a post on X, adding that it was “attended by specialists from both sides”.

“Possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz during these circumstances witnessed in the region,” it added. “During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a number of visions and proposals that will be studied.”

On Sunday, three Omani ships appeared to be transiting the Strait of Hormuz, outside Iran’s “approved corridor” near Larak Island, according to tracking data monitored by shipping journal Lloyd’s List.

The convoy consists of two large oil supertankers and one liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier that are sailing “unusually close to the Omani coast”, according to the United Kingdom-based outlet.

The developments come after an Iranian ⁠⁠official said on ⁠⁠Thursday that Iran was drafting a protocol with ⁠⁠Oman to monitor ⁠⁠traffic in the ⁠⁠strait, through which about a fifth of global ‌‌oil supplies travel, and which Iran has severely restricted in retaliation for the ongoing US-Israeli war on the country.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has allowed some vessels to transit, including Pakistani, French, and Turkish-linked vessels. But about 3,000 others are stranded.

Egypt’s ⁠⁠Foreign ⁠⁠Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate calls ⁠⁠to discuss proposals for regional de-escalation ⁠⁠with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and regional counterparts, including Iranian ‌‌Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the Egyptian ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

‘Never refused to go to Islamabad’: Iran expresses openness to Pak-mediated talks with US

TEHRAN, April 4: Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said his country never refused mediation talks in Islamabad, after reports emerged that the initiative to facilitate talks by Pakistan had run into an obstacle.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi said that Iran's position is being misrepresented in US media. He expressed gratitude towards Pakistan for its efforts, adding, “We have never refused to go to Islamabad.”

“What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting end to the illegal war that is imposed on us,” the post read.

Earlier, claims surfaced suggesting that while some progress has been made, the momentum has slowed down due to the absence of a response from the Iranian side. The claims were published in reports from the US-based The Wall Street Journal and Pakistan-based Dawn.

Following this, Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi came forward and refuted such claims, calling the reports “baseless” and a “figment of imagination,” according to reports.

Andrabi said the controversy stemmed from a misreading of a background briefing held on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The comment by Iran and Pakistan comes amid growing speculations of a closed-door briefing by one of Islamabad's senior foreign ministry officials.

Amid War With Iran, UAE Asks Pakistan To Repay $2 Billion Loan: Report

DUBAI, April 4: Pakistan has decided to repay a loan of USD 2 billion to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on its demand, a media report said on Friday.

The UAE had provided the fund to support the balance of payment, and it was being rolled out until recently.

The UAE recently asked for the immediate return of the funds in the wake of the recent situation in the Middle East following the US-Israel war on Iran, sources said.

Citing sources, Geo News reported that the amount was kept with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as a safe deposit.

Pakistan will return USD 2 billion to Abu Dhabi by the end of this month, it added.

The insiders said Pakistan has been paying around 6 per cent interest on the amount. In the past, the UAE used to roll over the deposit on a yearly basis. However, in December 2025, the amount was extended first for one month and then for two months until April 17.

For the current fiscal year, Pakistan needed a rollover of approximately USD 12 billion in external deposits, including USD 5 billion from Saudi Arabia, USD 4 billion from China and USD 3 billion placed by the UAE.

Pakistan has more than USD 21 billion in reserves and will pay back to the UAE, but it may need external financing in the coming months.

Foreign Secretary Misri represents India at U.K.-hosted meet on Strait of Hormuz

NEW DELHI, April 2: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India on Thursday at a U.K.-hosted summit of nearly 30 nations that focused on ensuring safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran's partial blockade of the strategic waterway which has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies.

Misri, joining the deliberations through virtual mode, articulated India's stance on safety of international shipping lanes in the region.

"As far as India is concerned, you very well know that we stand for free and open commercial shipping, and for maritime security in keeping with international law," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

"We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority," he said.

Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, that handles roughly 20% of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). West Asia has been a major source of India's energy procurement.

Jaiswal said the U.K. invited several countries, including India, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz and Misri attended it.

"We are in touch with Iran and other countries to see how best we can get unimpeded and safe transit for our ships which are carrying products including LPG and LNG," he said.

"Through these conversations over last few days, six Indian-flagged vessels have been able to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz. We continue to be in touch with relevant parties on this matter," Mr. Jaiswal said.

The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said India is closely following all developments relating to the West Asia conflict.

There have been growing global concerns over disruptions in commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz with many leading powers pressing for fully reopening the waterway.

Iran has allowed ships belonging to its friendly countries to transit through the water way.

Iran’s ex-foreign minister Kharazi ‘gravely wounded’ in attack on his home

TEHRAN, April 2: Former Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi has been seriously wounded in an apparent assassination attempt that killed his wife, as United States-Israeli strikes continue to pound Iran for a fifth week.

Iranian media on Thursday reported that Kharazi’s home in Tehran was targeted the previous day in an air strike. The official was hospitalised with serious injuries, according to newspapers Shargh, Etemad and Ham Mihan.

“We have seen what looks like an assassination attempt against the former foreign minister, Kamal Kharazi … We don’t know why he’s been targeted. He has been gravely wounded, and his wife was killed,” it was reported.

Air strikes were reported on Thursday across Iran, including in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. Four people were reported killed in Larestan, in southern Iran.

Iran’s Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said an attack targeted the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a medical research centre founded in 1920, severely damaging it.

In a post on X, Kermanpour called the attack on the “century-old pillar of global health” in Tehran a “direct assault on international health security”.

Meanwhile, the ⁠spokesperson of the armed forces’ unified command said Tehran will ⁠press ⁠on with the Middle East war until the US ⁠and Israel face “permanent regret and surrender”, the semiofficial Tasnim ‌news agency reported.

UK PM To Bring Together 35 Nations, Take Steps To Reopen Hormuz Strait

LONDON, April 1: The UK will host an international diplomatic conference this week on ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. He further stated that 35 countries have signed a statement committing to work together on restoring maritime security to the key oil transport route.

The meeting will "assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and resume the movement of vital commodities", Starmer said.

"Following that meeting, we will also convene our military planners to look at how we can marshal our capabilities and make the strait accessible and safe after the fighting has stopped," he added.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands are among those to have signed it.

The British PM said the impact of the war would "define us for a generation" and could be similar to ​the increase in energy prices in the 1970s.