Key Middle Eastern nations are scheduled to convene Sunday in Pakistan’s capital for diplomatic discussions aimed at halting the ongoing regional conflict, as approximately 2,500 American Marines deploy to the area and Iranian-backed Houthi forces join the monthlong warfare.
According to Pakistani officials, senior diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will participate in the Islamabad discussions. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed he conducted “extensive discussions” with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding the regional conflicts.
The ongoing conflict has created significant disruptions to worldwide oil and natural gas supplies, caused fertilizer shortages, and interfered with international air travel. Iran’s control over the critical Strait of Hormuz has caused market volatility and price fluctuations.
American and Israeli forces continue launching strikes against Iran, while Iranian counterattacks have hit Israel and surrounding Gulf Arab nations. The death toll has exceeded 3,000 people.
The Houthis’ involvement in the conflict could create additional problems for international shipping if they resume targeting ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea, a waterway that handles approximately 12% of global trade.
Throughout Saturday night, residents in Irbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, heard continuous interceptions and drone activity for several hours, including drones that were destroyed while attempting to strike the U.S. consulate and nearby military installations.
Associated Press reporters in the region documented constant loud explosions and witnessed at least one drone flying toward American facilities, marking one of the most severe attack periods since the conflict started.
Iranian-allied militias operating in Iraq have intensified their repeated drone and missile strikes against U.S. military bases, including facilities in Irbil.
On Saturday, U.S. officials issued a statement condemning what they described as “despicable terrorist attacks” carried out by Iranian militant organizations, characterizing the strikes on Kurdish regional President Nechirvan Barzani’s residence in Irbil as “a direct assault on Iraq’s sovereignty, stability and unity.” The attack resulted in property damage but no injuries, as the residence was unoccupied during the incident.
Lebanese health officials reported that a Saturday evening strike on Hanniyeh town in Tyre province resulted in the deaths of six Syrian nationals and one Lebanese citizen, with nine additional people wounded.
In Nabatiyeh province, an attack on Deir al-Zahrani left seven people dead and eight injured, while another strike on Kfartabnit killed three individuals and wounded four others, according to health ministry reports.
