Pakistan’s interior minister traveled to Tehran Sunday in a renewed effort to restart diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States, while American military forces destroyed two additional Iranian drones threatening shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The military action occurred as the U.S. administration continues pushing Iran to reach an agreement ending the Middle East conflict, which has damaged the global economy and created the risk of food shortages in some of the world’s most at-risk nations.
The most intense combat concluded with a temporary ceasefire on April 8, though the parties have failed to reach agreement on a permanent end to hostilities.
Combat between Israel and the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah persisted, even after last week’s announcement that a U.S.-mediated ceasefire had been prolonged.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran carrying a message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei from Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Iranian state-run IRNA news agency reported.
Khamenei has remained out of public view since assuming leadership of the Islamic Republic following his father’s death on the conflict’s opening day, Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel began bombing operations against Iran.
Naqvi conducted meetings with Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni late Saturday, then held discussions Sunday morning with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, official Iranian media stated.
The message’s specific contents were not disclosed. Pakistani officials have indicated Islamabad, backed by regional nations including Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, has been working to resolve differences between the United States and Iran while promoting efforts to reduce tensions and ensure the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
The recent Lebanon ceasefire, announced during U.S.-mediated discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Washington last week, appeared to be failing.
The Iranian-supported Hezbollah has refused the U.S.-mediated agreement and instead supports Iran’s requirement that ending the Lebanon conflict be included in negotiations with the U.S.
Israel attacked what it described as more than 150 Hezbollah military positions during the weekend, including rocket launchers and command centers, throughout southern Lebanon.
Early Sunday, Israel detected at least five projectiles fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel, which were either intercepted or landed in unpopulated areas. Hezbollah did not immediately acknowledge launching projectiles at Israel. The militant organization did confirm it attacked Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.
Two Israeli soldiers died in southern Lebanon fighting on Saturday, the Israeli military reported.
The Lebanon fighting, where Israeli forces have captured significant portions of the south during their latest ground operation, jeopardizes efforts to end the Iran conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil and gas transport. Its closure has disrupted the global economy.
Iran has insisted that any permanent ceasefire include Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing elections later this year, wants to continue Israel’s military campaign until he believes Hezbollah no longer represents a threat.
Lebanon’s army commander, Gen. Rodolphe Haikal, departed for Pakistan Saturday following an invitation from Pakistan’s army chief. The Lebanese army provided no additional information and did not indicate whether this relates to Pakistan’s mediation between Iran and the U.S.
The U.S. military announced Saturday that it had destroyed multiple Iranian missiles and drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf Arab partners, and attacked some of the Islamic Republic’s coastal surveillance radar installations in retaliation.
“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic,” U.S. Central Command said.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reported it had targeted the Ali Al Salem air base, which houses U.S. forces in Kuwait, and the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The U.S. military stated there were no reports of injuries to U.S. personnel.
Earlier this month, Iranian drones severely damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s primary airport, killing one person and injuring dozens.
The U.S. military has maintained its blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s control of the strait, a vital route for global oil and natural gas shipments.
Energy costs have risen sharply, creating political challenges for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican Party before midterm congressional elections in November.
