Regional diplomacy
Pakistan, Iran & the US Mediation Track
Follow Pakistan's mediation between the US and Iran: Asim Munir's Tehran visits, DPM Dar's regional calls, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
The reporting trail
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International — Region / International — RegionTrump reportedly rejects Iran's seven-day Hormuz plan, aides expect renewed bombing
The Wall Street Journal reports Trump rejected Iran's seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with aides saying renewed bombing is likely after the midterms.
International — Region / International — RegionPakistan, Saudi and Türkiye military chiefs meet in Riyadh under Makkah pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye's military chiefs met in Riyadh on 25 September under the Makkah pact, condemning Houthi attacks and reaffirming collective defence.
International — Region / International — RegionUS and Iran explore phased deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz and lift blockade
US and Iranian negotiators in New York are exploring a phased deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting Washington's blockade, sources said.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePM Shehbaz tells UN any attempt to divert Pakistan's waters would be an act of war
PM Shehbaz Sharif told the UN General Assembly that any attempt to divert Pakistan's Indus waters would be treated as an act of war, and pressed for open Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
International — Region / International — RegionSaudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan plan urgent chiefs-of-staff meeting under Mecca pact
Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani foreign ministers agreed at the UNGA to arrange an urgent chiefs-of-staff meeting under the Mecca pact after Houthi missiles targeted Mecca and Yanbu.
International — Region / International — RegionIran says no nuclear concessions even if US accepts Hormuz reopening plan
Iran will not compromise on its nuclear programme even if the US accepts its plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, an official told Reuters, keeping the strait shut.
International — Region / International — RegionUS and China extend trade truce for two months as Trump welcomes Xi to Washington
The US and China extended their trade truce to January 10 as Xi Jinping began his first state visit to Washington in over a decade, keeping tariffs lower for two more months.
Pakistan / Technology & TelecomPakistan tells UN Security Council unregulated AI risks widening global inequality
Pakistan warned the UN Security Council on 23 September that unregulated artificial intelligence could widen global inequality and threaten peace, setting out a five-point position
International — Region / International — RegionUS and Iran hold first direct talks since July in three-hour meeting at UN General Assembly
Trump confirmed a three-hour US-Iran meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York, the first confirmed direct contact since July's collapsed interim deal.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernanceDar urges OIC to press Taliban on terrorism from Afghan soil
FM Ishaq Dar told the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan that the Taliban must take concrete, verifiable action to stop Afghan soil being used for terrorism against Pakistan.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePM Shehbaz arrives in New York to attend 81st UN General Assembly session amid Middle East crisis
PM Shehbaz Sharif arrived in New York on Monday for the 81st UN General Assembly, where he will address the session on 25 September against the Middle East crisis backdrop.
Pakistan / Politics & GovernancePakistan and Saudi Arabia abolish visa requirements for diplomatic, official passport holders
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement on 22 September to abolish visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official or special passports, easing official travel.