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Top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey have gathered in Islamabad for two-day talks with their Pakistani counterpart on the escalating conflict between the US and Israel against Iran. The goal is to seek a de-escalation of the situation.The talks, led by Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, follow Iran's agreement to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with two ships permitted daily. This development was announced by Dar on Saturday.Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a detailed telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday, lasting over an hour, as part of preparations for the Islamabad talks. Sharif emphasized Pakistan's commitment to bringing an end to the conflict.Al Jazeera's Kamal Kyder, reporting from Islamabad, noted that Pakistan has been acting as a key interlocutor between the US and Iran, facilitating communication between the two sides as part of mediation efforts. He described the gathering in Islamabad as the beginning of a critical process that hinges on diplomacy and dialogue.The talks in Islamabad are seen as a crucial step towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Iran's President Pezeshkian has thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts to stop the aggression against Iran. With Islamabad's longstanding links with Tehran and close contacts in the Gulf, Pakistan is well-positioned to play a key role in these diplomatic efforts.Meanwhile, the risk of an expanded Iran war increased on Saturday as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels launched their first attacks on Israel since the start of the conflict. The developments underscore the complexity and volatility of the situation in the Middle East.

Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, secured a historic victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the world championship standings at just 19 years old.Antonelli's win was marked by a remarkable recovery from a poor start, where he initially dropped to sixth place. However, a mid-race safety car, triggered by a crash involving Haas driver Ollie Bearman, allowed Antonelli to gain a crucial advantage. He capitalized on the opportunity by pitting immediately after the safety car deployment, emerging at the head of the pack.As the race concluded, Antonelli expressed his delight, telling his team, "The pace was unbelievable today." He crossed the finish line ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with his teammate George Russell finishing fourth.This victory marks Antonelli's second consecutive win, following his first Grand Prix victory two weeks prior in China. The 19-year-old Italian's championship lead after just three races underscores his impressive performance in the early stages of the season.Other notable performances included Lando Norris of McLaren in fifth place, and Max Verstappen, who finished eighth after starting from 11th on the grid. The Formula One season will now take an extended break until the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, with the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races canceled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Kuwait's airport experienced significant disruptions following Iranian drone strikes, underscoring the increasing tensions between the two nations. The incident has raised concerns about regional stability and security.

A devastating incident has occurred off the coast of Greece, where at least 22 migrants lost their lives after being at sea for six days in a rubber boat. The tragedy has brought renewed attention to the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants seeking asylum in Europe, despite stricter restrictions.According to the Greek coastguard, the boat had departed from Tobruk, Libya, on March 21, heading towards Greece, a common gateway for those seeking refuge in the European Union. During the journey, passengers lost their bearings and went without food or water for six days. The coastguard reported that the bodies of those who died were thrown into the sea on the orders of one of the smugglers.Two survivors were taken to a hospital in Heraklion on Crete. Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, suspected of being people smugglers. Meanwhile, a Frontex European Union Agency vessel rescued 26 people, including a woman and a minor, off the island of Crete.This incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Europe. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that over 16,770 people seeking asylum arrived in Crete in 2025, with at least 107 people dead or missing in Greek waters during the same period. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also noted that at least 375 migrants were reported dead or missing in January due to extreme weather conditions.

The US-Israeli war against Iran shows no signs of abatement as it enters its second month, with regional tensions escalating through multiple fronts. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have confirmed their first attack on Israel since the conflict began, launching a ballistic missile that was intercepted by Israeli defense systems. The targeted strike aimed at Israeli military sites located in the south of the occupied West Bank, marking a significant expansion of the conflict beyond direct US-Israeli operations against Iran.In a separate development, Israel killed three journalists in a targeted strike on their vehicle in southern Lebanon. The incident highlights the growing dangers facing media personnel in the increasingly volatile region as the conflict continues to spread across multiple borders and involve various non-state actors.These developments underscore the complex and widening nature of the conflict, which has evolved beyond direct military confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran to include regional proxies and civilian targets.

A grieving Iranian mother has shared her heartbreaking story at the United Nations about her children who were impacted by a devastating school attack. The emotional account highlights the human cost of violence and the profound grief experienced by families affected.The mother’s testimony brought attention to the plight of innocent victims and the need for greater support and protection for children in conflict zones. Her words resonated deeply with the international community, underscoring the urgency of addressing such tragedies.

A powerful Israeli airstrike has struck the suburbs of Beirut, causing significant smoke to rise over the area. The incident has heightened tensions in the region, reflecting the ongoing Middle East conflict between Israel and Lebanon.The airstrike is a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Beirut, being the capital of Lebanon, is a critical location in these tensions.The situation remains fluid, with international attention focused on the developments in the region. The Israeli airstrike on Beirut suburbs underscores the complex and volatile nature of Middle East relations.

Spain delivered a dominant performance, defeating Serbia 3-0 in a World Cup 2026 preparatory match. For a comprehensive account of the game, including key highlights and analysis, readers can access the full match report on Al Jazeera Sport. This 3-0 win underscores Spain's strong form as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

Islamabad has re‑emerged as a pivotal conduit between Washington and Tehran, delivering a U.S. 15‑point cease‑fire proposal on March 25, 2026, as the US‑Israeli campaign against Iran enters its second month. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Pakistan is transmitting the proposal, with Turkey and Egypt offering additional diplomatic backing. Chief US negotiator Steve Witkoff later verified Pakistan’s role as a messenger, and President Donald Trump announced a 10‑day pause on planned strikes against Iranian power plants, citing a request from Tehran. Iran has denied direct talks, yet the pause marks the second deferment of Trump’s original threat, underscoring Pakistan’s function as a key diplomatic facilitator in a high‑stakes conflict. The pattern is not new. In August 1969, President Nixon tasked Pakistan’s military ruler Yahya Khan with opening a channel to Beijing. Two years later, a secret flight carried U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger from Islamabad to China, paving the way for Nixon’s historic 1972 visit and the eventual U.S. recognition of the People’s Republic of China. Analysts note that Pakistan’s unique position—maintaining working ties with both Washington and Beijing—made it the only trusted intermediary capable of handling such a sensitive mission, a view echoed by former ambassador Masood Khan. Beyond the Cold‑War episode, Pakistan has repeatedly leveraged its geography and Muslim‑world connections. It served as the primary conduit for U.S., Saudi and Chinese support to the Afghan mujahideen in the 1980s, helped broker the 1988 Geneva Accords that ended the Soviet occupation, and hosted the 2015 Murree talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. During the 2020 Doha Agreement, Pakistani pressure on the Taliban was cited by U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad as instrumental, though the rapid U.S. withdrawal and subsequent Taliban takeover left Pakistan’s long‑term interests ambiguous. Efforts to mediate Saudi‑Iran tensions have been less fruitful. In 2016, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s shuttle diplomacy failed to produce a formal agreement, and a 2019 outreach by Prime Minister Imran Khan, prompted by President Trump, yielded no concrete outcome. When China facilitated the 2023 Saudi‑Iran rapprochement, Pakistan’s foreign office claimed it had laid the groundwork, but analysts still view the result as a Chinese‑led success. Pakistan’s brief 2005 overture to Israel, led by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, similarly collapsed under domestic opposition, illustrating the limits of its diplomatic reach when internal politics intervene. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury—the US‑Israeli air campaign that began in late February 2026 and resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—Pakistan’s leadership has intensified back‑channel activity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held multiple calls with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke directly with President Trump. Both officials have also visited Saudi Arabia, where Pakistan signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025. Former ambassador Naghmana Hashmi observes that Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative is often eclipsed by conflict, yet a “quieter, more consistent thread” persists: the state’s effort to turn its strategic location and Muslim‑world ties into a lever for peace. Whether the current cease‑fire talks will yield a durable settlement remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that Pakistan enjoys a rare blend of trust from Washington, Tehran and Gulf capitals—a leverage few regional actors possess.