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Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir has taken on an unexpected role as a peacemaker in the conflict between the US and Iran. His efforts have been widely praised, with US President Donald Trump describing them as 'fantastic'. Munir's involvement in the peace talks began after the US vice-president, JD Vance, left Islamabad following failed negotiations between the US and Iran. Despite this, Munir continued to engage with both sides, using his influence to push for a deal. Munir's phone calls played a crucial role in the frantic international efforts last week, resulting in a last-minute ceasefire agreement after Trump's threat that Iran's civilisation would 'die' if they did not agree to a deal. Trump is said to have directly leaned on Munir to use his influence and knowledge of the Iranians to help reach the off-ramp. Munir's ability to communicate with both the US and Iran has been key to his success. He has built strong relationships with leaders in Washington, Riyadh, and Tehran, and has been able to facilitate talks between the two nations. Munir's efforts have not only helped to reduce tensions between the US and Iran but have also elevated Pakistan's position as a credible diplomatic interlocutor. His role in the peace talks has been seen as a significant achievement for Pakistan, which has long sought to play a more prominent role in regional diplomacy. Analysts have noted that Munir's success is not solely due to his individual efforts, but also the result of a collective effort by the Pakistani government and military. However, his role in the peace talks has been widely acknowledged, and he is seen as a key player in maintaining peace in the Gulf and the Middle East. Munir's diplomatic activism has been driven by his strong relationships with leaders and countries, as well as his understanding of the importance of personality-driven diplomacy. His efforts have helped to build a global story for Pakistan, and have cemented his position as a major player in regional diplomacy.

Modern combat has been reshaped by the Russia‑Ukraine war, the Gaza clashes, India‑Pakistan skirmishes and the recent US‑Israel strikes on Iran, driving an unprecedented global appetite for drones, missiles and sophisticated air‑defence systems. Turkey, a leading military power in the Middle East, is positioning itself as a key supplier in this booming market. At the heart of Turkey’s push is Roketsan, a firm founded in 1988 to equip the Turkish Armed Forces. Today the company exports to roughly 50 nations and is counted among the fastest‑growing defence enterprises worldwide. Bypassing Western embargoes has been a catalyst for this growth. After the United States imposed CAATSA sanctions in 2020 and removed Turkey from the F‑35 programme, Ankara was forced to develop an indigenous defence ecosystem. The result is a network of nearly 4,000 small and medium‑sized enterprises that now supplies over 90 % of the components used in Turkish weapons. Financially, the strategy is paying off. In 2025 Turkish defence exports reached $10 billion. Roketsan’s General Manager Murat Ikinci told Al Jazeera the firm sits at 71st place among global defence firms and is targeting a climb into the top 50, then top 20, and ultimately the top 10 by the end of the decade. To fuel this ambition, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated a suite of new facilities last week, including: Europe’s largest warhead production plant. A new R&D centre employing 1,000 engineers. The “Kirikkale” complex dedicated to rocket‑fuel research. Infrastructure for mass‑producing ballistic and cruise missiles. The construction represents a $1 billion outlay, with an additional $2 billion earmarked for scaling up production capacity. Roketsan’s R&D engine—the third‑largest in Turkey with 3,200 engineers—draws heavily on lessons from ongoing wars. The Ukraine conflict highlighted the effectiveness of cheap FPV and AI‑guided kamikaze drones, prompting Roketsan to field systems such as the ALKA and BURC air‑defences and the laser‑guided CIRIT missile. Recent US‑Israel operations against Iran have underscored the threat posed by low‑cost Iranian‑designed Shahed drones, now upgraded with Russian “Kometa‑B” anti‑jamming modules. These swarms have overwhelmed regional defences and even struck a British base in Cyprus in March 2026, while NATO intercepted three Iranian ballistic missiles that entered Turkish airspace. In response, Roketsan is advancing the “Tayfun” (Typhoon) missile family. The flagship Tayfun Block 4 is a hypersonic ballistic missile designed to pierce advanced air‑defence layers at extreme speeds. When pressed for specifics, Ikinci declined to disclose the exact range, noting only that it is “sufficient.” Strategically, Turkey is shifting away from Western dependence toward an “Eastern” partnership model. Roketsan now offers joint production and technology‑development agreements, establishing co‑located facilities and R&D centres across the Middle East, Far East and Europe. Qatar has been cited as a flagship example of this collaborative approach. Roketsan has identified five priority product lines to meet rising global demand: Long‑range ballistic and cruise missiles. Advanced air‑defence systems, including “Steel Dome”, Hisar‑A, Hisar‑O and Siper. Submarine‑launched cruise missiles leveraging the AKYA system. Smart micro‑munitions for armed drones. Long‑range air‑to‑air missiles, a capability highlighted by the recent India‑Pakistan clash. The timing is critical. Ongoing conflicts have depleted the stockpiles of high‑end air‑defence assets worldwide. During the US‑Israel‑Iran confrontation, the United States relied heavily on Patriot and THAAD systems, raising concerns that interceptor inventories could run low. Gulf states, which have logged over 1,000 drone sightings in their airspace, are actively seeking alternative solutions—an opening that Turkey’s self‑sufficient supply chain is poised to fill. Analysts warn that even major powers like the United States will need years to rebuild their air‑defence inventories due to the complexity of production. Turkey’s claim of near‑complete domestic manufacturing positions it as a ready supplier for nations eager to diversify away from traditional Western sources. As demand for missiles and drones surges, Roketsan is reinvesting its revenues into expanding production infrastructure, aiming to cement its place among the world’s elite defence exporters.

The United States is pushing for de-escalation in the region, with President Donald Trump announcing that Israeli and Lebanese leaders will speak for the first time in 34 years. This development has raised cautious hopes for a diplomatic solution to the fighting that has continued for more than six weeks.The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 people killed and more than 1 million displaced across Lebanon. Israel's military operations in Lebanon and its invasion of the country's south have intensified, with Hezbollah entering the war by launching rockets, missiles, and drones towards a missile defense site near Haifa in northern Israel.Iran's speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, told his Lebanese counterpart, Nabih Berri, in a phone conversation that a ceasefire in Lebanon is vital. Ghalibaf led the Iranian delegation at the first round of US-Iran talks in Pakistan last week, which ended without a deal.The prospective talks between Israel and Lebanon follow a rare direct engagement between the two countries' US ambassadors in Washington on Tuesday – also their first such direct contact in decades. However, with both sides maintaining starkly different objectives, and the Lebanon front closely tied to broader negotiations involving Iran, it remains unclear whether the talks can produce tangible results.Analysts say that even if a phone call were to take place between Israel's Netanyahu and his Lebanese counterpart, it would be “mostly symbolic rather than substantive”. Lebanon wants a ceasefire as a priority to enter into negotiations whose aim would be to liberate lands currently occupied by Israel.A key demand from Iran in its dialogue with the US is that Israel end its offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah is Tehran's most powerful regional ally and a central part of the “axis of resistance”, a network of armed groups across the Middle East aligned with Iran against Israel.

Iran's prominent parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has stressed that a ceasefire in Lebanon is just as crucial as one in Iran, in a phone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart, Nabih Berri. This development comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war between Iran and the United States gain traction.Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation at the recent US-Iran meeting in Pakistan, emphasized that Tehran is committed to achieving a permanent ceasefire in all conflict zones, including Lebanon. He assured Berri that Iran has not forgotten its Lebanese allies and considers them part of its own people.The conversation also touched on the latest Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which have resulted in the displacement of 1.2 million Lebanese people. Berri condemned Israel's actions, stating that they are committing crimes and seeking to displace Lebanese citizens. He appreciated Iran's efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon and noted that any communication with Israel would not be in Lebanon's interests.Lebanon was drawn into the US-Israel war on Iran after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2, in retaliation for Israel's killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and near-daily violations of a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Since then, Israeli forces have killed over 2,000 people in Lebanon.In a related development, US President Donald Trump announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak to each other for the first time in 34 years. This historic conversation is seen as a significant step towards de-escalation in the region.

In the rugged Hindu Kush mountains of eastern Afghanistan, hundreds of men are scouring the rocky Kunar riverbed for precious gold dust, creating a livelihood amid limited economic options.Against the backdrop of towering peaks, some still snow-capped in April, workers labour near the Pakistan border, seeking valuable flecks that could change their fortunes in a country plagued by low wages.Near Kharwalu village in Kunar province – with its mud-brick homes and terraced wheat fields – men excavate dry sections of the riverbed before washing their rocky hauls with river water.Delawar, 45, joined these gold prospectors after leaving his construction job seven hours from his Kabul home. “There are not many job opportunities in the country, and in this way, we have created work for ourselves,” said the father of eight who uses only one name.“The gold nuggets we find are usually smaller than a grain of wheat,” he added.In nearby Ghaziabad, hundreds chip away at the mountainside with picks, carrying heavy sacks down steep slopes to empty onto sieves for gold filtration.Others use yellow jerrycans attached to long wooden handles to pour river water over sieves, allowing smaller, potentially gold-bearing stones to slide onto mats. After two additional siftings, gold nuggets occasionally appear in metal pans.Gul Ahmad Jan, 35, claims the work can be lucrative. “We can get up to about 1gm of gold,” worth approximately 8,000 Afghani ($125) in just one week, he said.Afghanistan’s natural resources remained largely unexploited during decades of conflict, though a Kunar official told the AFP news agency that gold panning has occurred there for more than 10 years.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence that Iran will participate in the World Cup, despite the country's sports minister stating that it cannot participate due to the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. Infantino told CNBC that Iran 'has to come' to the tournament, emphasizing that the team will travel to the US 'for sure.' This statement comes as the country is currently under a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire with the US and Israel. The Iranian team has qualified for the World Cup and wants to participate, Infantino said, adding that he recently visited the team at its training camp in Antalya, Turkey. He stressed that 'sports should be outside of politics' and that FIFA aims to keep the two separate. Iran's sports minister had requested a relocation of their team's games from the US to Mexico, citing safety concerns. However, FIFA has ruled out a relocation, citing logistical impediments and promising safety for the Iranian players and staff. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group stage games on the US West Coast, with matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. If they advance to the knockouts, the rest of their games would also be held in the US. Infantino, who has a close relationship with US President Trump, expressed hope that the situation will be peaceful by the time the tournament begins. He emphasized that Iran's participation is crucial, as they represent their people and have qualified for the tournament.

Renewed diplomatic activity is gathering momentum as Pakistan assumes a central mediating role in the stalled US‑Iran conflict. A senior Pakistani delegation, headed by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran to convey messages from Washington, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a regional tour that includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye. Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed that Tehran and Washington have maintained contact since the Islamabad talks ended on Sunday, and the White House expressed optimism about convening a second round of peace negotiations in the Pakistani capital. Iran’s warning on the Strait of Hormuz added a sharp edge to the diplomatic push. Adviser Mohsen Rezaei cautioned that continued US enforcement of a naval blockade could prompt Tehran to target American vessels in the strategic waterway. The United States has already tightened restrictions on ships linked to Iranian ports, turning several vessels back before they can dock. In parallel, internal divisions in Washington persisted. The Senate rejected a resolution that would have limited US war powers without congressional approval, underscoring the political friction surrounding the conflict. Key diplomatic developments include: Second‑round talks: The White House announced that a follow‑up peace round with Iran is under discussion and that officials are hopeful a deal can be reached. China’s endorsement: Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that Beijing supports maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations. Saudi‑Pakistani engagement: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Prime Minister Sharif in Jeddah to discuss regional stability and the US‑Iran dialogue, with Pakistan’s mediation highlighted as a focal point. US‑Qatar dialogue: President Donald Trump consulted with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on regional developments, emphasizing oil market stability and gas pricing. On the US side, the administration imposed fresh sanctions targeting more than two dozen individuals, companies and vessels tied to Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. The US Central Command reported that 10 vessels were blocked from leaving Iranian ports within the first 48 hours of the naval blockade, a clear signal of escalating pressure. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel and the United States share “identical” objectives to contain Iran, while also stating that Israeli military operations would continue unabated. He emphasized the priority of dismantling Hezbollah in Lebanon, marking the first direct talks with Lebanese leaders in decades. In Lebanon, the humanitarian toll deepened. The Health Ministry reported that at least 2,167 people have been killed and more than 7,000 injured by Israeli strikes, with approximately 1.2 million residents displaced since March 2. The UN special rapporteur on housing warned that Israel’s tactics mirror those used in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to the bombing. Economically, the war’s ripple effects are already manifesting worldwide. World Bank chief economist Indermit Gill warned that the conflict could push the number of people facing acute food insecurity up by about 20 %, adding roughly 300 million individuals to the crisis. Meanwhile, optimism over a potential diplomatic breakthrough sent major US stock indices to record highs on Wednesday. Overall, the convergence of high‑level diplomatic outreach, heightened military warnings, and growing economic concerns underscores a pivotal moment in the US‑Iran war, with Pakistan’s mediation and regional engagements shaping the prospects for a ceasefire.

Pakistan has publicly indicated that it foresees a major breakthrough that is directly tied to the progress of Iran's nuclear programme. While details remain scarce, the statement underscores the strategic importance Islamabad places on developments in Tehran's nuclear trajectory. The anticipation of such a breakthrough suggests that Pakistan may be preparing for shifts in regional diplomatic dynamics, security calculations, or economic considerations that could arise from changes in Iran's nuclear status. Analysts note that any substantive movement in Iran's nuclear capabilities could reverberate across South Asia, influencing not only bilateral relations between Islamabad and Tehran but also broader geopolitical alignments in the Middle East and beyond.

Pakistani officials have expressed confidence that a significant diplomatic breakthrough could emerge from the latest round of U.S.–Iran negotiations, with Islamabad intensifying its role as mediator in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives. On Wednesday, a senior Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran to deliver a message from Washington to Iranian leaders, according to Iran’s Press TV. The envoy was welcomed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who thanked Pakistan for its "gracious hosting of dialogue" and indicated that groundwork is being laid for a second U.S.–Iran round of talks. Al Jazeera analyst Osama Bin Javaid noted that Pakistani officials anticipate a "major breakthrough on the nuclear front," with messages shuttling continuously between the two capitals. The core dispute centers on the length of any Iranian enrichment freeze—ranging from a proposed five‑year to a twenty‑year moratorium—and the disposition of Iran’s 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Options under discussion include exporting the material, diluting it to natural uranium, or reducing enrichment to a maximum of 3 %. Pakistan’s diplomatic push follows a stalled U.S.–Iran session in Islamabad that ended without a cease‑fire agreement. Mediators are now concentrating on three pivotal issues: the nuclear programme, control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz—which Tehran has effectively closed, driving up global oil prices—and compensation for wartime damages. The conflict, ignited by the United States and Israel on 28 February, has resulted in more than 3,000 Iranian deaths and prompted retaliatory strikes against Gulf states. It has also reignited hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, where over 2,000 casualties have been reported since early March. A cease‑fire declared on 8 April halted attacks in Iran and the Gulf, yet Israeli operations in southern Lebanon have persisted. Simultaneously, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embarked on a regional tour to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, a move described by Bin Javaid as a "double‑pronged strategy" aimed at neutralising opposition to a potential deal. According to the White House, President Donald Trump signalled optimism on Tuesday, suggesting the war could conclude within "an amazing two days" and that it is "very close to over." Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later described the Pakistan‑facilitated talks as "productive and ongoing," adding that further negotiations are likely to take place in Islamabad. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that message exchanges with the United States have continued via Pakistani channels, with spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating that Tehran’s positions have been communicated. Nevertheless, tensions linger. A U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz remains active; U.S. Central Command reported turning back nine vessels as of Wednesday. Iran’s military denounced the blockade as a breach of the cease‑fire, and the Iranian joint command chief, Ali Abdollahi, warned of possible retaliation by disrupting trade routes through the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the blockade persists.