Pakistan, US pin hopes on diplomacy
Pakistan and the United States appear to be aligned in their assessment that diplomacy still has a chance despite the latest exchange of missiles between Iran and Israel, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urging all sides to exercise restraint and "give peace a little more chance".
In a statement posted on X, the prime minister warned that the recent surge in violence underscored the fragility of the existing ceasefire and the potentially devastating consequences of renewed conflict.
"The recent surge in violence in the Middle East is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with a tenuous ceasefire and the unbearable consequences it may lead to," PM Shehbaz said.
"As we work earnestly and painstakingly, together with our brothers and partners, to find a peaceful diplomatic solution to the conflict, and especially when the final objective is just about to be achieved, we sincerely urge all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a little more chance."
He added: "Let us continue to remain on the path of peace and diplomacy which have bright prospects of success instead of violence and destruction."
The statement came at a critical moment after Iran and Israel traded missiles for the first time since the April ceasefire, raising fears that the Middle East could once again slide into a wider regional war.
However, developments over the past 24 hours suggest that key regional and international players still believe a negotiated settlement remains within reach.
PM Shehbaz's remarks closely echoed the position adopted by US President Donald Trump, who publicly called on both Iran and Israel to immediately halt military action and insisted that negotiations were nearing a breakthrough.
"Israel and Iran must immediately stop 'shooting'," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He further claimed that both sides were seeking an immediate ceasefire and that final negotiations on peace were progressing, although he cautioned that the process could still be derailed by miscalculations.
The latest escalation began after Israeli strikes targeted Hezbollah-linked positions in southern Beirut. Iran responded by launching a barrage of missiles towards northern Israel, marking its first direct attack on Israel since the ceasefire came into force in April.
At one stage, the exchange appeared to signal the collapse of the truce and the possible start of a broader military confrontation.
Yet several developments indicated that both sides were attempting to keep the crisis contained.
Unlike previous rounds of confrontation, Iran did not target US military installations or Gulf states hosting American forces. Iranian strikes remained confined to Israeli targets, a move diplomats viewed as an effort to avoid dragging Washington directly into the conflict.
For its part, the Trump administration refrained from joining Israel militarily. According to reports, President Trump held two conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to step back from further escalation.
The apparent restraint by both Washington and Tehran has fuelled hopes that diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader peace arrangement can still succeed.
Signs of de-escalation emerged later on Monday when Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced that they were halting attacks against Israel, while warning that any future Israeli strikes or hostile actions against Lebanon would provoke a stronger response.
Israeli officials also indicated that military operations against Iran had been suspended, although no formal ceasefire announcement was made.
The developments came as intensive backchannel diplomacy continued involving multiple regional countries, including Pakistan, which has been actively supporting efforts to broker a peaceful resolution.
Islamabad has consistently advocated dialogue over military confrontation and has maintained close contacts with key regional stakeholders as part of wider efforts to prevent the conflict from spiralling into a regional war.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was in Tehran on Sunday when Iran fired missiles at Israel. Hours before he delivered an "important letter" to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragachi for the Iranian supreme leader on behalf of Pakistan's civil and military leadership.
The latest trip was part of Islamabad's efforts aimed at breaking the stalemate between Iran and the US.