Iran Rejects Pakistan-Led Talks, Ceasefire Efforts Stall in West Asia Conflict

The prospect of peace in the widening West Asia conflict suffered another setback after Iran rejected mediation efforts led by Pakistan to broker a ceasefire with the United States and Israel, refusing to send officials to Islamabad for talks.

A report by The Wall Street Journal said the Iranian government cited Washington's demands as unacceptable for suspending negotiations.

With diplomatic engagement at a standstill, mediators Turkey and Egypt are considering alternative venues for talks, with Qatar and Istanbul emerging as leading options.

According to Axios, a proposed peace plan involves Iran lifting its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a ceasefire. Donald Trump also spoke about a possible ceasefire with Mohammed bin Salman.

Despite Ishaq Dar hosting diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt for crisis talks, Tehran has refused to participate.

A report by CNN said Iran cited concerns over the framework of discussions and maintained that defence against US-Israeli strikes remains its sole priority.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran’s president wanted a ceasefire, adding that it would only happen when the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear.”

“We will consider when the Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are bombarding Iran to the point of destruction or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!” Trump wrote.

However, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry labelled the claim “false and baseless.”

How Are Islamic Resistance Attacks Escalating Conflict in Iraq?

The Islamic Resistance has carried out 19 drone and missile attacks targeting US bases in Iraq and across the region on Friday, Al Jazeera reported.

The Iran-backed militia has continued attacking US bases in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict.

An Iraqi police source told Al Jazeera that an attack was carried out against the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Forces in al-Qaim in western Iraq.

An air raid was also reported on the headquarters of the 34th Brigade of the PMF in Mosul.

Shia military factions, including the Islamic Resistance and the PMF, have been part of several proxy wars in the region.

Earlier on Thursday, the United States Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert warning that Iran-aligned militia groups may be planning attacks in central Baghdad.

In a post on X, the embassy cautioned that such groups "may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours," raising concerns over the safety of US citizens and installations in Iraq.

(With inputs from ANI)