Author: EchoAsiaNews

Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Thursday, during which the Qatari leader commended Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating the recent ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to an official statement. During the conversation, the Qatari emir congratulated Pakistan on its mediation efforts that contributed to the two-week truce and the initiation of follow-up negotiations currently being planned in Islamabad. Prime Minister Sharif thanked the Qatari leadership for its acknowledgment and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic engagement aimed at reducing regional tensions. He also noted Qatar’s measured response during the recent weeks…

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami has declared that Tehran will not curb its uranium enrichment programme, insisting that no external power can force Iran to halt its nuclear activities. Eslami stated that “the enemy won’t succeed in restricting Iran’s enrichment programme,” reinforcing Iran’s position amid ongoing diplomatic and military tensions. This comes as part of Iran’s broader nuclear policy and response to international pressure.

Russia is expected to see a sharp rise in oil and gas revenues in April, driven by higher energy prices linked to disruptions stemming from the Iran conflict, according to Reuters calculations based on preliminary production and pricing data. The calculations indicate that Russia’s mineral extraction tax on oil output will nearly double to around 700 billion roubles (approximately $9 billion) in April, compared to about 327 billion roubles in March. This marks an increase of roughly 10% compared to the same period last year, highlighting the fiscal impact of elevated global energy prices. The surge represents one of the…

Turkiye’s Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek has said the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict is likely to be temporary and reversible if the recently agreed ceasefire between the United States and Iran holds, according to Reuters. Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Habertürk, he noted that authorities have already implemented certain measures to manage the situation but are prepared to introduce additional policy tools if the shock to the economy continues. Şimşek added that the government stands ready with a broader set of responses should the ceasefire fail to hold, indicating contingency planning to safeguard economic stability amid…

Spain has announced it will reopen its embassy in Iran following a recent truce involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to AFP. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said instructions have been issued for the country’s ambassador to return to Tehran and resume duties, after the embassy had been closed in March amid escalating conflict. Albares stated that Spain aims to contribute to peace efforts through diplomatic engagement from within Iran, emphasizing the importance of restoring formal channels of communication. The decision marks a shift toward re-establishing diplomatic presence after months of heightened regional tensions that had prompted…

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon has risen sharply, with Lebanon’s Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine reporting 203 killed and more than 1,000 wounded, according to AFP. The strikes, which hit Beirut and several other areas, mark a significant escalation, with earlier figures indicating 182 dead and 890 injured before being revised upward following continued assessments. In parallel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will continue military operations against Hezbollah “wherever necessary.” Writing on his social media account, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is carrying out strikes with “force, precision, and determination,” warning that any actor targeting Israeli…

An Israeli minister from the ruling Likud has described a ceasefire with Iran as a “mistake,” according to reporting by Al Jazeera citing local media. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli reportedly told Israel’s 103FM radio that halting hostilities at this stage was ill-advised, arguing that adversaries such as Iran should be pressured decisively rather than accommodated through temporary truces. He compared the situation to historical conflicts involving Nazi Germany and the Japanese Empire, stating that such entities must be “brought to their knees.” Chikli further suggested that, in his assessment, the likelihood of the ceasefire holding is approximately 50 percent,…

Pakistan captured international attention after Islamabad played a mediating role in securing a US–Iran ceasefire just hours before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump was due to expire. The global community responded with relief late Tuesday night after Trump announced that a two-week ceasefire had been agreed following discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir. The agreement came after PM Shehbaz reportedly urged Trump to extend his deadline by two weeks to allow diplomatic efforts to proceed, a request that was accepted. Trump’s announcement…

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, marking the first official contact between the two sides since the outbreak of recent hostilities, the Saudi foreign ministry said. According to a statement cited by AFP, the conversation focused on reviewing regional developments and exploring ways to de-escalate tensions amid ongoing conflict dynamics involving Iran and its Gulf neighbours. The call comes after Tehran carried out strikes in response to Israeli-American actions, significantly raising tensions across the region. The renewed communication is being viewed as a potential diplomatic opening aimed…

The White House’s confirmation that Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation in upcoming talks in Islamabad reflects a broader diplomatic shift following Iran’s decision to engage at a senior level, rather than being driven solely by security considerations. Earlier, US President Donald Trump had indicated that Vance might not travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns and suggesting that other senior officials would represent Washington. However, the White House later confirmed that Vance will head the negotiating team, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with discussions scheduled to begin Saturday morning local time. Officials said…