By Staff Reporter
Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday for high-level talks focused on easing tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel.
During the visit, Munir met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest diplomatic initiatives aimed at preventing further escalation and ending what Tehran describes as a war “imposed” on Iran by the US and Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said indirect negotiations with Washington are still ongoing, but warned that major differences remain between the two sides, describing the gaps in talks as “deep and significant”.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis linked to the Gaza conflict continues to draw international concern. Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla claimed that at least 15 aid activists reported sexual assault and abuse by Israeli forces after being detained from vessels sailing in international waters.
In another development, nine countries — including Australia, Canada, France and Germany — jointly called on Israel to halt illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and hold violent settlers accountable.
At the same time, Israeli air strikes continued across southern Lebanon, with Lebanese health authorities reporting about a dozen deaths on Friday, including emergency workers and medical personnel after attacks on health facilities.
