Pakistan’s foreign minister, UN chief discuss latest Middle East developments

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the Middle East conflict during a phone call on Tuesday.

They also reviewed Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic efforts and engagement with relevant parties, according to a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

Guterres praised Pakistan's efforts and conveyed the international community's "deep appreciation and support for Pakistan’s constructive role for regional and international peace and stability," the statement said.

He also expressed the UN's "full support" for Pakistan's ongoing efforts.

The US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Tehran to respond with strikes on what it described as US interests across the region, many of them in Gulf countries.

A ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by talks hosted in Islamabad on April 11, but the negotiations ended without an agreement.

US President Donald Trump later said the truce had been extended at Pakistan’s request pending a proposal from Tehran.