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Explainer: After nine straight nights of strikes, where is the US-Iran conflict headed?

The US carried out a ninth consecutive night of military strikes against Iran early on Monday, targeting command centres, missile facilities, air defence systems, maritime assets and communications infrastructure. The latest developments indicate the conflict is expanding beyond direct military exchanges, with growing implications for regional security, global energy supplies and international shipping. Here is what to know. Why are the US strikes continuing? President Donald Trump said US forces had struck Iran “very hard,” describing the operations as retaliation for the deaths of US service members in the Middle East. The latest casualty on the US side came in northern Iraq, where a service member was killed during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance recovered from a downed Iranian drone. According to American media, at least 17 US soldiers have been killed since Feb 28, when the US and Israel attacked Iran. Strait of Hormuz at the heart of the co...

FM Dar speaks with UAE counterpart as US-Iran diplomacy ramps up

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday exchanged views with Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the evolving regional situation as diplomacy ramps up to resolve the conflict between Iran and the United States. Since the start of the war between the US, Israel, and Iran, Pakistan’s leadership has stepped up diplomatic efforts to help de-escalate tensions. Dar has held telephonic conversations with his counterparts from several Gulf states and other countries, stressing the importance of de-escalation and emphasising the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. In a talk with his UAE counterpart today, FM Dar underscored the importance of peace and stability, calling for immediate de-escalation and emphasising that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable path forward, the Foreign Office (FO) said on X. He also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, including three Pakistani nationals, in Iran's attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the country. Both leaders exchanged Eid greetings and agreed to remain in close contact. DPM/FM Senator @MIshaqDar50 spoke with UAE’s DPM/FM H.H. Sheikh @ABZayed. They exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. DPM/FM underscored the importance of peace and stability, calling for immediate de-escalation and emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the… pic.twitter.com/jOdR7SCqzo — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 24, 2026 Earlier, Pakistan acknowledged that it was actively pursuing diplomatic avenues to help bring an end to the ongoing war in the Middle East, while cautioning against media speculation that could undermine sensitive efforts requiring discretion. In an exclusive conversation with The Express Tribune, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad remained firmly committed to resolving the conflict through dialogue and engagement, in line with its longstanding foreign policy principles. “Pakistan, consistent with its longstanding policy, remains committed to the resolution of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East/Persian Gulf through diplomatic means and engagements,” Andrabi said. However, he stressed that such efforts required confidentiality. “Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be advanced with discretion,” he noted, urging the media to refrain from speculation and await official announcements.

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