Pakistan steps in as US-Iran war widens and Hormuz shipping stalls

INDIA TODAY - Diplomatic efforts intensified on Tuesday to revive the collapsed interim agreement between Iran and the United States, even as both sides continued attacks for a 10th day of renewed fighting. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni travelled to Pakistan, which has been trying to mediate between the two countries, but it was not immediately clear what fresh arrangement could emerge to end the war.

The conflict has also deepened disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has largely stalled and both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure used by millions across the region. Iran kept up attacks on US allies, with Bahrain and Kuwait issuing alerts over incoming projectiles, while higher oil prices added to the wider impact of the fighting.

Momeni met Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks were held behind closed doors. He later met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan's political leadership and Munir, who serves as both the chief of army staff and the head of the defence forces, played a key role in brokering last month's interim agreement between the US and Iran. Islamabad has since been trying to persuade both sides to return to talks and resolve outstanding issues under the June memorandum of understanding.

No details of Momeni's meetings were immediately released. The visit came as Tehran continued attacks on Gulf Arab allies of the US.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to negotiations with Iran, but that "it has to be real". It remains unclear whether Tehran will offer anything that President Donald Trump would consider "real".

Mistrust remains deep on both sides. Iran was hit by a surprise attack in June 2025 and again in February while it was engaged in nuclear negotiations with the US. The interim deal later broke down after Iran resumed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to reopen under the agreement.

A barrage of US strikes has not forced Tehran to loosen its grip on the strait, through which about one-fifth of the world's crude oil and natural gas had been shipped before the war. The US carried out more airstrikes early on Tuesday, while Iran attacked a tanker in the waterway, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel.

The US military's Central Command said it had targeted "Iranian military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and air defence systems". It also released more footage showing bombings at sites in Iran.

"American forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression toward civilian mariners seeking to freely and openly transit the strait," the command said.

Iranian state media reported explosions in Fars, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said a tanker was attacked early on Tuesday in the strait off Oman, forcing the crew to leave the ship.

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for that attack as well as two other attacks on ships on Monday in the waterway. The route around Oman had been the one the US military encouraged ships to use to avoid Iran's control.

Tehran also continued strikes on US-allied countries across the Middle East. Jordan's military said Iran targeted it with five drones and three missiles on Tuesday, all of which were intercepted.

Bahrain sounded missile alert sirens on Tuesday afternoon as another Iranian barrage targeted the island kingdom, which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet. In Kuwait, the government said Iran had struck desalination and power plants for a fourth straight day on Monday night, causing fires and damage.

About 90 per cent of Kuwait's drinking water comes from desalination, making those attacks critical for the country. US strikes have also hit electrical equipment in Iran, while Iranian officials said American attacks had targeted water facilities as well.

The escalation has pushed up oil prices in recent weeks. Benchmark Brent crude was trading at nearly USD 90 a barrel on Tuesday, while regular petrol in the US rose to an average of USD 4 a gallon, keeping pressure on consumers ahead of the midterm elections this fall.

The US State Department said in a fresh warning that "Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world."

In summary, Tuesday saw parallel military escalation and diplomatic activity, with Pakistan again entering the picture as a mediator while the US and Iran exchanged more strikes, attacks spread across the region, and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continued to weigh on shipping and energy prices.