World news from The Thursday Times' foreign desk.
Trump said he gave Iran a chance because Pakistan asked him to, praising Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif as "great." His most personal acknowledgement yet of Pakistan's role in the US-Iran negotiations. The Thursday Times reports
China has formally acknowledged Pakistan's role in the US-Iran ceasefire for the first time in a joint statement issued in Beijing. The statement also reaffirms Kashmir UN resolutions, names TTP and announces a Pakistani astronaut for China's Space Station. The Thursday Times reports.
Field Marshal Munir told China's Wang Yi in Beijing that a US-Iran agreement is close to being reached and Pakistan will continue all-out efforts. Wang Yi called Pakistan a trustworthy mediator. Source: Xinhua. The Thursday Times reports.
Canadian police have arrested 17 individuals, majority of Indian origin, linked to the For Brothers criminal network which allegedly extorted South Asian businesses across Canada and the US. 106 charges. FINTRAC confirms Indian crime syndicate links. The Thursday Times reports.
President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan's constructive mediation role between the US and Iran, welcoming Field Marshal Munir to Beijing alongside PM Shehbaz Sharif. Iran had thanked Pakistan by name earlier the same day. The Thursday Times reports.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman thanked Pakistan by name, citing PM Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Munir's role, as Tehran said understandings had been reached on most issues with the US. A formal agreement has not yet been signed. The Thursday Times reports.
President Trump says a US-Iran peace agreement is "largely negotiated" and will be announced "shortly." The Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir was named personally by Trump alongside heads of state. Pakistan brokered the original ceasefire. Pakistan's army chief flew to Tehran and negotiated through the night. Less than twenty-four hours later, Trump announced the deal is largely done. The Thursday Times reports.
Trump is to hold a conference call with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan to discuss a draft Iran agreement. The FT reports a 60-day ceasefire deal is close. Iran says nuclear issues are excluded from the initial framework. Rubio says Iran could accept today. Trump says it is deal or strikes. The Thursday Times reports.
Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded his Tehran visit with Pakistan's army reporting "encouraging progress towards a final understanding" on a US-Iran deal. The Financial Times reports mediators are close to a 60-day ceasefire extension. Rubio says there is a "chance" Iran accepts today. The Thursday Times reports.
CJP's Instagram was hacked. Both X accounts are gone. Abhijeet Dipke received death threats warning he would be killed in the United States. His parents in Maharashtra are publicly worried. The petition to sack India's Education Minister has crossed 568,000 signatures. The government has said nothing. Eight days old. Still here. The Thursday Times reports.
