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• Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt have initiated mediation between the US and Iran to end the ongoing war, relaying messages since its start. • An Islamabad-brokered ceasefire plan was presented to both sides on Monday, proposing a 15-20 day settlement with immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a US Tuesday deadline threatening escalated strikes. • Earlier on March 25, a 15-point US proposal via Pakistan demanded dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, missile limits, and a 30-day ceasefire, countered by Iran's five conditions including compensation and maritime control rights.

The meeting of foreign ministers was, in a way, the opening ceremony of an initiative that is intriguing diplomatsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe meeting on Sunday of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Islamabad not only represented the best hope for a ceasefire in Iran but was also the embryo for a new order designed to curb Israeli and Iranian dominance after the war.Although the four nations have met as a quartet before, the one-day meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad on Sunday was, in a way, the official opening ceremony of an initiative that is intriguing diplomats. Continue reading...