Pakistan urges US and Iran to resume talks as fresh strikes unsettle West Asia

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Jul 16, 2026 20:04 IST

Developments across West Asia and at international forums were in focus on Thursday, with Pakistan urging the United States and Iran to end hostilities and return to talks as fresh strikes threatened to upset an interim peace arrangement and deepen regional instability.

Other developments included China responding to reports on India’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a senior US official describing India-US ties as “really great”, Washington backing the possibility of a woman becoming the next UN Secretary General, reports of an Indian man being stabbed in the US over his religion, a protest call by Imran Khan’s party in Pakistan, and the appointment of a Bangladeshi diplomat to head the UN mission in Afghanistan.

In Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday urged the US and Iran to end hostilities and resume negotiations. The appeal came as renewed military strikes between the two sides threatened to derail their interim peace arrangement and further destabilise the region.

Separately, in Dubai, the United States intensified its strikes on Iran early Thursday, hitting targets further north. American forces also fired into a ship the US accused of trying to break its naval blockade on Iran. Iran responded before dawn with missile and drone fire targeting US allies in the region and warned that its attacks may escalate.

In Beijing, China said it has “taken note of relevant reports” about India’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 period.

In New York, a senior US official described India as a “leader in many areas”, said the country has made substantial investments in America, and added that bilateral ties are “really great”.

Also in New York, the US said the next UN Secretary General “could be a woman, absolutely” and added there is “no reason why not” a female could be elected to lead the world body.

In Washington, media reports said an Indian man was allegedly stabbed 15 times inside a shopping mall near Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah because of his religion.

In Lahore, jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s party called for protest rallies across the country on August 5 to mark the day he completes three years in prison.

At the United Nations, a senior Bangladeshi diplomat was appointed as the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan.

Overall, the day’s developments ranged from rising military tensions involving the US and Iran to diplomatic and political updates linked to India, Pakistan, the United Nations and the United States.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends