US-Israel-Iran war highlights: Pakistan continues mediation push after Trump halts US envoy visit

Pakistanrsquos political and military leadership is continuing efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran even after US President Donald Trump halted a planned diplomatic outreachTrump said he had instructed his senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran Posting on social media Trump said ldquoIf they want to talk all they have to do is callrdquoDespite the decision Pakistani officials said indirect ceasefire discussions remain active with Islamabad maintaining a mediatory role between Washington and Tehran amid escalating tensionsIran Rules Out Talks Amid US BlockadeIran has reiterated that it will not enter negotiations under current conditions President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed this stance during a phone call with Pakistanrsquos Prime Minister Shehbaz SharifAccording to Iranian media reports Pezeshkian said the United States must first remove ldquooperational obstaclesrdquo including what he described as a blockade on Iranian ports before any fresh round of talks can beginMeanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi who recently departed Pakistan is expected to return to Islamabad as diplomatic engagements continueUS Expands Sanctions Targeting Iranrsquos Oil TradeThe Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions on a major Chinabased oil refinery along with nearly 40 shipping companies and tankers linked to Iranian oil transportThe move is part of Washingtonrsquos broader strategy to curb Iranrsquos oil exportsmdashone of its primary revenue streamsmdashby targeting global entities involved in the tradeIsraelndashLebanon Ceasefire ExtendedTrump also announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ceasefire with Hezbollah by three weeks following talks at the White House The extension follows an earlier 10day truce that was set to expire soonThe agreement marks the second highlevel negotiation between the two sides this monthGlobal Air Travel Hit by War FalloutThe ongoing conflict is beginning to impact global aviation with airlines cancelling flights due to rising jet fuel costs and supply disruptions linked to the Middle East tensions Travel experts have advised passengers to stay informed and prepared for cancellationsIsraeli Forces Kill Four Palestinians in GazaAt least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on Sunday morning according to hospital authoritiesTwo men were shot dead near the Kuwait roundabout in southeastern Gaza City as reported by AlShifa Hospital Another man was killed near the Saqqa mosque in central GazaIn southern Gaza Nasser Hospital reported that a 40yearold woman was shot dead near a slaughterhouse in Khan YounisThe Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incidentsContinued Violence Despite Ceasefire EffortsThe latest deaths come despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October aimed at ending more than two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas in GazaWhile largescale fighting has decreased Israeli forces have continued airstrikes and have frequently opened fire near militarycontrolled zones According to Gaza health authorities at least 811 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire including 226 children and 179 womenIsrael Warns Lebanese Residents to Evacuate Ahead of StrikesIsraelrsquos military has warned residents in seven towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of planned strikesMilitary spokesperson Avichay Adraee alleged that Hezbollah had violated the ceasefire agreement though no evidence was providedIn a social media statement the Israeli military said it would conduct operations south of the Zahrani River and urged civilians to leave the area immediatelyRising Tensions Along IsraelndashLebanon BorderThe warning echoes earlier largescale evacuation advisories issued during Israelrsquos conflict with Hezbollah signaling renewed tensions along the border region despite ongoing ceasefire arrangements