The Holy See’s spiritual leader, Pope Leo XIV, delivered a weekly prayer address in the Vatican City on Saturday, urging an immediate ceasefire in conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. According to a Vatican City news agency, the Pope expressed his concern for the suffering Lebanese people during these times of turmoil and emphasized that it is the international community’s duty to protect the population from the devastating effects of war.
The Pope called upon the warring parties to cease hostilities and strive for a peaceful resolution. He prayed for all those affected by the conflict, including the people of Ukraine, who have been ravaged by the ongoing crisis. The spiritual leader of the world’s Christians also urged Sudan’s warring factions to lay down their arms and engage in dialogue to bring an end to the conflict.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic breakthrough is reported in the Iran-US talks. Former US President Donald Trump announced on social media that the talks with Iran were productive, with many points of agreement reached. However, a critical issue remained unresolved, as the two sides failed to reach a consensus on Iran’s nuclear program.
US officials have confirmed that the entire US negotiation team has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan, to continue the talks. The talks, which lasted for approximately 20 hours, marked the longest round of negotiations in a year.
The UK and Australia have expressed disappointment over the failure to reach a deal in the Islamabad talks. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch a military strike against Israel, labeling the country’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as a “modern-day Hitler.”
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has cautioned the US that Iran cannot be dictated to, and it is time for the US to decide whether they can regain Iran’s trust. Ibrahim Azizi, a senior Iranian official, has also stated that Iran cannot trust the US and that it is up to the Americans to decide whether they can regain Iran’s confidence.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a senior Iranian official, has announced that a portion of the Lavan refinery will be resumed in operation within the next 10 days. Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has urged the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table and maintain a ceasefire.
In other news, a former US diplomat, Mark Bullen, who had been involved in Pakistan-related issues, has had his passport revoked under the National Security Act. Saudi Arabia has increased the price of 98-octane petrol by 89 cents, making it 3.83 riyals per liter.
The incident occurred on the Shah Faisal Bridge in Karachi’s Korangi area. The Chairman of the All-Pakistan Muslim League and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, has stated that the US thought it could seize power in Iran after the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
