Pakistan Signals Cautious Optimism Over US-Iran Mediation, Warns of Efforts to Undermine Talks

cautious optimism on Friday evening regarding mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions between Iran and the United States, while warning that influential parties are seeking to derail the diplomatic process.

Army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would not oppose Iran joining the Mecca Agreement, stressing that the decision ultimately rests with the parties concerned. He also noted that any deployment of additional Pakistani forces to Saudi Arabia would depend on developments on the ground and political decisions.

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump said the situation involving Iran would change very soon, predicting that the war would end in the near future and that gasoline prices would subsequently decline.

Meanwhile, Israel's Maariv newspaper reported that Israeli security officials had identified signs of extensive US military preparations across the region ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections, prompting concerns over another potential confrontation with Iran.

Separately, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on Thursday that he and several other senators had received a briefing on possible plans for military strikes against Iran, describing the proposals as "crazy."