China backs Pakistan mediation, says talks key to restoring Hormuz transit

Egypt’s foreign minister and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed regional developments amid escalating conflict and stressed the importance of diplomacy, Egypt’s foreign ministry said on Friday.

The two sides reviewed bilateral ties and exchanged views on the widening conflict, as well as issues including Gaza, Sudan and Lebanon.

Egypt’s minister stressed the need to prioritise diplomatic solutions and support efforts by countries including Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan to reduce tensions and end the war.

More than 100 historic and cultural sites have been damaged in strikes during the war, a Tehran city official said on Friday.

Ahmad Alavi, head of the Tehran city council’s cultural heritage committee, said at least 120 museums, historic buildings and cultural sites across Iran had suffered damage, including more than 50 in Tehran province.

He said affected sites include major landmarks such as Golestan Palace and the Saadabad and Marmar palace complexes.

Israel’s military said it carried out a wide-scale wave of overnight strikes in Tehran targeting missile infrastructure, military facilities and operatives.

The military said dozens of sites were hit, including weapons production facilities, ballistic missile components, launch sites and air defence systems.

It added that several missile operatives were identified and struck shortly after, and said the attacks aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to launch further strikes.

Video shows a convoy of cars and motorcycles carrying armed pro-establishment supporters moving through the streets, waving Islamic Republic flags.

The footage shows armed men, clerics and Basij members on motorcycles, as well as women in chador carrying weapons inside military-style vehicles.

Messages received by Iran International in recent weeks point to an increase in checkpoints and pro-government gatherings involving armed supporters in dozens of cities.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and warned vessels linked to allies of the United States and Israel against transit.

The Guards said three container ships attempted to enter designated shipping corridors but were forced to withdraw after warnings, adding that any passage through the strait would face “harsh measures.”

It also said any vessel “from or to” ports of countries allied with Washington or Israel would be banned from transit.