US il lobby chief warns of energy crisis if Houthis join maritime disruption

Pakistan has reaffirmed its readiness to help mediate between Iran and the United States following a high-level diplomatic meeting in Islamabad focused on the escalating regional conflict.

In a statement, Shehbaz Sharif said he met with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt to discuss the growing crisis.

Sharif said Pakistan remains committed to playing a constructive diplomatic role.

“While appreciating Turkiye and Egypt’s valuable contributions, I reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment and resolve to play a positive role in bringing both Iran and the US to the negotiating table,” he said.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted a cryptic message on social media on Sunday using language more commonly associated with stock-trading forums than senior political figures.

“Heads-up: Pre-market so-called ‘news’ or ‘Truth’ is often just a setup for profit-taking. Basically, it’s a reverse indicator,” he wrote. “Do the opposite: If they pump it, short it. If they dump it, go long. See something tomorrow? You know the drill.”

In recent days, several of Ghalibaf’s posts have adopted a similarly terse, slang-heavy style—something observers say has helped them circulate widely on social media.

Iran’s nationwide internet blackout entered its 30th consecutive day on Sunday, leaving millions cut off from global communication since the war with the United States and Israel began.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said connectivity to the outside world remains almost entirely severed. “Metrics show that connectivity to the outside world remains at just 1% of ordinary levels,” the group wrote on X.

While Iran’s domestic intranet continues to function, allowing access to local messaging apps, banking platforms and other internal services, access to the global internet has been heavily restricted.

IRGC Aerospace Force commander Majid Moosavi warned on Sunday that retaliation for attacks on Iran’s infrastructure was underway and would target what he described as chemical, oil and metals industries linked to US-Israeli interests in the region.

“Retaliation for attacks on Iran’s infrastructure is being carried out through the destruction of strategic industries linked to the US-Israeli enemy in the region,” he wrote on X.

“So far, a chemical industry in the occupied territories, a refinery, two steel complexes and two major aluminum complexes have been hit, and these painful attacks will continue until we see the pain in your eyes,” he added.

US President Donald Trump said the United States was already taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, Israel’s Channel 14 correspondent said on X, citing an interview with the president on Sunday.

“Yes, sure, it’s already happening,” he said when asked whether the US could take control of the waterway.

He added that he believes Iran “badly” wants a deal.

“I think they want to do very badly. Anybody would want a deal if you are getting decimated, right?” he said.