New Delhi: Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif took a dig at the United States and Israel, saying the goal of their war against Iran has become “reopening the Strait of Hormuz”.Click here for live updates“It seems the goal of the war is to open the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war,” Asif posted on Twitter on Wednesday.
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Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the US and Israeli attacks on February 28. The waterway is a major global route, carrying about 20% of the world’s crude oil shipments, making it vital to international energy supplies.Read this also Only ‘friendly nations’: Iran allows India, Pakistan, 3 other countries to use Strait of Hormuz amid warOn Monday, US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to “hit and destroy” Iran’s power plants after giving Tehran a 48-hour “ultimatum” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He announced a five-day pause, saying there had been “meaningful talks” between Washington and Tehran.However, Iran rejected that claim.Earlier, Trump had pressured US allies to send their navies to help escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but several countries refused to send warships despite his calls.Iran has said the waterway will remain open to international shipping except to its “enemies” – an indirect reference to the US and Israel.Pakistan has reportedly offered to mediate between the United States and Iran, with US Vice President JD Vance expected to travel to Islamabad for talks.Read this also Iran wants to negotiate with JD Vance, rejects Kushner, Witkoff: Who is involved in peace talks?According to reports, Pakistan is presenting itself as a “neutral venue” and is being approached to organize the meeting in the capital of the neighboring country.Pakistan’s powerful army chief Asim Munir is also said to have spoken to Trump, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held several talks with Iranian President Massoud Pezhekian.
