Israel took Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf off its hit-list after Pakistan requested Washington not to target them, a Pakistani official told Reuters on Thursday. ADVERTISEMENTThe development shines further light on Islamabad’s emergence as a key player in the conflict that has gripped the world. Using Pakistan as an intermediary, Washington has delivered to Iran a 15-point ceasefire proposal, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Press TV, the English-language broadcaster on Iranian state television, said Iran has its own five-point proposal, which includes "sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz". The New York Times claimed Iranian officials have “nevertheless signaled privately that they were open to negotiations.

Source: The Telegraph March 26, 2026 08:15 UTC