Dar confers with EU's Kallas, Bahrain FM as Iran-US ceasefire frays

• DPM holds crucial talks with EU's Kaja Kallas, Bahrain FM amid rising regional tensions

• EU voices 'serious concerns' over ceasefire violations, urges dialogue to remain open

• Bahrain hails Pakistan's role in Islamabad MoU, FM to visit Islamabad to thank leadership

• Dar calls for strict adherence to truce, reiterates Pakistan's commitment to regional peace

• Iran, US trade fresh strikes as Tehran warns against bypassing Strait of Hormuz route

 

 ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday held separate "crucial talks" with European Union High Representative/Vice President (EU HRVP) Kaja Kallas and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to review the rapidly evolving regional situation amid “mounting concerns” over recent “ceasefire violations,” according to the Foreign Office (FO).

The high-level diplomatic engagements came as the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States showed signs of unraveling, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the interim agreement signed less than two weeks ago to end their four-month conflict.

Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain on Sunday, while the United States said it carried out fresh strikes inside Iran. Separately, Israel announced attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, further fueling concerns over the stability of the regional truce.

According to an FO post on X, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas appreciated Pakistan's sincere diplomatic efforts that culminated in the signing of the Islamabad MoU but expressed "serious concerns" over the recent ceasefire violations, stressing that channels of communication must remain open.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 spoke to EU HRVP Kaja Kallas today.

They reviewed the rapidly evolving regional situation.

She appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts culminating in signing of the Islamabad MOU however she… pic.twitter.com/hmYGYwD3PZ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 28, 2026

During the telephone conversation, Dar briefed Kallas on Pakistan's continued diplomatic efforts aimed at developing a comprehensive framework for peace and stability in the Middle East.

He also underscored the importance of all parties adhering to the ceasefire agreement. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact.

 

Dar, Bahrain FM discuss evolving regional situation

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani discussed the evolving regional situation following the signing of the Islamabad MoU, the FO said in a separate post on X.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation today with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani @bahdiplomatic

The two leaders discussed the latest evolving… pic.twitter.com/uQjFVnvZ6e

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 28, 2026

According to the FO, Foreign Minister Al Zayani congratulated Dar on the signing of the Islamabad MoU and commended Pakistan's constructive role in facilitating the understanding, expressing hope that it would contribute to lasting peace and stability across the region.

He also conveyed his intention to visit Pakistan in the near future to personally thank Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts in helping secure the ceasefire.

Dar thanked Dr Al Zayani for his warm sentiments and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond.

 

Araghchi warns against bypassing Strait of Hormuz route

The diplomatic contacts coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning on Sunday that any attempt to bypass the Strait of Hormuz routes agreed with the United States would "increase tensions" in the Middle East, as both countries exchanged fresh attacks and accusations of violating the fragile ceasefire.

BREAKING: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in the Iraqi capital, with the two now holding a joint press conference in Baghdad. pic.twitter.com/OmAfw8zG4S

— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) June 28, 2026

Araghchi's warning came after the US military said it carried out fresh strikes early Sunday against multiple targets in Iran in response to a new attack on a ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran responded by launching retaliatory strikes against US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Iran said it carried out a third consecutive day of retaliatory attacks after the United States launched multiple strikes on Iranian territory, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.

US Central Command (Centcom) said the American strikes were in response to an Iranian drone attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker Kiku, which was carrying around two million barrels of crude oil.

According to the US military, the operation targeted "surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities."

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported explosions in the southern city of Sirik but provided no further details.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, "America's blind shots at Sirik will not resolve our dominance over the Strait of Hormuz. But our shots at violators will remind the rest of the vessels of the clear passage route."

In a statement carried by state-run Press TV, the IRGC said the US strikes had violated the ceasefire and "will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes." It further warned that American bases in the region "will experience hell in the coming days."

The IRGC also claimed responsibility for retaliatory strikes in Kuwait and Bahrain.

It said the attacks "destroyed eight important US military facilities at the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait and at the Fifth Fleet naval base in Port Salman in Bahrain."

"Any enemy aggression, whatever the pretext, even against insignificant targets ... will have a crushing response," the IRGC warned.

Air raid sirens sounded twice in Bahrain on Sunday, according to the Gulf nation's interior ministry.