Israel-America-Iran-War: Foreign Ministers of Three Countries to Meet in Pakistan on March 30; Additional 3,500 U.S. troops arrive in Middle East
Israel-America-Iran-War: Pakistan will host a meeting of foreign ministers from Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia on Monday, March 30, to discuss evolving regional developments, including ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The meeting will be chaired by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, with participating countries expected to explore avenues for de-escalation and promote regional stability.
The development comes amid intensified diplomatic activity by Pakistan as it seeks to facilitate dialogue and reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Pakistan has good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to media reports, Pakistan is therefore considered a suitable venue for the foreign ministers' meeting. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Turkey, but was later shifted to Pakistan.
Pakistan is not directly involved in any one party at this time, so it is considered a neutral venue. It has good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, making negotiations easier. Pakistan also has good relations with countries like Turkey and Egypt.
Additional 3,500 U.S. troops arrive in the Middle East
Meanwhile, an additional 3,500 U.S. troops have arrived in the Middle East. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), these troops arrived aboard the USS Tripoli. These soldiers and sailors are part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Transport and combat aircraft have also been deployed alongside them
Iran claims to have targeted American F-16 fighter jet
Meanwhile, Iran claimed on Saturday that it had targeted an American F-16 fighter jet. This incident is reported to have occurred near Fars province; however, this claim has not yet been confirmed, nor has any official statement been issued by the United States.
On Saturday, Iran launched an attack on the UAE involving 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones. According to the UAE's Ministry of Defense, all incoming attacks were intercepted in mid-air by air defense systems, thereby averting major damage.
Iran warns Gulf nations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Gulf nations on Saturday not to side with the United States and Israel in any military action. He stated that if these countries desire stability and development in the region, they must not allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
He said, “We have stated many times that Iran does not initiate attacks; however, if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted, we will respond forcefully.”
He urged the countries of the region, “If you seek development and security, do not permit our adversaries to wage war from your soil.”
Iranian Media Warns U.S. Troops
Iran's English-language newspaper, the Tehran Times, issued a stark warning to the United States on Saturday, stating that if American troops set foot on Iranian soil, they would return in coffins. The newspaper conveyed this message on its front page under the headline, "Welcome to Hell."
This warning comes at a time when the United States has deployed an additional 3,500 troops to the Middle East.
3 Journalists Killed in Israeli Attack in Lebanon
Three journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon on Saturday. These journalists were reporting on the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported that its senior correspondent, Ali Shuaib, was killed in this attack. The Israeli military stated that it targeted Shuaib because he was a Hezbollah intelligence operative, although no evidence was provided to support this claim.
Ali Shuaib was a renowned war correspondent and had been reporting from southern Lebanon for nearly 30 years. Meanwhile, Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV reported that reporter Fatima Fattouni and her brother Mohammed—a video journalist—were also killed in the same attack. Fatima was reporting live just moments before the strike occurred.