Middle East: Diplomatic efforts continue amid military escalation

Diplomatic efforts persist in the Middle East amidst continued military actions. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged de-escalation between Iran and Israel, asserting that a peace agreement between Tehran and Washington was nearing completion, though this claim lacks corroboration. These appeals followed an Israeli military response to a Hezbollah rocket launch. Concurrently, the Israeli army instructed residents of Tyre in southern Lebanon to evacuate northward, despite a conditional ceasefire being in effect. Iran subsequently launched 11 ballistic missiles at northern Israel following an Israeli strike near Beirut. Within Israel, discussions highlight concerns over Iran's perceived defiance, with one military correspondent stating, "Israel must not accept the American diktat imposing to remain idle and not retaliate." The ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran is viewed as costly, potentially granting Tehran new leverage, while Hezbollah is seen as politically strengthened by the conflict.

Sources: Le Monde