Thursday 30 / July / 2026
Pakistan's Foreign Mministry said on Thursday that Iranian and US representatives were still engaged in "ongoing" talks to bring about a deescalation of the conflict, despite the earlier exchanges of fire.
"Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on [the] Strait of Hormuz and to deescalate," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad.
He added that Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, was "doing everything possible to bring all parties back to the protocols of the Islamabad accord" – referring to the ceasefire deal signed in mid-June which was intended to pave the way for further peace talks.
Iran to receive Chinese shoulder-launched missiles
Iran could be set to receive a shipment of up to 400 shoulder-fired air defense missiles from China in the coming weeks, according to the Reuters news agency, citing "three sources familiar with the deal."
According to the Reuters sources, the deal involves the purchase of 300 to 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missiles, for $60 million to $70 million (€52 million to €61 million).
Reuters described the deal as "one of Tehran's largest-known efforts to strengthen its short-range air defenses," weaknesses in which have been exposed since the outbreak of the war with the United States and Israel.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called the Reuters report "completely groundless" and insisted that Beijing has "consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict."
Asked about the deal at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson also insisted he was "not familiar with the relevant situation."
Neither the Iranian Foreign Ministry nor the Beijing-based parent company of the Hong Kong investment firm that reportedly acted as a mediator in the arms deal has commented on the report.
