Pakistan says US-Iran talks still alive despite fresh wave of US strikes

Mediator Pakistan insisted Thursday that negotiations between Iran and the United States were ongoing, even as Washington carried out a "heavy wave of strikes" on its foe in retaliation for fresh attacks targeting Jordan. The last two days have seen Saudi Arabia join the US in striking militant groups in Iraq, while Egypt has come under fire for the first time with a drone attack at a Mediterranean port, leading its president to warn that the Middle East conflict is facing a serious escalation. On Thursday, Jordan reported intercepting Iranian missiles for a second day running, while Kuwait said an Iranian strike that hit a building belonging to a Chinese company killed one person. The return to direct hostilities followed a brief pause in fighting meant to give talks a boost. "Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on (the) Strait of Hormuz and to de-escalate," Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters. Pakistan had helped to broker a deal between the warring sides laying the groundwork for negotiations on a permanent resolution, and Andrabi said it was doing its "utmost to bring all parties back" to technical talks under the agreement. Prev...