Pakistan condemns US, Israel attacks against Iran, urges restraint amid tensions

2026-02-28 - 11:33

ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached out to Seyed Abbas Araghchi as the region teeters on the brink of deeper conflict. The two leaders reviewed the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iran and the wider Middle East, with Dar forcefully condemning what he described as unjustified attacks on Iran. He demanded an immediate halt to escalation and urged a swift return to diplomacy, warning that continued hostilities could ignite a crisis far beyond regional borders. While officials debated words of peace, the skies themselves went silent. Global airlines suspended flights as military strikes by the United States and Israel sent shockwaves through international aviation. Airspace over Iran emptied almost overnight, turning once-busy flight corridors into ghostly voids on radar maps. Commercial jets that normally crisscross the region were forced to reroute or return to departure points, leaving passengers stranded and schedules in disarray. Explosions reportedly rocked multiple Iranian cities—Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah—as witnesses described thick plumes of smoke and powerful blasts. Iranian officials remained tight-lipped, but reports suggested targets near strategic sites and Revolutionary Guard positions suffered casualties. The strikes, described by Israel’s defense leadership as a “pre-emptive operation,” triggered nationwide emergency measures and warnings for citizens to follow security directives. US acknowledged involvement in the military action, though the scope of its role remained unclear. Analysts warned that the assault could further destabilize negotiations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reignite tensions that have simmered for years. Meanwhile, the global aviation industry scrambled to adapt. Flights across the Middle East were canceled or diverted as nations closed airspace for safety. With routes between Europe and Asia heavily dependent on regional corridors, carriers faced longer journeys and soaring fuel costs. Airlines from Deutsche Lufthansa AG to Wizz Air Holdings plc suspended services to affected destinations, while governments imposed temporary restrictions. Even Gulf carriers felt the impact. Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C. acknowledged disruptions as flights circled or rerouted, and authorities in Kuwait and Oman halted certain operations. The Russian Ministry of Transport suspended flights to both Iran and Israel, while Air France-KLM and other European carriers canceled services. The ripple effects extended beyond aviation. Markets reacted nervously, and diplomatic efforts intensified as nations urged restraint. Yet with airstrikes, missile exchanges, and emergency declarations dominating headlines, hopes for immediate de-escalation remained uncertain. The Middle East once again stood at a crossroads—between the possibility of peace and the peril of prolonged confrontation.