Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif slams Israel's 'aggression' against Lebanon after ceasefire agreement

A day after brokering peace between the US and Iran, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Thursday (Apr 9). He raises concerns about the situation a day ahead of a high-stakes meeting in Islamabad. In his statement, the prime minister said that "Pakistan was engaged in sincere efforts for regional peace, and it was in this spirit that the peace talks between Iran and the US were being convened."

As the attacks against Lebanon continue after Foreign Minister Araghchi, Iranian President Pezeshkian, has threatened to withdraw from the ceasefire agreement. In his statement, the president stated, “The repeated aggression by the Zionist entity against Lebanon is a blatant violation of the initial ceasefire agreement and a dangerous indicator of deceit and lack of commitment to potential accords.” Araghchi has now raised concerns to Islamabad about ceasefire violations" by Israel on Wednesday (Apr 8), a ministry statement noted. Reports of Tehran pulling back from truce have also surfaced. Iran warned it would withdraw from the current agreement if Israel continues attacking Lebanon, as reported news agency Tasnim. This comes after large-scale Israeli strikes in the region. "Iran is currently considering the possibility of exiting the ceasefire agreement due to the Zionist regime's continued violations through its attacks on Lebanon," the agency reported, citing an official source.

As reported by news agency Araghchi "discussed the Zionist regime's violations of the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon", referring to Israel, in a call with the powerful Pakistani military leader Field Marshal Asim Munir, the statement said. Iranian media reported that Tehran was ready to withdraw from the ceasefire and retaliate against Israel's bombardments of Lebanon.