Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that diplomatic efforts to peacefully settle the US-Israeli war on Iran are progressing steadily. He requested US President Donald Trump to extend the deadline imposed on Iran by two weeks and called on Tehran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for the same period as a goodwill gesture.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump is aware of Pakistan's proposal and a response will follow. An Iranian official reportedly said the request is under positive review. However, Trump escalated rhetoric on Truth Social, threatening to destroy Iran's "civilization" if demands are not met, raising risks of further conflict.

Iran has nearly halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for one-fifth of global oil, in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks. A Pakistani source indicated that detractors are trying to sabotage de-escalation efforts, but diplomatic possibilities remain open until the last minute.

As peace initiatives intensified, Israel struck railways and bridges in Iran, while Iranian forces launched attacks in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. Trump has warned for over two weeks that he would order the destruction of Iran's civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power stations, if his terms are not accepted.

Legal experts assert that targeting civilian infrastructure constitutes a war crime. US scholar Oona Hathaway noted that if Trump carries out his threat, his Truth Social post "will be exhibit A in future war crimes trials." She emphasized there is no statute of limitations on war crimes, and accountability could take decades, underscoring the long-term implications of such actions.

Source: www.aljazeera.com