Iranian, Pakistani FMs discuss regional developments over phone

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Iranian, Pakistani FMs discuss regional developments over phone

2026-05-08 14:52 Last Updated At：16:27

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday exchanged views on the latest regional developments over phone, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The two sides also highlighted the necessity to continue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, as well as constructive cooperation among regional countries, to protect lasting stability and security in the region and prevent the escalation of tensions, the statement said.

The phone conversation came as Al Arabiya reported earlier in the day, citing a Pakistani source, that Iran could send its response to a U.S. peace proposal through Pakistan, which mediates Tehran-Washington talks, on Thursday.

Al Arabiya also quoted sources as saying that understandings have been reached regarding easing the U.S. naval blockade in exchange for the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, the United States and Israel reached a ceasefire on April 8 after 40 days of fighting that started with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb 28.

Following the truce, Iranian and U.S. delegations held one round of peace talks in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to yield an agreement.

Over the past weeks, the two sides have reportedly exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for ending the war through Pakistan.

Shanghai to host Olympic Q-Series in 2028

Shanghai will host one stop of the expanded Olympic Q-Series in 2028, the International Olympic Committee announced on Thursday, as the qualification event makes a return to the city that hosted the inaugural edition in 2024.

The four-stop series, formerly known as the Olympic Qualifier Series, will take place between May and June 2028 in Tokyo, Shanghai, Montreal and Orlando. Shanghai's stop is scheduled for May 11 to 14, one week after the opening event in Tokyo.

The Olympic Q-Series will feature six sports: 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football and skateboarding. The sports program for each stop will be confirmed at a later date.

The expanded series builds on the success of the inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series in 2024, which included stops in Shanghai and Budapest and featured multiple sports in compact, festival-style urban settings.

The 2028 edition will open in Tokyo from May 4 to 7, a city where 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, climbing and skateboarding made their Olympic debuts at the Tokyo 2020 Games. After Shanghai, the series crosses to Montreal from June 1 to 4 at the 1976 Olympic Park, before concluding in Orlando from June 8 to 11.

The Olympic Q-Series serves as a key qualification pathway for the LA28 Olympic Games, offering athletes a decisive opportunity to secure direct quota places shortly before the Games begin.