While military tensions spiralled, diplomats were working feverishly on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt met to discuss what they called “evolving regional dynamics.” The four nations had previously held two meetings aimed at halting the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran, including sessions in Riyadh ahead of the announcement of a ceasefire — one that is now set to expire on April 22.
The approaching deadline adds urgency to every conversation. With no extension guaranteed and the strait shut again, the window for de-escalation is narrowing rapidly.
Meanwhile, Israel added another layer of tension by carrying out artillery strikes against several villages in southern Lebanon on Saturday — despite the ceasefire that had been agreed upon. The attacks were confirmed by multiple sources, raising questions about whether any agreement in the region can hold.
