WASHINGTON \/ PARIS(National Times)- Even as renewed engagement between Iran and Pakistan over dialogue with the US sent out positive signals, Europe and the rest of the world appears anxious for a swift, diplomatic end to the war that has ravaged the Middle East and crippled global shipping, causing a fuel crunch across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has claimed that: \u201cNo one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing reporters alongside US Gen Dan Caine, the US defence secretary said the US was \u201cnot anxious\u201d for a deal with Iran, and repeated Trump\u2019s previous comments of having \u201call the time in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely \u2026 at the negotiating table. All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Gen Caine, 34 ships had been turned around as of Friday morning, adding that the US military would continue to interdict Iranian vessels in the Pacific and Indian oceans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re enforcing the blockade across the board against any ship of any nationality that is transiting to or from an Iranian port or territory,\u201d Caine said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re closely tracking vessels of interest headed towards Iran and those moving away from Iran that were outside the blockade area when this blockade was ord\u00adered and \u2026 we\u2019re prepared and postured to intercept them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, shipping group Hapag-Lloyd said on Friday that one of its ships has crossed the Strait of Hormuz but did not have any information on the circumstances or timing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four out of initially six ships remain in the Gulf, after one ship\u2019s charter agreement expired, meaning it no longer belongs to the Hapag-Lloyd fleet, a spokesperson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scores of tankers and other vessels remain stuck in the Gulf as the United States is struggling to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world\u2019s busiest shipping corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Europe worried<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, leaders from Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan as well as the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, were in Cyprus on Friday to meet their EU counterparts on the sidelines of a summit. The EU has largely remained on the sidelines in the Middle East war despite US President Donald Trump lashing out at what he says is Europe\u2019s lack of support for Washington\u2019s efforts to contain Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe current situation clearly underscores how closely Europe\u2019s security is linked with that of the Middle East, and how vital our cooperation on security and defence has become,\u201d European Council president Antonio Costa told a press conference after the talks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Strait of Hormuz must immediately reopen without restrictions and without tolling, in full respect of international law and the principle of freedom of navigation. This is vital for the entire world,\u201d Costa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDiplomacy is the only sustainable way forwards, and European Union is ready to contribute to all ongoing efforts,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An extension of a shaky truce between Israel and Lebanon has also been agreed on \u2013 but European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that was \u201cnot enough\u201d, calling for a permanent settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou cannot have stability in the Middle East or the Gulf while Lebanon is in flames,\u201d she said. \u201cA temporary pause is not enough\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EU has largely remained on the sidelines in the Middle East war despite US President Donald Trump lashing out at what he says is Europe\u2019s lack of support for Washington\u2019s efforts to contain Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters that \u201cEurope must do even more\u201d to help end the crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is in everyone\u2019s interest for stability to return as soon as possible and for the world\u2019s economies to be reassured,\u201d Macron said, in stark contrast to Trump, who recently said the US had \u201call the time in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Neutral\u2019 Swiss set to reopen Tehran embassy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Switzerland said Friday it had begun sending staff back to Tehran and would gradually reopen its embassy, enabling it to continue as a facilitator for diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For decades, neutral Switzerland has played a central role in maintaining basic diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the country temporarily closed its embassy on March 11 days after the Middle East war erupted with the first US-Israeli attacks on Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Swiss foreign ministry said four staff had returned and insisted the channel of communication between the US and Iran had been kept open even while the mission was shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe decision to gradually reopen the embassy was taken after a risk analysis and in consultation with Iran and the United States, whose interests Switzerland represents under its protecting power mandate,\u201d the foreign ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Switzerland \u201cis prepared to provide its good offices if the parties so wish and supports all diplomatic initiatives that contribute to de-escalation and a lasting peace\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles all consular affairs between the United States and Iran, including passport requests, altering civil status and consular protection for US citizens in Iran.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WASHINGTON \/ PARIS(National Times)- Even as renewed engagement between Iran and Pakistan over dialogue with the US sent out positive signals, Europe and the rest of the world appears anxious for a swift, diplomatic end to the war that has ravaged the Middle East and crippled global shipping, causing a fuel crunch across the globe. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":124771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n