Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Iran, telling Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia will do everything possible to help resolve the ongoing conflict. The message comes as tensions continue to grip the region, with diplomatic efforts underway to bring hostilities to an end. During high-level talks with Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, Putin backed Tehran’s efforts to end the war and said the conflict had erupted through no fault of Iran. The Russian leader also praised the positive evolution of Russia-Iran relations, signalling Moscow’s willingness to deepen diplomatic engagement with Tehran amid growing regional uncertainty. WATCH

Pakistan has hit back at reports linking its military to the ongoing conflict involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels, dismissing a New York Times report claiming Pakistani Air Force jets could target Houthi positions as “fake and fabricated.” Islamabad has also rejected a separate Reuters report suggesting that 30,000 to 40,000 Pakistani troops have been deployed to Saudi Arabia, calling the claims speculative and warning international media against unverified reporting on its military commitments. The controversy comes amid growing regional security concerns and renewed attention on the defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Under the Makkah defence pact, an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all, strengthening the commitment to collective defence and military coordination. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has indicated that agreed defence commitments could involve the rapid deployment of forces as regional threats escalate.