Iran Dismisses US Economic Threats     08/20 06:20

   Iran on Thursday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump' s threats of 
economic pain and isolation, while Syria's foreign minister is visiting 
Pakistan, which is seeking to defuse tensions between the United States and 
Iran.

   (AP) -- Iran on Thursday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump' s threats of 
economic pain and isolation, while Syria's foreign minister is visiting 
Pakistan, which is seeking to defuse tensions between the United States and 
Iran.

   Here's a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider 
Middle East on Thursday. Full coverage can be found here.

   Iran denounces Trump's economic threat

   Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the economic threats 
made against his country, saying that such "failed policies" will stir more 
hostility among Iranians and "bring more failures."

   Araghchi's comments came a few hours after President Donald Trump threatened 
"crushing economic measures" against Iran. Trump promised "Economic Warfare and 
Isolation on an unprecedented scale," but provided few details.

   In a social media post, Araghchi maintained the threats aim to divert the 
attention of the U.S. public from domestic financial problems, adding that the 
U.S. "economic terrorism threatens the global economy and the national 
sovereignty of countries around the world."

   Syria's top diplomat discusses Middle East in Pakistan

   Syria's Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani has arrived in Islamabad for talks 
expected to focus on regional issues, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
said.

   The visit comes days after Israeli airstrikes targeted an air base in 
northern Syria, causing damage but no casualties.

   Pakistani officials say the country's political and military leadership 
remains in contact with both Iran and United States over efforts to de-escalate 
tensions and push for the resumption of talks after a 60-day deadline under a 
June memorandum of understanding expired. The agreement was brokered by 
Pakistan with help from regional countries.

   Pakistani crew members killed in Houthi attack are repatriated

   The bodies of two Pakistanis killed in last week's Houthi attack on a 
Tanzanian-flagged commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have been 
repatriated to Pakistan.

   Six Pakistani sailors who were injured in the attack have also safely 
returned to the country, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X.

   Dar thanked Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry for its cooperation, including 
medical assistance.

   "Pakistan condemns the attack in the strongest terms and reiterates that the 
safety and security of seafarers must be ensured at all times," Dar said.