Lead:

The United States military has launched successive waves of airstrikes targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps installations in multiple regions, marking a significant escalation in direct confrontation with Tehran. Pakistan has announced that negotiations are underway between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions following the strikes. The operations reflect a shift in American strategy from defense to offense in the region, with allied nations from the Gulf Cooperation Council to Sudan and Sudan publicly condemning Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and pledging support for Riyadh's defensive measures.

Details:

According to reports from regional media outlets, the American military has completed intensive strike campaigns targeting dozens of Revolutionary Guard facilities. Iran's state media confirmed that at least three Revolutionary Guard personnel were killed in an airstrike on Zanjan province in the country's northwest. The Pentagon characterizes the operations as responses to prior Iranian missile attacks intercepted over the past several days, particularly an Iranian strike that targeted American forces in Jordan.

Pakistan, serving as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, announced that the warring parties are engaged in negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and reducing tensions. This diplomatic channel represents the first significant effort to manage escalation since the military strikes commenced. Meanwhile, the broader Middle East has responded with near-unanimous regional backing for Saudi Arabia. The Gulf Cooperation Council issued a statement affirming full support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the Arab Parliament each issued formal condemnations of drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory that targeted Saudi Arabian petroleum facilities, demonstrating coordinated regional opposition to Iranian-backed proxy operations.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry declared strong condemnation of continued Iranian aggression against Jordan, emphasizing the Kingdom's full solidarity with Amman. A joint Saudi-Italian statement issued from Rome stressed the necessity of protecting maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, reflecting international concern about freedom of navigation in these critical waterways. American President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that coordination had occurred with Saudi Arabia and Iraqi officials regarding the targeting of Popular Mobilization Forces positions, signaling a unified coalition approach to countering Iranian influence in Iraq.

Watch For:

Whether the Pakistan-mediated negotiations produce any tangible ceasefire agreement or de-escalation timeline; confirmation of additional Iranian casualties or damage assessments from the latest American strike wave; and whether Iraq issues further official statements clarifying its position on American military operations launched from or over its territory.