Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday the country's leaders would continue mediation efforts to end war between the United States and Iran despite a surge in conflict, calling for a "negotiated settlement.” "Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the situation in the region marked by recent escalation... we are of the view that diplomacy and dialogue should be the guiding principles for achieving a negotiated settlement of all contentious issues," foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told journalists. The United States and Iran traded air attacks for a second straight day on Thursday, with President Donald Trump vowing further strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace deal. The escalation in hostilities began this week with Monday's downing of a US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, which sparked a series of tit-for-tat attacks across Iran and on Gulf countries.
