Cathay Pacific to Resume Middle East Flights Amid Easing Tensions

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s leading airline, announced it will resume flights to the Middle East. This decision follows signals of progress in talks between the United States and Iran. After indirect discussions in Doha, involving President Trump, Qatar, and Pakistan, diplomacy appears to be holding despite recent hostilities.

Cathay Pacific halted flights to Dubai and Riyadh in late February due to escalating conflict. The airline has increased fuel surcharges multiple times because of rising oil prices related to the conflict. Starting September 1, Cathay will operate daily passenger flights to Dubai and four-times weekly passenger flights to Riyadh. Freighter services to Riyadh will resume on August 1.

“Cathay will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East prior to the resumption dates,” the company stated.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has urged the public to attend funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, following his death from a U.S.-Israeli strike at the onset of the conflict. Calling for a show of solidarity, Ghalibaf expects 15 to 20 million mourners, making it a historic funeral event in Iran.

The ceremonies, delayed because of the war, will continue after positive changes were noted in talks this week. It’s unclear if Khamenei’s successor, Mojtaba, will attend. Representatives from 30 countries are expected, with mourners arriving from neighboring Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intends to attend Khamenei’s funeral, affirming the deep relationship between the two countries. The funeral will start on July 2, with the body on display at Tehran’s central complex.

Former U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster expressed reservations about the progress in U.S.-Iran talks, suggesting Iran is benefiting financially without making concessions. McMaster noted that lifted sanctions and frozen assets aid Iran’s military recovery. He supports the initial U.S. decision to engage militarily with Iran.

Qatar and Pakistan reported “positive progress” in talks held in Doha between the U.S. and Iran, related to the memorandum maintaining the Iran war ceasefire. Further negotiations will resume after Khamenei’s funeral.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance remarked on ongoing talks but didn’t rule out renewed military action if Iran pursues its nuclear program or disrupts maritime security. He emphasized negotiations aim to resolve issues peacefully.

The U.S. Navy is searching for a missing crew member after an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter’s emergency landing in the Arabian Sea. Three crew members were rescued and are in stable condition. The helicopter, operating from the USS George H.W. Bush, wasn’t downed by hostile action.

Iran outlined funeral plans for Ayatollah Khamenei, with events spanning three Iranian cities and two significant Shia cities in Iraq. Expected attendance is 15-20 million people. Commemorations start July 4, ending on July 9 in Mashhad for the burial.