The United States and Iran are close to reaching "some sort of an arrangement" to resolve the conflict, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has told Bloomberg. "Things are shaping up again in favor of a peace arrangement or a deal," he was quoted as saying. The minister, whose country is mediating the diplomatic effort to resolve the conflict, added that a lasting peace between the United States and Iran would benefit all Middle Eastern countries. The United States and Israel started a war against Iran on February 28. However, early on July 8, the United States renewed massive airstrikes on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating their previous agreements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.