Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Islamabad again on Sunday as Pakistan’s political and military leadership worked to reignite ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington. However, President Donald Trump suggested that the sides could talk by phone instead of in-person meetings.<\/p>\n
Abbas Araghchi had departed Pakistan’s capital late Saturday, causing confusion regarding an anticipated second round of talks. Nevertheless, he returned to Islamabad before continuing his journey to Moscow, as reported by Iranian state media. His prior stop was in Oman, a country that has previously mediated discussions and is strategically located across the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
The White House had announced on Friday its intention to send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face discussions held earlier this month. Yet, shortly after Araghchi’s departure, Trump stated he had called off the mission due to a lack of progress with Iran.<\/p>\n
“If they want, we can talk but we’re not sending people,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Last week, Trump indefinitely extended the ceasefire that the U.S. and Iran agreed to on April 7, which has largely halted the fighting that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. Despite this, a permanent settlement remains elusive in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and impacted the global economy.<\/p>\n
**Strait of Hormuz at the Center of Iran’s Discussions in Oman**<\/p>\n
A standoff persists at the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global waterway, as Iran restricts movement through it while the U.S. enforces a blockade of Iranian ports.<\/p>\n
According to a regional official who spoke anonymously due to not being authorized to discuss the matter, Iran aims to persuade Oman to support a mechanism for collecting tolls from vessels transiting the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows during peacetime. Oman’s response was not immediately clear.<\/p>\n
The official, involved in mediation efforts, also indicated that Iran insists on the termination of the U.S. blockade before any new round of talks. Pakistan-led mediators are reportedly striving to bridge significant differences between the two nations. Araghchi also held phone conversations with his counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Even prior to Saturday’s developments, Iran’s foreign ministry had stated that any talks would be indirect, with Pakistani officials acting as intermediaries. This reflects Tehran’s caution after previous rounds of indirect talks last year and earlier this year concluded with Iran being subjected to attacks by the U.S. and Israel.<\/p>\n
**Trump Claims Iran Offered a ‘Much Better’ Proposal**<\/p>\n
The economic repercussions are intensifying two months into the conflict, as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer, and other supplies are disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n
Both sides have continued to issue military threats. Iran’s joint military command warned on Saturday that “if the U.S. continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry, and piracy,” it would face a “strong response.” Last week, Trump ordered the military to “shoot and kill” small boats that might be deploying mines.<\/p>\n
Trump informed journalists on Saturday, before a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, that within 10 minutes of him canceling Witkoff and Kushner’s trip to Islamabad, Iran had sent a “much better” proposal. He did not elaborate but emphasized that one of his conditions is that Iran “will not have a nuclear weapon.” The status of Iran’s enriched uranium has long been a central point of tension. According to the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency, Tehran possesses 440 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels.<\/p>\n
Syed Mohammad Ali, an independent political analyst in Pakistan, commented that the delay in talks should not be viewed as a setback and that indirect talks were progressing. He noted that tensions between Washington and Tehran cannot be eased overnight and that the negotiation process requires patience.<\/p>\n
“But the good thing is that the ceasefire is holding, and both sides have a desire to end the conflict in a way that does not backfire at home,” Ali stated.<\/p>\n
**A Growing Toll Even as Fragile Ceasefires Hold**<\/p>\n
Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,509 people in Lebanon, where Israel-Hezbollah fighting resumed two days after the Iran war started. Additionally, 23 people have died in Israel and over a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members in the region, and six U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have also been killed.<\/p>\n
Another ceasefire \u2013 between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant Hezbollah group \u2013 has been extended by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in the Washington-brokered diplomacy.<\/p>\n
#IranDiplomacy #PakistanMediates #USIranTalks #TrumpDiplomacy #StraitOfHormuz #CeasefireNegotiations #MiddleEastConflict #NuclearDeal #GlobalSecurity #TehranWashington<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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