Iran’s Foreign Minister Returns To Pakistan As Islamabad Races To Save Negotiations With U.S.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iranian The foreign minister arrived in Islamabad again on Sunday, as Pakistan’s political and military leadership strives to revive ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian state media said Abbas Araghchi’s departure from Pakistan’s capital late Saturday created confusion over the expected second round of talks, but he returned to Islamabad before continuing to Moscow. He had previously been to Oman, which mediated the talks and is on the other side of the strategic zone. Strait of Hormuz.

Two Pakistani officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the efforts, did not say when the Americans might return to the region to monitor developments. Historical face-to-face meetings earlier this month.

The White House announced Friday that it will send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for the second round of talks. But shortly after Araghchi’s departure was reported, President Donald Trump said he was canceling the mission due to a lack of progress with Iran. “They can call us whenever they want,” he said.

Trump last week ceasefire extended indefinitely The agreement reached by the USA and Iran on April 7 largely stopped the conflict that started with the joint attacks of the USA and Israel on February 28. But a permanent solution to the war, which has killed thousands of people and shaken the global economy, remains elusive.

A standoff continues in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global waterway, as Iran restricts movement through the strait and the United States imposes sanctions. blockade from Iranian ports.

Iran wants to persuade Oman to support a mechanism collect tolls from ships It passed through the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows in peacetime, according to a regional official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter.

The official involved in mediation efforts said Iran has insisted on ending the US blockade ahead of a new round of talks and Pakistan-led mediators are trying to bridge significant gaps between the countries.

He added that Araghchi’s talks in Oman focused on issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Oman’s reaction was not immediately clear. Araghchi also spoke by phone with his counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Even before Saturday’s developments, Iran’s foreign ministry had said any talks would be indirect and Pakistani officials would act as mediators; This reflects Tehran’s cautious stance following indirect talks last year and earlier this year that resulted in Iran being attacked by the US and Israel.

The economic crisis is growing In the second month of the war, global oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other materials are broken With the Strait of Hormuz almost closed.

Both sides continued to make military threats. Iran’s joint military command warned on Saturday that it would face a “strong response” if the “US continues its aggressive military actions, including naval blockades, banditry and piracy.” Trump gave instructions to the military last week “Shoot and kill” small boats it can plant a mine.

Trump told reporters on Saturday: a security incident He told the White House Correspondents’ Dinner that Iran sent a “much better” offer within 10 minutes of Witkoff and Kushner canceling their trip to Islamabad.

He did not give details, but emphasized that one of the conditions was that Iran “do not have nuclear weapons”. Status Iran’s enriched uranium has been at the center of tension for a long time. According to the UN nuclear watchdog, Tehran has 440 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity; it’s a short, technical step up from weapons-grade levels.

Syed Mohammad Ali, an independent political analyst in Pakistan, said the delay in talks should not be seen as a setback and indirect talks were progressing. He said tensions between Washington and Tehran cannot be eased overnight and the negotiation process requires patience.

“But the good thing is that the ceasefire continues and both sides have the desire to end the conflict in a way that does not backfire on their countries,” Ali said.

At least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran since the beginning of the war, and at least 2,496 people have been killed in Lebanon, where the Israel-Hezbollah conflict resumed two days after the start of the Iran war.

Additionally, 23 people were killed in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab countries. 15 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 US soldiers in the region and 6 UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon were killed.

Another truce – between Lebanese militant Hezbollah group backed by Israel and Iranextended by three weeks. Hezbollah did not participate in diplomacy mediated by Washington.