‘Disappointing’: Australia’s plea after peace talks end

Australia has expressed disappointment after protracted US-Iran peace talks collapsed and access to a key oil shipping channel was restricted.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that an escalation of the conflict would impose a greater humanitarian cost and deal a further blow to the global economy.

“It is disappointing that the Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran ended without an agreement,” Senator Wong said on Sunday. he said.

“The priority now must be to maintain the ceasefire and return to negotiations.

“We continue to want to see a rapid resolution to this conflict.”

After 21 hours of talks, US Vice President J.D. Vance announced on Sunday, Australian time, that the negotiating team will leave Pakistan without reaching an agreement on a permanent ceasefire.

He said Iran did not accept US terms, including a commitment not to produce nuclear weapons, while Iranian state media said the talks failed due to America’s “unreasonable demands”.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil resources pass, will continue to be restricted by Iran until the US reaches a “reasonable agreement”.

Australians have been warned that the effects of effectively closing the strait will be felt long after it is reopened.

Agriculture Minister Catherine King said earlier Sunday that the current temporary ceasefire was fragile.

“What we need to prepare for as a country is that even if the strait is opened tomorrow, there will be a long queue,” he said.

Iran’s restriction of shipments through the strait has also led to shortages of other important materials such as fertilizer.