White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt on Wednesday said the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran are likely to take place in Pakistan.
Responding to a question on the location of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the discussions would “very likely” take place at the same location as the previous round.
“They’re very likely to be in the same place they were last time,” Leavitt said during a press conference.
Emphasizing Islamabad’s role, he said, “They (Pakistan) are the only mediator in this dialogue, whereas there are many countries around the world who want to offer their help.”
Even as backchannel diplomacy continues, tensions remain high. The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports for the third consecutive day, increasing economic pressure on Tehran. Officials in Washington have warned of further sanctions on countries and entities doing business with Iran, in what one senior official described as the “financial equivalent” of the bombing campaign.
The US has deployed naval assets to monitor and control access to Iranian ports, with the aim of restricting Tehran’s oil exports, Tehran’s major source of revenue. While Washington says non-Iran-linked shipping can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz, military activity in the area has intensified.
President Donald Trump reinforced the hardline stance by announcing a sweeping blockade. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the finest in the world, will begin the process of blockading any and all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, warning that “any Iranian who fires at us or peaceful ships will be blown up!”
Iran responded with stern warnings of its own, with the Revolutionary Guards warning that any misstep would trap opponents in a “fatal” situation in the strategic waterway, which Tehran says it completely controls.
The markets have reacted with panic. Oil prices have again risen above $100 a barrel, while global equities fell amid fears of prolonged disruption to energy supplies. Analysts have warned that the blockade is being seen as a continuation of hostilities, raising the possibility of further escalation, including attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
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