Islamabad — Islamabad (AP) – iran The foreign minister arrived in Islamabad again on Sunday as Pakistan’s political and military leadership seeks to restart ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington.
Iranian state media said Abbas Araghchi had left the Pakistani capital late Saturday, sparking confusion over a possible second round of talks, but returned to Islamabad before flying to Moscow. He was in Oman, which previously mediated the talks and is strategically located on the other side. strait of hormuz.
The 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 pursue further operations. historical face to face conversation earlier this month.
The White House said on Friday it would send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad. But shortly after Araghchi’s departure was reported, President Donald Trump said he was closing the mission due to a lack of progress with Iran.
“If they want, we can talk, but we’re not sending people,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday.
trump last week ceasefire extended indefinitely The US and Iran agreed on April 7, largely stopping the fighting that began with joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28. But there has been no lasting solution to this war, which has taken thousands of lives and shaken the global economy.
The standoff continues over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global waterway, as Iran restricts movement through it and the US enforces it. blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran wants to persuade Oman to support a mechanism collect toll from ships passing 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.
Oman’s response was not immediately clear.
The official involved in the mediation efforts also said Iran is pushing for an end to the US blockade before the new round of talks and the Pakistan-led mediators are trying to bridge the significant gap between the countries.
Araghchi also spoke on phone with counterparts from 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, reflecting Tehran’s wariness after rounds of indirect talks following attacks by the US and Israel on Iran last year and early this year.
economic output is increasing The war took two months as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies are disrupted Due to the almost closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Both sides have continued to issue 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 blockade, banditry and piracy. Trump ordered the army last week “Shoot and kill” small boats. he could be laying mines.
Trump said this to reporters earlier on Saturday a security incident At the White House correspondents’ dinner, that within 10 minutes of Witkoff and Kushner’s trip to Islamabad being cancelled, Iran sent a “much better” offer.
He did not elaborate but emphasized that one of his conditions was that Iran “shall not have nuclear weapons.” the status of Iran’s enriched uranium Has been at the center of tension for a long time. According to the UN nuclear watchdog agency, Tehran has 440 kilograms (972 lb) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a small, technological step up from weapons-grade levels.
Syed Mohammad Ali, an independent political analyst in Pakistan, said that the delay in talks should not be seen as a setback and that indirect talks are moving forward. He said tensions between Washington and Tehran cannot be eased overnight and the dialogue process requires patience.
Ali said, “But the good thing is that the ceasefire is holding and there is a desire on both sides to end the conflict in a way that it does not cause damage at the domestic level.”
Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and at least 2,509 in Lebanon, where Israel-Hezbollah fighting resumed two days after the Iran-Iran war began.
Also, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon, 13 US service members in the region, and six UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
Another Armistice – Between Israeli and Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist Hezbollah groupHas been extended for three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated in Washington-mediated diplomacy.
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Magdi reported from Cairo and Liedman from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Will Weisert in Washington contributed to this report.
