AS fears grow about resumption of the US-Iran war, fast-paced developments are taking place on different fronts to reach a negotiated solution to the crisis.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Iran has received a new proposal from the United States, which is under consideration. In a related development, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday arrived in Tehran for second important visit within 24 hours and held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Iran-US negotiations and regional stability.
It is encouraging to note that behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts of Pakistan to help the two sides sort out differences are reportedly bearing fruits as some reports in international media claim about finalization of a draft agreement with possibility of another round of direct talks between Washington and Tehran after Eidul Azha. A spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the presence of the Pakistani Interior Minister was aimed at facilitating exchange of messages between the two countries. According to US news website Axios, a revised peace memo was drafted by Qatar and Pakistan with input from the other regional mediators to try to bridge the gaps between the US and Iran. Pakistan, Qatar and the other mediators — Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt — have been working over the last several days to refine the proposal to bridge the gaps. President Donald Trump has also confirmed that negotiations with Iran were in the final stages, while warning of further attacks unless Iran agrees to a deal. However, as usual, Trump has given conflicting signals since announcing on Monday that he had called off renewed attacks to give time for negotiations, veering between optimism about an agreement and threats of more action. It is clear that progress is being made in the diplomatic process but sincere efforts of the mediators are threatened by actions and conspiracies of the Jewish state. It has been reported that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a tense phone call on Tuesday over ceasefire talks with Iran. Trump informed Netanyahu that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” aimed at ending the war and launching a month-long negotiation process covering issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Reports say the two leaders were in “clear disagreement” over how to handle Iran going forward. Apart from Israeli machinations and the nuclear issue, Hormuz is yet another major point of difference as Iran is insisting on strengthening its hold on the management of global navigation through the strategically important water channel whereas the United States wants its pre-war status restored. In a significant move, Iran has introduced a controlled maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to obtain authorization before passing through the key shipping corridor. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority said in a post on X that the designated zone extends from Kuh-e Mubarak in Iran to south of Fujairah in the UAE at the eastern entrance of the strait and from the tip of Qeshm Island to Umm al-Quwain at the western entrance. Any transit through the area “requires coordination with and authorization from the authority”, the statement said, signaling tighter Iranian oversight of one of the world’s most strategic maritime chokepoints. Such moves notwithstanding, the Iranian President has expressed cautious optimism about success of the diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation. In a post on X, he wrote “Iran has consistently honoured its commitments and explored every avenue to avert war; all paths remain open from our side. Forcing Iran to surrender through coercion is nothing but an illusion. Mutual respect in diplomacy is far wiser, safer and more sustainable than war.” His optimism augurs well for an end to military hostilities.
