ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s army chief landed in Tehran leading a high-level military delegation to a warm welcome as he tries to help renew talks between the United States and Iran after the two sides failed to clinch a peace agreement in Islamabad over the weekend.
Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, along with a delegation of officials, arrived in Iran’s capital Wednesday evening “as part of the ongoing mediation efforts,” Pakistan’s military said in a statement.
Munir came with a new message from the US and plans to coordinate a second round of US-Iran talks, after an initial round in Islamabad ended on Sunday without a deal to end the war, according to Iranian state media.
Pakistan’s diplomatic blitz comes as competing US and Iranian sea blockades strain tensions – and the global economy – but amid indications of progress towards a deal to end the war, which has killed 3,000 people in Iran and spiralled across the Middle East.
The latest mediation appears bolstered by optimistic comments from US President Donald Trump, who said the world should brace for an “amazing two days” as the war with Iran is close to over.
Trump also said his negotiators were likely to return to Pakistan, thanks largely to the “great job” Munir was doing to moderate the talks.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later reiterated that additional talks with Iran would likely go forward in Islamabad. “We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the US military said its naval blockade on all Iranian ports was still in effect, with US forces “present, vigilant and ready to ensure compliance”.
The blockade, which Iran’s military slammed as a violation of the ceasefire, turned nine ships away as of Wednesday, according to US Central Command.
The commander of Iran’s joint military command, Ali Abdollahi, threatened to halt trade in the region if the US did not lift its blockade. He also warned Iran would retaliate by blocking trade through the Red Sea along with the Gulf and Sea of Oman.
Mediators in the conflict are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points – Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but his country “based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment”, according to Iranian state media.
Differences also emerged during weekend’s talks over the scope of the ceasefire, with Iran seeking broader guarantees that would extend beyond the immediate conflict, a position rejected by the United States. — Agencies
Source: Saudi Gazette