Pakistan Says US and Iran Are Close to a Peace Arrangement as Hormuz Talks Progress

AP

Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan has said the United States and Iran are moving closer to reaching “some kind of arrangement” aimed at easing regional tensions, as negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz gather momentum. The comments coincided with the arrival of Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, in Tehran for high-level talks.

Speaking to Bloomberg in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, said recent developments suggested that diplomatic efforts were making progress.

“Things are moving again towards a peace arrangement or agreement,” Asif said, adding that “the indications over the past two or three days are that we are close to some kind of arrangement.” He stressed that a lasting settlement would be in the best interests of the region.

Oil prices fell following his remarks as renewed optimism over a possible agreement eased concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

The comments came despite US President Donald Trump adopting a tougher tone towards Tehran during the ongoing discussions over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called on Iran to compensate for damages from previous attacks that he attributed to Tehran, while criticising Iranian calls for war reparations, although that issue has not formed part of the current negotiations.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks with senior Iranian officials.

His visit follows a telephone conversation between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which the two discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.

According to Iranian officials, Araghchi briefed his Pakistani counterpart on the latest negotiations with Oman concerning the establishment of a safe maritime corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirming Tehran’s commitment to continuing the talks. Dar, in turn, outlined Pakistan’s position on the proposed trilateral defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Separately, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majid Al-Ansari, said negotiations between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz had reached an advanced stage.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Al-Ansari said Qatar had received “positive feedback” from both sides and described the negotiations as having reached a “pivotal point”.


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