Islamabad, 25 April. The second round of peace talks between America and Iran in Pakistan are likely to be held behind the scenes and this time not much drum is being beaten about the meeting. According to news agency Al Jazeera, ‘US-Iran talks still remain confidential.
Pakistani mediators are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Iran-US talks after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad as part of a three-nation visit, Al Jazeera reported. According to the agency, both parties have decided not to divulge too much information when it comes to revealing details and technical aspects.
It is noteworthy that the US and Iran have no history of publicly announcing direct talks and, except in very limited, apparently unprecedented cases, neither side has yet provided much information about the talks.
Last month, US Vice President JD Vance had publicly informed about the failure of talks with Iran, but even after going to Iran from the Iranian side, the talks were said to have failed. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister has met Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Mediation in places other than Islamabad also
Citing Tehran-based sources, Al Jazeera has said that communications are going on behind the scenes with America and talks have been held not only in Islamabad but also in some other places.
Apart from Islamabad, several rounds of indirect talks have also taken place in other places, including Moscow. That is why now the big question is not whether these talks are direct or indirect, but whether both the parties can sit together to resolve these issues within the ambit of diplomacy or not?
The real problem is that there are at least four to five issues on which it is going to be most difficult to reach agreement, which include nuclear bomb manufacturing, 400 and a half kg enriched uranium, ballistic missile range, relief from sanctions and compensation for the damage caused to Iran due to sanctions.
US Finance Department imposes new sanctions on Iran
Just a day before, the US Finance Department has imposed new sanctions on Iran. That is why nothing can be said at the moment whether both the sides will reach any point through diplomatic means or not. Meanwhile, there is continuous rhetoric from both sides that their fingers are still on the trigger, which is an indication that they are ready for another round of confrontation if the talks fail. Sources in Tehran have said that Iran is adopting cautious diplomacy and is also prepared militarily.
Iran is adamant on the condition of removing Hormuz blockade!
Meanwhile, ARY News Chairman Kamran Khan, quoting reliable sources, has written, ‘The hopes of resuming the second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad today are fast fading as Tehran is still not ready to meet the US delegation. The delegation was expected to arrive from Washington late tonight. Iran continues to insist that the US side end its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz as a condition for starting the second round of talks.
Iran publicly refuses to talk to America
If seen, many problems are coming in the way of talks. For example, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagai has rejected any hope of face-to-face talks with US officials. Donald Trump’s two envoys, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, can reach Islamabad today. Both of them have already negotiated with Iran and failed.
In the last few days, Iran has reiterated its conditions and said that it will not negotiate until the blockade imposed by America in the Strait of Hormuz is lifted. Along with this, he has also made it clear that he will not talk under any kind of pressure. He has clearly said that amidst all these circumstances he is not ready for talks. That is why the matter is quite complicated and the biggest fear is that whichever side blinks first will be considered the loser and its domestic politics will end forever.
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