U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the U.S. military has begun an operation to "clear" the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that all Iranian minelaying vessels have been sunk.
اضافة اعلان
In a social media post, Trump added: "We are now beginning the process of clearing the Strait of Hormuz," without providing further details regarding the nature or scope of the operation.
These statements coincide with the start of trilateral talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, bringing together Iran, the United States, and Pakistan. This mediation effort aims to explore ways to end the war and ease regional tensions.
Iranian media outlets reported that negotiations have commenced in Islamabad to reach understandings for de-escalation, noting preliminary progress during preparatory contacts amid ongoing regional and international diplomatic efforts.
Iranian agencies, including Fars and Tasnim, indicated that the talks follow initial understandings that included de-escalation across several regional files, including developments related to southern Beirut. They noted that the format of the negotiations—whether direct or indirect—has not yet been finalized.
In the same context, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with the U.S. and Iranian delegations before the talks began, reaffirming his country's support for the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
According to diplomatic sources, the U.S. delegation includes high-ranking officials, while the Iranian team consists of political and diplomatic figures. Pakistan is providing technical participation in files related to maritime navigation, the nuclear program, and other regional issues.
Reports also indicated that regional and international parties, including Egypt, Turkey, and China, are closely monitoring the negotiation process given the complexities of the regional landscape.
These developments occur at a time of escalating tension in the Iran-U.S. file, characterized by mutual accusations regarding trust and obligations, with each side insisting on preconditions before reaching any final agreement.
There is a state of high anticipation regarding the results of the ongoing talks, as no clear timetable or final format for the negotiations has been announced, though there is a possibility of moving to subsequent stages if tangible progress is achieved.
Source: Reuters
