Iranian Official: Pakistan’s Mediation Narrows Gap Between Tehran and Washington, but Disputes Persist

Iranian Official: Pakistan’s Mediation Narrows Gap Between Tehran and Washington, but Disputes Persist
Iranian Official: Pakistan’s Mediation Narrows Gap Between Tehran and Washington, but Disputes Persist
An Iranian official stated on Thursday that Iran and the United States have made some progress in efforts to reach an agreement to end the war. However, with more than half of the two-week truce already elapsed, significant disagreements remain, particularly regarding Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.اضافة اعلان

The official added that the visit of Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir to Tehran on Wednesday helped narrow differences on several issues, bolstering hopes for an extension of the ceasefire and a resumption of direct talks between Tehran and Washington.

Diplomatic and Military Deadlock
Pakistan’s Role: A spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that no date has yet been set for the second round of negotiations.

The Naval Blockade: Tensions remain high as the U.S. continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports (initiated Monday). In response, Iran has threatened to disrupt maritime traffic in the Red Sea, warning that the continued blockade could lead to a total collapse of the ceasefire.

The 10-Point Proposal: Washington recently received a 10-point proposal from Tehran, which U.S. officials reportedly view as a "viable" and practical basis for further negotiations.

Context of the Conflict (February – April 2026)
The current diplomatic efforts follow a period of unprecedented regional escalation:

Outbreak of War (Feb 28, 2026): The conflict began with massive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting vital facilities and command centers in Tehran. The first day of the strikes resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior officials including National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and top IRGC commanders.

Iranian Response: Tehran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones launched toward Israel and regional targets, while simultaneously closing the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global surge in energy prices.

Expansion to Lebanon: On March 2, the war expanded to Lebanon after Hezbollah launched rocket attacks following Khamenei’s assassination, leading to large-scale Israeli raids and a ground incursion into Southern Lebanon.

The Truce: President Donald Trump suspended the bombing of Iran on April 8, 2026, for a two-week period to allow for negotiations.

Source: Reuters