US Imposes Two Critical Demands Ahead of Iran Peace Talks in Pakistan
The United States has reportedly established two significant conditions prior to the second round of peace negotiations with Iran, scheduled to take place in Pakistan on Thursday. According to a report from Israel Hayom, Washington is insisting on the complete and unrestricted reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Reciprocity and Authority as Key Sticking Points
The report indicates that American negotiators are adhering firmly to a principle of reciprocity. This means that if Iranian forces obstruct the passage of ships and tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States will reciprocate by preventing Iranian vessels from utilizing the same maritime corridor. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial global oil transit route, and its closure could have severe economic repercussions.
Furthermore, citing diplomatic sources, the report reveals that the United States is demanding that Iran's delegation possess full and unambiguous authority from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps before any agreements can be finalized. This condition arises from previous incidents where senior Revolutionary Guards officials, specifically Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi, reportedly prevented the political delegation in Pakistan from providing responses to American proposals.
Internal Iranian Pressure and Economic Concerns
In response to these diplomatic hurdles, Iranian President Pezeshkian has reportedly urged Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who leads the Iranian delegation, to take a decisive stance to "save Iran from total economic collapse." This internal pressure underscores the high stakes of the negotiations, as Iran faces significant economic challenges that could be alleviated through a successful diplomatic outcome.
Timing and Logistics of the Upcoming Talks
Delegations from both the United States and Iran are expected to return to Pakistan later this week to resume the second round of negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began on February 28. However, US officials have not provided immediate confirmation of these plans, which were discussed by Iranian and Pakistani officials under conditions of anonymity.
A source involved in the talks disclosed that a proposal has been sent to both Washington and Tehran for the delegations to reconvene in Islamabad to continue discussions. While no specific date has been finalized, both countries could return as early as the end of this week.
An official at the Iranian embassy in Islamabad stated, "The coming rounds of talks can come sometime later this week or earlier next week. But nothing is finalized as of now." Earlier, a senior Iranian source informed Reuters that no firm date has been set, with delegations keeping the period from Friday through Sunday open for potential meetings.
Pakistan's Role as Mediator
A senior Pakistani official confirmed that Islamabad has reached out to Iran and received a positive response indicating openness to a second round of talks. The official, along with a second Pakistani source, noted that Islamabad is actively communicating with both sides regarding the timing of the next round, which is likely to occur over the coming weekend.
This diplomatic engagement highlights Pakistan's crucial role as a mediator in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, as both nations navigate complex geopolitical tensions and seek a path toward resolution.
