A possible opening in the US-Iran standoff emerged on Sunday after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Tehran has conveyed its response to Donald Trump’s latest peace proposal. The message, delivered through Pakistan, marks the clearest breakthrough in weeks.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s mediation efforts were continuing with the utmost sincerity as both sides searched for a path toward a durable ceasefire.
“Our sincere efforts are still ongoing for durable peace in the region and the world,” Sharif said. He added that Field Marshal Asim Munir informed him earlier in the day that Iran’s response to the US proposal had been received. “And I cannot go into further details,” he added.
The development places Islamabad at the centre of a rapidly intensifying diplomatic effort to prevent the Gulf crisis from escalating further. The blockade of Strait of Hormuz has already fuelled the global energy crisis.
DIPLOMATIC PUSH SHIFTS INTO HIGH GEAR
Iranian state media later confirmed that Tehran had formally submitted its response to Washington through Pakistani mediators. According to IRNA, the Iranian position focused primarily on ending hostilities across the region and restoring maritime security in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior Pakistani official familiar with the talks told Arab News that preparations were already underway in Islamabad for another possible diplomatic meeting.
“You can see a big news about the talks as early as this Wednesday,” the official said.
“The meetings of relevant officials have started in the capital to prepare it for the high-profile talks.”
The latest diplomatic exchange follows a 14-point proposal sent by US earlier this week. Under the reported framework, Iran would halt uranium enrichment activities for at least 12 years, abandon any pathway toward nuclear weapons development and surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
In return, the US would gradually ease sanctions, release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and halt its naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.
So far, Iran’s nuclear programme has been the biggest obstacle to the final agreement. Tehran has repeatedly rejected demands for a long-term suspension of uranium enrichment.
PAK PUSHES FOR FLEXIBILITY IN TALKS
Despite fresh diplomatic momentum, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high. Iran has maintained restrictions on foreign shipping through the strategic waterway since the conflict erupted in February, while Washington responded last month with a counter-blockade on Iranian ports. The confrontation has sent fuel prices soaring across several countries, including Pakistan, which has struggled with mounting economic pressure linked to the Gulf crisis.
According to Al Jazeera, Pakistani officials were attempting to push Tehran toward a more flexible negotiating position as concerns grew over the worsening economic impact of the Gulf crisis. The report said the negotiations remained highly delicate, with key details of Iran’s proposal still under wraps, as Pakistan grappled with soaring fuel prices and mounting economic pressure caused by continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
The diplomatic push also comes days ahead of Donald Trump’s China visit. Beijing is under immense pressure to play a bigger role in easing Gulf tensions as one of Iran’s biggest oil customers and a key player in Asia.
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With inputs from agenceis