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Peace talks that were due to take place between the United States and Iran on Tuesday were cancelled after Iran – incensed by the US blockade of its ports – indicated it was no longer ready to press ahead.
At Pakistan’s request, Donald Trump then extended a two-week ceasefire to give the Iranians more time to come up with their own plan to end the conflict, and the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Iran had since reached out, adding that the last few days had seen “some progress” towards negotiations.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due to leave Washington for Pakistan later today but it’s unclear how much – if anything – they’ll be able to achieve.
Shortly after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Pakistani capital, his government made clear he was purely there for bilateral talks with Pakistan and would not be taking part in direct negotiations with the US.
Any communication from the Iranian side would therefore have to be conveyed through Pakistani mediators, making the imminent chance of a breakthrough highly unlikely.
Trump has said he’s in no hurry to strike a deal to end the war, but with petrol prices rising, and his approval rating falling, the pressure for an agreement is growing.
