In the federal capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, the second round of talks between the United States and Iran is on the verge of commencing, before which the spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry categorically refused to participate in the negotiations; however, ground and diplomatic situation suggests that the possibilities of the American delegation reaching Islamabad are still intact, while there is apparently uncertainty regarding Iran’s participation.
On the other hand, from the statements of US President Donald Trump it seems to indicate that the American delegation will reach Islamabad and certainly a delegation from Iran will also come here, talks will take place and a new path for peace will definitely materialise, although this is not a straightforward process, because the exchange of statements from both countries, faster than even ammunition, has made reconciliation and ceasefire difficult.
In fact, the US President has adopted a hardline stance in his statements against Iran, and Iran is also giving statements even harsher than the United States in order to safeguard its honour, dignity, name and prestige; in fact, if it is said that Iran is responding to American statements tit-for-tat, it would not be wrong. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Baqir Qalibaf, has significant influence over the Revolutionary Guards because Baqir Qalibaf participated in military activities and war since his youth, and since the time of Qasem Soleimani he has had excellent relations with the IRGC; he has also issued stern statements, in which he said: “If after the ceasefire clashes with America resume, we are ready to show new cards on the battlefield.” However, international media including American media are also presenting the same similar perception, and from the preparations in Islamabad this impression is also emerging that by tonight or tomorrow morning delegations from Iran and America will reach Islamabad and the negotiating table will definitely be set.
It seems as though first the American team will reach Pakistan, and as soon as they take off from the US, a formal announcement may be issued, from which it will be anticipated when the Iranian delegation will reach Pakistan, because during the previous Islamabad talks also there was a similar situation of uncertainty, but then the dark clouds of doubt and suspicion cleared and the negotiating table was set, and the talks were such that they continued for 21 hours and consensus was also reached on multiple points. For the coverage of US-Iran talks, approximately 400 American journalists have applied for Pakistani visas, which reflects their belief in the talks, and the US-Iran talks are so important and crucial that the eyes of the entire world are on them. Meanwhile, it is also clear at the global level that Washington has announced the continuation of sanctions and blockade on Iranian ports until an agreement is reached, while Tehran demands that these sanctions be lifted before the talks.
A short while ago, on 28 February, when the US started a war against Iran, no one knew that it would shock the global economy and cause losses worth billions of dollars, but when Iran started interfering in the Strait of Hormuz, the world also witnessed that even the US, considered the world’s biggest superpower, was seen seeking help from other countries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz from Iran. Later, after weeks of closure, Iran reopened Tehran’s central and Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports, which was considered an important development in wartime conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had projected certain illusions to the United States, the reality of which became clear to the US at the very start of the war—that Iran is such a power that it can not only prolong this war for a long time but can also force powers like the US and Israel to regret their decision of war. But another reality is that the war against Iran may become the biggest reason for the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections; in fact, if the war continues, it may not even be within anyone’s ability to estimate for how many years Republicans will fail to wash away the stain of the Iran war, and winning elections will become a dream for them. Therefore, US President Donald Trump would never want to leave such a big stain related to the Iran war on his political career and his party, which is compelling economies across the world to a standstill, and apart from underdeveloped and developing countries, even major powers are currently looking with hopeful eyes towards the success of Iran-US talks.
It is also worth noting here that the success or failure of negotiations between the US and Iran still hinges on the issue of uranium enrichment, where Washington is insisting on the transfer of enriched uranium and the halt of Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran dismisses this and calls it a “peaceful research program.” And when Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir went to Iran and met Iranian leadership during a three-day visit, he surely must have discussed this point as well so that pathways of harmony and understanding between both countries could be facilitated.
At the global level, diplomatic activities are also intensifying, where the US State Department has announced further talks on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron called the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz a mistake by both parties, Russia demanded an extension of the ceasefire, while China voiced concern over US actions and emphasised the resumption of talks.
Furthermore, tensions remain in the Middle East as well, where at least 2,387 people have been lost their lives in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, while in recent operations several civilians have been wounded and houses destroyed, and due to Israel’s traditional stubbornness the claim of a 10-day ceasefire remained only a claim. Similarly, the situation in Gaza is also grave where despite the October ceasefire, more than 780 Palestinians have been martyred.
There is firm expectation that the Iranian and American delegations will come together in Islamabad to stop the ongoing war that is causing recession to some extent in countries of the region and around the world, to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz so that trade of oil and other essential goods across the world can resume, and the world can progress towards development and prosperity.
Translated by the M.M. News Editorial Team
