TEHRAN: Iran confirmed on Wednesday that indirect communication with the United States has continued through Pakistani intermediaries following the conclusion of marathon negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, speaking during a weekly press briefing, revealed that several messages have been exchanged between Tehran and Washington since the Iranian delegation’s return on Sunday. This diplomatic channel remains active despite the weekend’s 25-hour “marathon” talks failing to produce a final agreement on critical issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations, and sanctions lifting.
To facilitate this ongoing dialogue, a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in the Iranian capital on Wednesday. The delegation is expected to convey new messages from the US administration and discuss the potential for a second round of formal negotiations. Baqaei emphasized that while the two sides remain divided on key framework elements, the door to diplomacy remains open. He noted that the arrival of the Pakistani officials is a direct continuation of the discussions hosted in Islamabad, aimed at bridging the trust deficit between the two adversaries.
The spokesperson further clarified that while Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy is non-negotiable, the specific technicalities—including the level and type of uranium enrichment—could be discussed within the framework of national needs. As the Pakistani mediators engage with top Iranian leadership, the focus remains on de-escalating the regional conflict and securing a sustainable peace framework.
International observers are closely monitoring these developments, as the success of this renewed diplomatic push hinges on the ability of both sides to transition from indirect messaging to a mutually acceptable resolution.
