Islamabad: Pakistan is making efforts to broker a new 60-day period aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran, under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Pakistani government sources informed Anadolu about the initiative on Wednesday, highlighting Pakistan's mediating role in the ongoing situation.
According to Anadolu Agency, the proposed timeline focuses on reviving discussions concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions against Tehran. The sources, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak to the media, revealed that there has been no official confirmation from Washington, Tehran, or Islamabad regarding this fresh proposal.
The initiative comes after the previous 60-day deadline expired last week without any extension or new developments from the involved parties. Despite the lapse, sources indicated that both sides had implicitly agreed to avoid reigniting hostilities. This previous deadline had commenced on June 17 and concluded on August 16.
The development follows the recent visit of Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Tehran. During his visit, Munir discussed new proposals with the Iranian leadership, focusing on reviving direct talks with the US and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who accompanied Munir, expressed that the visit resulted in 'significant progress' toward resuming direct US-Iran talks.
This diplomatic push coincides with the US implementing a new economic sanctions regime against Iran, affecting its trade. Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, spokesperson for the Iranian President's Office, remarked that Munir's visit was 'highly productive' and had achieved 'significant diplomatic accomplishments,' with outcomes expected to materialize soon.
Pakistan, according to sources, has proposed another 60-day period for immediate resumption of stalled direct talks, aiming to establish a framework for reopening the strait and lifting sanctions during the initial phase.
The Pakistani army chief also communicated a fresh US proposal to the Iranian leadership, suggesting the reopening of the strait in exchange for lifting "a sizable part" of economic sanctions on Tehran. The two sides are reportedly exchanging messages via Islamabad to form a preliminary framework before announcing the extension and revival of direct talks.
Nevertheless, fundamental disagreements remain, particularly regarding ceasefire violations and Iran's support for Hezbollah and Houthis. While the US seeks simultaneous revival of direct talks and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran demands an end to ceasefire violations by Israel, especially in southern Lebanon, prior to reopening the strait.
Although Tehran has responded positively to the new proposals, specific terms on key issues like reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting sanctions have yet to be finalized. Pakistan's army chief has invited Iranian negotiators to Islamabad to restart talks with the US, and a 'Doha option' for meetings in Qatar remains available.
Throughout the conflict, which began on February 28, Pakistan has acted as a principal mediator between Iran and the US, maintaining close communication with both parties. The US and Iran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, initiating negotiations for a final agreement that later stalled due to disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Between July 8 and July 24, US and Iran engaged in military exchanges, with significant casualties on both sides. Pakistan successfully secured a ceasefire on April 8 and hosted high-level direct talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad on April 11-12, though the discussions concluded without agreement.
Since the onset of the US-Iran conflict, over 3,500 individuals, including civilians and military personnel, have been killed in Iran. Tehran's retaliatory actions have resulted in 18 US military personnel deaths and 756 injuries, according to the Pentagon.