By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Fresh diplomatic efforts to end nearly three months of conflict between the United States and Iran appear to be gaining momentum, with officials from both sides signalling cautious optimism after a new round of negotiations on Saturday. Mediated by Pakistan, the talks have reportedly produced encouraging developments, raising hopes that a breakthrough agreement could emerge within days.
Iranian, American and Pakistani officials all acknowledged that meaningful progress had been made in discussions aimed at ending the war, even though major disagreements remain unresolved. Diplomats involved in the process say the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether the fragile momentum leads to a lasting agreement or renewed confrontation.
In Tehran, Iran intensified diplomatic activity as senior officials met with Pakistani military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, who has played a key mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Munir held discussions with Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, while also meeting President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit.
Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran is now concentrating on finalising a memorandum of understanding that could serve as the foundation for a broader peace arrangement. Officials described the recent diplomatic exchanges as constructive, though they warned that several contentious issues still require negotiation.
Pakistan, acting as a mediator in the conflict, reported that discussions over the last 24 hours had yielded “encouraging” progress toward a final understanding between the two long-time adversaries. Islamabad’s involvement reflects growing international concern over the regional and economic consequences of the war, particularly after tensions disrupted one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
Speaking during a visit to New Delhi, U.S. Secretary of State said discussions were moving in a positive direction, although he stressed that no final deal had been reached.
“There’s been some progress made,” Rubio told reporters, adding that negotiations were continuing behind the scenes even as he spoke. He suggested Washington could have a major announcement “later today, tomorrow, or in a couple of days,” depending on how talks evolve.
Iran also struck a cautiously hopeful tone. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said tensions had eased somewhat during the week, noting that the general trend had moved toward reducing disputes. However, he acknowledged that several difficult issues still needed to be addressed through indirect mediation.
“We will have to wait and see where the situation ends in the next three or four days,” Baghaei said, signalling that diplomats remain uncertain about whether enough common ground can be found.
Key Disputes Still Divide Washington and Tehran
Despite the diplomatic progress, both countries continue to publicly defend their core positions.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts are aimed at bridging significant gaps between Tehran and Washington after weeks of warfare that destabilised the region and severely disrupted global energy markets. The prolonged conflict has contributed to the near closure of the strategically vital , through which a large share of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
Shipping disruptions have heightened fears of an energy crisis, while a fragile ceasefire remains in place amid concerns that fighting could quickly resume if diplomacy fails.
Reports suggest negotiations have centred around a 14-point framework proposed by Iran, which Tehran sees as the primary basis for reaching a settlement. Discussions reportedly also include diplomatic messages exchanged between both sides in recent weeks.
Iran says one of its main concerns remains the U.S. restrictions affecting Iranian shipping, but officials insist their immediate priority is preventing new American military action and containing regional instability, particularly in neighbouring Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters continue clashes with Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Washington has repeated its demands for major concessions from Tehran. Rubio reiterated the position of U.S. President , insisting that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon, that shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz remain open without tolls or restrictions, and that Tehran surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded firmly, saying Tehran would continue defending what it calls its “legitimate rights” both diplomatically and militarily. He also repeated Iran’s longstanding accusations that the United States cannot be trusted in negotiations.
Qalibaf warned that Iran had rebuilt military capabilities during the ceasefire period and cautioned that if the United States restarted hostilities, Tehran’s response would be “stronger and more bitter” than before.
Political Pressure Builds in Washington
The ongoing conflict has also created political complications for Trump at home. Rising energy prices linked to disruptions in Middle Eastern shipping have reportedly hurt his public approval ratings, placing additional pressure on the White House to secure a diplomatic resolution.
Trump signalled the seriousness of the moment by announcing he would remain in Washington rather than attend his son’s wedding, citing Iran among the reasons for staying close to ongoing developments.
Despite months of fighting, Iran is believed to have preserved much of its near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile, as well as significant missile, drone and regional proxy capabilities — issues that remain central to U.S. and Israeli security concerns.
With diplomats hinting that the next several days could determine whether a deal is possible, the world is now watching closely to see if cautious optimism can turn into a formal breakthrough — or whether tensions between Washington and Tehran could once again spiral toward conflict.
Source: Reuters
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