Join WhatsApp Channel
Pakistan has said that negotiations between Iran and the US were continuing despite a renewed escalation in hostilities, as CENTCOM confirmed launching another wave of airstrikes on Iranian targets following Iranian attacks on American forces in Jordan.
Speaking in Islamabad, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions are underway, with negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and de-escalation ongoing.
Pakistan, which has been acting as one of the key mediators between Washington and Tehran for several months alongside Qatar had previously helped broker an agreement that paved the way for carrying forth negotiations on a longer-term settlement.
Andrabi said Islamabad was doing its “utmost to bring all parties back” to technical discussions under that framework.
His comments came despite Iran repeatedly insisting that there are currently no direct talks with US officials. Tehran has acknowledged continued discussions with Omani officials on future arrangements governing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz but maintains that dialogue with Washington remains indirect.
The renewed diplomatic efforts coincide with a sharp deterioration in the regional security situation.
Over the past two days, Saudi Arabia joined the US in carrying out strikes against Iran-aligned militant groups in Iraq, with Egypt coming under attack for the first time during the conflict after a drone strike by unknown perpetrators targeted a Mediterranean port.
On Thursday, Jordan and Kuwait also reported fresh Iranian missile attacks.
The latest fighting follows the collapse of a brief pause in hostilities that had been intended to create space for negotiations.
Earlier this month, a ceasefire reached after April’s truce broke down, with Iran reasserting its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes.
Separately on Thursday, Iran’s IRGC claimed that two oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz with US support turned back after one of the vessels caught fire.
