ISLAMABAD: Diplomatic efforts to defuse the ongoing crisis between the United States and Iran suffered a major setback when the United States seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz and amid these actions, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that it had no plans to participate in new talks.
The incident came hours after US President Donald Trump announced that he was sending a team to Islamabad for possible talks with Iran.
The seizure of the cargo ship has further complicated an already delicate regional situation. Iranian officials have called the move a provocative act that undermines the prospects for talks. The development has effectively halted ongoing efforts for a second round of peace talks.
Despite the setback, Pakistan has maintained tight security measures in its capital, Islamabad, in view of the possible high-level diplomacy. Around 20,000 security personnel have been deployed to protect key locations and maintain order.
Pakistan is playing its role as a key mediator, but it is yet to be confirmed whether the second round of talks will go ahead as planned. While tensions remain high on the US-Iran front, a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is still in place.
Thousands of displaced civilians are returning to inspect their destroyed homes in southern Lebanon. Although the ceasefire is in place, regional observers are cautious about the long-term sustainability of the agreement given the wider conflict and tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Prominet journalist Anas Mallick said that Iran stance was wrongly reported Iran no intention for talk but rather saying that Iran has no plane yet for further talks.
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