Pakistan Commander Asim Munir welcomed the Iranian delegation upon their arrival on the 11th for negotiation purposes.
Global attention turns to potential second-round discussions between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran aimed at ending hostilities and addressing nuclear concerns. The talks may convene this weekend or early next week.
Tehran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already reached Islamabad, the capital of the mediating nation. American negotiators are also scheduled to travel there, raising expectations that direct discussions could take place.
However, Iranian state media reported that Minister Araghchi will not meet with U.S. representatives during this visit, suggesting ongoing posturing over whether negotiations will actually occur.
The White House confirmed that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will depart for Pakistan on the 25th to pursue face-to-face dialogue. Unnamed Iranian officials told major newspapers that Araghchi plans to present a new written response to Washington’s peace proposal and intends to meet the American team.
Yet semi-official Iranian news agencies stated the Foreign Minister would only hold discussions with Pakistani counterparts about Tehran’s position on ending the conflict—not with American officials.
It remains unclear whether this represents strategic maneuvering by both sides to gain leverage before sitting down, or whether they have not yet agreed to meet at all.
Meanwhile, the U.S. administration intensifies pressure while emphasizing diplomatic solutions. Economic and military measures have expanded beyond the Strait of Hormuz into international waters, blocking vessels traveling to Iranian ports and seizing ships that violate restrictions.
Washington has declared it will immediately sink any vessel attempting to lay mines in the strait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that “the blockade is expanding globally” and emphasized that “time is not on Iran’s side.”
He reaffirmed the blockade will continue as long as deemed necessary. Additional sanctions were announced targeting approximately 40 shipping companies and vessels operating what officials call a “shadow fleet” used to export oil while evading restrictions.
All eyes now focus on whether the two sides will resume second-round talks and find common ground amid the fragile ceasefire and rising tensions over the strait blockade.
Initial discussions held on the 11th-12th ended without agreement, and a second round expected on the 21st never materialized. If this meeting takes place, observers will watch closely to see whether it can break the deadlock and open a path forward.