A new negotiation timetable covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of sanctions on Iran has emerged as part of Pakistan's effort to restart direct talks between the United States and Iran.
Pakistani government sources said a new 60-day period had been proposed to reach an agreement that would end the months-long war between the two countries. Washington, Tehran and Islamabad have not officially confirmed the proposal.
Islamabad's proposed new timetable
The proposal emerged after the previous 60-day timetable expired. The timetable, established under the Islamabad Accord, began on June 17 and ended on August 16.
Pakistani government sources claimed that, despite the expiration of the period, the United States and Iran had reached an implicit understanding not to launch new clashes. The same sources said the parties had conveyed messages about the new proposals through Islamabad and were trying to agree on a preliminary framework before holding direct talks.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, discussed restarting direct negotiations with the Iranian leadership and reopening the Strait of Hormuz during his latest visit to Tehran.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who accompanied Munir on the visit, said significant progress had been made following the contacts. Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabai, a spokesperson for the Iranian president's office, described the visit as highly productive and said it had produced significant diplomatic gains.
Disputes between Washington and Tehran
Pakistani government sources claimed that Munir conveyed a new proposal to the Iranian leadership that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened in exchange for the United States lifting a substantial portion of its economic sanctions.
Washington wants the strait to be reopened at the same time as direct talks resume. Iran, meanwhile, regards an end to Israeli-originated ceasefire violations, particularly in southern Lebanon, as a precondition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's support for Hezbollah and the Houthis, security guarantees, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz are also among the issues on which the parties remain divided. Iran is said to view the new proposals positively, but no agreement has yet been reached on specific conditions concerning the fundamental issues.
Pakistan invited Iranian negotiators to Islamabad to restart the talks. Holding a meeting in Doha, the capital of Qatar, is also among the options.
Pakistan's mediation initiative
Pakistan hosted the highest-level direct talks between the United States and Iran since the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 1979. The talks, held in Islamabad on April 11-12, ended without producing an outcome.
The United States and Iran signed the Islamabad Accord on June 17 and began negotiations toward a final agreement. However, the talks stalled over disputes concerning security guarantees and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is strategically important for global energy supplies and trade.
Pakistan hosted talks between the two countries after a ceasefire was reached on April 8. Between July 8 and 24, the United States and Iran carried out reciprocal military strikes. While the United States attacked targets inside Iran, Iran targeted US military facilities and equipment in several Arab countries, including Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
More than 3,500 civilians and soldiers in Iran have allegedly been killed since the clashes began on February 28. The Pentagon said 18 of its personnel were killed and 756 were wounded during the war.
