Araghchi Returns to Pakistan for Iran-US Ceasefire Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad on Sunday to resume ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington, with Pakistan serving as an intermediary. Araghchi had just come from Oman, which has been mediating the talks, and spoke by phone with counterparts in Saudi Arabia and Qatar about the ongoing diplomacy. President Donald Trump canceled a planned US delegation visit to Pakistan on Saturday night, saying there was a lack of progress, but within 10 minutes Iran sent a "much better" proposal, according to Trump. The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, established on April 7, has largely halted fighting that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, though a permanent settlement remains elusive. The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of discussions, as Iran restricts movement through the vital waterway and the United States enforces a blockade of Iranian ports. Iran wants to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait, through which a fifth of the world's oil flows in peacetime, and insists the US blockade must end before new talks can begin. Pakistan-led mediators are working to bridge significant gaps between the countries. Oman confirmed it is prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy to find a political solution to the conflict, with the Sultan of Oman calling for negotiations to continue through regional channels. The economic fallout continues to grow two months into the war, with global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Casualties remain high, with at least 3,375 people killed in Iran, 2,496 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members and six UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon also have been killed. Independent political analyst Syed Mohammad Ali said the negotiation process requires patience, but the ceasefire is holding and both sides show a desire to end the conflict without it backfiring at home.