Pakistan hopeful about agreement between US and Iran: FO

“Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that Islamabad was hopeful about an agreement between the US and Iran and was expecting it to happen soon. He said while responding to a question during a weekly FO briefing, adding that Pakistan would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached. “If an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us,” he said. The FO spokesperson also said he could not say whether the draft of the agreement would be one page or longer. Andrabi’s remarks came after the US and Iran see­med to inch toward a peace deal on Wednesday. There were reports that Tehran was reviewing a fresh proposal from Washington for a peace following the suspension of ‘Project Freedom’ launc­hed by the US to open the Strait of Hormuz. The latest episode of hostilities between the two sides began with more than two months ago when the US and Israel launched strikes in Iran on February 28. While a deal for a complete end to the war is yet to happen, the hostilities have been largely ceased since a the two sides agreed on a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8. Following the ceasefire, a first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, with Pakistan playing the role of a mediator. The talks had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown . With challenges in convening a second round, Islamabad has shifted back to its role as a facilitator and go-between. But, there were some positive signals on Wednesday, with Trump saying he had had “very good talks” with Iran over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, Tehran appeared receptive to the fresh US proposal to end the war, saying that it was reviewing the agreement and a response would be relayed to Washington via Islamabad. US news outlet Axios also claimed that Washington and Tehran were close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and “set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations”. Among main issues that remain a sticking point between the two sides are unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington’s demand for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation. More to follow

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