Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran along with a high-level delegation, as part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran. The development comes just days after nearly 21 hours of discussions in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement, despite being the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran in decades.
Pakistan’s military confirmed that Asim Munir, along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, is part of the delegation now in Iran. The visit is meant to convey messages between the two sides and help set the stage for another round of talks, which could once again be held in Islamabad.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received the Pakistan delegation on arrival in Tehran.
Iranian officials indicated that communication has continued through Islamabad even after the failed talks. “Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.
“Today, we are very likely to receive a Pakistani delegation as a continuation of the discussions in Islamabad,” he added.
According to several reports, Asim Munir’s role is to narrow gaps between the US and Iran, with both sides still exploring whether a workable compromise can be reached in the coming days.
IRAN HOLDS FIRM ON NUCLEAR POSITION
Even as talks continue, Iran has made it clear that certain red lines are unchanged. Esmaeil Baqaei said that Tehran’s right to enrich uranium is indisputable. However, the level of enrichment could be negotiated.
“The right to peaceful use of nuclear energy cannot be taken away under pressure or through war,” he said, adding that “the level and type of enrichment” remains open for discussion based on Iran’s needs. He went on to dismiss some of the US demands during the Islamabad talks as “unreasonable and unrealistic”.
TRUMP’S MIXED SIGNALS AMID DIPLOMATIC PUSH
Amid mediation efforts, US President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages, suggesting talks could resume within days and hinting at a breakthrough, even as the Pentagon has reportedly deployed nearly 10,000 troops to the Middle East.
“Something could be happening over the next two days,” Trump said, adding that negotiations were “more inclined” to return to Pakistan. He also praised Asim Munir’s role, calling him “fantastic” and crediting him for facilitating talks.
In separate remarks to Fox News, the US President said the war itself may be nearing an end. “I think it can be over very soon. It will end soon,” he said, while also telling US media that the situation remained “a little bit slow” in terms of progress.
The renewed diplomatic activity comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire brokered on April 8, which is set to expire on April 22. While the ceasefire is technically still holding, it is increasingly under strain after Trump imposed a blockade in Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also warned that it could respond if the blockade continues.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
