US and Iranian media have reported that peace talks between Iran and the United States have begun in Islamabad, as Pakistan tries to broker a deal. The discussions come amid continuing tensions in the region, with Israel also saying it remains committed to fighting Iran.
The reported talks are taking place against the backdrop of the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been severely disrupted since the start of the war. Iran has blockaded the waterway, causing major damage to the global economy and raising concerns over the movement of commercial vessels through one of the world’s most important energy routes.
UK to host meeting on Strait of Hormuz
The UK is due to host a meeting on the Strait of Hormuz next week, bringing together several countries that are seeking to restore free passage for ships through the waterway. According to the report, the meeting will focus on reopening safe movement through the strait after months of disruption.
A British official told the Associated Press that the meeting will oppose the idea of tolls being charged for passage through the waterway. Iran has proposed such tolls as part of ceasefire negotiations, but the UK-led meeting is expected to reject that approach.
Claims over mines in the strait
US officials have also claimed that Iran is unable to find mines it laid in the Strait of Hormuz. The claim adds another layer to the standoff over the waterway, which has become a central issue in the wider conflict.
The developments come as Donald Trump said the US has begun clearing mines in the strait. The report did not give additional details about the operation, but the statement suggests Washington is taking direct action as the situation in the waterway remains unresolved.
With talks reported in Islamabad and a separate international meeting planned in the UK, diplomatic efforts appear to be gathering pace even as military tensions remain high. Pakistan’s role as a broker highlights the broader regional push to find a way out of the crisis, though there is still no indication that a breakthrough has been reached.
The situation remains fluid, with media reports pointing to parallel negotiations, public claims, and competing proposals on how to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz. For now, the key questions centre on whether the Islamabad talks can produce any progress and whether the forthcoming UK meeting can build support for a shared approach to reopening the waterway.
The conflict has already had widespread economic consequences, and the continued blockade of the strait keeps pressure on global shipping markets and energy supplies. Any attempt to resolve the crisis is likely to involve both security guarantees and agreement over commercial access, issues that remain deeply contested.
