US and Iranian officials are expected to resume peace talks on Sunday after a round of negotiations in Islamabad stretched into the early morning and was then paused, according to the Iranian government. The latest discussions come as mediators try to narrow deep divisions between the two sides amid the wider regional crisis.
The talks in Pakistan are being held as part of an effort to broker a peace deal, with Islamabad playing a central role in trying to bring the sides back to the table. But the process remains fragile. The source said that “serious disagreements” remain, indicating that the two sides have yet to bridge the main gaps in the negotiations.
Israel, meanwhile, remains a major factor in the broader conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel is still committed to fighting Iran, underscoring that the war is not nearing an end. His comments point to continued tension even as diplomats push for a negotiated outcome.
One of the most urgent issues linked to the conflict is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that has been blockaded by Iran since the beginning of the war. The disruption has already caused heavy damage to the global economy by limiting the movement of ships through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
US officials have claimed that Iran is unable to find mines it laid in the strait, a detail that adds to concerns about the state of the blockade and the risks facing commercial shipping. The issue is likely to be high on the agenda as diplomacy continues.
UK to host meeting on the Strait of Hormuz
The United Kingdom will host a meeting next week focused on the Strait of Hormuz, bringing together multiple countries that want to restore free movement of ships through the waterway. The gathering is intended to build support for reopening the route and reducing the economic disruption caused by the blockade.
According to a British official who spoke to the Associated Press, the meeting will oppose the idea of tolls being charged for passage through the strait. Iran has proposed such tolls as part of ceasefire negotiations, but that suggestion appears to be meeting resistance from the countries involved in the talks.
The diplomatic picture remains unsettled as the pause in the Islamabad talks gives negotiators time to consult before the next round. With maritime access, ceasefire terms and wider security concerns all tied together, the coming days may prove critical in determining whether the negotiations can produce any real progress.
For now, both the talks and the wider crisis remain unresolved, with mediators still working to keep channels open between the parties.
