In brief
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, special envoys from former President Donald Trump, are heading to Pakistan to initiate talks with Iranian leaders. The primary aim is to explore potential peace options as both nations continue to show interest in resolving ongoing conflicts. White House officials have indicated that Iran is willing to discuss terms, while US officials express hopes for significant diplomatic progress. The situation remains tense as military engagements have affected oil prices and international relations. As talks unfold, all eyes are on Islamabad, where both sides will express their positions and aspirations.
Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on Saturday morning, the White House has said. The Iranians want to talk, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that US Vice-President JD Vance was on standby to travel if the talks proved successful.Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei stated he and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad and would be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials. He added that no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US, as Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.Ahead of Baqaei's comments, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that Tehran had a chance to make a good deal, emphasizing the abandonment of nuclear weapon ambitions. At Friday's briefing, Hegseth warned that Washington's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route, is growing and going global. The US and Israel commenced military actions against Iran on February 28, leading to Tehran restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has contributed to soaring oil prices. White House officials have confirmed that the US is willing to give diplomacy a chance and are witnessing some progress from the Iranian side. However, open questions remain on how much ground can be covered during the discussions in Pakistan, especially with previous tensions persisting between the US and Iran.
