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 mentioned that he and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad, where Araghchi was scheduled to meet with Pakistani high-level officials. However, he stated that no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US and that Iran's observations would be transmitted through Pakistan.
Prior to these developments, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that Tehran had a chance to reach a good deal by abandoning their nuclear ambitions. He warned that Washington’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for oil shipping, was increasing in scope and effect.
The talks come in the wake of escalating military tensions, with American and Israeli aggression prompting Iran to restrict shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This situation has led to rising oil prices globally.
Leavitt stated that Trump had authorized Kushner and Witkoff to navigate these discussions, showcasing the administration's willingness to pursue diplomatic avenues. We’ve certainly seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days, she added.
Additionally, while JD Vance led the US delegation in previous talks, his absence could suggest lower expectations for major breakthroughs in this round of discussions. Despite the ongoing rhetoric from both sides, the continuation of talks indicates a mutual interest in finding a resolution.
As both sides convene in Pakistan, the critical question remains: how much progress can be achieved in these talks?
