High-stakes US-Iran talks are expected to begin in Pakistan, but Hormuz pressure, ceasefire strain and distrust continue to hang over the diplomatic window.
Diplomatic efforts to prevent a fresh flare-up in West Asia gathered pace on April 11, with US and Iranian delegations converging on Islamabad for high-stakes talks during a fragile two-week truce. But even before the first formal engagement, the mood around the negotiations remained tense, with threats, distrust and public sparring continuing on all sides.
The focus has shifted sharply to the Strait of Hormuz, now at the heart of both military and diplomatic pressure. While Washington says the waterway will reopen “with or without” Iran’s cooperation, Tehran has signalled deep mistrust of the US and tied any meaningful progress to conditions, including a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
