Mediators hold 'cautious optimism' on US-Iran talks resumption

Mediators eye breakthrough

Pakistani and Qatari mediators have expressed "cautious optimism" about the resumption of stalled talks between Washington and Tehran in the coming days after convincing President Donald Trump to cancel planned military strikes on the Islamic Republic, sources told Anadolu on Sunday. According to Pakistani government sources familiar with the diplomatic efforts, mediators are expecting "positive developments" on the resumption of talks by the end of this week as both sides exchange messages through backchannels to de-escalate the conflict that has roiled the region for months.

The sources said that Washington and Tehran are exchanging messages through mediators to reach an understanding to end hostilities for a two-week period and resume diplomatic negotiations. This de-escalation formula was proposed jointly by Islamabad and Doha last month to clear the way for the resumption of talks under the framework deal reached in the capital Islamabad in June, which aimed at establishing a lasting peace between the adversaries.

Trump halts planned strikes

Trump announced on his Truth Social platform on Saturday that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had requested additional time to finalize an agreement that would lead to "the Immediate, Complete and Total" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and "an end to Iran's nuclear threat." He stated that Israel had also agreed to hold off on attacks, urging negotiators: "Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE." The planned military strikes were cancelled following diplomatic interventions by regional partners who warned of the catastrophic consequences of expanded warfare in the Gulf region.

Sustaining the pause

"The expansion of hostilities in recent weeks, including the Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia and in the Red Sea, have further aggravated the already complex scenario in the Middle East," a source acknowledged, referring to the multifaceted nature of the regional conflict that extends beyond the US-Iran bilateral tensions. "However, the good thing is that all the stakeholders are fully aware of the consequences of the expanding war on the global economy and (are) willing to end that," the source added, highlighting the economic pressures driving the renewed push for negotiations.

"Currently, the core issue is how to sustain the pause in attacks," the source said, noting that if mediators manage to sustain the pause (in hostilities) for a week or so, then the next steps to bring the two warring sides to the table would be relatively easier. The fragility of the current ceasefire remains a primary concern for diplomats working to prevent a broader regional conflagration that could disrupt global energy markets and shipping lanes.

Islamabad's mediation role

Pakistan's army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir, who has been actively involved in the mediation process alongside Qatari officials, spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday to discuss concrete ways to lessen the rising hostilities and return to the negotiating table. Islamabad mediated a ceasefire in April and subsequently helped the US and Iran reach a comprehensive framework agreement in June to end the conflict, though tensions escalated sharply last month over navigation rights in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.