Pakistan, Qatar intensify US-Iran talks after Trump orders 'pause'

Diplomatic Push

Pakistani and Qatari mediators have intensified the exchange of messages between Washington and Tehran after US President Donald Trump ordered a "pause" in two weeks of consecutive bombing raids against Iran, with both warring sides communicating their responses to a joint de-escalation formula, government sources in Islamabad told Anadolu on Sunday. The development follows a proposal drafted jointly by Islamabad and Doha after consulting regional partners, urging both countries to return to their pre-July 9 military positions as a preliminary step toward resuming stalled negotiations to permanently end the months-long conflict, according to an official familiar with the matter. Although details of the responses remain undisclosed, the sources said both Washington and Tehran have communicated their consent for dialogue and diplomacy to end the latest hostilities and return to negotiations.

Fragile Truce

The pause in strikes has raised hopes for the resumption of stalled talks, though a source cautioned that the truce remains fragile with a "strong" possibility of violations or another flare-up of hostilities in the near-closed Strait of Hormuz. "Mediators are in constant contact with the two warring sides to consolidate the 'pause, which is their first priority to clear the way for next rounds of their de-escalation' formula," the source said, adding that diplomatic channels are particularly concerned about "hawks" from both sides who could reignite the fighting. The New York Times reported on Saturday that Trump decided to pause escalation plans following a Friday meeting with senior advisers and Cabinet officials, citing concerns over dwindling American air defense missile stocks.

De-escalation Terms

Under the joint formula, Iran would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments — while Washington would end its resumed blockade of Iranian ports and lift sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil, the sources added. The proposal also includes a two-week ceasefire, after which talks would resume immediately with the implementation of a ceasefire in southern Lebanon also topping the agenda. Pakistan, which mediated a ceasefire in April and helped broker a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran last month, proposed the latest initiative after consulting regional partners, while Iran confirmed it received the proposals and is reviewing them while reaffirming its commitment to diplomatic solutions.