Iran envoy says Pakistan-US talks on ending war at 'critical, sensitive stage'

Iranian ambassador to Islamabad on Tuesday said that Pakistan's facilitation of talks with the US to end the war in the Middle East is "approaching a critical, sensitive stage." Pakistan's positive and productive endeavors to stop the war are approaching a critical, sensitive stage, Reza Amiri Moghadam said on X, adding: 'Stay tuned.'

Iran's proposal

Moghadam's remarks come as Iran on Monday sent a proposal outlining its position on ending the war, rejecting a temporary ceasefire and calling instead for a permanent resolution. Iran conveyed its response to a US proposal through Pakistan after two weeks of high-level deliberations. According to Pakistani sources, the US proposal included an immediate halt to hostilities, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a two-to-three-week window to finalize a broader settlement.

Trump's response

Later, US President Donald Trump described Iran's response as a "significant step," though still falling short. "It's not good enough, but it's a very significant step," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump has set Tuesday evening as a deadline, warning that every bridge and power plant in Iran would be "decimated" if no deal is reached.

Conflict context

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,400 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting roughly 20 million barrels of daily oil traffic.