Pakistan proposes fresh 60-day timeline for US-Iran talks

Pakistan has proposed a fresh 60-day timeline to revive direct talks between the United States and Iran under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, aiming to secure a final agreement to end the war that has raged since February, Pakistani government sources said on Wednesday. The proposed framework seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure the lifting of economic sanctions against Tehran, coming after the initial 60-day period expired last week without either side declaring a formal extension.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials said Washington and Tehran have tacitly agreed to refrain from fresh hostilities despite the lapse of the previous deadline, which ran from June 17 to August 16. The sources emphasized that Islamabad remains committed to bridging the gap between the two capitals through its established mediation channels and has urged both parties to resume negotiations immediately.

Army chief delivers proposals

Field Marshal Asim Munir traveled to Tehran recently to discuss the new proposals with Iranian leadership, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the sources said. Naqvi stated that "significant progress" had been achieved during the visit as part of Islamabad's renewed push for direct negotiations between the adversaries.

The army chief conveyed a fresh US proposal seeking the reopening of the strategic waterway in exchange for Washington lifting "a sizable part" of economic sanctions on Tehran, according to the sources. "The two sides are exchanging messages through Islamabad to reach a preliminary framework before announcing the extension and revival of direct talks," they said, adding that Pakistani officials have invited Iranian negotiators to Islamabad for face-to-face discussions with American representatives.

Sticking points remain

Despite the diplomatic activity, fundamental differences remain over ceasefire violations and Iran's support for Hezbollah and the Houthis, the sources acknowledged. Washington wants the strait reopened simultaneously with the revival of talks, whereas Tehran insists on a halt to Israeli ceasefire violations in southern Lebanon before any reopening of the vital shipping lane.

"Tehran has shown a positive gesture to the new proposals, however, no specific terms have yet been reached on the key issues," another source said, referring to the sanctions and the blockade. The sources noted that the "Doha option" remains available as an alternative venue for any potential meeting between the parties should Islamabad prove unsuitable for the next round of negotiations.

Conflict background

Pakistan has served as the primary mediator between Iran and the US since the war began on February 28, maintaining close contact with both capitals throughout the hostilities. The two sides signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17 to launch negotiations toward a final agreement, though talks later stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the strategic chokepoint.

Between July 8 and July 24, the US and Iran exchanged military strikes, with Washington launching attacks on targets inside Iran and Tehran responding by striking US military facilities and equipment in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. More than 3,500 people, both civilians and soldiers, have been killed in Iran since the war began, according to the sources, while the Pentagon has confirmed 18 deaths and 756 injuries among American personnel during the conflict.