The Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian embarked on a significant visit to Islamabad on Tuesday, amidst ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at concluding the Middle East conflict. The talks, which have seen both progress and discrepancies, are being mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
The visit comes as technical teams are finalizing the details of a potential deal, following high-level negotiations in Switzerland on Monday. The discussions were led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Key Points of the Negotiations
The initial talks have set the stage for a 60-day diplomatic process aimed at achieving a permanent deal to end the war. Key agreements include the creation of a de-confliction cell to address the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia group. Additionally, mechanisms have been discussed to ensure the Strait of Hormuz a critical waterway for oil transit, remains open.
President Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of full commitment to the agreed obligations, stating that progress will be measured by practical adherence to accepted responsibilities. He cautioned that statements outside the agreed text do not help advance the negotiations.
Discrepancies and Challenges
Despite the progress, discrepancies have emerged regarding the agreed terms. For instance, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei stated that no visits have been scheduled for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the Iranian nuclear sites bombed by the US last year. This contradicts earlier statements by Vance, who claimed that the negotiations in Switzerland secured an agreement for IAEA inspections.
The IAEA has had limited access to Iran since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in 2026, and has not been granted access to the bombed enrichment sites targeted by the US during that conflict.
The Role of Pakistan and Other Mediators
Pakistan and Qatar have been instrumental in mediating the talks. They have proposed that the de-confliction cell include the Lebanese government to ensure the adherence to the termination of military operations in Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised questions about the effectiveness of this cell, stating that his military retains full freedom of action to thwart any direct or emerging threat.
Neither Israel nor Hezbollah are signatories to the US-Iran deal, and Netanyahu has vowed to keep his forces in southern Lebanon until any threat to Israel is eliminated. Hezbollah, on the other hand, has refused to halt attacks unless Israel commits to withdrawing.
US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in resolving the situation, stating that he is a problem solver who gets problems solved quickly, including with Netanyahu. The renewed ceasefire in Lebanon, brokered on Saturday, appears to be holding, with no new strikes reported overnight.
Lebanon and Israel are planning another round of direct talks in Washington on Tuesday, focusing on developing a plan for an Israeli withdrawal. The outcome of these talks will be crucial in determining the future of the region.
