'Back-channel contacts are continuing despite harsh tones from both sides,' source says
Pakistan will continue its mediation efforts to help reach a negotiated settlement to the Middle East conflict, with “no immediate danger” of a renewed war between the United States. Iran, multiple government sources familiar with the process toldAnadoluon Monday.
"Pakistan does not see any immediate danger vis-a-vis resumption of war despite the ongoing deadlock, as Washington. Tehran are seriously pursuing a diplomatic way out to end the conflict," a source toldAnadolu, referring to US President Donald Trump'srejectionof Tehran'sresponseto Washington's plan to end the war.
Also, the sources said, Trump does not want hisupcoming China visitto be eclipsed by the resumption of hostilities.
Trump said on Sunday on his Truth Social platform that he had read the response from Iran’s “so-called representatives”. described it as “totally unacceptable”.
Iran, in return, said Trump’s rejection of its response “doesn’t matter at all”.
Islamabad. the sources added, will continue its mediation to "break the deadlock despite the two sides' publicly adopted inflexibility on some issues, mainly Tehran's nuclear programme".
"Back-channel contacts are continuing despite harsh tones from both sides, with several regional countries, including Qatar. Egypt, assisting Islamabad in its mediatory efforts," a source said.
'No significant' change in Iran's stance on nuclear issue
While Pakistan is still hopeful for the resumption of direct talks between the two sides. there is no "significant" change in Iran's previous stance on the nuclear issue in its response to the US proposals, according to the sources.
Tehran's response, which was delivered to the US via Islamabad last week, basically focuses on an "immediate" end to war,. "there is little [in it] in terms of Washington's core demand about Iran's nuclear programme", the sources further said.
Iran, the sources said, had proposed "broader and separate" talks on the nuclear issue, considering its "complexity".
However. Tehran had "reiterated" its "willingness" to halt uranium enrichment for a period of five years, while rejecting Washington's demand for a 20-year moratorium, according to the sources.
The sources added that Iran "once again" rejected the US demand for dismantling of its underground nuclear facilities. insisting that it had no plans to develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran. they said, had also proposed initiation of nuclear talks within a month after the two sides agreed to end the war.
Iran. according to the sources, had reiterated its readiness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to the US blockade of its ports.
Tehran had also repeated its demands for the release of its billions of dollars in frozen accounts, compensation for the war damages,. lifting of the US and international sanctions on the Islamic republic, the sources added.
Pakistan brokered atwo-week ceasefirebetween the US. Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from both countries on April 11 and 12.
However, neither side was able to reach an agreement to bring the war to an end.
Since then, the two warring sides have been exchanging formulas. counter-formulas to reach a middle ground to resume a second round of direct talks to end the conflict that has already disrupted global energy supplies and daily lives across the region.
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