live UN halts Strait of Hormuz escort operations after reported attack on cargo ship
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday for renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme, according to reporting by Axios.
Sources said preparations are underway, though the timing and format have not been finalised.
The potential meeting comes as the U.S. increases its military presence in the Gulf, with President Donald Trump warning Iran to return to talks while insisting that diplomacy remains possible. He said last week that Tehran was “seriously talking” after his announcement that a large naval deployment was heading towards the region.
Regional mediation has intensified in recent days, with Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt facilitating indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran. Araghchi travelled to Istanbul on Friday for meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, although no official readout was issued.
Witkoff is expected to travel to Israel this week for consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, before heading to Abu Dhabi for Russia-Ukraine talks and then to Türkiye.
Iran has warned that any U.S. strike would provoke a rapid response, while Washington says diplomacy is still viable if Tehran engages constructively.
At this stage, no agenda or timeframe has been confirmed by either side.
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The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
As diplomacy helps ease tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran are seeking to turn that momentum into closer security cooperation along one of South Asia's most sensitive borders.
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