Iran and the U.S. are making conflicting statements about efforts to negotiate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump insists talks are under way, while Tehran maintains that negotiations remain on hold.
Meanwhile, time is running out. The former allies, which became adversaries following the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the pro-Western Shah, have less than two weeks before the 60-day ceasefire memorandum of understanding expires.
Signed by the Iranian and U.S. presidents on 17 June, the 14-point memorandum was mediated by Pakistan and intended to serve as a foundation for lasting peace. However, progress has stalled, particularly over differing interpretations of Clause 5, which concerns the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite denying direct negotiations with the U.S., Iran has maintained diplomatic contacts with Pakistani mediators as well as Oman over traffic through the strategic waterway.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate telephone calls with his Pakistani and Omani counterparts on Monday aimed at easing regional tensions, including the possible resumption of stalled U.S.-mediated talks and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to official sources citing Iranian Foreign Ministry statements, the foreign ministers of Iran, Pakistan and Oman "reviewed regional developments and the current diplomatic activities".
State news agency IRNA reported that Araghchi and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of continuing close cooperation and consultations to help establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
IRNA also said Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi "discussed and exchanged views on the latest regional developments".
Pakistan is the main mediator between Tehran and Washington. Oman previously served as the primary channel of communication before the Israeli-U.S. war against the Islamic Republic in February, which lasted 40 days.
Disagreements between Tehran and Washington over implementing Clause 5 of the Islamabad memorandum, concerning the reopening of the strategic waterway, have stalled efforts to reach a permanent peace agreement.
Since then, the deadlock has fuelled an escalating military standoff, marked by repeated cycles of tit-for-tat strikes involving Iran and U.S. bases and interests across the region.
Quoting Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, local media reported that Ishaq Dar had invited Araghchi to visit Islamabad at his "earliest convenience".
Other media reports said Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had separately invited Iran's Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator with the U.S., Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, to visit Pakistan.
So far, Tehran has not said whether or when its senior negotiators will visit neighbouring Pakistan to discuss restarting the stalled talks with the U.S., even as the ceasefire deadline draws closer.
Tajikistan has begun the process of leaving the International Criminal Court, citing what it calls growing politicisation and bias in the court&rsq...
Microsoft has introduced new tools to stop AI agents from accessing data without permission, alongside a Nvidia-powered Surface laptop that can run...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections...
Russia's health watchdog said on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among anyone who had come into contact with a Siberian plague institute laboratory worker who died last week, and locals said their lives had barely been disrupted.
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
A large Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow and the surrounding region has killed two people, damaged homes and sparked a major fire at a key fuel facility, according to Russian officials and military bloggers.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections with the Turkish city of Kars and the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan with Russian officials next week, according to local media.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
Iran says it will deliver its response to recent U.S. proposals through intermediaries, underscoring that communication between the two countries continues indirectly alongside ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
International cooperation, lunar exploration and the growing role of artificial intelligence dominated the third day of a major astronautical conference now underway in Antalya.
Armenian authorities have frozen a wide range of assets belonging to billionaire businessman and opposition politician Gagik Tsarukyan as part of proceedings linked to the confiscation of property allegedly acquired illegally.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment