US Media: Pakistan Receives Positive Signal from Iran for Resuming Face-to-Face Talks

BlockBeats News, April 23rd, according to The New York Times report, on Wednesday, Pakistani officials remained optimistic, believing it is still possible to bring the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table, despite Iran's act of detaining two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which has posed a new obstacle to their longstanding peacemaking efforts. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif met with the Iranian ambassador on Wednesday.

A Pakistani official who was briefed on the meeting said that the second round of talks could take place in the coming days. Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. and the UK who is aware of the current diplomatic efforts, said, "The ceasefire has created space for the resumption of a diplomatic track, which Pakistan believes is sufficient. Both sides have not rejected negotiations."

Another Pakistani official who was briefed on the negotiations and requested anonymity said that after the ceasefire extension, Pakistani mediators have received positive signals from the Iranian side, hoping to restart face-to-face talks. The official did not elaborate on what these signals were or whether Iran had informed Pakistani mediators that the U.S. lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz was a prerequisite for participating in the second round of talks.