US-Iran Negotiators Meet in Pakistan as Trump Claims Hormuz Strait ‘Clearing’ Underway
US and Iranian negotiators convened on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking their highest-level discussions in over fifty years. The talks aim to address ongoing hostilities between the two nations, occurring concurrently with President Donald Trump’s announcement that US forces had successfully targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Developments in Islamabad
Trump asserted via social media that the US military had initiated operations to “clear out the Strait of Hormuz,” claiming the destruction of 28 Iranian vessels involved in laying mines. This statement was met with skepticism, as Iran’s state-affiliated news outlet, Nournews, labeled it “false news.” Reports indicated that negotiations had reached a stalemate, particularly concerning the strategic status of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy supplies.
Iranian state television reported that no US naval vessels had traversed the strait, which has been effectively blocked by Tehran. The status of this waterway was a central issue during the talks, which represented the first direct US-Iranian negotiations in more than a decade and the most significant since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
High-Level Delegations and Tensions
The US delegation included Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. They engaged in a two-hour meeting with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. The Iranian delegation arrived dressed in black, mourning the loss of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others who died during the recent six-week conflict. They reportedly carried symbolic items, including shoes and bags representing students killed in a US bombing incident.
Sources from the Pakistani mediation team noted that the atmosphere during the discussions fluctuated, with “mood swings” observed from both parties.
French President Emmanuel Macron communicated with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the necessity of de-escalation through the ongoing ceasefire talks in Pakistan.
Uncertain Progress in Negotiations
Despite the high-level engagement, reports from both sides indicated significant gaps in positions. A senior Iranian official claimed that the US had agreed to release frozen assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, a statement that was promptly denied by a US official.
Iran’s demands extend beyond asset releases; they include control over the Strait of Hormuz, payment of war reparations, and a comprehensive ceasefire across the region, including Lebanon. Trump’s objectives have varied, but he has consistently sought to ensure free passage for global shipping through the strait and to curtail Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.
Israel, a US ally, has been actively involved in military operations against Iranian interests, including recent strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in significant casualties. Both Israel and the US have clarified that Lebanon is not included in the proposed Iran-US ceasefire.
Heightened Distrust and Strategic Implications
The atmosphere of mutual distrust remains palpable. Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that Iran would approach negotiations with “our finger on the trigger,” highlighting the cautious stance of Tehran’s diplomatic team.
Iran’s agenda includes the collection of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The ongoing conflict has already disrupted this vital trade route, contributing to inflation and economic slowdowns worldwide.
Despite the tensions, three supertankers flagged from Liberia and China successfully navigated the strait on Saturday, marking the first vessels to depart the Gulf since the recent ceasefire announcement.
Continued Strikes in Lebanon
On the same day, reports emerged of ongoing strikes in southern Lebanon, with Israeli military aircraft conducting operations over Beirut. Hezbollah announced multiple military actions against Israeli positions, both within Lebanese territory and in northern Israel. Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled to engage in discussions in the US on Tuesday.
The US-Iran negotiations are taking place under heightened security in Islamabad, which is currently experiencing an unprecedented lockdown involving thousands of paramilitary and military personnel.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since the conflict began and is reportedly suffering from severe injuries sustained in an attack that killed his predecessor.
Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
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Published on 2026-04-11 00:57:00 • By the Editorial Desk
