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The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday said that the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is likely to be held in Pakistan.
Responding to a question on the venue of the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the discussions would "very likely" take place at the same location as the previous round. "They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time," Leavitt said during a press briefing. Emphasising Islamabad's role, she added, "They (Pakistan) are the only mediator in this negotiation, while there have been many countries around the world that want to offer their help." Leavitt further said that the US administration sees value in maintaining a streamlined communication channel through Pakistan. "The President feels it's important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis, and so that's what continues to take place," she said. The remarks come amid intensified diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran following the inconclusive "Islamabad Talks," which failed to yield a breakthrough on key issues, including Iran's nuclear programme. In a parallel development, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir recently arrived in Tehran, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in what is being viewed as a last-ditch attempt to reinvigorate stalled talks. The delegation was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with reports suggesting that Islamabad is carrying a fresh US proposal outlining a framework for renewed negotiations. The diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire and rising tensions in the region, including a looming US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump has indicated that while he is not inclined to extend the current ceasefire, a negotiated settlement remains the preferred outcome. He has also hinted at possible progress in the coming days, suggesting that developments could unfold within a short timeframe. Earlier direct talks between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials, held over April 11-12, stretched for 21 hours but ended without consensus, primarily due to disagreements over Tehran's nuclear programme and other "red line" issues. (ANI)
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