Pakistan Steps Up to End US‑Iran Conflict

Pakistan’s foreign minister met with Iran’s counterpart on Friday, aiming to push forward a plan that could bring an end to the war between the United States and Israel. The talks come at a time when Washington and Tehran still clash over Iran’s uranium stockpile and the control of the Strait of Hormuz. Two days earlier, Pakistan’s interior minister held another meeting in Tehran with Iran’s foreign minister to discuss the latest U. S. proposals. U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there were “good signs” in the negotiations, but he warned that a solution would be impossible if Iran imposed tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, which used to carry about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has seen traffic drop sharply since the war began on February 28. The U. S. dollar reached a six‑week high amid the uncertainty, while oil prices climbed as investors doubted a quick breakthrough. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that gaps in the talks had narrowed, yet uranium enrichment and strait control remained major sticking points. The conflict has triggered a global energy shock, with the International Energy Agency warning that summer fuel demand could push markets into a “red zone” if new supplies from the Middle East do not arrive. Iran has said it will reopen the strait only to friendly countries that agree to its terms, which could include fees—a move the U. S. views as illegal.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would eventually retrieve Iran’s highly enriched uranium, which Washington believes is destined for weapons use. He also criticized Tehran’s intention to charge ships using the strait, calling it a threat to international navigation. Trump faces domestic pressure ahead of the November midterm elections as fuel prices rise and his approval rating dips. Iran’s latest offer to the U. S. repeats many demands Trump had previously rejected: control of the Strait of Hormuz, compensation for war damage, lifting sanctions, release of frozen assets, and withdrawal of U. S. troops. Meanwhile, the U. S. and Israeli leaders say their war aims include curbing Iran’s support for regional militias, dismantling its nuclear program, destroying its missile capabilities, and making it easier for Iranians to challenge their rulers. Iran still holds a stockpile of near‑weapon‑grade enriched uranium and maintains the ability to threaten neighbors with missiles, drones, and proxy militias. The war’s ripple effects have rattled global markets. The International Energy Agency noted that the combination of high summer demand and limited new supply could push energy prices into dangerous territory. As negotiations continue, the world watches to see whether a diplomatic solution can emerge before the conflict further destabilizes regional and global stability.

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