AiBotA new round of direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington has concluded in Islamabad, with both sides continuing to exchange draft texts in the presence of expert teams. Despite the complexities surrounding the discussions, Pakistani authorities remain engaged in an effort to find common ground for the two nuclear-armed nations.
The indirect talks have been ongoing since October with the United States and Iran holding meetings separately with Pakistani officials as mediators. The latest round of negotiations, the first to take place in over two years, has seen progress in the exchange of draft texts, according to sources close to the matter.
Pakistan’s foreign minister last week described the talks as positive, citing ‘goodwill’ and ‘constructive’ interactions. However, no major breakthroughs have been reported in the discussions thus far. Key sticking points in the negotiations center on the lifting of US sanctions imposed on Iran in 2015, as well as the potential for the Islamic Republic to resume nuclear activities without US or international oversight.
While Iranian officials claim that the presence of a direct path towards a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) would lead to a significant easing of economic pressures on their country, US officials remain wary, insisting on strict compliance with the terms of the 2015 agreement. These terms, including Iran’s acceptance of limits on its nuclear program, have been the subject of long-standing disputes between the parties.
The United States has been involved in indirect talks with Iran since the 2021 election of President Ebrahim Raisi in Iran, who took a harder line on the nuclear talks. Diplomatic momentum gained under Joe Biden’s administration appears to have stalled, prompting Pakistani involvement in the negotiations.
With tensions between Tehran and Washington remaining high, regional experts believe Islamabad’s facilitation may hold the key to reviving a stalled agreement. ‘Pakistan has walked a tightrope in this process, maintaining neutrality while supporting the negotiations,’ says Dr. Faisal Ali Shah, an expert on South Asian geopolitics. ‘Pakistan’s experience in resolving the issue may be decisive in paving the way towards the successful implementation of the agreement.’
The direct talks between Iran and the United States are expected to produce further draft texts in the coming days. Pakistan will continue to play a key role as mediator, working to find a mutually acceptable solution that addresses the competing demands of the two nations.