US and Iran Move Closer to 'Permanent Peace'

Islamabad-Doha, Agencies: Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that the United States and Iran are nearing an arrangement to resolve their conflict, while Qatar confirmed that negotiations between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz have reached a critical juncture. Asif told Bloomberg News in an interview published yesterday that matters are once again moving toward a settlement or a permanent peace agreement. He added that indicators over the past two or three days suggest we are approaching some form of arrangement. The Pakistani Defense Minister, who is mediating the dispute, believed that establishing lasting peace serves the interests of the Middle East region. Meanwhile, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran yesterday for talks, following the announcement by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf had received invitations to visit Pakistan. Additionally, Qatar confirmed that ongoing talks between Oman and Iran on current developments have reached an advanced stage, stating that negotiations are currently at a critical point. Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari, at a press conference held in Doha yesterday, said his country had received positive responses from Oman and Iran, emphasizing Doha’s support for all de-escalation efforts. Regarding the maritime navigation crisis, Al-Ansari stated, “As mediators, we want to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” affirming support for any arrangement ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, freedom of navigation, and preventing its transformation into a tool for political pressure. He also noted that the form of strait management post-crisis, including the issue of imposing fees, is a matter to be discussed by relevant regional countries, with any arrangement based on clear regional consensus and full respect for international law.