US-Iran talks may resume in Islamabad next week: WSJ

WASHINGTON: Pakistan-mediated backdoor diplomacy between the United States and Iran has made significant progress, with talks likely to resume in Islamabad as early as next week, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The reported diplomatic push comes as Washington and Tehran consider a temporary understanding aimed at creating space for formal negotiations to end the war.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Pakistan is playing an important role in mediation and coordination between the two sides. Islamabad has also been considered as a possible venue for the next round of negotiations.

Iran and the United States held one round of talks in Islamabad last month, but later efforts to arrange further meetings did not produce a breakthrough.

According to the report, US and Iranian officials are working with mediators on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding.

The proposed document would set the framework for around one month of formal talks. If negotiations progress, the one-month period could be extended by mutual agreement.

The draft reportedly aims to guide both sides toward a broader settlement, though neither Washington nor Tehran has officially confirmed the timeline or details.

The proposed talks are expected to include detailed discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, uranium enrichment and the handling of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles.

One proposal reportedly includes transferring Iran’s highly enriched uranium to another country. US officials want Iran to limit uranium enrichment, while Tehran is demanding clear sanctions relief and broader economic relief.

The scope of sanctions relief remains one of the biggest unresolved issues and could still derail the talks. The Strait of Hormuz is expected to be a major agenda item in the negotiations.

The draft framework reportedly calls on Iran to ease its blockade of the strategic waterway in exchange for a phased US lifting of the siege on Iranian ports over 30 days from the start of talks.

Security of sea routes, regional tensions and wider economic sanctions are also expected to be discussed.

Regional tensions intensified after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran. The conflict also disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies.