Strategic ‘breakthrough on nuclear front’ likely as Pakistan scales up US-Iran diplomacy

Pakistani officials are anticipating a “major breakthrough” in negotiations between Iran and the United States regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme, Al Jazeera reported citing sources, as Islamabad intensifies diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.

The optimism on Wednesday followed the arrival of a high-level Pakistani delegation in Iran, led by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. According to Iran’s Press TV, the delegation’s mission is to deliver a strategic message from Washington to the Iranian leadership.

Upon his arrival, CDF Munir was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s “gracious hosting of dialogue.” Reports suggest that the visit is also aimed at laying the groundwork for a second round of formal talks between the US and Iran as Islamabad continues its role as a mediator.

Field Marshal Munir also met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Thursday morning.

A journalist associated with Al Jazeera, Osama Bin Javaid, who is covering the Iran-US dialogue, stated that Pakistani officials have expressed anticipation for a “major breakthrough on the nuclear front,” noting that delegates remain actively engaged in relaying strategic communications between Tehran and Washington.

The main sticking point between the warring parties is the duration of Iran’s enrichment suspension and its 440kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

“We know that both sides are essentially stuck on between five years of no enrichment to 20 years of no enrichment. And there is a solution in the middle,” Bin Javaid stated.

“There’s also talk about what Iran will do with the 440kg of nuclear-enriched material that it has in the country. There are multiple options – whether sending it abroad to a third party or bringing it down to either uranium in its natural form or up to 3%,” he added.

The development comes a day after the Trump administration expressed optimism about reaching a deal to end the war with Iran, while also warning of increasing economic pressure against Tehran if it remains defiant.

US President Donald Trump ​has said he believes the war he launched with Israel in late February is nearly over, even as a shipping blockade he announced came into effect and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained well below ‌normal levels.