Diplomatic dance returns to Islamabad
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to the Pakistani capital this Sunday after an outing that left everyone wondering if negotiations with the United States had gone to waste. It wasn’t like that, at least for now.
Pakistan is pulling out all the stops to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from getting out of control. But this is no walk in the park.
“The situation is fragile and any false step could have catastrophic consequences”
Washington’s unexpected turn
The curious thing is that Donald Trump canceled the sending of his emissaries to Pakistan due to lack of progress. Instead, he suggested direct telephone conversations with Tehran. A movement that smells more of pressure than good will.
The military threats are still there, and the risk of a direct confrontation does not disappear just because there has been a temporary truce since April 7.
What is really at stake
Iran wants to renegotiate conditions: lifting the US naval blockade and mechanisms to regulate maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. That point through which almost 20% of the world’s oil passes.
But the differences are as deep as a bottomless pit. The Iranian nuclear program and control of the Strait are issues that cannot be resolved with a phone call.
Meanwhile, royal families continue to pay the price for this geopolitical dance.
