Araghchi in Islamabad

Pakistan hosts Iran-US peace talks in Islamabad to resolve the Hormuz crisis, energy security threats

Peace overtures got a shot in the arm as an Iranian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi agreed to return to Islamabad. This is a leap forward and has come after a nail-biting situation. Behind-the-curtain deliberations have led to this tactful understanding, and Pakistan deserves to be credited for this breakthrough once again. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indulged in some fence-mending talks, convincing his counterpart of the need to keep the channels of negotiations open. While a high-powered US negotiating team has been in the federal capital for the last few days, it is assumed that the talks led by Araghchi will help iron out differences, enabling the first-tier leadership to once again rub shoulders for a deal.

A host of developments have made this breakthrough possible, and they need to be minutely taken care of. The extension in the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel for three more weeks, coming on the heels of the silencing of guns by the US, has ushered in a lot of goodwill. Likewise, the categorical pronouncement from President Trump that there is no room for nukes in the conflict has come to the relief of peace constituencies worldwide, doubling down on efforts to strike a deal on lessening tensions in the Straits of Hormuz. Coupled with this is the slapping of a toll by Iran for vessels frequenting the Hormuz.

The extreme positioning from both Iran and the US over the water channel has literally obstructed the supply of oil and gas, compelling the International Energy Agency to declare that the world is facing the "biggest energy security threat in history". Moreover, in view of Trump's unilateral blockade of Hormuz at the Arabian Sea and deployment of three aircraft carriers in the Mideast, an outbreak of hostilities is just an error of judgment away. The huddle in Islamabad must bear results, and the impasse must come to an end. An extended phase of deliberations with either side refraining from point-scoring will surely lead to a historic accord. Pakistan deserves credit for its relentless efforts to bring the arch foes back to the dialogue table.