Pakistan, Iran explore new peace initiative

China-backed push seeks to remove hurdles

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan is exploring a path towards a resumption of stalled US-Iran talks over ending their nearly five-month-old war, three Pakistani sources said, following a push initiated by China.

Exploratory discussions took place during a visit by Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to Islamabad this week - his second within the last 10 days, the sources said.

Momeni, who is considered close to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, met with Pakistani government leaders and Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir this week, according to Pakistani government statements.

All three sources cautioned that the obstacles to any talks with the US remain high.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also discussed the new Middle East effort with Chinese officials when he visited China last week, all three Pakistani sources said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.

"The Chinese are unhappy because Iran's attacks on other Gulf states and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are hitting their interests," a Pakistani government official said. Disruptions in the Red Sea would hit another key trade route Beijing relies on.

Dar and the Pakistani military's public relations wing did not respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, China's foreign ministry said "China supports the mediation efforts made by Pakistan and other parties."

It added that China will continue to "play an active role in restoring peace and tranquillity in the Middle East Gulf region as soon as possible".

Beijing has consistently backed Pakistan's mediation efforts and had in March dispatched its special envoy to lead a shuttle-diplomacy trip around the Middle East.

The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June to move towards ending the war after mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. It was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement.

But indirect talks yielded no progress. Both sides blamed each other for violations, and the conflict resumed.

The Houthis said on Thursday that they struck two Saudi oil tankers as part of their naval blockade, threatening to create a second chokepoint for global oil supplies alongside the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalation has raised both the stakes and the hurdles for Pakistan's latest diplomatic efforts.

A halt in attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations would now be a "pre-requisite for any talks to resume", said a Pakistani official.

It's a message that Pakistan has conveyed to Iran, the official added.