What’s involved in talks to end war in the Middle East
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
LONDON/DUBAI: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that negotiating a deal with Iran could “take a few days”, dimming hopes for an imminent end to the conflict after the US conducted “defensive strikes” in southern Iran. A foreign ministry spokesperson in Tehran said earlier that conclusions had been reached on many topics discussed in a potential 14-point memorandum of understanding, but this did not mean a deal to end the war would be reached soon. At what stage are the discussions Following a ceasefire on April 7, the two sides have remained at odds on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and Tehran’s demands for the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets. After weeks of mainly indirect talks, both sides say they have made progress on a memorandum of understanding that would halt the war and give negotiators 60 days to reach a final deal. The framework is focused on an end to the war and a US naval blockade, in exchange for Tehran taking steps to ensure safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz. For Iran control over Hormuz, and for US the blockade of ports are main bargaining chips Senior Iranian diplomat Hossein Nooshabadi told ISNA news agency that the possible framework deal included the end of the war on all fronts including Lebanon, the release of blocked Iranian assets, lifting of the US blockade and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US forces from Iran’s vicinity and freedom to sell Iranian oil. Nooshabadi said Iran’s draft for an initial agreement contained no commitments on the nuclear programme. A senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration said Iran had agreed “in principle” to open the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting of the naval blockade, and to dispose of Tehran’s highly enriched uranium. Iranian sources said a framework deal is only about ending the war on all fronts, establishing a 30-day framework for movement through Hormuz and shipping, and possibly providin