Kushner and Witkoff to negotiate with Iran in Pakistan

Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, special envoys for President Trump, are traveling to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, as confirmed by the White House. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The Iranians want to talk," and noted that Vice-President JD Vance is "on standby" to travel if the discussions yield positive results.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei indicated that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad to meet with high-level Pakistani officials, but emphasized that "no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US." Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked that Tehran has an opportunity to secure a "good deal" by abandoning its nuclear ambitions. Hegseth also warned that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, is intensifying.

Leavitt mentioned that Trump is "always willing to give diplomacy a chance," and that there has been some progress from the Iranian side recently. Despite the ongoing military actions and mixed messages from both sides, the continuation of talks indicates a mutual interest in finding a resolution. However, the absence of Vance from this round of negotiations may suggest that expectations for a significant breakthrough are low.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticized the US and Israel for their actions, stating that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be reopened due to violations of the ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran is open to negotiations, but cited US blockades and threats as major obstacles.

The dynamics of these talks reflect a complex interplay of interests, with both the US and Iran seeking to navigate a path towards de-escalation while maintaining their respective positions. The ongoing blockade and military actions complicate the landscape, revealing vulnerabilities on both sides.

What to watch: The outcome of the talks in Pakistan and any potential shifts in US-Iran relations.