Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran on Saturday morning, the White House has stated.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced, The Iranians want to talk, further adding that US Vice-President JD Vance is on standby to travel if the talks prove successful.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei confirmed that he, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, had arrived in Islamabad for meetings with high-level Pakistani officials. However, Baqaei also indicated that no direct meeting between the Iranian and US officials was currently planned, as Iran's observations would primarily be communicated through Pakistan.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that Tehran has the opportunity to make a good deal if they abandon their nuclear pursuits in a meaningful and verifiable manner. The ongoing blockade by the US in the Strait of Hormuz, critical for oil shipping, has provoked escalating tensions.
In recent developments, the US and Israel initiated military operations against Iran on February 28, leading to restrictions on shipping routes and causing significant spikes in global oil prices.
Amid speculation about the potential outcomes of this diplomatic effort, Leavitt stated that President Trump is always willing to give diplomacy a chance, highlighting recent progress from the Iranian side. However, the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the mixed messages from both sides point to a challenging road ahead.
The success of this diplomatic endeavor could set a precedent for future negotiations and a potential path towards de-escalation in a region fraught with conflict.
