Prakash Kafle/Kathmandu. Significant progress has been reported in the ongoing peace talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. According to international media, the U.S. has agreed to one of Iran’s key conditions. Reports suggest that the U.S. is showing a positive stance toward releasing Iranian assets that had been frozen in various international banks, including those in Qatar. Iran has taken this as a positive signal to move the negotiations forward.
Analysts believe that if the economic sanctions imposed on Iran are gradually lifted, the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most important maritime routes—could reopen. However, Iran has reiterated its stance that it will maintain control over the strait and that compensation is necessary for damages caused by the war.
High-level talks in Islamabad
To end the conflict that has been ongoing for nearly six weeks, high-level delegations from both countries have gathered in Islamabad. The U.S. team is led by Vice President J.D. Vance, with former President Donald Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also participating.
On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are involved in the talks. This meeting is considered one of the highest-level engagements since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. If direct negotiations take place, it would be the first since 2015.
Iran’s conditions before talks
Earlier, Iran had maintained that talks would not proceed without clear commitments on lifting sanctions and ensuring a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran has stated that formal dialogue will not begin until its demands are addressed.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel have clarified that military activities in Lebanon are not directly linked to the U.S.–Iran negotiations.
Possible way forward
According to Iranian officials, Pakistan will convey the initial U.S. response to Iran’s demands. If the response is satisfactory, it could open the door for direct negotiations.
In the meantime, U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for Iran to come to the negotiating table, indicating that pressure through control of maritime routes is not a sustainable long-term solution.
Overall, if the talks continue in a positive direction, regional tensions may ease, and the full operation of the Strait of Hormuz could become more likely.
