Back-channel efforts intensify to restart US-Iran talks

Back-channel diplomatic efforts have intensified to arrange another round of talks between the US and Iran following Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports. US President Donald Trump said a second round of talks could take place “over the next two days, ” telling the New York Post that discussions may again be held in Islamabad. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also indicated that renewed negotiations appear likely, describing it as “highly probable” following his meeting with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The initial round of talks, held last weekend in Pakistan, ended without agreement, with the White House saying Iran’s nuclear programme remained a key sticking point in the discussions. “I think they want to make a deal very badly, ” Trump said in an excerpt of an interview with Fox Business Network, adding, “I view it as very close to over. ” A US official said on Tuesday that discussions on arranging new talks were still ongoing, and that no formal schedule had yet been set. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations. Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told The Associated Press that the country’s leadership was continuing efforts to support diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.

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