rki.news | Sources Anadolu
ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that the United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to an understanding over the Strait of Hormuz, as Islamabad steps up efforts to help resolve the standoff.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Asif said recent signals indicated that Washington and Tehran were approaching “some sort of arrangement” concerning the strategic waterway, which has remained a major obstacle to the resumption of stalled negotiations.
His remarks came as Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran for meetings with Iranian leaders as part of Islamabad’s renewed diplomatic efforts.
A Pakistani government source told Anadolu that Naqvi would present new proposals aimed at resolving the Hormuz standoff, although no details were disclosed.
Asif said developments appeared to be moving in favour of peace, while avoiding details about any possible breakthrough.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday that negotiations between Iran and Oman on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to some maritime shipping had reached an advanced stage.
The Strait is a critical route for global energy supplies and international trade. Disagreements over security guarantees and freedom of navigation have contributed to delays in US-Iran negotiations.
Pakistan has remained involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and encouraging the resumption of dialogue between the two sides.