Pakistan Brokers U.S.-Iran Talks as Military Action Persists in Gulf

High-stakes negotiations between Washington and Tehran have entered a complex new phase as Pakistan occupies a central role as the primary diplomatic intermediary. Sources indicate that Islamabad is facilitating the details of a 14-point memorandum intended to resolve the regional crisis. In a shift of strategy, President Trump has walked back previous 30-day deadlines for a deal, suggesting that there is no fixed timeline for the negotiations, a move seen as providing tactical flexibility for both nations. Despite the diplomatic momentum, military friction remains high. U.S. forces recently disabled an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman and conducted strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure. Simultaneously, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have signaled that any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will be subject to 'new procedures' imposed by Tehran, indicating that Iran intends to maintain maritime leverage throughout the talks. Regional allies are closely monitoring the developments with varying degrees of concern. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in frequent contact with U.S. officials to assess the impact of these talks on Israeli security, even as Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah and Palestinian officials. At the UN, Iran is lobbying member states to reject U.S.-backed proposals, framing them as politically motivated while the global energy market continues to price in the risks of the ongoing blockade.