Abbas Araghchi to visit Pakistan, Oman and Russia to see if talks can be reopened, with both sides still in stalemate
Middle East crisis – live updates
The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is planning a tour of Pakistan, Russia and Oman in an effort to see if there is a basis to reopen peace talks that can end with a permanent US-Israeli commitment to cease its attacks on Iran, now one of Tehran’s key demands.
Araghchi is also likely to discuss a potential permanent new arrangement on governing the strait of Hormuz with Oman, which oversees the south of the strait.
Islamabad had been hoping that Araghchi’s visit would result in the restart of bilateral talks with a US negotiating team led by the vice-president, JD Vance, but neither side, both claiming time is on their side, appears ready to back down from its demands. Pakistan has been acting as mediator, but is struggling to find common ground.
