Diplomat says Iran open to talks with US under Pakistan-brokered deal

Iran is still open to negotiations with the US under an interim arrangement mediated by Pakistan in June to settle the war, Tehran’s ambassador to Islamabad said Saturday, accusing Washington of sabotaging diplomacy and prolonging the deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran recently told Pakistan it was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington withdrew its naval blockade but accused U.S. President Donald Trump of rejecting the proposal by insisting the blockade of Iranian ports would remain, Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam stated.

Pakistan and Qatar brokered the June accord, which aimed to reopen shipping through the strait, relieve the US naval blockade and open negotiations toward a larger compromise on Iran’s nuclear program.

Iranian officials had told a seminar in Islamabad that they were prepared to reopen the strait in the event of the U.S. lifting its embargo during visits to Tehran by Pakistan’s army leader, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Moghadam claimed.

Moghadam said Tehran would analyse the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which involves Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, before determining whether to accept it, calling it a possible instrument for unity.

“We will study the Makkah Agreement and if it is good we will support it,” he said.

The signing of the accord followed further attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen against Saudi Arabia. It was signed by three countries, which stated it would enhance collective deterrence and boost defence cooperation.