Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Islamabad with the aim of restarting potential peace negotiations with the United States, raising fresh hopes for a resolution to the ongoing conflict; meanwhile, Donald Trump has stated that Iran may soon present a proposal addressing U.S. conditions; at the same time, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are en route to Pakistan, where discussions are underway regarding a possible meeting with Araqchi, although it remains uncertain whether any direct talks will take place this weekend; Pakistani sources indicate that no formal meeting between Araqchi and U.S. representatives is currently planned during his stay in Islamabad, and that the primary objective of his brief visit is to convey Iran’s proposal to Washington via Pakistan; the situation remains highly complex, as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly disrupted global trade, effectively halting Iranian oil exports and pushing U.S. fuel prices to multi-year highs, with reports suggesting that only five vessels have managed to pass through the strait; meanwhile, clashes continue in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has dismissed the latest extension of the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire as “meaningless”; international media reports further suggest that the United States is considering measures against certain members of the NATO who have shown insufficient support for its stance against Iran, with the possible suspension of Spain’s membership reportedly under discussion; despite the tensions, hopes for diplomatic progress have had a positive impact on global financial markets, with major stock indices reaching record highs, although oil markets remain volatile.
Strait of Hormuz closure, shock to global trade—new initiative in peace talks
