WASHINGTON (Web Desk) - Talks between the US and Iran could resume as early as next week in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Journal said the two sides are working with mediators to formulate a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that would set the parameters for a month of talks aimed at ending the war.
The draft is said to include discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and possible handling of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles to another country, though key issues remain unresolved.
The extent of any sanctions relief, however, remains up for debate and could snarl talks. If negotiations progress, the initial one-month period could be extended by mutual agreement, according to the report.
Regional tensions intensified after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipping.
A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but the first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11 failed to secure a lasting agreement. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without a specified deadline.
Since April 13, the US has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway.
IF US CAUSES TROUBLE AGAIN IN HORMUZ WAR MAY RESTART: IRAN MILITARY
An anonymous Iranian military source has told Iran’s Tasnim news agency while the situation is currently “calm”, if the US tries to re-enter the Strait of Hormuz and “disturbs” Iranian vessels, “There is still a possibility of re-entering such conflicts in the region.”
Earlier, Iran’s Fars news agency reported “sporadic clashes” between Iranian forces and US naval ships in the strait.
US Central Command said earlier it struck two empty Iranian-flagged oil tankers it said were attempting to violate the ongoing US blockade by entering an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman.
‘CONFUSING SITUATION’ AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MANAGES ‘STATE OF LIMBO’ WITH IRAN
The whole Trump administration seems to hold the view what is happening now with Iran is not a state of war, but a state of limbo in a way.
That an end to the conflict has been reached and the US is now working to managing this pause and achieve the negotiating terms it insists on.
You have a degree of unity on this from the president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defence and others in Trump’s administration.
They all imply the war is over but the United States is standing ready to strike should it decide to and begin the war again. It’s something of a confusing situation.