Blockade diplomacy? US, Iran may return to talk peace in Pakistan

Summary

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON/DUBAI: US President Donald Trump said that a second round of talks with Iran could be held in Islamabad "over the next two days", according to a media report on Tuesday. "You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," Trump told The New York Post. Trump attributed the possibility of a second round of talks to the "great job" done by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. "It's more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job," the US President said. Also Read: Trump deploys 10,000 troops, over 12 warships & more for Hormuz blockade; no ships cross in first 24 hours, says US Central Command The collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. The highest-level talks between the two adversaries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in the Pakistani capital without a breakthrough, raising doubts over the survival of a two-week ceasefire that still has a week to run. On Tuesday, a person close to the developments said a proposal had been shared with Washington and Tehran to resend their delegations and a meeting could happen soon. "No firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open," a senior Iranian source said. Nearly 24 hours into the US blockade, there had yet to be reports of Washington taking direct action against shipping to enforce it. Three Iran-linked tankers were seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, shipping data showed, but the vessels were not heading to or from Iranian ports. Testing Donald's Patience Meanwhile, a US-sanctioned tanker linked to China sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf of Oman, testing Trump's naval blockade. Also Read: PM Modi speaks to Trump on importance of keeping Strait of Hormuz "open and secure" Rich Starry, a medium-range tanker earlier known as Full Star, was blacklisted by Washington in 2023 for helping Tehran evade energy sanctions. It is not clear on this occasion whether it visited Iranian ports before its transit, or is carrying cargo. The exit is a second attempt for the carrier, which began a first as the US blockade came into effect on Monday, only to turn back. It then restarted later, and appeared to turn the bend into the eastern side of Hormuz on Tuesday. 'Dangerous, irresponsible' Also on Tuesday, China accused the US on Tuesday of "dangerous and irresponsible" behaviour over its blockade of Iranian ports, with President Xi Jinping vowing Beijing would play a "constructive role" in promoting peace in West Asia. "The US increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardise safety of passage through the Strait (of Hormuz)," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference. "This is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour," he added. Macron Urges Dialogue French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he had urged Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to resume stalled talks towards ending the Iran war. "I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation," the French president wrote on X, after speaking to both leaders late on Monday. "It is essential, in particular, that the ceasefire be strictly respected by all parties and that it include Lebanon," Macron said. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) "You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," Trump told The New York Post. Trump attributed the possibility of a second round of talks to the "great job" done by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. "It's more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job," the US President said. Also Read: Trump deploys 10,000 troops, over 12 warships & more for Hormuz blockade; no ships cross in first 24 hours, says US Central Command The collapse of weekend negotiations prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. The highest-level talks between the two adversaries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution ended in the Pakistani capital without a breakthrough, raising doubts over the survival of a two-week ceasefire that still has a week to run. On Tuesday, a person close to the developments said a proposal had been shared with Washington and Tehran to resend their delegations and a meeting could happen soon. "No firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open," a senior Iranian source said. Nearly 24 hours into the US blockade, there had yet to be reports of Washington taking direct action against shipping to enforce it. Three Iran-linked tankers were seen transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, shipping data showed, but the vessels were not heading to or from Iranian ports. Testing Donald's Patience Meanwhile, a US-sanctioned tanker linked to China sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf of Oman, testing Trump's naval blockade. Also Read: PM Modi speaks to Trump on importance of keeping Strait of Hormuz "open and secure" Rich Starry, a medium-range tanker earlier known as Full Star, was blacklisted by Washington in 2023 for helping Tehran evade energy sanctions. It is not clear on this occasion whether it visited Iranian ports before its transit, or is carrying cargo. The exit is a second attempt for the carrier, which began a first as the US blockade came into effect on Monday, only to turn back. It then restarted later, and appeared to turn the bend into the eastern side of Hormuz on Tuesday. 'Dangerous, irresponsible' Also on Tuesday, China accused the US on Tuesday of "dangerous and irresponsible" behaviour over its blockade of Iranian ports, with President Xi Jinping vowing Beijing would play a "constructive role" in promoting peace in West Asia. "The US increased military deployments and took a targeted blockade action, which will only exacerbate tensions and undermine the already fragile ceasefire agreement and further jeopardise safety of passage through the Strait (of Hormuz)," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference. "This is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour," he added. Macron Urges Dialogue French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he had urged Trump and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to resume stalled talks towards ending the Iran war. "I urged the resumption of the negotiations suspended in Islamabad, the clearing up of misunderstandings, and the avoidance of any further escalation," the French president wrote on X, after speaking to both leaders late on Monday. "It is essential, in particular, that the ceasefire be strictly respected by all parties and that it include Lebanon," Macron said. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

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US-Iran Peace Deal Live: Iranian President to visit Pakistan on Tuesday as peace talks yield 60-day roadmap

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Advertisement US-Iran peace deal US-Iran Peace Deal Live: Iranian President to visit Pakistan on Tuesday as peace talks yield 60-day roadmap New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 22, 2026 19:20 IST US-Iran Peace Deal News Live Updates: US-Iran diplomacy gained momentum after a marathon round of talks in Switzerland produced what mediators Pakistan and Qatar described as a roadmap for a final agreement within 60 days.

US Vice President JD Vance said Tehran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country and work on mechanisms covering frozen Iranian assets, regional ceasefires and the Strait of Hormuz. Vance said discussions on nuclear inspections could begin as early as this week, while technical teams will remain engaged even after Iran's top negotiators returned to Tehran following 18 hours of intensive negotiations.

The talks also established a communication channel to help ensure safe commercial shipping through Strait of Hormuz and a mechanism aimed at preventing renewed fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite the diplomatic progress, tensions remained visible.

Iran had briefly closed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, accusing the United States of failing to uphold commitments to halt fighting in Lebanon. However, mediators said discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere and yielded encouraging progress.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to visit Pakistan on Tuesday in a trip expected to focus on bilateral cooperation and follow-up discussions on Islamabad's mediation efforts. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon largely held, marking the longest lull in violence in three months of conflict.

Lebanese officials reported near-total adherence to the truce despite isolated incidents, while Israeli leaders insisted any final agreement must ensure Iran cannot use future financial relief to support military activities or regional proxy groups.

Follow IndiaToday.in for the latest updates....Read More Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to arrive in Pakistan on a one-day visit on Tuesday. (File Photo: Press TV) 2 Jun 22, 2026 19:20 IST US-Iran Deal: Iranian President to visit Pakistan Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will make a one-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, Iranian officials said.

Habib Abbasi, director-general of public relations at the presidential office, said the trip will focus on implementing previous agreements and exploring new trade opportunities. Pezeshkian is also expected to "express appreciation" for Pakistan's role in mediating between Iran and the United States, according to Tasnim news agency.

Jun 22, 2026 19:14 IST US-Iran Deal: Here's what happened so far - US Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iran made significant progress, with Tehran agreeing to allow nuclear inspectors, establish mechanisms for handling frozen assets and support efforts to manage regional ceasefires.

- Speaking after negotiations in Switzerland, Vance said discussions on nuclear inspections could begin as early as this week and confirmed that technical talks would continue in the coming days and weeks. - Iran’s senior negotiating team departed Switzerland for Tehran after 18 hours of intensive discussions, while technical experts remained behind to continue work on the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

- Pakistan and Qatar, which mediated the talks, said Washington and Tehran agreed on a roadmap aimed at reaching a final agreement within 60 days and described the first round of negotiations as encouraging. - The two sides also agreed to establish a mechanism to help prevent clashes in Lebanon and create a communications channel to safeguard commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies.

- The talks followed an interim agreement reached last week and continued despite renewed tensions after President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran and Tehran warned Washington over its rhetoric. - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Tuesday for a one-day trip.

Iranian officials said he would discuss bilateral cooperation and express appreciation for Islamabad’s role in facilitating US-Iran diplomacy. - A ceasefire in Lebanon largely held on Monday, marking the longest period of relative calm in nearly three months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, although isolated incidents were still reported.

- Lebanese security officials said adherence to the ceasefire had been "almost total" since Saturday evening, despite reports of limited Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon and drone flights over Beirut. - The conflict in Lebanon has remained a major test for the interim US-Iran agreement, with Tehran previously accusing Washington of failing to ensure an end to hostilities and briefly reimposing restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

- Vance said progress had also been made toward reducing tensions in Lebanon, while negotiators worked to establish safeguards aimed at preventing future escalation. - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development programme under the broader diplomatic framework.

- Oil prices, which surged after tensions disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, fell further after the latest round of talks, easing concerns about global supply disruptions. - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the negotiations as constructive and said the first round of talks had concluded successfully, laying the groundwork for a broader peace agreement.

- Israeli officials signalled support for a diplomatic resolution but stressed that any final deal must ensure Iran cannot use financial relief or released assets to fund military activities or regional proxy groups.

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