A potential breakthrough has emerged ahead of the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad. According to a Reuters report citing Iranian sources, Washington has agreed to release Iranian frozen assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks.
The development is being seen as a key step towards initiating negotiations, although there has been no official confirmation from the US side so far.
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Link to Strait of Hormuz
Sources quoted in the report said the move was "directly linked to ensuring safe passage through Strait of Hormuz", a critical global shipping route that is expected to be central to the discussions.
The reopening and security of the Strait remain major concerns, given its importance to global energy supplies and ongoing tensions in the region.
Iran's conditions for talks
Iran had earlier set out two conditions before agreeing to negotiations. Apart from the release of frozen assets, Tehran has also called for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, currently in Islamabad, underlined Tehran's cautious approach. Speaking to his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, he said Iran is entering the talks with 'complete mistrust of US', Iran's Mehr news agency reported.
Araghchi also stated that Iran "will fight with full authority to secure the interests and rights of the Iranian people".
Pakistan calls it a 'make or break' moment
Hosting the negotiations, Pakistan has described the talks as a crucial phase. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the process has now entered a decisive stage.
"A temporary ceasefire has been announced, but now an even more difficult stage lies ahead: the stage of achieving a lasting ceasefire, of resolving complicated issues through negotiations," he said.
"This is that stage which, in English, is called the equivalent of 'make or break," he added.
Preparations underway in Islamabad
Authorities in Islamabad have stepped up preparations for the high-profile meeting. A Media Facilitation Centre has been set up at the Jinnah Convention Centre to assist journalists covering the talks.
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"All arrangements in place to facilities foreign and local journalists in the best way possible," Pakistan's information minister Attaullah Tarar wrote. "We will be looking after them well," he added.
The developments set the stage for what could be a significant diplomatic engagement in the coming days.
