Live updates: Iran war news; Trump, Iran give conflicting signals on talks as Hormuz deadline postponed
Iran has publicly dismissed President Donald Trump’s claim that US and Iran held “productive conversations” to end their war, but speculation is nevertheless mounting over how – and where – the two sides might meet to engage in further discussions.
In Pakistan, rumors are buzzing that in person talks will start here.
Pakistan has offered to host any negotiations and sources have told CNN there’s a proposal for Islamabad to host a meeting between US and Iran later this week, which Vice President JD Vance could attend, two sources have told CNN.
So far, senior Pakistani sources contacted by CNN have been unusually tight-lipped about any possible meeting, citing the sensitivity around the subject.
But there are several reasons why Pakistan would be an ideal venue for negotiators from Washington and Tehran to meet.
It shares a long border and cultural and religious ties with Iran and is home to the largest population of Shia Muslims outside of Iran.
Unlike Islamic countries in the Gulf, it does not host any US military bases, and has not been targeted by the barrage of Iranian missiles and drones that have wrecked havoc across the region. Iran’s also allowed some of its ships to pass through its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Islamabad has also re-emerged as an important US partner during Trump’s second term, thanks partly to the huge trove of rare earths and critical minerals it claims to be sitting on, which has sparked interest in Washington.
Trump’s also struck up a close rapport with the head of its powerful military, Asim Munir, whom he has met multiple times, and refers to as his “favorite field marshal.”
When meeting Munir last summer in the Oval Office, Trump pointed out that the Pakistanis “know Iran very well, better than most.”
Pakistan also has its own strong domestic incentives to push for de-escalation.
The South Asian nation of 230 million is highly vulnerable to any prolonged regional conflict because of its dependence on Middle Eastern energy supplies.
Kevin Liptak, Kylie Atwood, Zachary Cohen and Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting.
