While ceasefire talks are going on in Islamabad between US and Iran, interestingly, ahead of the talks, US President Donald Trump said US forces will remain in the region around Iran, and if the ceasefire agreement is broken, firing will resume.
Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam had written on his X account on Thursday morning in English: “Despite Iranian public opinion being cynical due to Israel’s continuous violations of the ceasefire aimed at sabotaging diplomatic initiatives, the Iranian delegation is arriving in Islamabad tonight, at the invitation of Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif, for serious talks based on Iran’s 10 proposed axes.”
According to reports, the talks will be attended by US Vice President J.D. Vance, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
However, recent developments in the past 24 hours, particularly Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, which Iran’s officials consider a violation of the agreement, have created ambiguity around the situation. The US and Israel say stopping attacks on Lebanon isn’t part of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the US President says US forces will remain in the region around Iran, and if the agreement is broken, “firing will start”.
Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday: “All American ships, planes, and military forces, with additional ammunition and weapons, everything needed to crush and completely destroy an enemy—an enemy that is already very weak, will remain in and around Iran until the real deal achieved is fully implemented. If, for any reason, and it seems unlikely, this does not happen, then ‘the firing will start’, big, powerful, and strong like no one has ever seen before.”
Trump added: “It was agreed upon long ago, contrary to all false claims by opponents, there will be no nuclear weapons, and the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and secure. Meanwhile, our great military is equipped, rested, and actually looking forward to future victories. America is back.
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States showed signs of collapse on Thursday, as Tehran threatened to resume war following Israel’s heavy attacks on Lebanon.
Iran’s state-run Press TV reported on Wednesday that a senior security official warned if Israel continues to violate the ceasefire, Iran may take “full-scale defensive action”
The high-ranking security official, who remained anonymous, urged intermediary countries to “immediately intervene” and stated that the time has come to “put this aggressive regime in its place”. He emphasized that if the agreement is breached, Tehran will “punish the aggressor”
As Iran and US representatives prepare for talks in Islamabad to end the Middle East conflict, official sources and experts say China has paved the way for these negotiations and will play a key role in achieving a lasting ceasefire.
Pakistan is being praised globally for its latest efforts to establish a temporary ceasefire between the warring parties, though some are surprised.
But Pakistani officials say China’s quiet, behind-the-scenes role will be just as crucial now as it was in brokering the last-minute deal, which was on the verge of collapse on Tuesday night.
A senior Pakistani official familiar with the talks said, “On the night of the ceasefire, hopes were fading, but China intervened and convinced Iran to accept a preliminary ceasefire.”
He added, “Our efforts were significant but not enough to make progress, and ultimately it was Beijing’s persuasion of Iran that made it happen.”
For a lasting agreement, Pakistan will need to navigate both sides through tough differences, particularly on opening the strategic Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. Another diplomatic source says, “Pakistan has set up a team of experts to facilitate talks between the two, helping with shipping, nuclear, and other related issues.”
These sources and some experts say with Pakistan at the talks table, all eyes are on China’s role. The source adds, “China is being asked to be a guarantor. Iran wants guarantees.”
By- Laiba Yousafzai
