US in ‘serious discussions’ with Iran; sidelines China-Pakistan call for ceasefire

Washington: The White House has said it is engaged in “serious discussions” with Iran’s leadership and is optimistic about reaching a deal soon, even as China and Pakistan have jointly called for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

A senior official from the administration of US President Donald Trump told IANS that Washington has made “great progress” in its ongoing engagement with Tehran. The official added that the President remains confident of a breakthrough, while also warning of consequences if an agreement is not reached.

The response came after a joint statement by China and Pakistan following talks in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

In their statement, the two countries urged an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and emphasised the need to prevent the conflict from escalating further. They stressed that humanitarian aid must reach affected regions and called for renewed diplomatic efforts, stating that dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the crisis.

The joint appeal also highlighted the importance of protecting civilians and critical infrastructure, including energy and nuclear facilities, in line with international humanitarian law. Additionally, both nations raised concerns over global trade disruptions, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, urging safe and uninterrupted passage for commercial shipping.

Despite these calls, the US appeared to downplay the China-Pakistan initiative, maintaining that its own backchannel talks with Iran were ongoing and sensitive in nature. The official declined to share specifics, stating that such negotiations would not be conducted publicly.

The developments underline parallel diplomatic tracks, with Washington pursuing direct engagement with Iran while Beijing and Islamabad push for broader multilateral de-escalation efforts.

--IANS