Iran Weighs US Peace Proposal Despite 'Deep and Significant' Differences
Al Jazeera Staff
Iran's UN mission accused Washington of excessive demands that could collapse peace talks, as Trump reportedly prepared strikes. Pakistan's army chief visited Tehran, but Iran warned of deep differences.
Iran's mission to the United Nations accused Washington of making 'excessive demands' that risk derailing peace talks, amid reports that the Trump administration is preparing strikes against Iran if no deal is reached.
Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, landed in Tehran on Friday and met Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a meeting that lasted into the night. The two sides 'exchanged views on the latest diplomatic efforts and initiatives to prevent an escalation of tensions,' according to a post on Araghchi's Telegram channel.
President Trump also confirmed Friday that he would not attend his son's wedding and would remain in Washington because of 'government-related circumstances,' fueling speculation that the situation has entered a sensitive phase. The US leader described this week's talks as being on the brink between new strikes and a deal to end the war.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned that Munir's visit does not mean 'we have reached a turning point or a decisive situation' because there are still 'deep and significant' differences, according to Iran's ISNA news agency.
Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar Atas in Tehran said 'the visit of Field Marshal Asim Munir, the army chief of Pakistan, to Tehran is in itself a sign of significant progress in the negotiations.' Atas said Foreign Minister Araghchi had held phone calls with his counterparts in Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, Oman as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the status of peace talks.
'What we are seeing is a multi-directional diplomatic effort, happening on multiple channels,' Atas said, cautioning that a breakthrough may not come immediately. 'Munir's arrival in Tehran does not mean a deal has been reached, and while there is some progress, significant differences remain. The parties are working to narrow those gaps.'
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar – who have played key roles in mediation between the warring parties – flew to China, Iran's top trade partner, for a four-day visit. Efforts to resolve the current crisis are expected to be discussed during this trip.
The regional war, which has affected the global economy due to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, began with a US and Israeli attack on Iran on February 28. Weeks of talks since the April 8 ceasefire – including historic direct negotiations in Islamabad – have not yet yielded a lasting solution or fully reopened the strait, fueling a worsening oil supply crisis.
