Middle East Peace Prospects Rise Amid Ongoing Iran Diplomatic Meetings

WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM — Optimism grew on Thursday that the Middle East war may be nearing an end, as a key Pakistani mediator arrived in Tehran and the Trump administration talked up hopes for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the Pakistan-mediated conversations “productive and ongoing,” adding, “We feel good about the prospects of a deal.” She denied reports that the US had formally requested an extension of the two-week ceasefire agreed on April 8.

Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to try to prevent a renewal of the conflict. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir would seek “to narrow gaps” between the two sides. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X welcoming Munir, saying Tehran was committed to “promoting peace and stability in the region.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Qatar on Thursday after a trip to Saudi Arabia, as part of broader diplomatic efforts.

Nuclear Issue Remains a Sticking Point

While few details have been released, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that “fundamental disagreements remain over nuclear issues.” According to people familiar with the talks, the US proposed a 20‑year suspension of all Iranian nuclear activity, while Tehran suggested a halt of three to five years. Washington has also pressed for enriched nuclear material to be removed from Iran, and Tehran demands that international sanctions be lifted.

Economic Pressure and Blockade

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted that China’s purchases of Iranian oil would “pause” given a US blockade on vessels calling at Iranian ports. During the first 48 hours of the blockade, no vessels have made it past US forces, the military said. Nine ships turned back.

However, Iran’s Fars News agency reported that an Iranian supertanker subject to US sanctions crossed the strait despite the blockade. Iran’s joint military command warned it would halt trade flows in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea if the blockade continues.

Trump has threatened further escalation if the war resumes. “We could take out every one of their bridges in one hour. We could take out every one of their power plants,” he told Fox Business Network. But he added, “We don’t want to do that… so we’ll see what happens.”

Stock markets have rallied strongly on hopes of a swift resolution, with Wall Street indexes hitting record highs as crude oil prices steadied.

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