The chances of a reconciliation between the United States and Iran appear to have increased, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif saying recent developments indicate the two sides may be nearing a peace agreement or broader deal.
Speaking to Bloomberg News in Islamabad, Asif said the situation had once again begun moving in favour of a peaceful settlement.
Asif said the United States and Iran are now close to “some sort of an arrangement” following encouraging signals over the past several days.
“Things are shaping up again in favour of a peace arrangement or a deal,” he told Bloomberg News.
“The signals in the last two three days are that we are close to some sort of an arrangement,” the defence minister added.
Asif did not provide details of a specific breakthrough but said the indications emerging during the previous two to three days suggested that Washington and Tehran were moving closer to an understanding.
He also said a lasting peace agreement would be in the interest of the wider region.
Strait of Hormuz remains at centre of talks
The comments come as the United States and Iran remain locked in negotiations over arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital waterway.
Despite both sides appearing to have hardened their positions during the long-running negotiations, Asif said the overall situation was once again developing in favour of peace.
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Speaking in the interview, he reiterated that the two countries were “close to some sort of arrangement” but did not disclose details of what may be under discussion.
Pakistan steps up diplomatic engagement
Asif’s comments coincided with a new diplomatic initiative by Islamabad.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran on Tuesday, where he was scheduled to meet his Iranian counterpart and other senior officials to discuss bilateral relations and wider regional developments.
His visit comes around a month after Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni travelled to Islamabad for talks. The latest Pakistani diplomatic outreach comes as Islamabad seeks to maintain its role as a mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Trump demands compensation from Iran
The reports of possible progress come despite tough rhetoric from US President Donald Trump.
Trump said on Sunday that Iran should provide compensation for American citizens killed or injured in attacks that Washington attributes to operations orchestrated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
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He also called for families of Iranian protesters who were killed to receive compensation.
Trump’s demands had added another complication to already difficult negotiations, making Asif’s assessment of a possible arrangement particularly significant.
Pakistan backs peaceful settlement
Islamabad has consistently pushed for dialogue and a diplomatic resolution to the US-Iran confrontation, warning that prolonged hostilities could destabilize the wider Middle East.
Asif’s latest remarks suggest Pakistan believes the diplomatic environment may once again be improving after several days of uncertainty.
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The defence minister’s assessment, coupled with Naqvi’s visit to Tehran, points to continued Pakistani efforts to keep communication channels open between the parties and encourage a settlement.
For Pakistan, a durable US-Iran peace agreement would not only reduce the risk of a wider regional conflict but could also help stabilize the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and the broader Middle East.
