Absar Alam

Pakistan’s CDF General Asim Munir’s second Tehran visit in five weeks is concluding at a critical moment. Objective is to bridge gaps that earlier contacts, including by Pakistan’s Interior Minister, could not fill. CDF is in direct contact with the White House but sources confirm that disagreements still exist between the US and Iran over the sanctions, reparations, asset freeze, Hormuz and the post accord relations. A high-level Qatari delegation was also in Tehran for mediation efforts. Iran currently does not want to open the Strait of Hormuz, keeping it instead as leverage for future negotiations. But diplomatic sources say that Tehran has shown some flexibility on its uranium stockpiles. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif landed in China today, as Beijing remains actively involved in mediation efforts. Whether China comes forward with a fresh proposal to help resolve the conflict remains to be seen.