Fresh efforts at mediation revive hopes for US-Iran climbdown

Fresh diplomatic efforts may have opened the first workable path toward de-escalation between the United States and Iran, according to Dawn. Back-to-back visits to Tehran by Pakistan's chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Oman's foreign minister, Badr Al-Busaidi, produced progress on key issues, including a phased arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz. US media report Washington has offered to end economic sanctions and the naval blockade if Iran reopens the strait and halts attacks by Iran-aligned groups, though neither side has publicly confirmed those terms. Pakistan is acting as a conduit, relaying messages between Tehran and Washington, while Iran says it remains ready to return to the understanding reached under the Islamabad memorandum — provided the US first addresses what Tehran calls its violations. Diplomatic sources in Washington say the newly announced sanctions are softer than expected, and there have been no recent attacks on Gulf states. Meanwhile, Oman and Iran agreed on a temporary joint navigation corridor, mine clearance, information exchange, and traffic management in the strait, and Reuters reports Washington is beginning to send personnel back to some Middle East diplomatic missions — a sign it sees a lower risk of escalation in the near term.

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