Pakistan, Qatar Push for Major Iran-US Breakthrough This Week

(MENAFN) Pakistani, Iranian, and Qatari diplomats are racing toward a landmark interim agreement to end the Middle East war, with multiple senior Pakistani government sources telling media Saturday that negotiators expect a "major breakthrough" before the week is out.

At the center of the diplomatic push is Pakistan's army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir, currently on the ground in Tehran, who has spoken by phone with US mediators — including Vice President JD Vance — at least twice in the past 24 hours, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Munir, who arrived in the Iranian capital Friday evening on his second visit in recent weeks, held face-to-face meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, chief negotiator Bagher Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to work through a draft of the potential deal.

"Pakistani and Qatari delegations are holding consultations with the US and Iranian negotiators to reach consensus (on the interim agreement) between the two warring sides," a source said.

While a finalized text has not yet been agreed upon, the sources maintained that a resolution was within reach. Several additional regional governments are also engaged, coordinating with Pakistani and Qatari officials present in Tehran to forge a consensus document.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei independently confirmed Saturday that a Qatari delegation was in active discussions with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Araghchi, while Pakistan continues to anchor the broader mediation effort.

Core Sticking Points Remain
Sources indicated the talks are currently deadlocked over two central issues: Iran's nuclear program and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Washington is demanding "concrete and practical" assurances on both be embedded in the interim deal, while Tehran insists they be deferred to a second phase of negotiations.

The proposed temporary agreement, as outlined by the sources, would encompass an immediate halt to hostilities across "all fronts" — including Lebanon — the reopening of the strait, the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, and a commitment to launch nuclear talks within 30 days.

Separately, the thornier issues of Iran's frozen assets, international sanctions relief, and war damage compensation are expected to be addressed in subsequent direct talks between Washington and Tehran.

"If the two sides sign the agreement, a second round of direct talks between the two sides is highly expected to resume after Eid-ul-Adha in Islamabad," media previously reported, citing a Pakistani source. The three-day Muslim festival of sacrifice begins Wednesday.

Conflict Background
The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, killing the country's supreme leader. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks on Israel and US Gulf allies, while simultaneously choking off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire halted the fighting on April 8, but subsequent rounds of talks in Islamabad failed to produce a durable settlement. President Trump later extended the truce indefinitely as both sides continued swapping proposals.

Momentum appeared to be building heading into the weekend, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledging Friday that "some progress" had been achieved.

Munir is expected to travel to China within the next day or two to brief Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, currently visiting Beijing, on the outcome of his latest diplomatic contacts.

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