The entire conflict and the current diplomatic standoff hinge on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran closed the strait in response to a US blockade, creating a 'chicken and egg' scenario where neither side will concede first.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a unique intermediary due to its positive relations with the US, Iran, and Gulf states. However, the country is economically fragile, under an IMF program, and suffering from fuel shortages, giving it a strong vested interest in a swift resolution.
The US is deliberately sending a lower-level delegation, keeping Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. This is interpreted as a strategic signal of disinterest or a tactic to hold back senior officials as a negotiating chip for later stages.
Reports from The Times, citing senior Iranian officials, suggest Supreme Leader Khamenei was gravely wounded in an attack and has not appeared publicly in nearly 60 days. This raises critical questions about who is truly in control and whether the negotiating team in Islamabad has the authority to make meaningful concessions.
President Trump is facing increasing domestic pressure from rising energy prices and declining poll numbers. Iran perceives this internal political vulnerability as significant leverage, believing it can afford to prolong the conflict more than the US administration can.
Keep pulling the thread on United States.