Before a regional war: The countries trying to open an exit route for Iran

Amid the tightening of American sanctions on Iran, Pakistan reports significant progress in talks with Tehran, involving its interior minister and army chief. Meanwhile, Oman's foreign minister is expected to land in Tehran for discussions on security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US expresses concern over independent understandings between Muscat and Tehran.

Against the backdrop of the intensifying economic sanctions on Iran, announced yesterday (Monday) by the US, Pakistan is leading an unusual diplomatic effort to ease tensions in the Middle East. Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, commented this morning (Tuesday) on the contacts with Iran, stating that "significant progress has been made in the talks," after meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni, and the President of the Islamic Republic, Masoud Pezeshkian. According to Naqvi, the discussions focused on finding a path to regional peace and the possibility of reinstating the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding." Concurrently, Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held discussions in Tehran with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, which Iranian media described as "very constructive." The overarching goal of the talks is to prevent escalation and ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Later today, Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, is expected to land in Tehran for discussions on security and traffic arrangements in the strait. The US has expressed concern that the understandings between Oman and Iran would grant Tehran official control over the trade route.