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May 6, 2026
WASHINGTON – Trilateral discussions between the United States, Pakistan, and Iran are ongoing to secure a lasting ceasefire, with Washington pushing for immediate negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program while Iran insists on the lifting of the naval blockade as a precondition, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
In its latest report from Washington, Al Jazeera detailed that proposals and redlines are being exchanged between the three nations as Pakistan continues its pivotal mediation role in the months-long conflict.
Core Disagreement Remains
The central obstacle preventing a breakthrough is the sequencing of negotiations, the report said.
| Position | Stance |
|---|---|
| United States | Wants to address Iran’s nuclear program first before any other issues |
| Iran | Demands the naval blockade of Iranian ports be lifted before any nuclear talks |
The US has rejected Iran’s proposal to postpone nuclear discussions, insisting the “thorny issue” be linked to a permanent ceasefire.
Pakistan’s Mediation Role Intensifies
Islamabad continues to serve as the primary channel of communication between Washington and Tehran. Recent weeks have seen Pakistan’s leadership personally engaged in the diplomacy:
- Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi late Sunday night, with Araghchi appreciating Pakistan’s “constructive role and sincere mediation efforts”.
- Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces, has spoken to President Trump several times in recent weeks to help convey messages between the two sides.
- Pakistan hosted the first round of direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad on April 11-12—the first face-to-face negotiations between the two countries in 47 years.
A Pakistani government source told Anadolu Agency that Islamabad was working silently to find a “middle way” on the two simmering issues—the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear program—and was expecting Tehran’s response to the latest US proposal “by the end of this week”.
The Stakes
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Global Oil Prices | Brent crude has risen above $116 per barrel, up more than 50% since the war began |
| Strait of Hormuz | Effectively closed since February 28, disrupting nearly 20% of global oil flows |
| US Public Opinion | Six in ten Americans say military action against Iran was a mistake, according to a Washington Post poll |
Optimism Tempered with Caution
While acknowledging the diplomatic process, officials have warned of lingering risks. “The diplomatic pathway is bright, but the fear remains that a single incident could derail everything again,” a source told Al Jazeera.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed optimism on Tuesday that Pakistan’s relentless diplomatic efforts would help bring an early end to the conflict. Addressing the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, he said: “Whatever has happened so far, it has already dented global GDP to a great degree… ending the conflict is our goal and aim as a mediator”.
“We still hope that it will eventually and hopefully very soon conclude,” Dar added.
US Plans ‘Short and Powerful’ Strikes on Iran
Military Option on the Table
Despite the diplomatic push, Al Jazeera reported that Washington and Israel are also discussing the possibility of a “short, two-to-three-week” military campaign against Iran to pressure Tehran into accepting negotiations on US terms.
The Pentagon has briefed President Trump on potential military options to pressure Tehran, though the appetite for renewed hostilities in Washington appears to be waning, with mounting public opposition to the war.
