KABAR-BANDUNG.COM – A number of Pakistani security sources revealed that negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to take place before Friday. This indication emerged as activity and security increased around Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.
Two sources who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity said that there were several factors that strengthened this allegation. One of them is the arrival of United States military aircraft in strategic areas of Pakistan.
They stated that “two US heavy transport aircraft, C-17 Globemasters, have landed at Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi”, located not far from Islamabad. Apart from that, increased security can also be seen from main road access in the capital.
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The source added that “the road from the airport to Islamabad Red Zone has been temporarily closed, indicating enhanced security arrangements”.
Not only that, activities at a number of star hotels have also experienced significant changes. “Both the Serena and Marriott hotels in Islamabad are being emptied of guests and no new bookings will be allowed until Friday,” they said.
Previously, the first round of negotiations between the two countries took place at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad, on April 11. The meeting was the first step in efforts to defuse long-standing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
However, from the Iranian side, there is no certainty regarding the schedule for continuing negotiations. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, stated that the process was still at the initial stage of drafting an understanding.
“Now we are focused on finalizing the framework of understanding between the two sides. We hope… once we can resolve that, then we can move on to the next step,” Khatibzadeh said.
He also emphasized that currently there is no official date for the next round. “Until we agree on that framework, we can’t, you know, set a date…There’s been significant progress…that has been made. But then the maximalist approach of the other side, which is trying to make Iran an exception in international law, prevents us from reaching an agreement.”
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Furthermore, Khatibzadeh emphasized Iran’s position in international law. “Iran will not accept to be an exception to international law. We are a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty; we are a member of the IAEA… We have responsibilities and we have rights. Iran is entitled to those rights, and we will not abandon our rights,” he said.
On the other hand, dynamics in the Middle East region, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, are also an important factor in negotiations. After the ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran announced safe passage in the region.
“And unfortunately, they are still trying to drain negotiations through negotiations, drain diplomacy through the diplomatic circus,” he explained.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is currently considered very complex and involves many actors. Iran is said to be trying to use the area as a pressure point in diplomacy with the United States. Even though there are signals of a desire to open this route to commercial shipping, obstacles still arise, including from the blockade policy implemented by the Americans.
With these various developments, the Strait of Hormuz has the potential to become one of the most important bargaining cards in future negotiations between the two countries.***
