Butolpost.com — Donald Trump showed aggressive steps again in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The United States has reportedly pressed Pakistan over recent weeks to persuade Iran to agree to a ceasefire.
An exclusive Financial Times report on Wednesday (8/4) revealed that this request had been made since March 21. Washington has an interest in ensuring that the world’s vital energy route, the Strait of Hormuz, is immediately reopened amid surging global oil prices.
According to quoted sources, the US and Pakistan consider an approach through Islamabad to be more effective. As a neighboring country to Iran with a Muslim majority and a neutral position, Pakistan is considered to have strong diplomatic influence to soften Tehran’s attitude.
Tensions have peaked since late February, when the US and Israel launched attacks on a number of targets in Iran, including the capital Tehran. The attacks triggered civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.
Iran is not remaining silent. Tehran launched retaliatory attacks on Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East, which then triggered a massive escalation.
The impact was immediately felt globally. Energy shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz have practically stopped, disrupting world oil and LNG supplies and pushing up fuel prices in various countries.
In the midst of a critical situation, on Tuesday (7/4), Trump finally agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire with Iran.
The agreement also includes a commitment to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council expressed readiness to start follow-up talks with the US.
The plan is for negotiations to be held on Friday (10/4) in Islamabad, Pakistan.
This step is a crucial point that the world is waiting for, whether it will really be able to reduce the conflict or whether it is just a pause before tensions explode again.***
