Pakistan: US-Iran 'close to some sort of arrangement'

Pakistan’s defence minister said in Islamabad on Aug 11 that the United States and Iran are “close to some sort of arrangement” over the Strait of Hormuz, even as both sides hardened public positions.

Khawaja Asif told reporters that “Things are shaping up in favour of peace,” but gave no details of any breakthrough, The Straits Times reported. Pakistan has been mediating during the conflict alongside Qatar.

Talks between Iran and Oman over reopening Hormuz to some maritime shipping have reached an advanced stage, The Straits Times reported, citing Al Jazeera, which cited a Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman. Oil prices erased gains after Asif’s comments; Brent crude traded slightly lower in early afternoon trade in London at about US$87.50 (S$112) a barrel.

The upbeat assessments came after US President Donald Trump toughened his stance on Aug 10, saying Tehran should pay reparations for people killed in attacks linked to Iran and in domestic protests. Trump was responding to Iranian demands that included compensation for US violations of a now-lapsed interim peace deal agreed in June; he said his demands would be included “firmly into any, and all, future negotiations”.