Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan stepped up diplomatic efforts on Thursday to hasten U.S. and Iran talks, as Tehran said it was reviewing Washington’s latest responses and President Donald Trump said he could wait a few days for “the right answers” but was willing to resume attacks.
Stalled talks and economic concerns
Six weeks after a fragile ceasefire took effect, talks to end the war have made little progress, while rising oil prices have raised concern over inflation and the impact on the global economy.
Trump’s comments and domestic pressure
Trump, who faces domestic pressure ahead of November’s midterm elections, has seen his approval rating fall close to its lowest since he returned to the White House amid higher fuel prices. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said, “Believe me, if we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We’re all ready to go.” Asked how long he would wait, he said, “It could be a few days, but it could go very quickly.” Trump reiterated he was determined not to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Pakistan’s mediation effort
Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir was expected to decide on Thursday whether to travel to Tehran as part of the mediation effort, according to three sources familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media. Pakistan’s interior minister was in Tehran on Wednesday.
One source said Pakistan was speaking to various groups in Iran to streamline communication to speed up progress. The source added that concerns about Trump’s diminishing patience were a factor, and that work was under way on the pace at which messages were relayed from each side.
Earlier, Iran’s ISNA news agency reported that Munir would travel to Tehran on Thursday for consultations.
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