Blog Details

•Fresh US-Iran talks enter expert-level in Pakistan

•Trump says negotiation outcomes make no difference to me

• Says China will have ‘big problems’ if it ships weapons to Iran

•Seize opportunity for de-escalation, Macron tells Iranian president

Sunday Ehigiator

The United States has begun clearing sea mines from the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a major step toward reopening the critical global oil route, even as fragile ceasefire talks with Iran intensify in Pakistan.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two guided-missile destroyers, USS Frank E. Petersen and USS Michael Murphy, have transited the strategic waterway as part of efforts to remove mines allegedly laid by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and restore safe maritime passage.

The mine-clearing operation comes amid a heightened global concern over disruptions to energy supplies, as the strait, a vital artery for international oil shipments, has remained largely restricted since the outbreak of hostilities.

Despite the ceasefire reached earlier in the week, maritime traffic through the strait has remained severely limited, with reports indicating that only about 30 ships have successfully passed through the corridor.

CENTCOM Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, said the mission is aimed at reopening the channel for global commerce.

“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage, and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” he said.

US President, Mr. Donald Trump, also confirmed the development, stating that Washington had commenced clearing the waterway “as a favour to countries all over the world,” even as conflicting claims persist over the extent of military gains.

The mine-clearing effort is unfolding alongside rare, high-level diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with both sides meeting in Islamabad under a fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan.

While the US delegation to the meeting was led by Vice President JD Vance, Iran was represented by a high-level delegation led by Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.

Sources indicated that it was the first the two nations held direct talks; an uncommon move for the two nations, which have historically relied on intermediaries.

The talks, the first direct engagement of their kind in decades, have now progressed to an expert-level phase, involving technical discussions on key issues such as maritime security, nuclear activities, sanctions, and broader regional stability.

However, despite the diplomatic push, tensions remain elevated across the region.

Iranian authorities confirmed that the negotiations have now progressed to an “expert-level stage,” involving specialised committees focusing on economic, military, legal, and nuclear matters, as both sides work to finalise technical details.

As negotiations between both countries continue into the midnight, President Trump told reporters today that it makes no difference to him if a deal is reached with Iran, as the US and Iran engaged in negotiations in Pakistan.

“Regardless of what happens, we win. We’ve defeated them militarily,” Trump said as he departed the White House. He later added, “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me.”