Islamabad: All hopes are pinned on New York, where flexibility on both sides could help bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table, said Sardar Masood Khan, former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China, and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that continued diplomatic engagement was essential to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, although President Trump and the Iranian side had confirmed ongoing diplomatic contacts, no final solution had yet been reached. The core agenda remains unchanged, focusing on issues such as the status of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s frozen assets, new sanctions, restrictions on Iranian oil exports, the naval blockade, and the nuclear issue.
Sardar Masood Khan outlined the immediate challenge of determining the sequence of steps, particularly whether the opening of the Strait of Hormuz would occur first or if Iran would provide a strong signal on the nuclear issue to satisfy the United States. He noted that Pakistan remains actively engaged in mediation, with Qatar currently playing the lead mediating role.
He stated that Pakistan had been active in New York, advancing diplomatic efforts with meetings involving leadership and representatives of both sides. Pakistani delegations, in coordination with Qatar and Egypt, have been facilitating diplomatic contacts, hoping to create enough flexibility for Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations.
Discussing sanctions, he distinguished between longstanding US sanctions on Iran dating back to the 1980s and newer measures imposed following the outbreak of the war. Even after signing a Memorandum of Understanding, new sanctions were imposed, including measures described by the United States as “Operation Economic Fury.”
The latest measures, he said, are placing severe pressure on Iran, particularly through restrictions on its aviation sector, international banking access, and oil exports. He also referred to the naval blockade around Iranian ports and on international waters, which are severely constraining Iran’s economic operations, though Iran has shown resilience.
Sardar Masood Khan highlighted mixed signals from Washington and Tehran, reflecting an ongoing impasse alongside indications of diplomatic progress. Qatar has presented new proposals potentially acceptable to both sides, amid threats of a wider and more devastating war.
He stressed the importance of the international community, particularly Pakistan and other regional powers, in encouraging both sides to resume negotiations and seek an early end to the conflict. Delaying until after the US midterm elections on November 3, he cautioned, could expose the region to further escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and around the Bab-el-Mandab Strait.