Iran announced on Wednesday that it will guarantee safe passage for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks. This temporary pause facilitates high-stakes negotiations with the United States and Israel, scheduled to begin this Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Reopening the Vital Shipping Lane
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the de-escalation via a post on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that vessels can navigate the strait through active coordination with Iran’s military.
“For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations,” Araghchi stated.
A Roadmap for Diplomacy
The Supreme National Security Council of Iran released a separate statement clarifying the timeline for the upcoming summit. While the parties have initially agreed to a 14-day negotiation window, the Council noted that they could extend the talks by mutual agreement.
Key details of the diplomatic push include:
- Participants: Iran, the United States, and Israel.
- Location: Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Objective: Ending the current conflict and establishing a long-term ceasefire.
International Reaction: Iraq Welcomes the Ceasefire
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry officially welcomed the two-week ceasefire, describing it as a “positive step” toward regional stability. In a statement on X, the ministry urged all parties to engage in “serious and sustainable dialogue.”
The Iraqi government called for the negotiations to address the root causes of the disputes and encouraged the nations to use this window to rebuild mutual trust and prevent further military escalation.
