Middle East: Pakistan sees progress in US-Iran mediation

Middle East progress: Pakistan reports advances in US-Iran negotiations

Iran has expressed readiness to respond to fresh US sanctions, while China maintains its cooperation with Iran should not be impeded. Pakistan has reported progress in talks aimed at ending the US-Israeli war with Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy passage separating Iran and US ally Oman, has seen a sharp decline in shipping traffic, with only two tankers passing through on a single day last week. The US has imposed economic sanctions targeting Iran's financial networks, described by the administration as a "global crackdown" on the regime.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry dismissed new US sanctions on Iran as a unilateral move and emphasized its commitment to finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Pakistan, along with Qatar and Oman, is actively facilitating negotiations and exchanging draft proposals between Washington and Tehran.

The US is reportedly preparing to send diplomats evacuated before the start of the Iran war back to the Middle East, with staffing levels expected to increase at missions in Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, and Kuwait.