{
  "id": 16469598,
  "title": "Maximalist US and Iran positions fuelling conflict, former Pakistani PM says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/maximalist-us-and-iran-positions-fuelling-conflict-former-pakistani-16469598",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-25T10:27:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/25/pakistan-anwaar-ul-haq-kakar-interview/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maximalist negotiating stances by both the United States and Iran have hindered progress toward resolving the Middle East conflict, according to former Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar. Speaking in a rare interview from Islamabad, Kakar stated that both sides' maximalist positions are a significant obstacle to reaching an agreement. The US and Iran have disagreed on the extent and timing of commitments to halt the war, including ending the US blockade of Iran's seaports, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, providing sanctions relief to Tehran, and guaranteeing an end to fighting across all fronts in the region. Pakistan facilitated high-level diplomatic contacts between Iran and the US following the start of US-Israeli operations against Iran in February. In June, both countries agreed on a plan to end the war in Islamabad, but the conflict persisted at a lower intensity. Pakistani officials have been urging both sides to return to the negotiating table amid a deadlock over progress. Kakar emphasized that Pakistan's primary goal is to prevent a resumption of military conflict. He expressed concern that renewed fighting would further economically burden Pakistan and other nations, as the nation has already faced fuel price spikes due to the war-induced global oil price surge. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have advocated for renewed military operations against Tehran, with Netanyahu publicly calling for overthrowing the Iranian regime. The US has reportedly prepared for potential strikes, though Washington has ruled out action before the midterm elections on November 3. Israeli elections on Tuesday are also unlikely to alter the country's stance on conflict, according to Kakar. Pakistan opposes any escalation and recently participated in a meeting in Istanbul with representatives from Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, urging the conflicting parties to refrain from intensifying attacks. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar joined the discussions, stating that the US and Iran are the primary parties involved, not Pakistan, and that Pakistan's role is limited to mediation. Kakar noted that there are differing viewpoints within Iran regarding the country's strategy, with a mix of pragmatic individuals and ideologues. He highlighted the challenges faced by Iranians due to decades of sanctions, which have isolated them from regional counterparts and altered their perception of progress compared to neighboring Gulf Co-operation Council countries.",
  "summary": "Maximalist negotiating positions by both the US and Iran have prevented an end to the Middle East conflict, amid worrying signs of the war escalating, a former prime minister of Pakistan told The National. “I think when you go for a maximalist position, that's a stumbling block,” Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar said in a rare interview from Islamabad. “I think both sides probably choose to remain maximalist,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Iran FM says war won't change Tehran's stance",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/iran-fm-says-war-wont-change-tehrans-stance",
        "published": "2026-10-25T08:13:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Resumption of war with with Israel, US will not change Iran's positions: Araghchi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/resumption-of-war-with-with-israel-us-will-not-change-irans-positions",
        "published": "2026-10-25T09:44:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Iraq braces for renewed Iran conflict after 1,000 strikes on Kurdistan, 600 militia attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/iraq-braces-for-renewed-iran-conflict-after-1-000-strikes-on",
        "published": "2026-10-25T12:50:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}