US-Iran talks not deadlocked, negotiations continue — Pakistani ambassador

Lead

Talks between the United States and Iran have not reached a deadlock and continue through Pakistan's mediation, according to Pakistan's Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, in an interview with TASS. The diplomat expressed hope for a positive outcome, while also indicating that Islamabad may remain the venue for future negotiations.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, a Russian state news agency, provided extensive coverage of Tirmizi's remarks, publishing multiple articles that approached the subject from different angles. One report focused on the status of US-Iran talks, emphasizing Tirmizi's assertion that negotiations are ongoing. Another highlighted Pakistan's role as a mediator and the potential for Islamabad to host further discussions. A third piece delved into broader regional issues, including Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and external attempts to destabilize the region.

All three sources rely solely on Tirmizi's statements, and no other outlets were included in the provided material. As such, the reporting reflects the ambassador's views, filtered through TASS's editorial perspective, which may align with official Russian positions.

Key Claims

Negotiations Continue: Tirmizi stated that talks between Tehran and Washington have not stalled. "A dead end is when you completely stop talking to each other," he said. "Thank God, they are still talking through Pakistan, and the negotiations continue." He likened the process to historical peace negotiations that took years, citing examples such as the Korean War talks (three to four years), Vietnam negotiations (five to six years), and the Geneva talks during the Soviet campaign in Afghanistan.

Islamabad as Venue: Tirmizi expressed confidence that Islamabad is likely to host future US-Iran talks. He noted that both sides view Pakistan as an "honest mediator" and have expressed readiness to hold talks in Islamabad. Currently, Pakistan is relaying information between the parties remotely, but if a common understanding is reached, the ambassador suggested Islamabad could host face-to-face meetings.

Pakistan's Mediation Warning: Tirmizi recounted that Pakistan had warned the US in 2001 that the campaign in Afghanistan "would not be resolved on Washington's terms." He also said Pakistan gave similar advice to Gulf states regarding the war in Yemen, which time proved correct. He stressed that Iran, with a population of 93 million and vast territory, cannot be conquered by an air campaign alone, and any ground operations would be "extremely disastrous."

Regional Stability and Afghanistan: In a separate interview, Tirmizi addressed efforts to destabilize Pakistan from Afghanistan. He claimed that "some forces" used Afghanistan to undermine stability in Pakistan through intelligence activities, funding, and military consultations. However, he asserted that such efforts would fail given Pakistan's size and military strength. He also highlighted the deep ethnic ties between the two countries, noting that Pashtuns are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and second-largest in Pakistan.

North-South Transport Corridor: Tirmizi mentioned the North-South Transport Corridor project, initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2015, as key to regional stability and cooperation. However, he suggested that Afghanistan is working against this project, allegedly directed by non-regional forces. This claim is carried by a single outlet and has not been independently verified.

Perspectives

Pakistani Diplomatic View: Tirmizi portrays Pakistan as an indispensable mediator, with historical credibility and a pragmatic understanding of regional dynamics. His remarks reflect a belief that Pakistan's advice, though sometimes ignored, has been vindicated by events.

Russian State Media Framing: TASS's coverage emphasizes Pakistan's role in facilitating communication between Iran and the US, possibly aligning with Russian interests in presenting a multipolar world order where alternative mediators are active. The inclusion of the North-South Corridor project also underscores Russian regional objectives.

Potential Skepticism: While Tirmizi's claims are presented without challenge, independent verification of his assertions—such as the status of US-Iran negotiations or external interference in Pakistan—is not provided. The lack of corroborating sources suggests that these statements should be treated as the ambassador's perspective rather than conclusive fact.

This article is based on reporting from TASS; no other news sources were included in the provided material. The claims have not been independently verified.