The fragile truce between the United States and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday, and uncertainty looms over whether a second round of negotiations can prevent a return to hostilities. The first round of talks, held in Islamabad, ended without an agreement — and now Pakistan is scrambling to set the stage for another attempt.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held separate meetings with the US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam on Monday, telling the Iranian envoy that “preparations for a second round of Islamabad Talks were complete.” Whether both sides will return to the table remains an open question.
The stakes could not be higher. Iran executed two men on Monday for alleged links to Israeli intelligence — the latest in a series of executions since the war with Israel and the US erupted. The men were convicted of “moharebeh” (waging war against God) and collaboration with the Mossad, according to Iran’s judiciary. Meanwhile, Greece announced its military “shield” over Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean would remain in place indefinitely, citing the persistent threat of drone and missile attacks on the island and Houthi assaults on shipping through the Gulf of Aden.
