Senior U.S. officials could be back in Pakistan for Iran talks within days, sources say

Key Points:

• The Trump administration is considering sending senior officials, including Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, back to Pakistan to revive diplomatic talks with Iran aimed at a long-term peace deal, with potential talks resuming soon.
• Recent negotiations in Islamabad led by Vance ended without resolution on key issues like Iran's nuclear program and war-ending conditions, but both sides remain cautiously open to further dialogue despite ongoing military tensions.
• Western leaders, including France’s Macron and the UK’s Starmer, are meeting in Paris to discuss measures to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, amid heightened regional tensions.
• Discussions may focus on coordinated naval escorts, demining operations, and intelligence sharing, though neither the U.S., Iran, nor Israel are directly participating in the talks.
• Despite Iran declaring the Strait open for commercial vessels during the ceasefire, the U.S. Navy warns of underwater mine threats in the area, advising ships to avoid certain parts due to unresolved security risks.