 "Pakistan says invited for US-Iran de-escalation talks in Turkey")
Pakistan has reportedly been invited to be a part of the US-Iran talks in Turkey to be held this week. Washington and Tehran aim to alleviate tensions through this meeting after weeks of animosity.
According to a report by Dawn, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “Pakistan has received the invitation for the upcoming talks between Iran and the United States.”
The report added that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is likely to represent the country in the talks and that Islamabad’s participation in the meeting is “seen as significant.”
What can be expected in the meeting?
An Iranian official told Reuters that the latest round of talks is being held to avoid conflict and de-escalate tensions between Iran and the US, adding that several foreign ministers from several regional hotspots have been invited to the meeting.
According to a report from Axios, citing multiple sources and a US official, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is slated to meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Istanbul. The meeting’s primary focus is to negotiate a potential agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed he had authorised Araghchi to move forward with the discussions. Pezeshkian emphasised that his instructions were to seek “fair and equitable negotiations” provided the dialogue takes place without threats or unrealistic demands.
US shoots down Iranian drone
A US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that approached an American aircraft carrier in the Middle East on Tuesday, Washington said.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that US envoy Steve Witkoff is still expected “to have conversations with the Iranians late this week,” despite the incident.
The downing of the drone was the second clash between the foes in Middle Eastern waters on the same day, after Iranian forces attempted to detain a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
Quick Reads
View All“An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in self-defense,” Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement.
The aircraft carrier was dispatched to the Arabian Sea last month amid a buildup of US forces.
With inputs from agencies
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