The United States and Iran have both replied to a peace talks proposal brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, according to officials familiar with the matter. The proposal, which was presented to both governments in recent weeks, aims to restart negotiations that have been stalled for months.
Who put the proposal forward
Pakistan and Qatar jointly drafted the initiative, acting as intermediaries between Washington and Tehran. The two countries have maintained diplomatic channels with both sides, positioning themselves as potential facilitators for a renewed dialogue. Neither government has publicly disclosed the full text of the proposal.
What the responses contain
The US and Iranian replies have been delivered through diplomatic backchannels, but their contents have not been released. Officials declined to say whether the responses were positive, negative, or conditional. The lack of public detail suggests the talks remain at a sensitive stage.
Why the timing matters
The exchange comes after a prolonged period of tension between the two countries, with no direct negotiations since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal framework. Regional observers have noted that both Pakistan and Qatar have economic and security interests in seeing a de-escalation. The proposal is the first known joint effort by Islamabad and Doha to mediate between the US and Iran.
Neither the White House nor the Iranian Foreign Ministry has issued a formal statement. A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed receipt of the proposal but declined to elaborate. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.
The next step is unclear. If both sides agree to proceed, a preliminary meeting could be arranged in a neutral location, possibly Doha or Islamabad. But without public confirmation, the proposal's fate remains uncertain.
