Diplomatic chaos ensues as the US and Iran engage in a high-stakes game in Pakistan.
The diplomatic balance surrounding the peace agreement between the United States and Iran has turned into a thriller, with everything now hanging in the air. The Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, published and subsequently deleted a social media post regarding the arrival of an Iranian delegation in Islamabad for talks on a ceasefire with American negotiators. The post also referenced Iran’s peace plan and the Israeli government's efforts to undermine the process. Although the post was removed, no further explanation for its deletion has been provided. Meanwhile, the US and Iran have agreed to a two-week temporary ceasefire following diplomatic efforts by Pakistan. US Vice President JD Vance is set to lead the American delegation in the negotiations, which will take place in Islamabad. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the first phase of talks will begin Saturday and focus on critical issues between the two nations.
Pakistan’s categorical response to the US and Israel
In the meantime, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, made it clear that the temporary ceasefire agreement mediated by Pakistan includes both Iran and Lebanon. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who played a pivotal role in the deal, had already announced that both Iran and the US, along with their allies including Lebanon, agreed to an immediate ceasefire to be implemented without delay. However, just hours after the announcement, Israel dramatically increased its attacks on Lebanon, resulting in at least 254 deaths and over 1,000 injuries, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The Israeli military confirmed that their strikes expanded into areas with civilian populations.
The role of Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposing the mediated agreements, stated categorically that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire deal. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt echoed this position, stating that for the US, Lebanon is not part of the agreement and that all involved parties have been informed accordingly. Despite these contradictions, the Pakistani ambassador told CNN that the Pakistani Prime Minister's statement is accurate and that all parties, with the exception of Iran, had agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon as well. "Since this is the official position of the Pakistani government, I believe full credit should be given to this statement," he noted.
Israel sabotages the proceedings
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh stated that this situation confirms how Israel’s actions jeopardize the success of the ceasefire agreement, a pattern that has been repeated in the past through the violation of other accords. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern message via "X," declaring that the terms of the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran are clear. He pointed out that the choice now lies with the US: to either choose peace or continue the war through Israel. "The world is watching how the American president will keep his promises, and now the ball is in the US court," he stated. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqaei also referenced Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s post and the contradiction in Karoline Leavitt’s statements regarding the exclusion of Lebanon, adding that if this does not constitute a breach of promise by the US, then what else could it be?
Iranian ambassador deletes post
The post by the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghaddam, which mentioned the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Pakistan, was abruptly deleted from social media. The post had appeared Thursday morning on the Iranian Ambassador's "X" account, stating that the Iranian delegation would reach Islamabad that evening to participate in talks with American negotiators regarding the ceasefire. However, the post is no longer available on the platform, and users can no longer view it.
The post by Reza Amiri Moghaddam stated that the Iranian delegation would travel to Islamabad to discuss Iran's 10-point peace plan and proceed with negotiations aimed at a ceasefire. In his publication, the Ambassador mentioned that this trip was taking place despite the Iranian people's doubts regarding the Israeli government's attempts to overturn this diplomatic move. The Iranian Ambassador also stated that Iran is serious about implementing the peace plan and expressed a commitment to strengthening relations with the Pakistani leadership and moving forward with negotiations. So far, it has not been clarified why the post was deleted or if there is an official explanation for its removal.
A fragile ceasefire
It is noteworthy that, thanks to Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, the US and Iran agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, and delegations from both countries will begin direct talks in Islamabad. The American government had announced it would send a high-level three-member delegation to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran, led by Vice President JD Vance. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, during a press briefing, mentioned that US President Donald Trump is dispatching his negotiation team to Islamabad to advance diplomatic efforts in the region. According to Leavitt, the negotiating team will include Vice President JD Vance, President Trump’s advisor on Asian affairs Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, with the first phase of talks set for Saturday morning in Islamabad to discuss major issues between the two countries.
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments