Iran reports no progress on US deal
A senior Iranian source says efforts to revive an interim peace deal with the United States have made no progress. The source says Tehran and Washington remain divided over whether the U.S. will return to the agreement and over the timeline for carrying out commitments.
Iran also says there is no basis for extending the deal, arguing that it never properly took effect. The source says the United States violated the agreement within 48 hours of reaching it and withdrew from it a few days later.
Key Events
- A senior Iranian source says talks through mediators have not produced any progress on reviving the interim deal reached in June.
- The source says one dispute is over whether the United States will return to the agreement and accept a time frame for carrying out commitments.
- Iran says there is no discussion of extending the deal because it considers the agreement never to have properly started.
- The source says the United States violated the interim agreement within 48 hours and then withdrew a few days later.
Norwegian minister praises Pakistan mediation
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide praised Pakistan’s role in mediating the US-Iran conflict during a two-day visit to Islamabad. Speaking alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he thanked Pakistan for helping facilitate dialogue and described its efforts as a service to the world.
Eide said Norway strongly supported Pakistan’s role in the crisis and recognized the contribution of Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership. He also said the mediation mattered to Norway because of its interests as a major shipping nation. Dar, in turn, briefed him on Pakistan’s efforts to promote dialogue, de-escalation, and a peaceful settlement.
Key Events
- Espen Barth Eide visited Pakistan for a two-day official trip.
- He expressed Norway’s gratitude for Pakistan’s mediation efforts in the US-Iran conflict.
- Eide described Pakistan’s role as a service to the world.
- He praised Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, including Ishaq Dar, Shehbaz Sharif, and Asim Munir.
- Pakistan and Norway discussed regional developments and support for diplomacy and de-escalation.
India Stresses Border Peace With China
India’s foreign ministry said that peace along the disputed border with China remains essential to the broader relationship between the two countries. The remark came amid reports of renewed military tensions between troops in a remote Himalayan area.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has repeatedly stressed to China that border matters are serious and that the condition of the border affects the larger bilateral relationship. The statement followed recent discussions between the two sides and came as both governments continue efforts to improve ties after the deadly 2020 clashes.
China’s foreign ministry said the border situation was generally stable. Beijing also said the two countries agreed at a recent joint border affairs meeting in New Delhi to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels and safeguard peace and tranquillity in border regions.
Key Events
- India said peace along the border with China is critical to the relationship between the two countries.
- The foreign ministry repeated that border issues are serious and affect wider bilateral ties.
- The comment came after reports of renewed military tensions in a remote Himalayan area.
- China’s foreign ministry said the border situation was generally stable.
- Beijing said both sides agreed to keep communication open through diplomatic and military channels and protect peace in border areas after a joint consultation meeting in New Delhi last week.