Moment of truth

ISLAMABAD is all set to host the second round of US-Iran talks. But the million-dollar question is: will they go ahead?

At the time of writing, uncertainty about the fate of the parleys continued, with no confirmation of Iranian participation. It appears that until the US lifts the blockade of Iranian ports, Tehran’s representatives are unlikely to get on a plane to Pakistan.

However, there were no indications that the American administration was seeking to bring down the temperature and signal its willingness to talk in good faith by lifting the blockade. Instead, President Donald Trump said his military was “ready to go”. It is in this context that Iranian officials have said they will not negotiate “under the shadow of threats”.

While the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused massive global economic turbulence, and the entire international community seeks to have the key maritime passage reopened at the earliest, it was the US and Israel that initiated hostilities. As such, it is their responsibility — particularly of the US — to end it, even if it means swallowing a bitter pill.

Though the current American leadership is unlikely to admit to its hubris in launching this ‘war of choice’ and rocking the global order in the process, it must now, for the sake of regional and indeed world peace, shed its rigid posture and lift the blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran should reciprocate by allowing free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Short of this step, and the complete cessation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon, it may not be possible to save the peace process.

There are two options: either both parties agree to make compromises, extend the ceasefire and come to Islamabad to work out the bare bones of an agreement. Or return to war. There seem to be no other alternatives.

The US has been trumpeting the Iranian nuclear issue. But it should not be forgotten that this issue was largely resolved by the JCPOA, which Mr Trump, in his first term, jettisoned without much thought. Even more recently, there was significant progress on nuclear talks before Washington and Tel Aviv launched the war. Therefore, if the US wants to resolve the nuclear question peacefully, it is very much possible. But if it would rather keep on threatening Iran and changing the goalposts, Tehran will continue to respond in the same coin.

Practically the entire international community — expect for Israel and the religious right in the US — is hoping for a peaceful resolution to this crisis. Mr Trump must do the right thing by showing Iran that the US is willing to accommodate and compromise. If he chooses to indulge in more bellicosity and threats, he will be mainly responsible for the chaos that ensues.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026