Crisis Group Releases Podcast on U.S.-Iran Talks
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- Crisis Group released a new “Hold Your Fire!” podcast episode titled “What Hope for the U.S.-Iran Talks in Islamabad?” on 11 April 2026.
- Ali Vaez explained why Tehran agreed to the announced ceasefire with the United States and Israel and how that decision shapes the Islamabad negotiations.
- Yasmine Farouk outlined Gulf Arab reactions, noting that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and that Arab states hold divergent positions on the ceasefire.
- Mairav Zonszein described Israel’s view of the ceasefire, including ongoing operations in Lebanon and Israeli assessments of the war’s success.
- Michael Wahid Hanna discussed former President Trump’s threats toward Iran and the frantic diplomacy that produced the ceasefire.
- Stephen Pomper warned that the rapid diplomatic moves risk eroding international law amid heightened regional tension.
Why it matters: Policymakers and regional actors gain a concise briefing on the ceasefire’s prospects and the diplomatic pressure in Islamabad, while the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and divergent Gulf positions underscore heightened regional tension and the risk of renewed escalation.
