US‑Iran talks scramble before April 22 ceasefire
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- The fragile ceasefire between the U.S., Israel and Iran is set to expire on April 22, prompting intensified diplomatic activity.
- Pakistani army chief Asim Munir led a rare delegation to Iran on Wednesday, and Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi posted a video of him warmly embracing Munir after he exited his plane.
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is traveling the region, meeting officials in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey this week.
- UN Secretary‑General envoy Jean Arnault traveled to Oman to speak with officials from war‑affected countries, gathering their views and points of agreement.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump is relying on Pakistan as the primary intermediary and that the White House feels good about the prospects of a deal, noting that Iran’s red lines are clear.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Jerusalem and Washington are aligned in demanding Iran hand over its stockpile of 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, cancel enrichment capabilities, and open the Strait of Hormuz.
- Mark Dubowitz warned that the red lines discussed in Islamabad may not include Iran’s ballistic missile program, raising concern about insufficient restrictions on its ability to reconstitute its program.
Why it matters: The looming April 22 deadline forces Washington, Tehran and their allies to confront a narrowing window for diplomatic resolution, giving Pakistan a pivotal role as mediator while Israel’s hard‑line demands risk derailing talks and risking a resumption of hostilities for the region.
