White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt said on Wednesday that the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran is likely to be held in Pakistan.
In response to a question about the location of the upcoming talks, White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the discussions would “most likely” take place at the same venue as the previous round of talks.
“They will most likely be in the same place as last time,” Levitt told a news conference.
Highlighting Islamabad’s role, she added, “They (Pakistan) are the only mediators in this negotiation and there are many countries in the world who want to help.”
Although secret diplomacy continues, tensions remain high. The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports for a third consecutive day, increasing economic pressure on Tehran. Officials in Washington have warned of further sanctions on countries and entities doing business with Iran, marking what one senior official described as a “financial operation amounting to a bombing campaign.”
The United States has deployed naval assets to monitor and control access to Iranian ports, aiming to limit oil exports, Tehran’s main source of revenue. Although Washington says shipping not linked to Iran can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz, military activity in the region has intensified.
President Donald Trump hardened his stance, announcing a sweeping lockdown. “The best U.S. Navy in the world will immediately begin blocking any ship trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. He warned, “Any Iranian who opens fire on us or on a peaceful ship will be bombed to hell!”
Iran has also issued a strong warning, with its Revolutionary Guards warning that any missteps could put adversaries in a “lethal” situation in the strategic waterway, which Tehran says is fully controlled by Iran.
The market reacted nervously. Oil prices have soared above $100 a barrel, while global stock markets fell on worries about long-term disruptions to energy supplies. Analysts warned that the blockade could be seen as a continuation of hostilities, raising the possibility of further escalation, including attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
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