UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his support for the upcoming US-Iran talks set to commence in Islamabad over the weekend. Guterres urges both parties to utilize this diplomatic opportunity to engage constructively towards a lasting agreement, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation and preventing a resurgence of hostilities. He emphasizes the necessity of resolving international disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, highlighted the ongoing efforts of the UN chief’s personal envoy for the Middle East conflict, Jean Arnault, who remains in the region to bolster diplomatic initiatives. Despite a temporary ceasefire being achieved among Iran, the US, and Israel, Israel has persisted with attacks on Lebanon.
In a related development, a high-level Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and including Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in Islamabad for the forthcoming talks with the US. The negotiations are slated to commence on Saturday morning within the diplomatic window of a two-week conditional truce announced earlier. This truce follows over a month of US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran.
The ceasefire between the US and Iran faces challenges as Israel continues its strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iranian leaders have emphasized the importance of halting these attacks on Lebanon as an essential component of the ceasefire agreement.
