On 22 May 2026, Pakistani army chief Asim Munir travelled to Tehran as part of an official mediation between Washington and Tehran, acknowledged by all parties. On the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke of "slight progress" in the negotiations, while declining any excessive optimism.
These talks unfold within a conflict that has been open since 28 February 2026 between the United States, Israel and Iran. Since the outbreak of hostilities, the Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies normally passed — has been closed to the vast majority of commercial traffic, triggering a major global energy shock. Pakistan emerged as a central mediator after securing a partial ceasefire on 8 April, with no substantive agreement reached since.
Two issues remain unresolved. The first concerns the stock of highly enriched uranium held by Iran: Supreme Leader Khamenei has barred its transfer abroad, while Washington demands its removal or destruction. The second relates to the status of Hormuz, which the United States and its allies refuse to see subjected to tolls, whereas Tehran sets recognition of its sovereignty over the passage as a precondition.
The actors also differ on method and scope. Israel and the United States want the nuclear file folded into any deal, which Iran refuses until the war has ceased. Several regional states promote Pakistani and Qatari mediation as the credible path, while Atlanticist countries present sanctions and pressure as indispensable. Six weeks after a ceasefire described as fragile, the proliferation of diplomatic channels reflects the absence of a consolidated framework for ending the crisis.