"Within Reach, Yet Elusive" US-Iran 2nd Round of Talks... International Community's Attention Focused

Jared Kushner (left) and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff (right)

As the United States further escalates pressure on Iran with strengthened naval blockades and additional sanctions, the international community's attention is focused on whether a second round of negotiations to reach a peace agreement and Iran's denuclearization will take place this weekend or early next week.

Following the arrival of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, the mediating country for the negotiations, the US negotiating team is also scheduled to head to Pakistan, leading to observations that the possibility of talks between the two sides has increased.

The White House announced on the 24th (local time) that the US negotiating team, including Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (President Trump's son-in-law), is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on the 25th for face-to-face talks with Iran.

Iranian officials, who requested anonymity, also told the New York Times (NYT) that Minister Araghchi is expected to meet with the US delegation and will present a new written response to the US proposal for a peace agreement.

However, Iranian state media reported that Minister Araghchi would not meet with the US side during his visit to Pakistan, indicating an ongoing power struggle over whether the negotiations will succeed.

However, it is currently unclear whether this power struggle should be viewed as a 'strategic struggle' waged by both countries to gain a more advantageous position, assuming talks will be held, or as an 'off-field war of nerves' occurring in a situation where even the holding of talks has not been agreed upon.

Amidst this, President Trump is further intensifying economic and military pressure on Iran while also emphasizing his willingness for a diplomatic resolution through negotiations.

The United States is focusing on tightening Iran's financial lifelines by expanding its blockade operations not only in the Strait of Hormuz but also into international waters, blocking the passage of vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports, and seizing ships that violate these measures. It has also stated that any vessel installing mines in the strait will be immediately sunk.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today, "The blockade is expanding and extending worldwide," adding, "Time is not on Iran's side due to these blockade measures." He reaffirmed the stance that the blockade would continue as long as deemed necessary.

In addition to this, the United States is continuing its comprehensive pressure by imposing further sanctions. The Trump administration announced additional sanctions today on approximately 40 shipping companies and vessels operating a 'shadow fleet' to export Iranian oil while circumventing sanctions.

Amidst the escalating tension surrounding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the precarious truce between the US and Iran, attention is focused on whether both sides will resume the second round of negotiations and attempt to find common ground.

As the first round of peace talks on the 11th-12th failed, and the second round, expected to be held on the 21st, also fell through, attention is focused on whether this meeting, if it takes place, can break the stalemate and create a breakthrough in negotiations.

President Trump

The White House, for now, expressed optimism about resuming negotiations.

The White House believes that some progress has been observed from the Iranian side in recent days and intends to specifically confirm this through the upcoming negotiations.

President Trump stated in an interview with Reuters today, "Iran will make a proposal," and that he would observe. President Trump has consistently claimed that the peace negotiations have not progressed due to internal conflicts of opinion between Iranian hardliners and moderates.

White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt said, "There appears to be definite progress from Iran in recent days."

The main issues are expected to be Iran's nuclear program, the normalization of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the easing of sanctions on Iran.

Spokesperson Leavitt emphasized that the US's top priority is "Iran firmly pledging to hand over enriched uranium and never acquire, possess, develop, or manufacture nuclear weapons."

Observations also suggest that conflicts surrounding the Strait of Hormuz could emerge as an even greater challenge, in addition to the nuclear issue.

The United States views the naval blockade against Iran as a leverage point to pressure Iran, but Iran is protesting, stating that this action goes against the spirit of the truce.

It is also noteworthy that as the United States expands its naval blockade, it is demanding the participation of its allies.

Secretary Hegseth said today, "Europe and Asia have enjoyed our protection for decades, but the era of free riders is over." This was a repeated call for support from allies, including the deployment of troops, for operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

This is interpreted as demonstrating that as the US strengthens its naval blockade against Iran amidst the precarious truce with Iran, the military and political burden on its allies is also increasing.