The United States has transferred to Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle Eastaccording to ‘The New York Times’, in a movement that shows the growing pressure from the Donald Trump Administration to find a way out of the conflictwhich is now entering its fourth week and is having important economic repercussions. Oil is falling this Wednesday due to this information. He Brent fell 4.20% ($100.10) a barrel and West Texas fell 3.6% ($89.03).
According to the American newspaper, which cites two officials familiar with the negotiations, the plan has been sent through Pakistan and addresses key issues such as the Iranian nuclear program, its ballistic missiles and the security of sea routes. However, it is not clear to what extent the proposal has been shared within the Iranian apparatus or whether Tehran would be willing to accept it as a basis for starting talks. It has also not been confirmed whether Israelwhich participates with the United States in the military offensive that began on February 28, supports this diplomatic initiative. According to ‘The New York Times’, the proposal comes as Washington intensifies its efforts to stop a war that has involved several countries and has strained global energy markets. One of the central points of the plan is the situation in the Strait of Hormuza key strategic route for the global transportation of oil and gas. Since the start of the conflict, Iran has largely blocked the safe passage of Western ships through this area, reducing global supply and skyrocketing energy prices. In parallel, the attacks have continued. The United States and Israel have directed their bombings against Iranian nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilitieswhile Tehran maintains the launch of missiles and maintains, according to the cited sources, around 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium. Despite diplomatic moves, the war does not seem close to an end. Israeli sources suggest that the conflict could last for weeks. From the White House, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt has acknowledged that there are contacts, but has stressed that the military offensive is still underway: «While President Trump and his negotiators explore this possibility of diplomacy, the military operation continues without interruption.»
PAKISTAN, KEY ACTOR IN MEDIATION
Pakistan’s role has become relevant as an intermediary between both parties. According to ‘The New York Times’, the head of the Pakistani Army, Syed Asim Muniracts as a communication channel between Washington and Tehran, with the support of countries such as Egypt and Türkiyewho are encouraging Iran to participate in a negotiating process. Pakistan’s own Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has publicly expressed his country’s support for a negotiated solution and has offered to host possible talks between both parties. However, the internal situation in Iran adds uncertainty. After the initial attacks, in which Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed, the country’s power structure is weakened and fragmentedwhich makes it difficult to make quick decisions about an eventual negotiation. In this context, the US initiative points to a possible diplomatic solution that, according to the New York newspaper, would not necessarily imply an immediate regime changealthough it would leave Iran in a weaker position on the international stage.
