Pakistan says US and Iran nearing agreement as mediation continues

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said recent developments indicate that the United States and Iran are moving closer to reaching an arrangement, as Islamabad continues its efforts to mediate between Tehran and Washington.

In an interview with Bloomberg News published on Tuesday, Asif explained, "Things are once again moving toward a peace settlement or agreement," adding, "Indicators over the past two or three days suggest we are nearing some kind of arrangement."

The defense minister's remarks coincided with the arrival of Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials, according to Iranian media reports.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had received invitations to visit Pakistan, noting that both intend to make the trip at an appropriate time.

Pakistan has played a mediating role between Tehran and Washington since the outbreak of hostilities between the two sides in February. The parties previously reached a ceasefire agreement in June.

However, the ceasefire did not hold, as it was breached in July.