His comments come at a time when diplomatic activity around the conflict has intensified. US President Donald Trump has indicated that another round of talks between Washington and Tehran could take place in Pakistan within days, while also suggesting in separate remarks that the war with Iran may be nearing its end. Iran has confirmed that a senior Pakistani delegation is expected in Tehran to follow up on earlier discussions held in Islamabad.
Despite these developments, key sticking points remain unresolved. Bokhari noted that the US has put forward an offer involving significant economic incentives in exchange for Iran giving up its uranium enrichment programme, a proposal that requires internal consensus within the Iranian leadership. “It’s a complicated issue that still has to be sorted out. So I hesitate to say that we are near the finish line,” he said.He added that parallel diplomatic tracks, including the recent Lebanon-Israel talks, are closely tied to the broader US-Iran negotiations. A central demand from Washington is that Tehran withdraw support for regional armed groups, particularly Hezbollah. According to Bokhari, Iran is unlikely to fully abandon the group, even if it agrees to limit its military role, as it seeks to retain Hezbollah as a political force in Lebanon.
Pakistan’s role as a mediator has also come into sharper focus, with Bokhari describing it as “uniquely positioned” due to its ties with multiple stakeholders, including the US, China and Saudi Arabia, as well as its relatively manageable relationship with Iran. He noted that Islamabad has significant stakes in preventing further escalation, given security challenges along its western border and the risk of regional spillover.
On the ground, tensions remain elevated. The US blockade of Iranian ports continues after the latest round of talks ended without a breakthrough, while US Central Command has said it has achieved maritime superiority in the Gulf. In a recent social media post, Trump announced that the US would permanently keep the Strait of Hormuz open for global trade and claimed that China had agreed to halt weapons supplies to Iran.
At the same time, European leaders are preparing for the post-conflict phase. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to co-host a virtual summit to outline plans to safeguard shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities ease.
Also Read | Healthcare system under strain in Lebanon and Iran, ambulance and blood services stretched: IFRCBokhari said the broader regional environment has shifted significantly following recent hostilities, including Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Gulf. “The unthinkable has happened,” he said, warning that uncertainty around key chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz could lead to lasting changes in how Gulf economies operate and affect expatriate populations, particularly from South Asia.
While US Vice President JD Vance has said the negotiations are being conducted in good faith, Bokhari stressed that the pace of progress will depend on how both sides reconcile their core strategic demands, with the outcome likely to shape the region’s economic and security landscape for years to come.
