New Delhi, April 12 (IANS). The talks held in Islamabad under the mediation of Pakistan during the two-week ceasefire agreement between America and Iran have not actually ‘failed’, rather it would be more correct to call it ‘inconclusive’. Foreign affairs expert and senior journalist Wael Awad said this during an interview with IANS on Sunday.
His reaction came after US Vice President JD Vance’s statement in which he said that no agreement could be reached between Washington and Tehran in the latest talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Speaking to IANS, Awwad said that this is the highest level talks since 1949, in which the US Vice President himself sat down with the Iranian delegation to discuss common issues.
He said, “I would not call it a failure, because neither Iran nor the US has called it a failure. It is simply incomplete. Both sides have agreed on some issues. Iran put forward 10 points, while the US put forward 15 points.”
According to Awwad, America wanted to show itself as the winner in the negotiations. Both sides were at the negotiating table, but the US wanted to talk like the winner. Iran clearly said that ‘you are not the winner here’. Therefore there is a need to reach consensus on some issues.
He said that three big issues are stuck in the ceasefire talks. The first issue is that of the nuclear programme. Iran has already made changes in its system. The second issue is of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says that now the situation is not the same as before, things have changed after the war. The third issue is to end enmity completely. Iran wants a completely permanent ceasefire, not a temporary one.
On Pakistan’s role in the talks, Awad said that it is not in a position to implement any agreement. If the US really wants to compromise, it will have to compromise on many issues, as Iran has already taken some steps back on its nuclear issue.
Referring to the third round of indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran in Geneva, Awwad said, “At that time, the US was informed that Iran was ready for any kind of agreement to reduce its levels of enriched uranium.”
He alleged that US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff returned false information, while national security advisers from Oman and Britain confirmed that major progress had been made in the talks. Yet America chose the path of war. It is not easy for Iranians to be deceived by the same people three times.
–IANS
AY/ABM