Diplomacy intensifies to seek peace deal between US and Iran

Key Takeaways

• A visit by Pakistan’s army chief to Tehran is seen as a sign of significant progress in negotiations.
• Iran’s mission to the United Nations has accused Washington of “excessive demands” that are pushing peace talks towards collapse amid reports that United States President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing for strikes on Iran if negotiations to secure a deal fail.
• Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran on Friday and met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi late into the night.
• The pair “exchanged views on the latest diplomatic efforts and initiatives to prevent escalation of tensions”, according to a post on Araghchi’s Telegram channel.
• Iran’s top negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, ⁠told Munir during talks in Tehran on Saturday that the US was not an honest party in negotiations to ⁠end their war and Iran would not compromise on its national rights, Iranian state television reported.