Pakistan says it's hopeful a U.S.-Iran deal can happen soon

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday that the country remains hopeful a U.S.-Iran deal could be reached soon, following Iran’s announcement it is reviewing the Trump administration’s latest proposal. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated Wednesday that Iran’s negotiators are discussing an end to the war, not nuclear issues, which would be addressed later. Iran dismissed U.S. reports on a memorandum of understanding as media speculation. France moved its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Red Sea Wednesday, part of a multinational mission with Britain to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. President Emmanuel Macron said the deployment aims to restore confidence among shipowners and insurers while keeping the mission distinct from the warring parties. He urged both the U.S. and Iran to lift blockades on the strait without delay, emphasizing that European efforts could help advance negotiations on nuclear, missile, and regional issues. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, has been effectively closed since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran has targeted commercial ships attempting passage without approval, while the U.S. imposed a naval blockade on April 13. U.S. Central Command reported Wednesday that its blockade had turned back 52 vessels as of that day. Former U.S. President Donald Trump suspended a short-lived military effort to assist merchant vessels through the strait but maintained the naval blockade. He warned Wednesday that if Iran does not agree to terms, bombing would resume at a higher intensity. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced safe passage through the strait but did not clarify how much this would reopen shipping. Macron also discussed the situation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and plans to speak with Trump, framing European involvement as key to lifting sanctions. The Strait’s closure has disrupted global energy supplies and increased fuel prices, heightening tensions in the region.