The seven-day gesture

Behind-the-scenes diplomacy has made some headway. The reported willingness of the US to consider a “seven-day proposal” for tranquility presented by Iran is a welcome development. Washington had earlier rejected the proposal and imposed its own conditions. The fact that Qatar has reached out to Tehran with a nod from the White House – and that this is now being discussed to broker a formal understanding – must graduate into a thaw. There is no room for returning to the theater of war; the region is on edge, and disrupted supply lines are pushing the global economy toward a plausible recession.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, enabling the smooth passage of maritime traffic in exchange for the US lifting its naval blockade and unfreezing Iranian assets. In other words, this means returning to the Islamabad MoU, which had seen life return to normalcy and oil prices slump to $80 a barrel for more than two weeks following the agreement in June. The additional benefit offered by Iran this time around is the inclusion of the nuclear issue in the talks to sort out a permanent modus operandi for peace in the region and beyond. This would not have been possible without the proactive, selfless mediatory roles played by Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye and Egypt, as all stakeholders sought a thaw, especially during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Now is the time to restart parleys and bring the war to a permanent end. High-stakes rhetoric from President Trump and Iran’s military brass, meant largely for public consumption, has taken a heavy toll and no longer serves any purpose. Fortunately, China acted as a stabilising force by persuading both the warring sides, as well as the Arab states, to step back from the brink. The silencing of guns by Tehran and Washington would have a resounding impact, compelling the Houthis and Israelis to halt their regional jingoism. This rare consensus, achieved through painstaking diplomatic maneuvers, stands as a crucial reality check of their true sincerity.