Anwar Iqbal

Articles by Anwar Iqbal

Guterres calls Islamabad talks ‘positive step’ despite no deal

News April 14, 2026

• Warns no military solution to US-Iran conflict• UN envoy to visit Pakistan as diplomatic efforts intensify WASHINGTON: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said there is “no military solu...

‘Pakistan opened door to dialogue’: Islamabad becoming a direct mediator, say US scholars

News April 12, 2026

WASHINGTON: American scholars are increasingly highlighting Pakistan’s expanded diplomatic role as the Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran stretched into an intensive negotiating sess...

US media emphasises rarity of direct US-Iran talks

News April 12, 2026

WASHINGTON: American news organisations on Saturday underscored what they described as the extraordinary rarity of direct diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, as senior officials from ...

US President Trump projects cautious optimism ahead of Iran talks

News April 11, 2026

WASHINGTON: As indirect diplomacy between the United States and Iran converges on Islamabad in the coming hours, the messaging from Washington has settled into a carefully managed tone of cautious opt...

Conscientious objections to war rise sharply in US

News April 11, 2026

• Growing number of service members seeking information on how to apply for discharge• March alone saw over 80 new cases, nearly double annual norm• School bombing in Iran cited as key turning p...

Iran’s engagement removed doubts about Vance’s participation in Islamabad talks

News April 9, 2026

WASHINGTON: The White House’s abrupt confirmation of Vice President JD Vance’s role in the Islamabad talks was driven less by “security concerns” and more by a pivotal shift in Iran’s willin...

Pakistan’s envoy to US acknowledges China’s quiet but persuasive role in Iran talks

News April 9, 2026

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s mediation that helped bring about a temporary US–Iran ceasefire has drawn global attention, with Islamabad’s envoy to Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, reiterating that the...

‘Affording space for diplomacy’: China plays quiet but persuasive role in Iran talks

News April 9, 2026

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s mediation that helped bring about a temporary US–Iran ceasefire has drawn global attention, with Islamabad’s envoy to Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, reiterating that the...

Pakistan invited to first ’Board of Peace’ meeting, likely to attend, say sources

News February 8, 2026

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has been invited to the first proposed meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” (BoP) on Gaza, reported to be held in Washington on Feb 19, and is likely to a...

US floats price floor plan for critical minerals

Health February 5, 2026

• Proposes a preferential trading arrangement to cut reliance on China• Pakistan weighs options to maintain ties with both Washington and Beijing WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday outline...