Passengers wait for their bus under a giant poster of the Pakistani army chief, Syed Asim Munir, in the city of Rawalpindi, on May 14, 2025. (Credit: Farooq Naeem/AFP)
A few days of relief seem to be what diplomacy has secured in response to the U.S. threat to strike Iran's electrical infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.Then, ten more days were granted, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday, March 26 — double the extension granted two days earlier — unexpectedly revealing "in-depth, detailed and constructive conversations" with Iran. Behind the headlines Why Iran thinks it won the war In the interim, Trump boasted about receiving a "gift" from Tehran, described as the safe passage of 10 ships through the Strait of Hormuz, two of which had reportedly been added at the last minute by the Islamic Republic.Usual negotiators sidelinedBehind these developments are countries now cast as mediators in a war that seems, for the moment,...
A few days of relief seem to be what diplomacy has secured in response to the U.S. threat to strike Iran's electrical infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours.Then, ten more days were granted, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday, March 26 — double the extension granted two days earlier — unexpectedly revealing "in-depth, detailed and constructive conversations" with Iran. Behind the headlines Why Iran thinks it won the war In the interim, Trump boasted about receiving a "gift" from Tehran, described as the safe passage of 10 ships through the Strait of Hormuz, two of which had reportedly been added at the last minute by the Islamic Republic.Usual negotiators sidelinedBehind these developments are countries now cast as mediators in a war that seems, for the...
