•Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said yesterday he was willing to host talks between the U.S. and Iran on ending the war in the Gulf, a day after President Donald Trump postponed threats to bomb Iranian power plants, saying there had been “productive” talks.
However, the U.S. was expected to deploy thousands of troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two people familiar with the matter told our correspondent yesterday, adding to the massive military buildup in the region and fuelling fears of a prolonged conflict, reports Reuters.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan welcomed and fully supported ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war.
“Subject to concurrence by the U.S. and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement,” he said.
The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday, adding to a massive U.S. military buildup even as President Donald Trump talks about a possible deal with Tehran to end the war.
It was first reported on March 18 that Trump’s administration was considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops, a move that would expand options to include deployment of forces inside Iranian territory. Such an escalation could dramatically raise the stakes in the conflict, which is already in its fourth week and has roiled global markets.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not specify where in the Middle East the troops would go or when they would arrive in the region. The soldiers are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 after saying they had failed to make enough headway in talks aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear program, although mediator Oman said significant progress had been made.
Since then, Iran has attacked countries that host U.S. bases, struck Gulf energy infrastructure and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, creating the worst energy supply shock in history.
A Pakistani government source said discussions on a meeting were at an advanced stage and if it did happen, “a big ‘if’”, it would take place within a week. Pakistan has long-standing ties to neighbouring Iran’s Islamic Republic and has been building a relationship with Trump.
Trump’s approval rating fell in recent days to its lowest point since he returned to the White House, hit by surging fuel prices and widespread disapproval of the war with Iran, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The four-day poll, which closed on Monday, showed 36% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, down from 40% a week earlier.
The war is already taking a toll on major economies around the world, according to business surveys on Tuesday which showed how a surge in energy prices and rising uncertainty were dampening activity and pushing inflation expectations higher.
