TRUMP TO ‘CONSIDER ADVICE’ OF PAKISTANI ARMY CHIEF ON HORMUZ AS BLOCKADE HINDERS IRAN TALKS: SOURCES

Mon 20 April 2026:

US President Donald Trump will “consider advice” of Pakistani army chief Gen. Asim Munir over the Strait of Hormuz, currently blocked by American forces, which remains a “hurdle” in a possible second round of talks with Iran, Pakistani sources told Anadolu on Monday.

The two discussed the ongoing mediation by Pakistan during a phone call, ahead of a possible second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad, sources said.

Munir told Trump the “blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a hurdle in talks” with the Iranian side, the sources quoted the Pakistani army chief as telling the US president.

“Trump, in return, told Munir that he would ‘consider the advice'” on the key waterway that has been lying nearly closed since the US and Israel initiated their attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, the Pakistani sources added.

Trump on Sunday announced that US representatives will fly to Islamabad for talks with the Iranians.

Tehran is yet to officially announce its decision, but has demanded the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports.

Pakistan hosted the highest-level engagement between the US and Iran on April 11-12, the first since 1979 when they broke diplomatic ties, but the talks remained inconclusive. The negotiations, dubbed Islamabad talks, were held after Pakistan mediated between the two parties since the war began on Feb. 28 and secured a two-week ceasefire that became effective on April 8.

Earlier, Pakistani sources said Iranians are expected to reach Islamabad on Tuesday.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran “does not accept any deadlines or ultimatums in pursuing its national interests.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, however, called for the use of “every rational and diplomatic path” to ease tensions, saying that war is no one’s interest.

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– Islamabad reiterates resolve to continue encouraging dialogue

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on Monday, according to an official statement from Islamabad.

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue encouraging dialogue and constructive engagement, said the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

The two foreign ministers expressed concern over the broader implications of the Mideast conflict on the global economy, particularly for developing countries, and emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of conflicts, the statement said.

Wong lauded Pakistan’s “constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States,” it added.

-Source: AA

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