Iran-U.S. Talks Could Start in Pakistan Soon, Says IAEA Chief

Margherita Stancati | Laurence Norman

Published In: The Wall Street Journal

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who is in touch with both sides in the conflict as well as mediators, said that talks aimed at ending the war could start in Pakistan as early as this weekend.

Speaking to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Grossi said the possible negotiations between the U.S. and Iran would likely go beyond Tehran’s nuclear program. “On the table this time there will also be missiles, militias allied with the Islamic Republic and security guarantees for Iran,” Grossi said in an interview. He said the talks, if they happen, would take place in Islamabad. Pakistan’s prime minister has offered to host negotiations to end the war.

Grossi was directly involved in the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in February before the war. He is in close touch with Washington, Tehran and the Arab capitals that are trying to mediate an end to the conflict.