The US and Iran have agreed in principle to start talks again, even though tensions are high in Hormuz. The chief of the Pakistani Army, Munir, has arrived in Tehran.

The United States and Iran have agreed in principle to hold another round of talks, even though the date and place have not been set yet. This is happening as tensions rise over the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal has reported on the development, which raises hopes that new talks could help ease the quickly worsening crisis in the region.The two sides had a round of talks in Pakistan before, but that didn't get them anywhere.

Field Marshal Asim Munir, the head of Pakistan's Army, is now in Tehran, where Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed him. The Pakistan Army says that international mediators are trying to set up a second round of talks between Washington and Tehran. Munir's visit is seen as part of that effort.US President Donald Trump recently praised Munir for helping the two countries talk to each other behind the scenes. People are talking about his most recent trip to Iran because it may mean that he will try to bridge gaps and start the negotiations again.

“Pakistan is trying to improve its image and is playing the role of a mediator,” said a senior diplomat. “The country is being criticised for harbouring terrorism.” While Islamabad hopes to score diplomatic points in Washington, global observers are sceptical given Pakistan’s long history of aiding terror groups.

US and Iranian negotiators have come closer to a possible understanding following a series of low-key backchannel talks, Axios reports. Officials say there is no guarantee an agreement will be reached, but recent momentum shows progress toward bridging the gaps. Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have been mediators in the dialogue process with the April 21 ceasefire deadline approaching.

Earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about the crisis in West Asia and the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz "open and safe." PM Modi said that he and Trump talked for almost 40 minutes and then talked about the "substantial progress" that had been made in the relationship between the two countries. He said that both sides are committed to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership in all areas. The two leaders talked on the phone because people around the world were worried about the US naval blockade of Iran's ports. There were also reports that Washington and Tehran might hold a second round of direct talks just days after the first round of talks fell through in Islamabad.