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Fragile progress as US–Iran tensions shift toward negotiations, says Khalilzad
Khalilzad described these steps as positive, adding that the US president had reportedly agreed to delay a previously threatened escalation.
Senior former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, says the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered a new phase marked by both continued tensions and indirect diplomacy, with cautious signs of progress emerging.
In a social media post late Monday, Khalilzad, who served as the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, said the confrontation has shifted toward a combination of fighting and negotiations facilitated by regional powers.
He noted that developments over recent weeks include a five-week ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all international shipping, and renewed talks between Washington and Tehran on issues of mutual concern.
Khalilzad described these steps as positive, adding that the US president had reportedly agreed to delay a previously threatened escalation.
“These are positive. The President (Donald Trump) apparently has agreed to delay the escalation initially threatened for tomorrow,” he stated.
However, significant obstacles remain. According to Khalilzad, Iran is insisting on guarantees that any agreement must prevent a return to war, while the United States wants to preserve the option of resuming hostilities if negotiations fail.
“Frankly it is hard to argue with that,” Khalilzad wrote, saying it is common for conflict to resume if talks collapse without a mutually acceptable outcome.
He proposed a potential compromise in which both sides would commit not to return to war for the duration of the negotiations—a measure that could help build trust and prevent further escalation.
Tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel remain volatile, with the current phase of the conflict underscoring how quickly flare-ups can spread across the Middle East.
The Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for global oil shipments—has emerged as a focal point, and its reopening is being closely watched as a stabilising signal for international energy markets.
Khalilzad also noted that Iran has previously accused the United States of launching attacks while negotiations were still underway.
Hekmat Hajiev, Special Assistant to Azerbaijan’s President, says Azerbaijan and Afghanistan share longstanding historical, cultural, and traditional ties, as both countries seek to expand cooperation in several sectors.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum in Baku on Friday, Hajiev said Azerbaijan’s embassy in Kabul remains “fully operational” at ambassadorial level.
“There is historical, cultural and traditional relationship between our countries and between our peoples,” he said.
Hajiev also referred to the visit of Azerbaijan’s deputy prime minister to Kabul last year, saying the trip focused on reviewing opportunities for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
“We see a lot of prospects for cooperation between our countries and most importantly people-to-people contacts as well,” he added.
The Azerbaijani presidential aide further noted that many Afghan students are currently studying in Azerbaijan and described the education sector as an area with “great potential” for future cooperation.
Mirdif Al-Qashouti, Qatar’s ambassador to Afghanistan, has pledged comprehensive support for the restoration and preservation of Afghanistan’s historical manuscripts and archival documents during a visit to the National Archive in Kabul.
The visit took place on Thursday at the National Archive of the Ministry of Information and Culture, where Afghan officials highlighted the historical importance of the institution’s collections.
Obaidullah Hanif, head of the National Archive, said the institution holds a rich collection of historical documents, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts, many of which require urgent restoration and preservation work.
Hanif called for greater cooperation and assistance from relevant institutions to help protect Afghanistan’s historical heritage.
During the visit, the Qatari ambassador toured different sections of the archive and received detailed briefings from technical staff about the historical records and artifacts kept at the facility.
Officials from both Afghanistan and Qatar also emphasized the importance of continuing bilateral cultural cooperation.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs says it has summoned representatives of travel agencies over allegations of illegally issuing work visas to Turkey and other countries through black market networks.
According to the ministry, company officials were asked to provide written commitments stating that they would no longer collect money from people under the pretext of obtaining work visas and would fully cooperate with authorities in investigating public complaints.
The ministry also warned the companies against engaging in any illegal activities related to overseas employment visas and said action would be taken against violators.
At the same time, citizens were urged not to fall victim to fraud or false promises and to avoid handing over money or personal documents to unauthorized individuals or companies claiming to arrange foreign work visas.
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