Pakistan has announced it is ready to host talks between the United States and Iran, in what could mark a significant step toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Pakistan says both sides have expressed confidence in its role as a mediator, following weeks of quiet diplomacy. However, uncertainty remains over whether these talks will be direct or indirect, and neither Washington nor Tehran has formally confirmed participation. The potential negotiations come amid continued violence, rising casualties, and growing fears over regional stability, with tensions also affecting global oil supplies and key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz. To help us unpack these developments and what they could mean for the region and the wider world, Lulu Gaboo spoke to Amir Bagherioromi, a South African Iranian independent political analyst and writer focusing on Iran, the Middle East, and global power dynamics