LONDON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that Britain hopes the upcoming U.S.-Iran talks will pave the way toward a long-term resolution.
Starmer made the remarks during a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif. In the conversation, he welcomed the current ceasefire and thanked Pakistan for its "critical role" as a mediator, according to a statement from Downing Street.
The United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday after weeks of escalating conflict, which began on Feb. 28 following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
Delegations from both countries are expected to begin negotiations over the weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, even as the ceasefire remains fragile amid continued Israeli bombardment of Lebanon and ongoing disputes over the terms of the talks.
During the call, both leaders agreed that the upcoming negotiations are "vital" for advancing the ceasefire toward lasting peace and ensuring the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that typically handles around one-fifth of global oil shipments. Its effective closure during the conflict has sharply driven up energy prices and disrupted the global economy. ■