Kallas calls for 'deeper talks' on Iran's missiles and nuclear stockpiles

Any interim peace deal between the United States and Iran must be followed by deeper talks on Tehran's nuclear stockpiles, missiles and other critical issues, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stressed on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Kallas said he sees a "fragile diplomatic opportunity" to extend the current ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite the overnight exchange of attacks by Iran and the United States.

"Any interim understanding between the US and Iran must be followed by deeper talks on Tehran's nuclear stockpiles and other critical issues," the European bloc's top diplomat said at a joint press conference with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Any interim peace deal between the United States and Iran must be followed by deeper talks on Tehran's nuclear stockpiles, missiles and other critical issues, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stressed on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Kallas said he sees a "fragile diplomatic opportunity" to extend the current ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite the overnight exchange of attacks by Iran and the United States.

"Any interim understanding between the US and Iran must be followed by deeper talks on Tehran's nuclear stockpiles and other critical issues," the European bloc's top diplomat said at a joint press conference with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

A draft agreement, brokered by Pakistan, has repeatedly passed from one side to the other, while US President Donald Trump declared on May 31 that the focus remains on Iran's nuclear capacity.

In a post on social media, Trump said his agreement "determines very clearly that Iran will not have nuclear weapons."

During the war, Tehran and Washington took measures that practically led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea route that is of vital and strategic importance, because almost 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes through it from the Gulf to international markets.

This disruption caused a huge spike in global oil prices and raised concerns about inflation, disruptions in supply chains and broader economic instability around the world.

Pakistan–EU Partnership

Kallas said her first visit to Islamabad "underlines the continued momentum of high-level political exchanges between Pakistan and the EU and reflects a shared commitment to further strengthening the Pakistan-EU partnership."

Referring to Pakistan's recent border clashes with the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan, she said the fighting has had "serious humanitarian consequences" and risks fueling further "instability and radicalization."

She added that "Pakistan has the right to defend itself and its citizens in accordance with international law. But dialogue, not airstrikes, is the best way out of this situation."

After decades of alliance, bloody border clashes erupted between Pakistan and the Taliban in October last year, causing dozens of military and civilian casualties, as well as the displacement of civilian populations on both sides of the border.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring Pakistani Taliban members on Afghan soil who have carried out attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban, for their part, declare that they will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any other country.

Last year, Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, hitting several cities, including the capital, Kabul. The Afghan Taliban responded with mortar and artillery fire on Pakistani border posts along the 2.600-kilometer line known as the Durand Line.