Clock Ticking: US Extends Iran Ceasefire, But For How Long?
News Desk
Islamabad: The United States has extended its ceasefire with Iran for a limited period, as efforts continue to revive stalled peace talks amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran submits a unified proposal and discussions are concluded.
He said the decision was made at Pakistan’s request to allow space for diplomacy, but stressed that the extension would not be open-ended. A US source indicated the truce could last an additional three to five days.
Despite the temporary pause in hostilities, uncertainty continues to surround the second round of negotiations. Key disagreements persist, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz, which remains a major sticking point between the two sides.
Iran had shut down the vital shipping route on February 28 following US and Israeli strikes across its territory. In retaliation, Tehran launched attacks on Israel and targeted US military bases throughout the Middle East, escalating the conflict.
Fighting eventually subsided on April 8, when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a two-week ceasefire and invited both countries to Islamabad for dialogue. However, those talks ended without a breakthrough on a permanent resolution.
Since then, Pakistan has continued its diplomatic push to bring both sides back to the table and secure an extension of the ceasefire. Islamabad remains actively engaged with Iranian leadership, emphasizing dialogue as the preferred path forward.
While Washington has already named its delegation for the next round of talks, Tehran has made its participation conditional on the lifting of the US naval blockade on its ports, an action Iran considers an act of war. Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani said negotiations could resume in Islamabad as soon as the blockade is removed.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that a formal response from Iran regarding its delegation for the Islamabad talks is still awaited, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a renewed escalation.
