US–Iran Talks May Resume This Week as Ceasefire Clock Ticks
News Desk
Islamabad: Diplomatic momentum between the United States and Iran remains fragile but intact, as Pakistan intensifies efforts to bring both sides back to the negotiating table for a second round of talks later this week.
Officials familiar with the process say no firm date has been set, but Friday through Sunday remains under consideration. The renewed push follows marathon negotiations held in Islamabad on April 11 that lasted nearly 21 hours but ended without a breakthrough, though crucially, without a collapse.
Pakistani authorities are now working behind the scenes to coordinate timing and secure participation from both delegations. Early signals appear cautiously positive, with Iranian officials indicating openness to resuming dialogue, while Islamabad continues outreach to Washington.
The urgency is heightened by a looming deadline: a ceasefire brokered on April 8 is set to expire on April 22.
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Diplomats say extending the truce is the immediate priority, with Pakistan positioning itself as a key mediator to prevent escalation and create space for further negotiations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the federal cabinet that efforts were underway to resolve outstanding issues, noting that while the ceasefire holds for now, it remains increasingly precarious.
Tensions have been exacerbated by Washington’s move toward enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, an action Tehran warns could violate the existing truce and derail diplomacy.
Meanwhile, senior US officials have signaled impatience.
Vice President JD Vance said Washington has already presented its “final and best offer,” emphasizing strict conditions around Iran’s nuclear program, including control over enriched uranium and robust verification mechanisms.
President Donald Trump struck a slightly more optimistic tone, claiming Iranian representatives had reached out following the talks, suggesting Tehran may still be open to a deal.
As the clock ticks toward the ceasefire deadline, Islamabad’s mediation effort faces a critical test: whether it can convert cautious engagement into concrete progress or at least prevent a return to open confrontation.
