Armed with a new message from the United States, a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by army chief Asim Munir is holding talks with officials in Iran on the possibility of a new round of negotiations between Tehran and Washington in a bid to ease tensions in the West Asia after almost seven weeks of war.
The fragile two-week ceasefire, which began on April 7, is set to expire on April 22.
Pakistan is coordinating follow-up negotiations after the initial Islamabad talks ended on Sunday without a deal.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also participating in the mediation efforts, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in Saudi Arabia as the first stop of a four-day Gulf tour to push for diplomatic talks.
Pakistani officials are hoping to extend the ceasefire for holding second round of talks and are seeking to convince regional partners to leverage influence on the US to engage in renewed talks with Iran, ensuring no diplomatic missteps.
The diplomatic push comes amid heightened tensions caused by competing US and Iranian naval blockades, which are straining regional stability and the global economy, even as signs emerge of potential progress toward a deal to end the conflict, which has killed approximately 3,000 people in Iran and spread across the Middle East.
The talks between US and IRan gained furthe rmomentum after US President Donald Trump described an “amazing two days” ahead, suggesting the war with Iran could be nearing its end.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that prospects for a deal looked promising.
Despite this, the U.S. military maintains a naval blockade on all Iranian ports, with forces “present, vigilant, and ready to ensure compliance.”
The blockade, which Iran’s military denounced as a ceasefire violation, has turned away nine ships as of Wednesday. Iran’s joint military commander, Ali Abdollahi, warned that Tehran could respond by blocking trade through the Red Sea, the Gulf, and the Sea of Oman if the US does not lift the blockade.
The sticking points in the talks include Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran is open to negotiating uranium enrichment levels but insists the country must retain the ability to enrich “based on its needs.”
In related developments, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized to Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is an international priority. Wang stressed that Iran’s sovereignty and security should be respected while ensuring freedom of navigation and safety through the strait, calling the resumption of normal passage a “unanimous call from the international community.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to increase economic pressure on Iran, describing new sanctions as the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.
Any further talks with Iran are expected to take place in Islamabad, although no final decision has been made. Pakistan has become a central mediator after hosting direct US-Iran talks in its capital.
