ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has proposed hosting a fresh round of negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad within days, as efforts intensify to secure a lasting agreement before the current ceasefire expires on April 21.
Officials familiar with the development said the proposal remains flexible, with both Washington and Tehran free to suggest an alternative venue. However, Islamabad is once again being considered a strong option following its role in facilitating the initial round of dialogue.
The first set of talks, held in the Pakistani capital, brought senior officials from both sides together for nearly 21 hours of closed-door discussions. While no formal agreement was reached, the meeting was viewed as a critical breakthrough in establishing direct communication after weeks of escalating tensions.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, acknowledged that the talks did not yield a deal but noted meaningful progress in clarifying each side’s position. Pakistani officials, meanwhile, described the engagement as a constructive step toward narrowing differences.
Diplomatic sources indicate that communication between Washington and Tehran has continued since the initial meeting, with Pakistan actively relaying messages to keep negotiations alive. A second round could take place as early as later this week, with Geneva also being discussed as a possible location.
The earlier talks focused on key issues including ceasefire terms, regional stability, sanctions, and security concerns. Despite ongoing disagreements, there are signs of gradual movement toward common ground.
The conflict, which erupted in late February following US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, has resulted in significant casualties and heightened instability across the region.
Although a ceasefire announced on April 8 has paused the fighting, major sticking points remain between the two sides.
With both nations presenting competing frameworks for a broader agreement, Pakistan’s continued mediation is being widely seen as vital in maintaining diplomatic momentum and preventing a renewed escalation.
