Islamabad — Negotiating teams from the United States and Iran are expected to return for another round of talks as early as this week, according to multiple sources, following inconclusive but high-level discussions held in Islamabad over the weekend.
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The talks marked the most significant engagement between the two sides since 1979, with both delegations departing without a formal agreement but also without a breakdown in dialogue.
Sources familiar with the process indicated that while no firm date has been finalized, both sides are keeping the coming weekend open for a possible resumption. Pakistan has reportedly shared a proposal with Washington and Tehran to reconvene negotiations.
A senior Iranian source said discussions were ongoing regarding timing, while Pakistani officials confirmed that Islamabad remains in active contact with both parties to facilitate a second round.
A government official noted that Iran had responded positively to the idea of returning to talks, while efforts are also underway to secure an extension of the current ceasefire, which is set to expire on April 22.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said “full efforts” were being made to resolve outstanding issues, adding that the ceasefire between the two sides remains intact but fragile.
Diplomatic sources said intermediaries, including Pakistan with support from regional partners such as Turkey and Egypt, are working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table and prevent escalation.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said “the ball is in the Iranian court,” stressing that Washington had presented what it considers its “final and best offer,” particularly regarding control of enriched uranium and verification mechanisms to prevent nuclear weapons development.
US President Donald Trump claimed that Iranian representatives had reached out following the talks, expressing a desire to reach an agreement.
However, Iranian officials have pushed back, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accusing the United States of making excessive demands that led to the impasse.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in discussions with international counterparts, reiterated Tehran’s commitment to dialogue within the framework of international law and adherence to ceasefire terms.
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic outreach following the talks, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaging key global stakeholders including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Kingdom to build support for continued dialogue.
These efforts aim to extend the ceasefire and create space for further negotiations, with diplomatic sources indicating a push to prolong the truce by at least 45 days.
While both sides have agreed in principle to continue engagement, differences remain over the agenda, format, and venue of the next round. Iran is said to favor Islamabad as the host city, citing trust in Pakistan’s mediation role, while the United States is considering alternative locations.
Beyond Islamabad, diplomatic activity is also intensifying globally. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has engaged in consultations on the crisis, with Moscow offering to hold Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a potential agreement.
Despite ongoing challenges, diplomatic momentum appears to be building, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue to avoid further escalation in the region.
