Islamabad — Pakistan, along with regional and global stakeholders, is actively working to revive dialogue between the United States and Iran, with a focus on extending a fragile ceasefire and preventing renewed confrontation, diplomatic sources said.
US, Iran May Resume Talks in Islamabad as Pakistan Pushes for Ceasefire Extension
Officials involved in back-channel diplomacy indicated that intermediaries, led by Pakistan and supported by Turkey and Egypt, are pushing both sides to return to the negotiating table. The immediate priority is to extend the current truce by at least 45 days to allow space for further diplomacy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the federal cabinet that while the ceasefire remains intact, it is under “strain.”
“Direct talks continued for 21 hours in Islamabad. We worked day and night. The ceasefire is still holding, but there are a few hurdles, and efforts are underway to resolve them,” he said.
The ceasefire, brokered earlier this month, is set to expire on April 22, raising concerns among diplomats that without an extension, tensions could quickly escalate again.
The recent Islamabad talks — the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran since 1979 — ended without a formal agreement but kept diplomatic channels open. Negotiations included both direct discussions and technical-level exchanges, reflecting the seriousness of the effort.
At the core of the impasse were deep structural differences. The United States has pushed for long-term restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme, including limits on uranium enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation, along with guarantees for unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, however, has insisted on recognition of its sovereign rights under international agreements, comprehensive sanctions relief, and firm guarantees before taking irreversible steps.
Differences over sequencing have further complicated progress. Washington has sought upfront Iranian concessions, while Tehran has demanded trust-building measures and guarantees first — creating a diplomatic deadlock.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a particularly sensitive issue. While the US stresses free maritime passage, Iran considers control over the waterway a key element of its strategic leverage. Rising naval activity in the region has heightened concerns that any miscalculation could derail the ceasefire.
In the aftermath of the talks, Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic outreach. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has engaged key international counterparts, including China’s Wang Yi, to build support for sustaining dialogue.
In his discussions, Wang Yi emphasized the need to prevent escalation and maintain momentum for peace, describing the ceasefire as fragile and urging continued international backing for negotiations.
Diplomatic sources said these engagements have helped form an informal coalition aimed at preserving the process and buying time ahead of the ceasefire deadline.
While both the United States and Iran have agreed in principle to continue talks, differences remain over the format, agenda, and venue. Iran is said to favor Islamabad, citing trust in Pakistan’s mediation role, whereas the US is considering alternative locations.
Despite these challenges, diplomats believe the venue is unlikely to become a major obstacle if progress is made on substantive issues.
Regional dynamics continue to influence the process, with tensions in other areas, including Lebanon, shaping broader strategic calculations.
For now, the focus remains on extending the ceasefire and creating conditions for a second round of negotiations, as stakeholders seek to keep diplomacy on track.
