Pakistan Confirms Iran Open for Second Round of US Negotiations as Diplomatic Push Intensifies
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict
Pakistan has confirmed that Iran remains open to a second round of negotiations with the United States, as diplomatic efforts intensify to salvage the fragile ceasefire and prevent a return to full-scale war. A senior Pakistani government official told Reuters that Islamabad has reached out to Tehran and received a “positive response” indicating Iran’s willingness to return to the negotiating table .
The development comes as Pakistan works urgently to broker renewed talks before the two-week ceasefire expires on April 22, with officials also seeking to extend the truce to allow additional time for diplomacy .
‘Positive Response’ from Tehran
A senior Pakistani government official involved in the mediation efforts confirmed that Islamabad has been actively communicating with both sides about the timing of the next round of negotiations.
“We have reached out to Iran and we got a positive response that they will be open to a second round of talks.” — Senior Pakistani Government Official, via Reuters
The official added that the meeting would likely take place on the weekend, with delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open as potential dates . However, a second Pakistani source emphasized that “no date and venue has been decided yet” .
Two Pakistani officials who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity confirmed that Islamabad has formally proposed hosting the second round of talks in the capital, though the proposal would ultimately depend on whether both parties agree on the venue .
Ceasefire Extension: A Diplomatic Priority
Beyond arranging a second round of talks, Pakistan is also working to secure an extension of the ceasefire beyond its current April 22 expiration date.
“We are also working to get the ceasefire extended beyond the current deadline to allow for additional time.” — Senior Pakistani Source, via AFP
The immediate priority, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the back-channel exchanges, is to extend the truce by at least 45 days to create sufficient space for meaningful negotiations . This would allow the parties to move beyond the current “circular deadlock” on sequencing and trust-building measures that plagued the first round of talks .
Progress Made, But Gaps Remain
Despite the first round ending without a formal agreement, Vice President JD Vance has indicated that the talks “did make some progress,” noting that Iran moved closer to U.S. positions on key issues, particularly regarding the removal of nuclear material from Iran and mechanisms to prevent future uranium enrichment .
A Pakistani official told Reuters that “the written outlines of demands and concessions have already been shared, so both parties are aware of the potential trade-offs” . This suggests that despite the absence of a final agreement, significant groundwork has been laid for a potential deal.
Key sticking points that remain include:
| Issue | U.S. Position | Iranian Position |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear enrichment suspension | 20 years | 5 years (offered) |
| Enriched uranium stockpile | Ship out of Iran | Keep, but dilute |
| Strait of Hormuz | Immediate, full reopening | Only after final peace agreement |
| Regional proxies | End support for Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis | Non-negotiable |
Sources: Multiple news reports, official statements
Venue Considerations: Islamabad vs. Geneva
While Pakistan has proposed Islamabad as the host for the second round, alternative venues are under consideration. A diplomatic source told Dawn that Iran prefers Islamabad, citing “proximity, familiarity and its comfort with Pakistan’s role as mediator” .
The U.S. side, however, is understood to be considering alternative options, including Geneva, reflecting “different assessment of the negotiating environment, logistical preferences and security considerations” . Despite this divergence, diplomats suggest that venue is unlikely to be a deal-breaker if substantive movement is achieved on key issues .
U.S. Position: ‘Ball in Iran’s Court’
Vice President Vance, who led the U.S. delegation in Islamabad, has maintained that Washington has made its “red lines” clear and that “the ball is in the Iranian court” .
“I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table. We actually made very clear what our red lines were.” — Vice President JD Vance
Vance emphasized that Washington has “no flexibility” on U.S. control of Iran’s enriched uranium and the need for a verification mechanism to ensure Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon in the future .
President Donald Trump has also expressed optimism, telling reporters on Monday that Iranian representatives had called Washington since the U.S. delegation returned from Islamabad. “I can tell you that we’ve been called by the other side. They’d like to make a deal. Very badly, very badly,” Trump said .
Iran’s Position: Open to Dialogue, But Cautious
Iranian officials have not dismissed the possibility of further talks. President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, said Tehran “will continue to talk only within the framework of international law,” according to Iranian state TV .
However, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the U.S. for the impasse in the first round, telling his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan that “we witnessed the continued excessive demands of the American side in the negotiations, which led to the failure to achieve a result” .
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has stated that Tehran will not accept any deal that does not include full sanctions relief, the release of frozen assets, and guarantees against future U.S. withdrawal—a reference to the 2018 U.S. exit from the JCPOA nuclear deal.
Broader Regional Support
Pakistan’s mediation efforts have garnered support from a coalition of nations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has held calls with his counterparts from Britain, China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, conveying a consistent message that all parties must uphold the ceasefire and that dialogue remains the only viable path forward .
Russia has also offered to serve as a custodian for Iran’s enriched uranium as part of any potential deal, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arriving in Beijing on Tuesday for consultations .
What Comes Next
As the ceasefire clock ticks down, the coming days will be critical for the diplomatic process. Officials have indicated that a second round could take place as early as Thursday, though no firm date has been set .
| Factor | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Second round proposal | Submitted; Iran has responded positively |
| Potential dates | Friday-Sunday window under consideration |
| Venue | Islamabad (preferred by Iran, Pakistan); Geneva (under consideration by U.S.) |
| Ceasefire expiration | April 22, 2026 |
| Extension proposal | 45-day extension being sought |
| U.S. position | “Ball in Iran’s court” |
| Iran’s position | Open to talks, but demands sanctions relief first |
The confirmation that Iran is open to a second round represents a significant diplomatic opening, even as the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports continues and both sides maintain their强硬 public positions. Whether the second round can produce the breakthrough that eluded the first remains to be seen—but for now, the door to diplomacy remains open.