A man walks past a billboard near the media centre as delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to hold peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026. REUTERS/Asim Hafeez
Islamabad [Pakistan], April 21 (ANI): As the deadline for the two-week ceasefire approaches, Pakistan has launched a last-minute diplomatic effort to prevent a return to full-scale conflict between the United States and Iran after the first round of Islamabad talks ended in a stalemate.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday formally urged both sides to extend the truce, warning that “dialogue and diplomacy” remain the only viable paths to regional stability.
According to a post on X by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar held high-level meetings in Islamabad, including a key discussion with U.S. Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker. The ministry said Pakistan is pushing for an immediate extension of the ceasefire, originally brokered on April 8, to allow time for a second round of face-to-face negotiations.
In its statement, the ministry emphasized Pakistan’s consistent call for engagement, urging both Washington and Tehran to extend the ceasefire and give diplomacy a chance to resolve the crisis.
The appeal comes amid deep uncertainty, with U.S. President Donald Trump signaling reluctance to grant an extension, while Iranian officials continue to express strong reservations rooted in longstanding mistrust.
Trump recently told CNBC that he does not want to extend the ceasefire, stating that Iran “had a choice” and that the U.S. military is “ready to act” if a deal is not reached. He also accused Iran of repeatedly violating the agreement, writing on Truth Social, “Iran has violated the ceasefire numerous times.”
In multiple posts, Trump reiterated threats to target Iranian infrastructure, including power plants, if negotiations fail. He also referenced Operation Midnight Hammer, describing it as the “complete and total obliteration of nuclear sites in Iran.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected negotiations conducted under pressure, stating that Tehran has “new cards” to play if hostilities resume. In a post on X, he said Iran would not allow talks to become a “table of surrender.”
Iran’s state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), has denied reports that any Iranian delegation has traveled to Islamabad. “No Iranian diplomatic delegation—primary or otherwise—has traveled to Islamabad so far,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
Despite this, conflicting reports persist. Al Arabiya, citing a senior Pakistani source, reported that delegations from both the United States and Iran are expected to arrive in Islamabad simultaneously, suggesting a possible breakthrough in diplomatic efforts.
According to the report, both sides are preparing to engage in high-stakes negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions. However, official confirmation from Tehran remains pending, even as preparations for potential talks are believed to be underway.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation, while Iran has not confirmed its participation.
Pakistan’s push for an extension is seen as an effort to revive momentum after the first round of talks, which ended without agreement despite nearly 21 hours of negotiations. Mediators have struggled to bridge differences between Iran’s demands for sanctions relief and U.S. conditions related to nuclear restrictions and maritime security.
The initial talks included senior U.S. officials such as JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and advisor Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation comprised Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and senior diplomat Ali Bagheri Kani.
Despite escalating rhetoric, there are indications of possible diplomatic movement behind the scenes. According to Axios, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly approved the potential travel of Iranian negotiators to Islamabad.
If confirmed, the development could pave the way for a fresh round of talks expected on Wednesday, even as tensions remain high and both sides continue to exchange strong statements ahead of the ceasefire deadline.
As of Tuesday night, the ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday evening (Washington time). Without a breakthrough, the fragile peace brokered by Pakistan risks collapsing entirely. (ANI)
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