Pakistan likely to host second round of US-Iran talks this week

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is expected to host a second round of talks between the United States and Iran later this week, as fresh diplomatic signals from both sides point towards a revival of negotiations despite the first round ending without agreement.

Islamabad has once again emerged as a likely venue, with officials indicating that both Washington and Tehran are open to continuing dialogue through Pakistan’s mediation.

The initial round of talks, held shortly after the April 8 ceasefire brokered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marked the first direct engagement between US and Iranian officials in over a decade and the most senior-level contact since Iranian Revolution.

The trilateral discussions in Islamabad lasted nearly 21 hours, reflecting the complexity of the conflict and the high stakes involved. However, the talks concluded without a final agreement, followed by renewed tensions including US military actions targeting Iranian maritime movements and warnings from Tehran of retaliatory measures.

Iranian officials have signalled readiness for further negotiations and expressed preference for Pakistan as the host, while a senior Pakistani official confirmed that contact with Tehran remains ongoing through diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has also indicated the possibility of talks resuming in Pakistan within days, saying Washington is inclined to return to Islamabad for further discussions.

Trump also praised Asim Munir, calling him “fantastic” and acknowledging his role in facilitating the negotiations.

According to reports, a proposal has been shared with both sides regarding the timing of the next round, which could potentially take place over the weekend, as Islamabad continues coordination efforts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz recently told the federal cabinet that Pakistan played a key role in bringing the two sides together for direct talks, helping sustain the two-week ceasefire while continuing diplomatic efforts to bridge differences.

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The Middle East conflict, which began on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has caused widespread instability, disrupted global markets, and resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, particularly in Iran and Lebanon.

Despite challenges, Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran in pursuit of a lasting peaceful resolution.