In a major diplomatic breakthrough, delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to leave for Pakistan today ahead of the second round of peace talks in Islamabad, sources said on Friday.
The Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is expected to reach the federal capital tonight for the talks, government sources said.
A US logistics and security team is already present in the federal capital ahead of the potential second round of peace talks, they added.
Sources said that the development was the result of pivotal conversations conducted by Pakistan’s mediation team.
The development emerged shortly after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged continued dialogue and engagement to resolve disputes between the US and Iran, saying the diplomatic process was essential for advancing regional peace and stability.
DPM Dar made the remarks during a phone call with Araghchi, in which they also discussed the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
DPM Dar and Araghchi also exchanged views on the ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement.
The Iranian FM lauded Pakistan’s consistent and constructive role in facilitating peace talks between the US and Iran.
A second round of talks between Tehran and Washington faced ambiguity after both sides failed to agree on their respective measures in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran blocked the waterway after the US and Israel launched attacks across Iran on February 28. Apart from closing Hormuz, Tehran also launched strikes against Israel and US bases across the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mediated a two-week ceasefire between the two sides on April 8 and then facilitated the first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11.
However, the talks concluded without a deal on a permanent end to the conflict.
Following an inconclusive first round of talks, US President Donald Trump announced a US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran declared Hormuz open on April 17, citing a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. However, it closed the strait the following day due to the US blockade of Iranian maritime trade, a measure Tehran considers an act of war.
Despite the hostilities on both sides, Islamabad continued its diplomatic outreach to bring Tehran and Washington back to the table and extend the two-week ceasefire.
Hours before the expiry of the ceasefire on April 22, US President Donald Trump announced extending the truce until an Iranian proposal was submitted and discussions were concluded.
In a post on Truth Social, the US president said he was acting at the request of Pakistan to hold off attacks until Iranian leaders and representatives could come up with what he called a unified proposal.
