ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to consider extending their two-week ceasefire and continue dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict.
The Deputy PM made the call during a meeting with US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The two sides discussed recent regional developments. Ishaq Dar highlighted Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today. Discussions covered recent regional developments.
DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only… pic.twitter.com/1Roqj3R1gE
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 21, 2026
“He stressed the need for engagement between the United States and Iran, urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire, and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance,” the statement added.
Baker expressed the United States’ appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role in advancing regional peace and supporting dialogue.
US, Iran signal talks in Islamabad on Wednesday
Meanwhile, the US and Iran have signalled plans to hold the second round of peace talks in Islamabad on Wednesday as the two-week truce nears expiry, the Associated Press reported, citing two regional officials.
Pakistani mediators had received confirmation that the talks would take place in Islamabad on Wednesday, two regional officials told Associated Press.
The regional officials, cited by AP, said US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf were due to arrive in Islamabad early Wednesday to lead negotiations.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire that began on April 8 is set to expire on Wednesday.
The White House has confirmed that Vance will lead the American delegation.
US media outlets have also reported that the second round of talks will be held in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The US-based outlet Axios, citing three American sources, said Vance was expected to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday, with the Iranian delegation likely to arrive the same day.
The report said the discussions could pave the way for a potential agreement to end the conflict.
Pakistan intensifies diplomatic push
Meanwhile, Pakistan has stepped up high-level contacts with both sides, positioning itself as an “honest broker” and expressing confidence that the talks will proceed as planned.
Pakistan is hosting the second round of high-stakes talks following an initial meeting earlier this month that helped maintain direct communication between Washington and Tehran despite heightened tensions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call on Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with both sides agreeing to step up efforts for peace.
The talks come as a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan earlier this month, approaches its expiry on April 22, adding urgency to efforts to secure an extension or broader agreement.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remained actively engaged with regional stakeholders.
Trump hopes for ‘great deal’ with Iran
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he believed Washington is “going to end up with a great deal” with Iran to end weeks of conflict, as Pakistan intensified diplomatic efforts to host the second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad this week.
“I think they have no choice,” Trump said in an interview with CNBC.
“We’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders,” the US President was quoted as saying.
Trump said the United States was entering talks from a position of strength, as the US negotiation team led by Vice President JD Vance prepared for dialogue with Iranian officials in Islamabad.
The US President’s remarks come ahead of a second round of talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad aimed at ending the conflict.
