ISLAMABAD: The United States 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.
Trump expects ‘great deal’ with Iran
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he believed Washington is “going to end up with a great deal” with Iran to end weeks of conflict.
“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.
“We’re in a very, very strong negotiating position,” he told CNBC.
Trump indicated he was not inclined to extend the current ceasefire, which is due to expire on Wednesday.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said when asked about the possibility of prolonging the ceasefire.
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.
‘Entire world’ backs Pakistan’s mediation
Qatar said on Tuesday that there was broad international backing for Pakistan-mediated peace talks between the US and Iran.
“The entire world is supporting these negotiations, including us. And we are supporting our brothers in Pakistan,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said during a press briefing.
His remarks came as a high-level US delegation was due to arrive in Islamabad for the second round of talks with Iranian officials.
Spokesperson Ansari said Qatar remained in close contact with all stakeholders ahead of the talks, including Washington.
“Qatar is in contact with all parties, including the US, regarding the Islamabad talks,” he said.
China backs Pakistan’s mediation role
Meanwhile, China also expressed concern over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
China’s foreign ministry said it hoped transit through the strategic waterway would return to normal soon.
China urged both Washington and Tehran to maintain momentum in diplomatic engagement.
In Islamabad, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the meeting, the Chinese ambassador conveyed Beijing’s “full support for and appreciation of Pakistan’s continued efforts to facilitate engagement between US and Iran for sustained peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the Foreign Office said.
US delegation heads to Islamabad
A high-level United States delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday for the second round of talks with Iran.
US President Donald Trump said the delegation, including special envoy Steve Witzkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, had departed late Monday.
“They’re heading over now… they’ll be there tonight, Islamabad time,” Trump told the New York Post.
“We’re supposed to have the talks, so I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.”
Pakistan is hosting the talks following an earlier round this month that helped maintain direct communication between Washington and Tehran despite heightened tensions.
The negotiations come as a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan earlier this month, is set to expire on April 22.
