WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that a second round of talks between the United States and Iran could take place “as soon as Friday,” as Pakistan continued relentless diplomatic efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiation table.
Speaking to The New York Post, Trump said “good news” regarding renewed negotiations may be coming as soon as Friday, adding that a follow-up round of talks was under consideration.
Sources, cited by The New York Post, touted positive Pakistani mediation efforts with Tehran, renewing the possibility of further peace talks within the next “36 to 72 hours.”
About a possible breakthrough in peace talks, Trump, in a text message to The New York Post, said: “It’s possible! President DJT.”
Despite warnings from both sides and tit-for-tat interceptions of commercial ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the US and Iran has held since it was signed two weeks ago.
On Tuesday, Trump said that he was extending the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran time to formulate a unified response to his offer for a wider peace deal.
Pakistan, which has acted as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, has urged both sides to sit down again for a new round of direct talks after brokering the first ceasefire agreement in Islamabad in early April.
Meanwhile, CNN, while citing two sources familiar with the internal discussions, reported that Trump plans to give the Iranians a limited timeframe to come up with a unified proposal to bring peace talks back on track.
The administration does not want to indefinitely extend the ceasefire and does not want to give Iran time to drag out talks further, CNN reported, citing the sources.
The sources added that Trump was wary of extending the initial ceasefire beyond the Wednesday deadline and wants a deal finalised as soon as possible.
Trump hoped the pressure of a deadline would force the Iranians to the table before the ceasefire expired.
Trump extends US-Iran ceasefire
On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran hours before its expiry on Pakistan’s request.
Trump indefinitely extended the ceasefire, citing a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Iran’s “fractured” leadership time to form a proposal.
But he said the US blockade of Iran’s ports — a sticking point for Tehran — would continue.
Trump said he has ordered an extension of the ceasefire with Iran following a request from Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump stated.
He said that the ceasefire would remain in place only until Iran’s leadership presents a “unified proposal”.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” the US President posted on his Truth Social platform.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/ATdRyY1qqK
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2026
Pakistan welcomes ceasefire extension
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcoming it.
In a statement posted on social media, PM Sharif thanked US President Donald J. Trump for “graciously accepting” Pakistan’s request to prolong the ceasefire, describing the decision as an opportunity for diplomacy to take its course.
He said the message was conveyed on his own behalf and on behalf of Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
“On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course,” the Prime Minister wrote on his X handle.
On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.
With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026
Pakistan intensifies diplomacy
Pakistan said on Tuesday it was in “constant” contact with the Iranian leadership over Tehran’s participation in the second round of peace talks in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad, acting as mediator, was actively pursuing diplomacy and dialogue but was still awaiting formal confirmation from Tehran.
“Formal response from the Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited,” Tarar said in a statement posted on X.
He added that Pakistan was maintaining continuous engagement with the Iranian leadership to ensure participation in the Islamabad Talks before the expiry of a two-week ceasefire at 4:50 am PST on April 22.
“Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the two-week ceasefire is critical,” he said.
The situation as it stands at 1930 PST
1. Formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited.
2. Pakistan as the mediator is in constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue.
3.…
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) April 21, 2026
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.
Trump signals confidence in deal
US Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to depart for Islamabad on Tuesday but delayed his departure after delay from Iranian side.
US officials and sources familiar with the matter, cited by Axios, said that Vance’s departure was delayed for hours on Tuesday due to a delay in confirmation of the Iranian leadership’s participation in the talks.
On Tuesday, Trump said 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.
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 the US and Iran for sustained peace and stability in the region and beyond,” the Foreign Office said.
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.
