ISLAMABAD — The United States and Iran are engaged in indirect talks aimed at extending a two-week ceasefire that is scheduled to expire on April 22, as Pakistani mediators work to arrange a possible second round of negotiations, officials from both sides and Pakistan said on Thursday.
The ceasefire took effect on April 8 after weeks of conflict that escalated following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets beginning in late February. It halted direct hostilities, with Iran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under the terms of the truce, according to statements from the parties at the time.
High-level direct talks between U.S. and Iranian delegations were held in Islamabad over the weekend of April 11-12. The negotiations, which lasted more than 20 hours and marked the first such face-to-face high-level meetings in more than a decade, ended without an agreement, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.
Pakistan has continued its mediation role. On Wednesday, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir led a delegation to Tehran for meetings with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to convey messages and discuss arrangements for further talks, Pakistani and Iranian officials reported.
A senior Pakistani official described the current period as a narrow window for progress ahead of the ceasefire’s expiry. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that the U.S. had not formally requested an extension but remained “very much engaged in these negotiations.” Iranian officials have indicated willingness to continue discussions but have not confirmed any agreement on an extension.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire,” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a statement following the initial round of talks in Islamabad.
The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports during the truce period. No major violations of the ceasefire have been reported.
As of Thursday, no dates had been set for a second round of direct talks, and details regarding any potential extension of the ceasefire or the format of future negotiations remained unclear. Both sides have continued indirect contacts through Pakistani channels, with Islamabad offering to host additional meetings if agreed upon. Pakistani authorities have emphasized their role as a neutral facilitator.
