The fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran now has five days left. And for the first time since the Islamabad talks collapsed on April 12, both sides are signalling genuine appetite for a second round — with Pakistan’s mediation producing what may be the most significant diplomatic progress of the entire war.
What the White House Said Friday
The Trump administration feels “good about prospects of a deal” with Iran, the White House said Wednesday, while noting that Pakistan would be the likely location of a potential second round of in-person talks.
“Nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “But we feel good about the prospects of a deal.” She confirmed that any US delegation would “very likely” be returning to Islamabad — the same location as the first round.
The US and Iran will likely return to Pakistan next week for a second round of peace negotiations, two senior Pakistani officials told reporters on Wednesday. The latest sign of the countries’ continuing efforts came from officials involved in finalising decisions with the US and Iranian teams, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of sensitivities around negotiations.
What Munir’s Tehran Mission Achieved
Sources told Al Jazeera that Pakistani mediators are optimistic about a potential major breakthrough on the nuclear front — which is the reason for Munir’s rare diplomatic trip to Tehran.
“The urgency is being driven by the ceasefire expiring on April 22, and Pakistani officials are hoping they can get that extended,” Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Islamabad reported. Trump also said his negotiators were likely to return to Pakistan, thanks largely to the “great job” Munir was doing to moderate the talks.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role, calling it a reflection of the “depth and strength” of bilateral relations. “Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains firm,” Araghchi said after the Munir meeting.
What Iran Has Signalled
The most significant development from Thursday’s meetings is Iran’s new framing on the nuclear question — the single issue that broke the first round.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran is open to discussing the type and level of its uranium enrichment, but the country “based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment,” Iranian state media reported.
That phrasing — “open to discussing the type and level” — marks a subtle but real shift from Iran’s previous flat refusal to negotiate enrichment limits. It is not a concession. But it is language that gives negotiators something to work with.
What Remains Unresolved
In-person talks between the US and Iran could resume as early as this week, two people familiar with the negotiations told NBC News. Iran’s armed forces meanwhile threatened to block shipping from the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the US continues its blockade and “creates insecurity for Iranian commercial ships and oil tankers.” The blockade turned back 10 ships since it began Monday, US Central Command confirmed.
While reports suggest Islamabad would be the likely host for a second round, no announcement has been made. The thorniest issue remains Iran’s nuclear programme. Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points — Iran’s nuclear programme, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages.
Five days until the ceasefire expires. A second round is “very likely.” The question is whether it can begin and deliver enough movement to justify an extension before Tuesday runs out.
