U.S. and Iran could meet in Pakistan for peace talks next week: MS NOW
US Vice President JD Vance (right) speaks at a press conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran; U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, left, and U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff watch in Islamabad on April 12, 2026.
Jacquelyn Martin | AFP | Getty Images
The United States and Iran will likely return to Pakistan next week for a second round of peace talks, two senior Pakistani officials said. MS said NOW on Wednesday.
According to MS NOW, the latest sign of the countries’ ongoing efforts to end the war diplomatically came from officials who were involved in finalizing the decisions with the US and Iranian teams, but did not want their names to be disclosed due to sensitivities about the negotiations.
The move to restart stalled peace talks comes as tensions in the Persian Gulf continue to rise, further jeopardizing a shaky two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz continues, albeit slightly, as Iran continues to pose a threat to passing ships and the USA imposes a retaliatory blockade on Iranian ports.
President Donald Trump, who said last week that the ceasefire agreement was subject to the full reopening of the strait, complained about the lack of activity on the vital shipping route before announcing the blockade.
On Wednesday, Iranian state news organization Fars reported He announced that Tehran has suspended all petrochemical exports until further notice.
US Vice President JD Vance (left) speaks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before their meeting on Iran during US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 11, 2026.
Jacquelyn Martin | AFP | Getty Images
Still, the White House said Wednesday it was optimistic about a possible peace deal emerging.
“Discussions are taking place” and “we feel good about the possibility of a deal,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing, while cautioning that the next round of face-to-face talks had not yet been formalized.
Leavitt also said these talks would “most likely” be held in Islamabad, “in the same place as last time.” Pakistan facilitated communication between warring forces.
The first round of talks last weekend — a marathon 21-hour session led by Vice President J.D. Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner on the U.S. side — ended in no deal.
Leavitt said Pakistan was the “only mediator in this negotiation” and praised the regional power for its assistance so far.
Leavitt also said it was “not right” for the United States to request an extension of the ceasefire, which expires next Tuesday.
A senior US official told CNBC on Wednesday morning: “The United States has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire. There is ongoing engagement between the United States and Iran to reach an agreement.”
