U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance (right) speaks at a press conference following a meeting with representatives of Pakistan and Iran, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (left) and U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff look on, April 12, 2026, in Islamabad.
Jacqueline Martin | AFP | Getty Images
The United States and Iran are likely to return to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks next week, two senior Pakistani officials told MS NOW on Wednesday.
The latest sign of the two countries’ continued efforts to end the war diplomatically came from officials involved in finalizing the deal with the U.S. and Iranian teams but who did not want to be named due to sensitivity surrounding the negotiations, MS NOW reported.
The step toward resuming stalled peace talks comes as tensions in the Persian Gulf continue to rise, putting the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran in further jeopardy.
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains negligible as Iran continues to pose a threat to transit ships and the United States tightens its retaliatory blockade of Iranian ports.
President Donald Trump said last week that any cease-fire agreement was conditional on a full reopening of the strait, but before announcing the blockade he had complained about a lack of activity in the vital shipping lane.
On Wednesday, Iranian state news agency Fars reported that the Iranian government would suspend the export of all petrochemical products until further notice.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance (left) speaks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prior to talks on Iran during the U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad on April 11, 2026.
Jacqueline Martin | AFP | Getty Images
Still, the White House said Wednesday it was optimistic a peace deal was on the horizon.
Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing that “talks are underway” and “we are satisfied with the prospects for an agreement,” but warned that the next round of face-to-face talks had not yet been officially determined.
Levitt also said it was “very likely” that the talks would be held in Islamabad, “the same location as last time.” Pakistan has facilitated communication between the belligerent powers.
Last weekend’s first round of negotiations, a marathon 21-hour session led by Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on the U.S. side, ended in no deal.
Mr Levitt said Pakistan was the “sole mediator in this negotiation” and praised the support of regional powers so far.
Levitt also said it was “not true” that the US had requested an extension to the ceasefire, which expires next Tuesday.
“The United States has not formally agreed to extend the ceasefire. The United States and Iran continue to engage toward an agreement,” a senior U.S. official told CNBC on Wednesday morning.
