Reuters: Negotiating teams from the United States and Iran could return to Islamabad later this week to resume talks aimed at ending the conflict in the Gulf, according to Pakistani and Iranian officials, just days after initial discussions ended without a breakthrough.
Sources said delegations are keeping Friday through Sunday open for a potential second round of meetings, though no final date has been confirmed. A senior Iranian source said, âNo firm date has been set, with the delegations keeping Friday through Sunday open.âAn Iranian embassy official in Islamabad said, âThe coming rounds of talks can come sometime later this week or earlier next week. But nothing is finalised as of now.â
A senior Pakistani official said Islamabad had reached out to Iran and received a positive response. âWe got a positive response that they will be open to a second round of talks,â the official said, adding that Pakistan is coordinating timing with both sides and the meeting is likely over the coming weekend. A source involved in the talks said a proposal has been sent to Washington and Tehran for delegations to return to Islamabad, but no date has been fixed.
Last weekendâs talks in Islamabadâheld shortly after a ceasefire announcementâended without agreement. It marked the first direct engagement between U.S. and Iranian officials in over a decade, and the most senior contact since Iranâs 1979 Islamic Revolution.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf led their respective delegations in the previous round. Key issues under discussion include the Strait of Hormuz, Iranâs nuclear programme, and international sanctions. Iran has effectively restricted movement through the Strait, while the U.S. has pledged to reopen it.
After the previous talks, Vance told reporters: âWe leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. Weâll see if the Iranians accept it.â
Neither the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, military, nor Prime Ministerâs Office responded to requests for comment. The White House also did not immediately respond.
