ISLAMABAD: Pakistan confirmed Tuesday that delegations from both the United States and Iran are expected to arrive in Islamabad for a new round of peace talks, marking a dramatic shift in Tehran’s position after days of rejecting negotiations.
A Pakistani official source told Al Arabiya that “we currently have no information about extending the ceasefire between America and Iran,” but stressed that the second round of negotiations “will be held as scheduled” with the simultaneous arrival of both delegations.
مصدر رسمي باكستاني للعربية: لا معلومات لدينا حاليا عن تمديد وقف النار بين أميركا وإيران #العربية_عاجل
— العربية عاجل (@AlArabiya_Brk) April 21, 2026
Iranian media, which had previously vowed to boycott the talks and respond to what it called a U.S. “blockade,” announced late Monday that its delegation would depart for Islamabad on Tuesday morning. The reversal comes after the U.S. team left for Pakistan, signaling renewed momentum in efforts to ease tensions.
مصدر رسمي باكستاني للعربية: الجولة الثانية من المفاوضات ستعقد في موعدها المقرر #العربية_عاجل
— العربية عاجل (@AlArabiya_Brk) April 21, 2026
A senior Pakistani government official told Reuters that Islamabad remains confident in its ability to persuade Iran to participate fully in the dialogue. “We expect the Iranian delegation to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday morning,” the official said, underscoring Pakistan’s role as mediator.
The talks follow weeks of escalating confrontation in the Gulf, including U.S. naval actions against Iranian‑flagged vessels and Tehran’s denunciations of ceasefire violations. Pakistan, which had imposed sweeping security measures in its capital in anticipation of the negotiations, now faces the delicate task of shepherding both sides back to the table.
Diplomatic observers say Iran’s decision to send its delegation reflects both international pressure and Islamabad’s persistent mediation, though prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain given the depth of mistrust between Washington and Tehran.
