The deadline for a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is approaching, with uncertainty mounting over whether the two sides will enter talks in time to secure a longer-term agreement.
The truce temporarily halted direct fighting despite continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon and is set to expire at 20:00 ET on Wednesday.
However, US outlet Axios reported on Tuesday that the ceasefire had been extended by one additional day, though neither side has officially confirmed this. With no clear breakthrough in negotiations, regional mediators are racing to bring both sides to the table.
Pakistan has intensified efforts to persuade Tehran to send a delegation to Islamabad for a second round of talks. In a statement, the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said diplomatic outreach is ongoing, though little sign of progress has emerged.
Iranian state media said no delegation has yet departed for Pakistan. Chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf remains in Tehran, while state broadcaster IRIB reported that no officials, including technical teams, have left the country to participate in negotiations.
An Iranian official source also told The New Arab that no decision had yet been taken to send a delegation, adding that Tehran’s position on not participating in the Islamabad talks “has not changed”.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Pakistani officials on Monday night, signalling that Tehran has not entirely closed the door on diplomacy. However, he said a decision on whether to proceed with talks would depend on a full assessment of recent US actions and threats.
Tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump ordered the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship on Sunday. Tehran has demanded the immediate release of the vessel’s crew, reportedly detained in the waters of the Sea of Oman.
Iranian officials sharply criticised the move, with Ghalibaf accusing Washington of effectively imposing a siege and violating the spirit of the ceasefire.
He reiterated that Tehran would not engage in negotiations “under the shadow of threats”, warning that Iran could “reveal new cards on the battlefield” if pressure continues.
He said Washington wanted to turn the negotiating table into a table of surrender or a pretext to reignite the war.
Trump has taken a hard line ahead of the deadline. He said it was “highly unlikely” the ceasefire would be extended in the absence of a deal, adding that Washington would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, the US president struck a more conciliatory tone in remarks to the New York Post, saying he would have “no problem” meeting Iran’s leadership, signalling that talks could still proceed despite Tehran’s reluctance to commit.
Trump also announced that Vice President JD Vance would travel to Islamabad on Tuesday to take part in the talks, after earlier reports suggested he would arrive a day sooner.
Security in the Pakistani capital has been significantly tightened in anticipation of the high-level meetings, with parts of Islamabad under lockdown and thousands of troops deployed across the city.
