Sources reveal that the United States and Iran are preparing to hold a new round of high-level talks aiming to reach an agreement to end the six-week war before the ceasefire deadline next week. This follows the first meeting in Pakistan, which nearly succeeded but ended without a conclusion. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump stated that Iran initiated contact to resume talks for an agreement.
Foreign news agencies report, citing diplomatic sources and US officials, that the United States and Iran are considering holding a second round of face-to-face negotiations this week to find a way to reach an agreement to end the prolonged six-week war before the ceasefire agreement expires next week.
Sources indicate that Pakistan has offered to host the negotiations again in Islamabad, while Geneva, Switzerland, has been proposed as another possible location. The talks are expected to take place as soon as 16 Apr. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that "the other side (Iran) reached out, and they want to reach an agreement."
The first round of talks at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad over the past weekend marked the highest-level direct meeting in more than four decades, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Key figures involved included US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Sources revealed that the atmosphere during the first talks was tense and unfriendly at the start but became more hopeful toward the end. Both sides were able to agree on approximately 80% of the issues before encountering a critical sticking point that required decisions from higher government levels, causing the talks to end without concrete progress.
The main obstacles remaining in the negotiations include Iran’s nuclear program, with the US insisting that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, and reopening the shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy transport point currently closed by Iran. Iran remains suspicious of the US's intentions, while the US believes Iran does not fully understand its primary objectives.
Nevertheless, both sides continue to "keep the door open" for dialogue. The White House stated that the US position remains clear and unchanged but confirmed that communication is ongoing to achieve a sustainable agreement in the near future.