Islamabad: In a major diplomatic breakthrough, delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to leave for Pakistan today ahead of the second round of peace talks in Islamabad, sources said on Friday.
The Iranian delegation, including Abbas Araghchi, is expected to arrive in the federal capital tonight for the talks, according to government sources.
A US logistics and security team is already present in Islamabad ahead of the potential second round of peace talks, they added.
Sources said that the development was the result of pivotal conversations conducted by Pakistan’s mediation team.
The development came shortly after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged continued dialogue and engagement to resolve disputes between Washington and Tehran, stressing that diplomacy remains essential for regional peace and stability.
Dar made these remarks during a phone call with Araghchi, where they also discussed the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Both leaders also exchanged views on ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement.
The Iranian foreign minister lauded Pakistan’s consistent and constructive role in facilitating peace talks between the two sides.
A second round of talks between Tehran and Washington had faced uncertainty after both sides failed to agree on their respective measures in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran had blocked the waterway after the United States and Israel launched attacks across Iran on February 28. In response, Iran not only closed the Strait of Hormuz but also carried out strikes against Israel and US bases across the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mediated a two-week ceasefire between the two sides on April 8 and later facilitated the first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11.
However, the initial talks concluded without reaching a deal on a permanent end to the conflict.
Following the inconclusive first round, US President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open on April 17, citing a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. However, it shut the waterway again the following day in response to the US blockade of its maritime trade — a move Tehran described as an act of war.
Despite continued hostilities, Islamabad persisted in its diplomatic outreach to bring both sides back to the negotiating table and extend the ceasefire.
Just hours before the ceasefire was set to expire on April 22, President Donald Trump announced an extension of the truce until Iran submitted a proposal and talks were concluded.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he acted at Pakistan’s request to delay further attacks, allowing Iranian leaders and representatives time to present what he described as a unified proposal.