U.S.-Iran peace talks remain uncertain as cease-fire expiration looms
While the U.S. delegation—once again led by Vice President J.D. Vance—are expected in Pakistan this week, Iran has yet to confirm whether it will attend.
Iranian state media reported Tuesday that no Iranian delegation had arrived in Pakistan “so far.”
As such, it remains to be seen if Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will have anyone to negotiate with.
A previous marathon 21-hour negotiating session on April 11 notably ended without an agreement, making the stakes this time all the more higher, especially as the cease-fire is set to expire in the early hours of Wednesday, Iran time.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, Pakistan has moved to increase security in Islamabad ahead of the planned discussions.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has urged both Iran and the U.S. to extend the two-week cease-fire in order “to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.”