Arabic version: باكستان تسهل مفاوضات الولايات المتحدة وإيران مع اقتراب انتهاء وقف إطلاق النار

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced on April 16 that discussions are ongoing between the United States and Iran, mediated through Islamabad, regarding a second meeting to address the nearly seven-week conflict. This announcement comes as a ceasefire, declared on April 8, is set to expire soon.

According to Al Jazeera, no date has been set for the upcoming negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi mentioned that essential details regarding the delegation and their participation would be determined by the involved parties. He emphasized the importance of confidentiality in the mediation process.

The first round of talks, which took place on April 12 in Islamabad, concluded without a formal agreement. Andrabi described the outcome as neither a breakthrough nor a breakdown. Key issues, including nuclear matters, remain on the negotiation table, although further details were not disclosed.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently on a regional tour, which includes stops in Doha and Antalya, aimed at reinforcing diplomatic relations and building support for ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Asim Munir, is in Tehran to further discussions with Iranian officials, highlighting Pakistan’s active role in the mediation process.

As the ceasefire nears its expiration on April 22, there are concerns about its sustainability. Observers predict that both sides may prefer to extend the ceasefire rather than resume hostilities. However, analysts caution that failure to achieve a second round of negotiations could shift Pakistan’s role from mediator to crisis manager, should tensions escalate again.