A Pakistani source told Al Jazeera that a second round of talks between the United States and Iran is expected to begin Tuesday at midday in Islamabad, with both delegations due to arrive earlier in the day.
But Iran’s Fars news agency cited a source as saying the Iranian negotiating team currently has no plans to travel to Pakistan. The report also said Russian sources warned Tehran to take seriously the possibility of deception by its adversaries ahead of a potential new round of strikes.
President Donald Trump reportedly told a Fox News interviewer that a deal with Iran would be signed “today” in Islamabad, Pakistan, though the remarks did not include a clear timeframe.
Trump said an agreement could be finalized in Islamabad, adding to earlier comments that a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is en route for negotiations.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is “considering positively” taking part in the talks, though no final decision has been made.
The talks come amid tensions over a U.S. naval blockade on Iran, which Tehran says violates the terms of a temporary ceasefire. The Iranian official said “positive efforts” are being made by Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator, to help end the blockade.
A Pakistani official said the ceasefire is set to expire at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday — 3 a.m. Thursday in Israel — if it is not extended.
Earlier Monday, another Iranian official told Reuters the continued U.S. blockade was harming diplomatic efforts, pointing to a recent incident in which U.S. Marines seized an Iranian merchant vessel attempting to breach the blockade.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed regional and international developments, including the ceasefire, in phone calls with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Iranian media reported.
Sources cited by Qatar’s Al-Araby channel said Islamabad has proposed that Washington ease naval restrictions on Iranian ports and urged Tehran to ensure freedom of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan also called on Iran to formally confirm its participation in the second round of talks, the sources said.
Trump dismissed concerns the talks could collapse, saying the U.S. team is already heading to Pakistan.
“We’re supposed to have the talks,” Trump told the New York Post. “So I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.”
“They’re heading over now. They’ll be there tonight,” he added.
Trump also said he would be willing to meet directly with Iranian leaders if progress is made.
“I have no problem meeting them,” he said.
He reiterated that Iran must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons. “Get rid of their nuclear weapons. That’s all very simple. There will be no nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
Asked about potential consequences if talks fail, Trump declined to elaborate but warned: “You can imagine. It wouldn’t be pretty.”
First published: 17:16, 04.20.26