Efforts are underway to secure a second round of talks between the United States and Iran before a fragile two-week ceasefire expires on 21 April, as mediators push to narrow remaining differences.
Although neither side has officially confirmed participation, reports suggest American and Iranian delegations could return to Islamabad later this week. Reuters , citing anonymous sources, said talks may resume "soon", while Associated Press reported discussions could take place as early as Thursday.
The first round of negotiations concluded on Sunday after 21 hours, with US Vice President JD Vance describing Washington’s proposal as the "final and best offer".
"I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table," Vance said on Fox News . "We made very clear what our red lines were."
Both sides agreed to a two-week ceasefire that took effect on Wednesday, aimed at creating space for a longer-term truce despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports at the Strait of Hormuz.
US officials say the blockade forms part of the negotiating pressure, with President Donald Trump using it to limit Iran’s leverage.
Trump said Iran had contacted Washington following the Islamabad talks - the highest-level meeting between the two countries since 1979 - and insisted Tehran was "seeking an agreement " but had not agreed to abandon its nuclear programme.
"I can tell you that we’ve been called by the other side," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They'd like to make a deal. Very badly, very badly."
An Axios report, citing regional sources, said all parties still believe an agreement is possible, though it noted Trump is weighing a return to airstrikes if negotiations fail.
While Tehran has not confirmed its participation in a new round, officials have signalled openness to continued diplomacy.
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said the talks "laid the foundation for a diplomatic process ".
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said both sides had been "inches away" from a deal, but accused Washington of "shifting the goalposts".
“Unfortunately, we witnessed continued excessive demands from the American side, which led to the failure to achieve a result,” Araghchi said in a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
A key sticking point remains Iran’s nuclear programme. The US is reportedly demanding Tehran freeze uranium enrichment and give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium - conditions Iran has rejected.
According to The New York Times, Washington proposed a 20-year suspension of Iran's nuclear activities , while Tehran countered with a five-year limit, similar to proposals made during failed Geneva talks in February.
As fears grow over a return to full-scale war, mediators including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey remain engaged in efforts to bridge gaps. Pakistan has said "full efforts are underway" to secure an agreement between Washington and Tehran ahead of the ceasefire deadline.
Russia has also signalled involvement, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arriving in Beijing after speaking with Araghchi. Moscow has previously offered to hold Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a future deal.
Meanwhile, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged all sides to ensure freedom of navigation and avoid using the Strait of Hormuz "as a tool for pressure", as the six-week blockade continues to disrupt regional economies.