ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to extend their ceasefire and press ahead with diplomacy, as a fragile truce neared expiry with no agreement in sight and both sides signaling readiness for renewed escalation.
The situation has grown increasingly volatile in recent days, with US President Donald Trump saying he expects to resume bombing Iran and indicating he does not favor extending the ceasefire, even as talks remain under discussion. His remarks came amid rising tensions in the Gulf, including the US seizure of an Iranian vessel and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
The ceasefire, announced on April 8 following more than a month of conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, is set to expire within hours. The war has already rattled global energy markets and disrupted maritime trade, with shipping traffic through Hormuz sharply reduced and vessels forced to reroute.
A first round of direct US-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11, the highest-level engagement between the two sides in decades, ended without a breakthrough, with key disagreements persisting over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and regional security issues. Pakistan has since been mediating between the two for the resumption of dialogue.
“DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable means to address challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability,” the foreign office said in a statement issued after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon.
“He stressed the need for engagement between the United States and Iran, urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire, and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance,” it added.
In an X post, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Iran’s decision on whether to attend the next round of talks was "still awaited."
“Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two weeks ceasefire is critical,” Tarar said, adding that Pakistan had made “sincere efforts” to persuade Tehran to participate.
However, Iran has yet to confirm its participation. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqai was quoted by Iranian state media as saying a final decision had not been made, citing “contradictory messages” and “unacceptable actions” by the United States.
Washington has said a delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Islamabad “soon,” though no timeline has been confirmed.
SECURITY TIGHTENED IN ISLAMABAD
Pakistan has meanwhile stepped up security across the capital in anticipation of possible talks, deploying nearly 20,000 personnel and launching large-scale search operations.
Police said hundreds of individuals, homes, shops and vehicles were checked in multiple areas of Islamabad as part of combing operations overseen by senior officers.
“Special checking points have been established at the entry and exit routes of the city to ensure effective monitoring,” a police spokesperson said, adding that patrol units and special squads were active across the capital.
Dozens of individuals were detained for verification, while authorities placed parts of the city under heightened restrictions as Islamabad remained on high alert.
Despite diplomatic efforts and Islamabad's preparations for talks, both sides have hardened their positions.
Trump has accused Iran of violating the ceasefire and warned of renewed strikes, while Iranian officials have rejected negotiations “under the shadow of threats” and signaled readiness to respond to any escalation.
Vice President JD Vance, due to lead the US delegation, had yet to board a flight for Islamabad. A White House official told Reuters Vance would be participating on Tuesday in additional policy meetings at the White House.
The US military said its forces had boarded a tanker under sanctions for trading with Iran, the Tifani, in an operation that took place "without incident".
The vessel last reported its position on Tuesday morning as near Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, according to MarineTraffic tracking data. It was close to fully loaded with 2 million barrels of crude and had signalled Singapore as its destination.
"As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran — anywhere they operate," US Central Command said.
There was no immediate Iranian response to the boarding, but it appeared likely to complicate efforts to persuade Iran to attend the talks.
Iranian officials have publicly cited a US blockade of their ships as a reason not to negotiate.
With additional inputs from wires
