Deal or delay? US, Iran weigh two-week ceasefire extension before deadline

UPDATED: Apr 15, 2026 23:09 IST

The United States and Iran are weighing a two-week extension of their ceasefire, set to expire on Tuesday, as negotiators push to buy more time for talks, according to Bloomberg.

Citing a person familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that mediators are working to set up technical discussions to resolve the most contentious issues — including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme.

US and Iranian negotiators have also made fresh progress toward a framework agreement to end the war, Axios reported, citing US officials. “They were on the phone and backchanneling with all the countries, and they are getting closer,” one US official said, according to Axios.

A second official confirmed progress, while another added: “We want to make a deal Now the trick is to get the whole of government over there to make the deal.”

The talks - backed by mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey - are focused on bridging remaining gaps before the ceasefire deadline. “Let’s wait and see if we can get a deal. We are hopeful and accordingly trying to push with both sides,” a Pakistani official said.

Behind the scenes, US President Donald Trump’s negotiating team - including Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner — has been actively exchanging draft proposals with Iranian officials and intermediaries.

Vance, who led initial talks in Pakistan, said at an event in Georgia that he felt “very good about where we are,” adding: “I think the people we’re sitting across from wanted to make a deal.”

A new round of in-person negotiations is expected in the coming days, though no date has been finalised, Axios reported.

TRUMP: WAR VERY CLOSE TO OVER

US President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone, saying in an interview aired on Wednesday that the war was “very close to over.” Trump has repeatedly declared victory since the early days of the conflict, even as the situation on the ground remains complex.

A senior US official said Washington has not yet agreed to extend the current two-week ceasefire but confirmed that engagement with Iran is ongoing.

“The United States has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire. There is continued engagement between the US and Iran to reach a deal,” the official said.

The diplomatic push comes alongside mounting military pressure. The US Central Command said it has achieved maritime superiority and fully implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports within 36 hours.

According to the command, no vessels passed through US naval forces in the first 48 hours, while nine ships were forced to turn back toward Iranian waters. US officials say the blockade has sharply curtailed Iran’s oil exports, increasing pressure on Tehran to negotiate.

Pressure on Tehran is mounting. US officials told Axios that Washington’s naval blockade - which has sharply curtailed Iran’s oil exports - is squeezing the country’s economy and increasing incentives to strike a deal.

“Iran has no money. They’re broke. We know it. And they know we know it,” one official said.

The stakes are high. Iran exports roughly 1.5 million barrels of oil per day, generating about $140 million, but officials say the blockade could effectively wipe out those revenues.

PAKISTAN STEPS UP MEDIATION

Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic role. Army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday as part of ongoing mediation efforts.

Pakistan’s military said the delegation includes Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior security officials. It described the visit as part of the ongoing mediation efforts, but gave no further details.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Saudi Arabia on an official visit to discuss regional developments. A statement from his office said Sharif was received in Jeddah by senior Saudi officials.

REGIONAL TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH

Elsewhere, tensions continue to ripple across the region. Israel is set to convene its security cabinet following rare direct talks with Lebanon in Washington after weeks of conflict involving Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Pentagon said 395 US service members have been injured since the start of the conflict, with 13 killed.

Despite signs of progress, officials caution that a final deal is not guaranteed. Even if a framework agreement is reached, extending the ceasefire may be necessary to finalise a broader settlement.

- Ends

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