White House says second round of US-Iran talks likely to be held in Pakistan

Amid boiling tensions and a ticking ceasefire deadline, the White House has put forward a cautiously hopeful message on Iran, describing talks as "productive and ongoing" while dismissing reports that it officially pushed for a ceasefire.

The developments come at a critical juncture, with a fragile ceasefire set to expire on April 22. There has been some progress behind the scenes, the lack of any formal deal and ongoing military pressure on the ground show that the situation is still far from resolved.

Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that diplomatic engagement with Tehran is continuing. "These conversations are productive and ongoing, and that's where we are right now. I've also seen some reporting about the potential in-person discussions. Again, those discussions are being had, but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House, but we feel good about the prospects of a deal," Leavitt said.

Meanwhile, she rejected reports that the United States had requested a ceasefire in the Iran war, calling it inaccurate. She added that the US has not formally sought an extension of the current truce. When a reporter asked whether the potential second round of talks would be held in Islamabad, she responded: "They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time, yes."

PAKISTAN DRIVES US-IRAN DIPLOMATIC PUSH

Islamabad has turned into the front line of diplomacy, with Washington looking to return there for fresh negotiations. Karoline Leavitt described Pakistan as the "only mediator" in the current negotiations, praising its role in facilitating dialogue between the two sides.

"The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close, so they are the only mediator in this negotiation," she said.

The statement comes as a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, travelled to Tehran as part of efforts to keep communication channels open. Asim Munir met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the visit and both sides hinted towards support for continued dialogue and regional stability.

IRAN REAFFIRMS PEACE COMMITMENT

Following the meeting, Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. "I am very pleased to have welcomed Field Marshal Asim Munir to Iran," Araghchi said in a message released after the talks.

He also praised Pakistan’s role in hosting negotiations, describing it as a reflection of the "depth and strength" of ties between the two countries. "Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains firm, and this commitment is shared between us," he said.

Earlier, Iran had confirmed that messages were being exchanged with the United States through Pakistan, indicating that back-channel diplomacy remains active despite the failure of recent talks to produce a breakthrough.

The renewed diplomatic push follows a round of direct talks in Islamabad last weekend that ended without an agreement, despite nearly 21 hours of discussions. The war, launched by the United States alongside Israel on February 28, has since escalated into a regional crisis.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

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