The deadline for the United States–Iran ceasefire is fast approaching, but an end to the conflict that began on February 28 remains uncertain.
Donald Trump has oscillated between warnings and reassurances, while Tehran has maintained it will not negotiate under pressure, insisting it won’t talk with “a gun to our heads.”
On Tuesday, Trump warned of renewed military action if no agreement is reached before the two-week truce expires on Wednesday. At the same time, Pakistan has urged both sides to extend the ceasefire to allow diplomacy more time.
Although there were indications that US and Iranian delegations might travel to Islamabad for talks, there has been no confirmation so far. The White House said Vice President JD Vance had not yet departed, while Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar noted that a response from Iran on participating in the next round of talks was still awaited. He stressed that a decision before the ceasefire deadline is “critical.”
Trump, speaking to CNBC’s Squawk Box, said he was prepared to resume strikes if negotiations fail and signaled reluctance to extend the truce. “They have to negotiate,” he said, while expressing confidence that a deal could still be reached. He also claimed US actions had significantly weakened Iran’s military leadership and capabilities.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for continued engagement and urged both sides to give diplomacy a chance. He held talks with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met envoys from both countries. Jiang Zaidong, China’s ambassador to Pakistan, also discussed regional developments with Dar.
Despite the uncertainty, Washington remains optimistic that negotiations will proceed, with reports suggesting officials including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner could join the talks. Tehran, for its part, is believed to be leveraging its position over the Strait of Hormuz in pursuit of sanctions relief while preserving its nuclear ambitions.
Tensions have remained high. The fragile truce was tested again on Sunday when a US guided-missile destroyer intercepted and seized an Iranian cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, further escalating strains.
With the ceasefire set to expire, the situation remains fluid, marked by sharp rhetoric but lingering hopes that talks will either resume or the truce will be extended.
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