Pakistan has offered hosting a second round of talks between the United States and Iran in the coming days, as efforts continue to build on a fragile ceasefire between the two sides, according to officials cited by The Associated Press.
Two Pakistani officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Islamabad had offered holding the talks in its capital, though the plan would depend on whether the parties agree to the location.
The proposed talks would follow a first round of negotiations held over the weekend, led by JD Vance, as both sides explore a potential broader agreement.
President Trump said Monday that Iran “badly wanted to talk,” echoing comments by Vance, who described the talks as showing signs of progress and suggested that a comprehensive deal remained possible.
Media reports indicate that the United States has proposed a temporary halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment activities for up to 20 years. Iran, according to those reports, countered with a proposal for a five-year moratorium, which Washington rejected.
The exchange of proposals marks a shift from earlier positions, when talks were characterized by maximalist demands and little apparent willingness to compromise.
The diplomatic efforts are unfolding during a two-week ceasefire that still has several days remaining, even as tensions persist, including Iran’s continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route.
Separately, Reuters reported that a tanker previously sanctioned by the United States had successfully passed through the strait despite a US blockade.
The vessel, identified as Rich Starry, was the first tanker to exit the Gulf since the blockade began, according to shipping data from firms including LSEG and MarineTraffic. The tanker and its owner, Shanghai Xuanrun Shipping Co., had been sanctioned by Washington for dealings with Iran.
Another US-sanctioned tanker, Murlikishan, is also expected to enter the strait and load crude oil in Iraq later this week, Reuters reported.
