US-Iran ceasefire likely to be extended by two weeks as talks progress, ‘in principle’ agreement reached
Hopes have risen for renewed talks between US and Iran, as the US military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by strike targets across the war-weary region.
The ceasefire, which is set to expire on April 22, could be extended by at least two more weeks to allow additional time for diplomacy. According to the officials, both Washington and Tehran have given an “in principle agreement” to prolong the truce.
One of the officials involved in the mediation efforts said negotiators are working to find common ground on three key sticking points. These include Iran’s nuclear programme, the status of the Strait of Hormuz and the issue of war compensation.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing negotiations.
Hopes have risen for renewed talks between the United States and Iran, as the US military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by strike targets across the war-weary region.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a second round of talks could happen “over the next two days,” telling the New York Post the negotiations could be held again in Islamabad as diplomats worked through back channels to arrange them.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it’s “highly probable” that talks will restart, citing a meeting he had with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The office of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he would travel to Saudi Arabia Wednesday as his country pushes to mediate new talks and to Turkey for the Anatalya Peace Forum, which starts Friday.
First round of talks with Iran failed to end conflict
Last weekend in Pakistan, an initial round of talks aimed at permanently ending the U.S.-Iran conflict failed to produce an agreement. The White House said Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a central sticking point.
“I think they want to make a deal very badly,” Trump said in an excerpt from an interview with Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” scheduled to air Wednesday morning. He added: “I view it as very close to over.”
A U.S. official said Tuesday that fresh talks with Iran were still under discussion and that nothing has been scheduled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss sensitive negotiations.
Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s finance minister, told The Associated Press that “our leadership is not giving up” on efforts to help the U.S. and Iran end the conflict.
Though the ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the strategic Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the regional war’s economic fallout.
The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,100 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen U.S. service members have also been killed.