The United States may hold the next round of talks with Iran in the next 72 hours, President Donald Trump indicated, saying that "good news" regarding
the second round of talks could come as soon as Friday. Sources cited by the New York Post suggested that momentum is building for a fresh round of dialogue. When asked whether the talks could be hosted in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, Trump offered a brief but telling response: "It's possible! President DJT." The timeline, emerging through diplomatic backchannels, is being shaped in part by mediation efforts involving Pakistan. However, despite the signal, uncertainty continues to cloud the process. Washington has extended the current ceasefire indefinitely and halted direct military action for now, but Tehran has yet to confirm whether it will return to the negotiating table. The extension of ceasefire has given Iran more time to present a consolidated proposal. In a post, Trump said, "I have directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other." Even within Washington, the messaging has not been entirely consistent. While officials have hinted that the window for talks may be limited, a Reuters source said that there is still no fixed deadline for how long the ceasefire will hold.
Iran holds back on fresh talks
Iran, for its part, has shown little urgency to re-engage. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran has not yet made a decision on participation, while also questioning Washington's intent.
"We entered the negotiations in good faith and with seriousness, but the negotiating party (the United States) has shown disregard and lack of good faith," he said. "Iran has not yet decided whether it will participate in the new round of peace negotiations with the United States scheduled for later this week," he added.
Iran's leadership has also tied any forward movement to developments on the ground, especially the continuing maritime blockade. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that progress hinges on a complete and credible ceasefire.
"A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy, and if the Zionist warmongering across all fronts is halted; reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such a flagrant breach of the ceasefire," he wrote.
