The United States has officially pointed to Islamabad as the location for a second round of peace talks with Iran — a development that caught many off guard, given how tense things became in the hours after the first round collapsed without a deal. President Donald Trump himself made the confirmation, and for the first time, he gave personal credit to Pakistan’s army chief for making it happen.
Trump Calls It — Islamabad Is the Place
Just days after Vice President JD Vance flew home from Pakistan without an agreement, President Trump broke from his earlier vague comments and confirmed that the next round of negotiations would most likely happen in Islamabad.
“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump told the New York Post. Outlook India
That was a notable shift. Trump had initially hinted the next round might happen in Europe. But roughly 30 minutes after that comment, he called the outlet back with updated information — and pointed firmly toward Pakistan’s capital.
President Trump told the New York Post that the next US-Iran talks “could be happening over the next two days” in Islamabad. He had initially told the outlet in a phone interview that additional negotiations could be “a little bit slow” and would likely happen in Europe, but called back about 30 minutes later with updated information. CNBC
The White House stopped short of announcing an exact date. A second round of negotiations between the US and Iran is currently under discussion, though nothing has been officially scheduled yet, a White House official told CNBC on Tuesday morning. CNBC
But the direction is clear. Islamabad is back on the map.
Trump Credits Pakistan’s Field Marshal — By Name
Perhaps the most significant detail in Trump’s New York Post comments was not the venue — it was who he gave credit to for making a second round possible.
“It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job,” Trump said — a direct reference to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. Outlook India
For a US president who rarely credits foreign military officials by title, this was a significant public endorsement. It signals that Pakistan’s back-channel work between the two sides has not gone unnoticed in Washington.
Why Did the First Round Fail — And Why Try Again?
Understanding why a second round is even necessary requires a quick look at what went wrong the first time.
The teams were reportedly able to agree on the main points of the 10-point ceasefire framework, with the exception of issues regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian nuclear program. There was no agreement reached at the end of the talks, and no Memorandum of Understanding was sent out. Wikipedia
Both sides, however, admitted they came closer than anyone expected. Vance told Fox News that Iranian negotiators “moved in our direction… but they didn’t move far enough.” He added: “There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here, but it’s up to the Iranians, I think, to take the next step.” Time
Iran’s version of events was different, but equally telling. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the two sides were inches away from signing a Memorandum of Understanding before the US shifted its demands at the last moment. The fact that both sides are talking about being “inches away” — even while blaming each other — suggests the distance between them is smaller than the public statements imply.
And there is a very practical reason the US wants to keep talking. Trump officials are not keen to resume the war, sources told CNN, especially as it has led to rising prices for Americans and is broadly unpopular with the public. Time
Iran Is Open — But Cautious
Tehran has not slammed the door on a second round. Far from it.
“The coming rounds of talks can come sometime later this week or earlier next week. But nothing is finalised as of now,” an official at the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad told Reuters. CNBC
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s Khamenei advisor Shamkhani responded to Trump’s offer and said the Iranian government was ready to sign a nuclear deal in exchange for the quick removal of all financial sanctions, whilst criticizing Trump’s rhetoric and ongoing threats, saying: “He speaks of an olive branch, but we see only barbed wire.” Wikipedia
That phrase — an olive branch but we see barbed wire — captures the mood on the Iranian side perfectly. Willing, but wary.
The Clock Is Ticking on the Ceasefire
Here is the hard reality that is driving everyone back to the table faster than anyone planned.
The ceasefire is currently set to expire on April 21. A second meeting with Iranian officials could happen before the two-week ceasefire expires, or potentially the ceasefire could be extended. Time
António Guterres said it is “highly probable” that talks will restart, following a meeting with Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. “There is no military solution to this crisis. Peace agreements need ongoing commitment and political will. Serious negotiations must resume,” he said. euronews
If the ceasefire expires without a framework in place, the US naval blockade on Iranian ports — already in effect — becomes the new flashpoint. The US military said it successfully stopped six ships from sailing out of Iranian ports during the first 24 hours of the blockade. More than 10,000 US troops, over a dozen warships, and dozens of aircraft are taking part in the mission. euronews
The economic damage is already severe. The continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to surging oil and gas prices around the world, as well as supply bottlenecks affecting fertilizer and other goods, which the UN’s food and agriculture agency warned could lead to a global food catastrophe. Time
Pakistan Prepares to Host Again
Islamabad is ready. PM Shehbaz Sharif is currently in Saudi Arabia and heading to Turkey to build regional support for the second round — making sure the diplomatic ground is prepared before the delegations arrive.
Pakistani authorities began referring to the negotiations as part of a broader “Islamabad process” — an effort to frame the engagement as an ongoing diplomatic track rather than a single round of talks. Wikipedia
That framing matters. By calling it a “process,” Pakistan is signaling that even if round two does not produce a final deal, it will not be considered a failure. The goal is to keep both parties talking — and to keep Islamabad at the center of the conversation.
Pakistan managed what others couldn’t, with geography, religion, and regional relations. It has close ties with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, shares a long and sensitive border with Iran, and its relationship with China adds another layer of strategic relevance. Unlike several other mediators, it does not host US military bases — yet its army chief is Donald Trump’s “favourite field marshal.” Al Jazeera
That combination of trust, proximity, and neutrality is exactly what this moment demands.
What Needs to Happen in Round Two
Both sides know what the deal requires. The question is whether either side has the political will to give enough ground.
The US needs Iran to commit to abandoning its nuclear weapons program and to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran needs sanctions relief, security guarantees, and some form of acknowledgment over Lebanon. Neither side can give the other everything they want — and both sides know it.
But as one regional diplomat put it — it’s a bazaar. Both sides are bargaining. The door is not closed. And Islamabad, once again, is where the world will be watching.
Related Reading
- Ceasefire Still Ongoing
- What Is the Strait of Hormuz and Why Does It Matter?
- First Round of Islamabad Talks: Full Story
External Sources
- CNBC — More US-Iran Peace Deal Talks Under Discussion
- TIME — Officials Considering Second Round of Talks
- Euronews — Diplomats Try to Arrange Second Round
- Outlook India — Trump Signals Fresh Iran Talks in Islamabad