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US President Donald Trump has indicated that negotiations between Washington and Tehran could resume within the coming days, praising Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue between the two long-time adversaries. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump said, “You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” referring to Islamabad as a potential venue for renewed talks.

The remarks came amid a flurry of diplomatic activity centered on Pakistan, which hosted the first direct US-Iran talks in decades over the weekend of April 11–12. While those talks ended without a breakthrough, they also did not collapse, and both sides have since signaled openness to continued dialogue.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the latest developments has been consistent across multiple outlets, though with varying emphasis. The Dawn newspaper, which provided extensive coverage, highlighted Pakistan’s mediatory role and the efforts of its civil and military leadership to bring the two sides back to the table. The Jerusalem Post focused on Trump’s praise for Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, and cited a US official confirming that discussions about a second meeting are ongoing. Russia’s TASS news agency reported Trump’s comments about resuming talks, noting that he had canceled a planned visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad.

All sources agree that the first round of talks took place in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, and that they ended without an agreement. However, there is some discrepancy regarding the composition of the delegations. A TASS report said the Iranian delegation was led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and the US delegation by Vice President JD Vance, a detail not mentioned by other outlets. That report, carried by a single outlet and not independently verified, also described the talks as “several rounds” rather than a single meeting.

Key Claims

  • Trump’s readiness to resume talks: According to The New York Post interview, relayed by multiple sources including Dawn and the Jerusalem Post, Trump said talks could resume within two days and that Washington was “more inclined to go” to Pakistan. He also stated that if Iran wanted to talk, “they can come to us, or they can call us,” suggesting a remote format is possible.
  • Pakistan’s mediation role: All sources credit Pakistan with brokering the initial talks and maintaining pressure for a second round. Trump specifically praised Pakistan’s efforts, saying, “Great respect for Pakistan because they have been terrific, they have really tried.” The Jerusalem Post quoted a US official saying Pakistan is “really trying to create a situation in which Washington and Tehran meet again.”
  • Outcome of the first round: The April 11–12 talks in Islamabad ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown, according to Dawn and the Jerusalem Post. The discussions covered issues including Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions.
  • Cancellation of US envoy visit: Trump called off a planned visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad for a second round, citing the long travel time. This was reported by Dawn and TASS. Following that, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Tehran did not plan to meet with US envoys during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan, as reported by TASS.
  • Iran’s conditions for resuming talks: According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by TASS, Iran has indicated that a softening of Trump’s rhetoric could help convince hard-liners in Tehran to restart negotiations. This claim, carried by a single outlet and not independently verified, suggests that an end to US threats might pave the way for a new round.

Perspectives

Pakistan’s role as mediator

Pakistan has positioned itself as an indispensable intermediary, hosting the first direct talks and maintaining high-level engagement with both sides. Dawn’s coverage emphasizes the efforts of Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, while the Jerusalem Post quotes a US official acknowledging Pakistan’s persistence. However, the effectiveness of this mediation is questioned by some, as a second round has yet to materialize.

US position: flexibility and impatience

Trump’s statements reflect a desire to keep talks alive without making major concessions. He has stressed that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons and has demanded long-term commitments, while also expressing willingness to talk remotely. The cancelation of the envoy visit, despite Pakistan’s efforts, suggests a degree of impatience, but Trump has left the door open, saying, “If they want to talk, all they have to do is call.”

Iran: cautious but willing

Iran has not closed the door on negotiations, but it has set conditions. The foreign ministry’s statement that no meeting with US envoys was planned during Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan indicates a cautious approach. According to the Wall Street Journal’s sources, Tehran wants a less confrontational US posture to build domestic support for a deal. This perspective, while not independently confirmed, suggests that the upcoming days could be pivotal if Trump heeds Iran’s signals.

Context and Outlook

The first US-Iran talks in Islamabad were the highest-level engagement between the two countries since 1979. They followed a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8. The talks were inconclusive, with major disagreements remaining on Iran’s nuclear program and the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which began April 13. A second round has been delayed, but Trump’s latest comments, along with reports of ongoing discussions, suggest that a new meeting could take place soon, either in Islamabad or via other means.

As the diplomatic process continues, the role of Pakistan remains central. Whether the parties can bridge their differences remains to be seen, but the fact that they are still talking, according to multiple sources, is a sign that neither side wants to abandon the diplomatic track entirely.