US, Iran Weigh Fresh Talks as Ceasefire Deadline Nears after Islamabad Setback

A fresh round of negotiations between the United States and Iran may take place later this week following failed talks in Islamabad, with both sides attempting to reach an agreement before the two-week ceasefire expires on April 21.

According to US media reports, President Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to resume in-person negotiations if he believes Tehran is prepared to submit to his demands.

Washington and Tehran are considering new face-to-face talks aimed at ending their six-week conflict, the Associated Press reported, citing sources.

Three sources told the American news agency that discussions over a new round of negotiations are ongoing.

A diplomat from one of the mediating countries said that Tehran and Washington have agreed to hold the talks, though it remains unclear whether the same level of delegation will participate, according to the diplomat and US officials.

Where could the next US-Iran talks be held and when might they take place?

Islamabad and Geneva are among the locations being considered for the proposed talks. A US official said that the venue and timing have not yet been finalised, but the discussions could take place on Thursday.

The development follows remarks by Trump earlier on Monday, when he told reporters that "we've been called by the other side" and "they want to work a deal."

US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to Fox News on Monday US time, alleged that Iran was willing to engage in economic terrorism globally. Reiterating Washington’s position, Vance said he agreed with Trump that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.

Vance noted that recent engagement between the two sides marked a significant moment. "I think it was the first time that you'd ever seen the Iranian government, the U.S. government meet at such a high level, maybe in the history of the current leadership of Iran. So that's, I think, a positive--and again, we did make some progress in the negotiation," he said.

"What Trump has said is number one, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. So, all of our red lines flow from that fundamental premise,” he added.

Vance said that any further negotiations would depend on Tehran’s willingness to engage, stressing that the responsibility to move talks forward rests with Iran, according to CNN.

(With inputs from ANI)