WASHINGTON – American media outlet The New York Post reported on Wednesday that “good news” about the second round of scheduled talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad could be possible as soon as Friday, according to President Donald Trump and Pakistani sources.
“Sources in Islamabad touted positive mediation efforts with Tehran, renewing the possibility of more peace talks within the next ’36 to 72 hours’. Asked about this possible breakthrough by The Post, Trump, in a text message, said: ‘It’s possible! President DJT’,” the outlet reported.
Continued Diplomatic Efforts
It further said that in the time since last night’s extension of the ceasefire between the warring countries, Pakistan had “continued working its diplomatic channels with Iran”, and the time period was based on an assessment of that work, according to a source. “The ceasefire is holding despite heightened rhetoric, indicating positive intent on both sides,” the source was quoted by the outlet as saying. “No military escalation from either side. Pakistan remains the key mediator,” the person added.
Concerns in Washington
Meanwhile, Axios reported, citing unnamed officials, that Trump’s negotiators are worried that there may not be anyone in Tehran to approve a deal with Washington. The report said that Trump’s negotiators believe a deal to end the war and address “what’s left of Iran’s nuclear programme” is still achievable, but they are concerned that there may be no one in Tehran “empowered to say yes.”
It further claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “barely communicating”, adding that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) generals and Iran’s civilian negotiators are “openly at odds over strategy.”
Internal Fracture in Tehran
The interior “fracture” is partly a consequence of Israel’s March assassination of Ali Larijani, the previous secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the report said, noting that his replacement, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, is “not effective” at coordinating between the IRGC, civilian leadership and the supreme leader.
Shifting Signals
According to the report, on Monday evening, Iran seemed to signal through Pakistani intermediaries that it was open to negotiations. By Tuesday morning, however, that openness vanished, replaced with a demand that the US end its naval blockade.
Trump’s Position
Trump reportedly believes the US has already achieved everything it can through military action and is looking to exit the increasingly unpopular conflict. He is unwilling to restart operations until all other avenues have been fully explored. However, if Pakistani mediators fail to bring Iran to the table within the timeframe Trump has in mind, military action will once again be considered.
Iran Seizes Two Vessels in Strait of Hormuz
Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its naval forces intercepted two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz over alleged violations. In a statement, the IRGC Navy said the vessels, identified as MSC Francesca, which it described as “linked to Israel”, and Epaminodes, were stopped for repeated violations, including operating without authorisation and allegedly tampering with navigation systems.
The force said the vessels were attempting to exit the strait “covertly” and were intercepted based on intelligence monitoring. According to the statement, both vessels have been transferred to Iranian territorial waters for inspection of their cargo and documentation.
UKMTO Reports Gunfire
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said early on Wednesday a cargo ship came under gunfire near Iran’s coast in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the second such reported incident that day. The agency said a vessel was fired upon approximately 8 nautical miles west of Iran’s coast and later stopped, though no damage or casualties were reported. In another incident, a container ship reported being approached by a gunboat linked to the IRGC near the strait.
Iran’s Military Readiness
Iran’s military said early on Wednesday that it would immediately strike pre-designated targets if the US launches any new attack on the country, according to state television. The warning came in remarks by Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, following what he described as repeated threats by US President Donald Trump and American military commanders.
“Our capable and powerful forces have long been in a state of 100% readiness and are ready and on the trigger,” Zolfaghari said. He added that in the event of “aggression and any action against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iranian forces would “immediately and powerfully attack pre-determined targets.”
Iran Says No Talks Until Blockade Lifted
Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani responded to Trump’s ceasefire extension, stating that there will be no talks with the US until the blockade is lifted. “The United States must halt its ‘violation of the ceasefire’ before any new round of negotiations,” the ambassador told Iranian media outlet Shargh, according to Al Jazeera.
“As soon as they lift the blockade, the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad,” the ambassador said, adding, “Iran is prepared for any scenario.” “We have not been the initiator of military aggression. If they seek a political solution, we are ready. If they seek war, Iran is ready for that as well,” he added.
Iran Criticises US ‘Lack of Good Faith’
In an interview with the BBC, Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran entered the first round of talks with seriousness and goodwill, but lashed out at Washington for repeatedly shifting positions, maintaining its naval blockade, and taking hostile actions that undermine the diplomatic process, reported Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
He said Iran’s delegation to the first round of Pakistani-mediated talks with the US had gone to Islamabad “with good faith and sense of seriousness, but you have a negotiating party that has shown its lack of seriousness, lack of good faith.” “They’re changing their position frequently,” he said.
UN Chief Welcomes Ceasefire Extension
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed an announcement by the US to extend the ceasefire with Iran, his spokesman said on Tuesday. “This is an important step toward de-escalation and creating critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States,” Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
Dujarric said the UN encourages all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the ceasefire and engage constructively in negotiations to reach “a sustainable and lasting” resolution. Noting that Guterres fully supports Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate continued dialogue, Dujarric expressed hope that these diplomatic efforts would help establish the conditions necessary for a “comprehensive and durable resolution” to the conflict.
Analysis: A Fragile Diplomatic Window
The possibility of peace talks as soon as Friday offers a glimmer of hope, but significant obstacles remain. Iran’s demand that the US lift its naval blockade before any new round of negotiations is a major sticking point. Trump, for his part, has doubled down on the blockade, stating that lifting it would undermine any chance of a peace deal.
The reported internal fracture in Tehran — with IRGC generals and civilian negotiators openly at odds — complicates the diplomatic picture. Even if a deal is negotiated, there may be no one in Tehran empowered to approve it.
As the ceasefire holds, the window for diplomacy remains open. But as Trump has warned, if Pakistani mediators fail to bring Iran to the table within his timeframe, military action will once again be considered.
