Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker to exchange detailed perspectives on the ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at facilitating the second round of US-Iran negotiations. The discussion also covered the current regional situation and emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to maintain stability.
Naqvi praised US President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire, describing it as a positive step that has contributed to easing tensions. He expressed hope for constructive progress from Iran, highlighting the active involvement of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, who are exerting efforts at all levels to resolve the conflict peacefully. Naqvi stressed the hope that both parties will embrace a diplomatic and peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, Baker acknowledged Pakistan’s proactive and responsible role in promoting peace and supporting conflict resolution in the region. This meeting took place amid ongoing efforts to encourage dialogue and reduce hostilities between Washington and Tehran, with Islamabad serving as the sole mediator.
In a significant development, the second round of US-Iran talks could occur as soon as Friday. President Trump indicated this possibility, stating that the negotiations are expected to take place in Islamabad within the next 36 to 72 hours. On Tuesday, Trump extended a two-week truce just before its expiration to allow more time for the Pakistani-facilitated peace talks.
While Iran welcomed Pakistan’s mediation efforts, it refrained from commenting further on Trump’s announcement. However, the US president confirmed that the US Navy would maintain its blockade on Iranian maritime trade, a move Tehran views as an act of war. Iran has vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the naval blockade persists.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation during the first round of talks in Islamabad, stated that a ceasefire is only meaningful if it is not undermined by actions such as the naval blockade. He emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible under these conditions.
The conflict in the Middle East began on February 28 following a large-scale surprise attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran at the time. The Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, followed by the first round of talks in Islamabad earlier this month, which lasted 21 hours.
This initial meeting marked the first direct engagement between American and Iranian officials in over a decade and the highest-level interaction since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. US Vice President JD Vance and Ghalibaf led their respective delegations during the talks, addressing critical issues including the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and international sanctions against Tehran.
