U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that peace talks between the United States and Iran may resume in Islamabad within the next couple of days, praising Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for his role as mediator in the ongoing negotiations. Trump’s remarks came on Tuesday during a call with a reporter present for the initial round of ceasefire discussions held over the weekend in Pakistan’s capital.

The initial talks lasted approximately 21 hours but ended abruptly on Sunday morning when U.S. Vice President JD Vance left the negotiation table, citing Iran’s refusal to provide a clear commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons. Following the breakdown, Trump announced a naval blockade on ships using Iranian ports in the Gulf, aimed at increasing economic pressure on Iran. The blockade has reportedly prevented passage of vessels through the area, although some tankers, including one named Rich Starry, have reversed course and navigated the Strait of Hormuz despite prior closures by Iran.

The two-week ceasefire agreed upon by the parties remains in effect until April 22, creating a narrow window for any potential progress. Pakistani officials are working to schedule a follow-up meeting before the ceasefire expires, though some suggest the timeline may extend slightly beyond Trump’s estimate of two days. Islamabad is also hosting delegates from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey to discuss further mediation efforts.

Key issues remain unresolved, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. delegation reportedly demanded a 20-year suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment, while Iran proposed a shorter moratorium of less than a decade. Another critical point is the fate of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is close to weapons-grade and stored in underground facilities. In previous Geneva talks, Iran had offered to dilute this material to extend any potential breakout time; the U.S. insists on its removal.

Iranian officials have characterized the U.S. demands as maximalist and emphasized their refusal to yield either on the battlefield or at the negotiation table. Tehran also insists that Vance lead any future talks, expressing distrust toward Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Meanwhile, regional dynamics continue to be tense, with ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon linked to spillover from the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. In Washington, Israel and Lebanon held rare discussions brokered by the U.S. government aimed at exploring steps toward direct negotiations. However, Hezbollah, involved in the conflict and allied with Iran, has rejected the authority of Lebanese government negotiators in these talks.

Economic repercussions of the standoff have been significant, with oil prices surging past $100 a barrel following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial transit point for global energy supplies. Prices eased slightly on news of possible renewed talks. The U.S. Treasury announced it will not extend a temporary easing of sanctions on Iranian oil exports that had been aimed at mitigating supply disruptions.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar to garner regional support for the peace process and to address issues such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s demands for war reparations. His trip may be curtailed if talks recommence promptly.

While optimism exists regarding a possible resumption of negotiations, Vice President Vance has maintained a cautious stance, emphasizing that Iran’s willingness to show sufficient flexibility remains the central question going forward.