Dubai, United Arab Emirates — the Ceasefire in the Iranian war This is a matter that hangs in the balance as the Pakistani capital prepares for possible new talks between Tehran and Washington.
As of now, the two-week ceasefire will end at 0000 GMT on Wednesday (8 p.m. EST on Tuesday). But the truce between Iran, Israel and the United States began after multiple deadlines imposed by the United States. US President Donald Trump, who threatened Iran’s “civilization” itself At one point. More delays or sudden changes will likely be the norm leading up to the deadline.
The talks that may be held in Islamabad before the end of the ceasefire period on the future of the talks face serious challenges Strait of HormuzIran Nuclear programme And other issues. Meanwhile, Iran targeted ships in the strait over the weekend. The United States also attacked and boarded an Iranian ship that attempted to bypass the US naval blockade in the strait, suggesting that the situation remains volatile and that a resumption of war is not unlikely.
Here’s what to know about the ceasefire situation, potential talks in Pakistan and other issues surrounding the war.
The ceasefire in the war began on April 8, although Iranian attacks targeted Gulf Arab states and Israel after it began. Another mysterious attack struck an Iranian oil refinery on one of the islands that afternoon. However, it has been widely held. The two-week deadline means the agreement will expire on April 22 without any extension agreed to by the parties, either publicly through public communications or by allowing it to pass without directly resuming hostilities. But risks remain, especially if no diplomatic agreement is reached in the meantime.
A previous round of negotiations between Iran and the United States was held in Pakistan from April 11 until the early morning of the next day. US Vice President J.D. Vance participated in the highest-level talks between America and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended without an agreement. Since the end of last week, authorities in Islamabad have made preparations similar to those that accompanied the first talks, indicating that another round is on the horizon. The White House said that Vance will return to Islamabad for a new round of talks in the coming days with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. But so far, neither Iran nor the United States has sent a delegation to Pakistan.
The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all natural gas and oil passes, remains effectively closed due to Iranian attacks in the waterway. This included some of the attacks on Saturday. There are also concerns that Iran may mine part of the strait used by passing ships during peacetime. Since the war, Iran has reportedly been charging the ship up to $2 million to allow it to pass. Opening the Strait remains a major focus of negotiations and Tehran’s strongest leverage against Washington, especially since countries around the world have begun energy rationing and warning of aviation fuel shortages. The US Navy attacked an Iranian container ship that tried to run its blockade of the strait this weekend, with Marines descending on it from helicopters.
All Iranian uranium is highly enriched He remains in the countryThey are likely buried at enrichment sites bombed by the United States during the 12-day war last June. Iran has not enriched since then, but asserts that it has the right to do so for peaceful purposes and denies seeking nuclear weapons. Trump, along with Israel, called on Iran to completely dismantle its nuclear program and give up its stockpile. Iran rejected this in its 10-point proposal to end the war.