Pakistan presses ahead with preparations for Iran-US talks even with Tehran’s participation unclear

The United States and Iran are preparing for a new round of ceasefire talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, as a two-week truce nears its expiration. While neither country has publicly confirmed the timing, regional officials report that U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf will lead the negotiations. The ceasefire, which began on April 8, is set to end Wednesday, and both sides have issued warnings of potential conflict if no agreement is reached. President Trump has expressed reluctance to extend the ceasefire, emphasizing the need for Iran to negotiate. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated following the U.S. Navy’s seizure of an Iranian oil tanker. The situation remains uncertain, with internal debates within Iran and ongoing geopolitical tensions. QUESTION: How might the outcome of these talks influence future relations between the U.S. and Iran?