Iran talks 2.0 may happen in next two days in Pak, says Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted at a second round of talks with Iran amid the US Navy's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said that officials from the US and Iran could meet in the next two days in Islamabad.

"You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there," he said in reference to Islamabad, which hosted the first round of talks on April 11.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, delegations from Iran and the US met in Islamabad. However, the talks ended without a breakthrough, with both sides blaming each other for the failure.

Trump appeared to link Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir with the likelihood of a second round of talks, while praising him for "doing a great job". "He's fantastic. Therefore, it's more likely that we go back there," Trump told the US publication.

Trump's latest remarks come as tensions between the United States and Iran escalate following the American blockade of Iranian ports, with Tehran threatening regional strikes in response. The showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risks reigniting hostilities and deepening the



regional war's economic fallout.

Pakistan has been at the forefront of mediating between the US and Iran. It has already proposed hosting a second round in the coming days. Two Pakistani officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the first talks were part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort.

According to some US officials, the second round of talks could happen on Thursday. However, they added that the location, timing and composition of the delegations have not been decided, although Islamabad and Geneva are being considered as host cities.

The war, now in its seventh week, has jolted markets and rattled the global economy as shipping has been cut off and airstrikes have torn through military and civilian infrastructure in the Middle East. The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 23 in Israel, and over a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

While a second round of discussions is being hinted at, Pakistan appears to be playing a mediating role in efforts to revive dialogue. Meanwhile, the US blockade and Iran’s threats of regional strikes continue to fuel regional instability.