Islamabad in Global Spotlight for High-Stakes Diplomacy

Trump Hints at Islamabad Visit as Pakistan Pushes for Second Round of US-Iran Talks
ISLAMABAD Nazrana Times Ali Imran Chattha 

 – U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled he may personally travel to Islamabad if a final peace agreement with Iran is signed there, as Pakistan intensifies its mediation efforts to revive stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations and extend a fragile ceasefire.
In remarks to the New York Post, Trump said: “I might go to Islamabad if [the] deal is signed there.” He praised Pakistan as the preferred venue for the next round of talks, commending the country’s leadership. Trump described Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as “fantastic,” “doing a great job,” and his “favorite field marshal,” while also lauding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistani team for their “really great” and “extraordinary” mediation.
Trump added that talks “could be happening over the next two days” (referring to his April 14 comments) and that the U.S. is “more inclined to go there [Pakistan]... Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it?” White House officials later described a second round as “very likely” to be held in Islamabad.
Background of the Talks
The comments follow the first direct high-level U.S.-Iran talks in decades, held in Islamabad over the weekend of April 11–12. The American delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance and Jared Kushner. Despite 21 hours of marathon negotiations, no final agreement was reached. Key sticking points include Iran’s nuclear program: the U.S. demands strict limits or a suspension of uranium enrichment, while Iran has rejected what it calls “excessive demands.”
A temporary two-week ceasefire, brokered with Pakistani help and announced on April 8, has held tenuously. The U.S. maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz to apply economic pressure, while Iran has threatened retaliation. Fighting could resume if the ceasefire expires without progress.
Pakistan’s Central Role
Pakistan has emerged as a pivotal mediator. Field Marshal Asim Munir traveled to Tehran on Wednesday (April 15) carrying messages from the U.S. side and pushing for a breakthrough, particularly on the nuclear issue. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also engaged regionally with Saudi Arabia and other key players. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed ongoing discussions for a second round in Islamabad, though no firm date has been set.
According to Al Jazeera and other outlets, officials in Islamabad express optimism for a “major breakthrough” related to Iran’s nuclear program. Pakistani sources describe intensive diplomatic efforts to keep negotiations alive before the ceasefire deadline.
Current Status
As of the evening of April 16, no start date for the second round has been confirmed. However, back-channel contacts and parallel diplomacy—including Munir’s visit to Tehran remain active.
Trump has described the war as “very close to over” and said Iran “wants to make a deal very badly.” The White House continues to apply pressure through the naval blockade while expressing confidence in a potential deal.
Pakistani media outlets such as ARY Geo Dawn News and Geo News are running breaking coverage highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic spotlight.
This story remains highly fluid. A successful second round in Islamabad could lead to a historic agreement, potentially with Trump attending a signing ceremony positioning Pakistan as a key peacemaker in a major global conflict.
 

Reported by Ali Imran Chattha