Asian Mail Monitoring Desk
According to international news agencies, the United States and Iran are considering another round of face-to-face negotiations.
The US-based financial and business news outlet Bloomberg has reported that this round of talks could take place before the end of a two-week ceasefire period.
Bloomberg, citing individuals familiar with the matter, says that several locations—including Islamabad—are being considered for the second round of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Associated Press (AP News) has also reported, quoting two US officials and a person familiar with the developments, that Washington and Tehran are exploring the possibility of in-person talks aimed at reaching a new agreement.
According to AP News, all three sources confirmed that discussions about another round of negotiations are ongoing. A diplomat from a country involved in mediation has even suggested that both Tehran and Washington have already agreed to fresh talks.
AP News further reports that, in addition to Islamabad, Geneva is also under consideration as a potential venue. While the time and location have yet to be finalised, the talks could take place as early as Thursday.
Both Bloomberg and AP News note that the individuals providing the information requested anonymity.
The US news website Axios, citing a regional source and a US official, reports that mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey will continue efforts to facilitate dialogue between the two sides, with the aim of resolving differences and ending the conflict through an agreement.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has also expressed hope that talks between the two countries will resume. Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, he said, “By the next meeting, both sides may reach a conclusion.”
Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at the University of Tehran, told the BBC programme NewsHour that US–Iran negotiations could resume later this week. He added that the Iranian government is in contact not only with Pakistan but also with the United Kingdom and France.
AP News says it reached out to the White House for comment but had not received a response.
Earlier on Monday, US President Donald Trump told reporters that “we have been contacted by the other side” and that “they want to make a deal.”
Hopes of further peace talks between the US and Iran have eased concerns about a wider conflict, leading to a drop in oil prices during early trading in Asian markets.
The global benchmark Brent crude fell by 2.2% to $97.20 per barrel.
At the end of last week, following the collapse of talks, President Trump had ordered a blockade of Iran, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel on Monday.
