US positive on Iran deal but talks still uncertain as end of truce nears

(Reuters)

WASHINGTON/CAIRO/ISLAMABAD, April 21 (Reuters) – The United States has expressed confidence that ​peace talks with Iran will go ahead in Pakistan and a senior Iranian official said Tehran was considering joining, but significant uncertainty remained on Tuesday as the end of a ceasefire ‌loomed.

The two-week truce in the war that the U.S. and Israel unleashed on Iran on February 28 was set to expire in the next day or two, although officials have given mixed messages on the precise timing.

A first session of talks 10 days ago produced no agreement and Tehran had been ruling out a second round this week, after the United States refused to end its blockade of Iranian ports and seized an Iranian cargo ship.

But a Pakistani source involved in the discussions told Reuters there was momentum for talks to resume on ​Wednesday and U.S. Vice President JD Vance was expected in Islamabad.

An Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran was “positively reviewing” its participation but stressed that it was waiting to see if its conditions would be met, ​including recognition of its right to enrich uranium.

The Pakistani source, who declined to be identified while discussing confidential diplomatic matters, said U.S. President Donald Trump might attend, either in ⁠person or virtually, if a deal were to be signed.