Security guards are positioned at a checkpoint along a temporarily closed road near the Serena Hotel in the Red Zone of Islamabad, Pakistan, in anticipation of US-Iran peace discussions on Monday. Aaimr Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
The two-week expiration of the ongoing ceasefire between the US and Iran is nearing quickly.
Discussions conducted among officials in Islamabad earlier this month concluded without a clear route toward a definitive resolution of the conflict, and there are mixed reports regarding the possibility of additional negotiations this week, with a US delegation anticipated in Pakistan soon.
Here’s an overview of the developments in the discussions since the ceasefire was declared:
April 7: US President Donald Trump cautions that “an entire civilization will perish tonight” if Iran fails to accept a ceasefire and restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the day, a two-week truce between Tehran and Washington is declared.
April 8: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif states that ceasefire breaches “have been observed in several locations throughout the conflict area,” which “compromise the essence of the peace process.”
April 11: US and Iranian representatives engage in direct discussions in Islamabad, Pakistan, enduring for 21 hours.
April 12: US Vice President JD Vance declares that the parties have “not come to an agreement,” primarily due to Iran’s unwillingness to relinquish its nuclear program. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiators, claims the US did not succeed in earning the Iranian side’s trust. Later in the day, Trump remarks that the ceasefire is still “holding strong.”
April 13: The US enacts a blockade of Iranian ports, with a US official informing Xenix News that discussions between the US and Iran are ongoing. Trump further states that if an agreement is not achieved by the conclusion of the ceasefire, “it won’t be enjoyable” for Iran.
April 17: Following Iran’s announcement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz due to a separate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Trump states that the US blockade of Iranian ports will persist until a conclusive agreement is reached to end the conflict. Iran warns it will shut the strait once more if the blockade persists.
April 18: Iran announces it will close the Strait of Hormuz again, accusing the US of “violating trust.” Trump mentions that talks are still in progress but expresses irritation, stating Iran “became a bit clever” by shutting the strait once more. Ghalibaf states that the US and Iran are “still distant from reaching a final agreement” in
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