US Vice President J D Vance is expected to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for talks with Iran aimed at ending the seven-week conflict, according to media reports. The visit is being planned as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of the expiry of a temporary ceasefire between the two sides.
On Monday, President Donald Trump told The New York Post that a delegation led by Vance was already on its way to Islamabad, although other reports suggested that the vice president was still in Washington at the time.
The proposed visit comes as a two-week ceasefire agreed on April 8 nears its end, with Trump warning that the United States could target bridges and power infrastructure in Iran if negotiations fail. With Vance expected to arrive late on Tuesday, the ceasefire has effectively been extended by a day until Wednesday.
According to Axios, Vance is likely to depart for Islamabad by Tuesday morning to hold discussions on a possible agreement to end the war. He is expected to be joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Tensions remained high over the weekend when a US guided missile destroyer intercepted and seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to breach the naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, further escalating the situation.
Iran’s participation in the talks has been influenced by mediation efforts from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye. Reports indicate that the Iranian delegation delayed its departure until it received approval from the country’s supreme leader. Earlier, The New York Times had also reported that an Iranian team was preparing to travel to Islamabad, likely led by Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf.
Sources cited by Axios suggest that Iran has been hesitant in negotiations, possibly due to pressure from the Revolutionary Guards to maintain a firm stance, including demands that the US lift its blockade before any talks proceed.
From the US side, officials have expressed optimism about reaching an agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the country is closer than ever to securing a favorable deal with Iran, crediting Trump’s negotiating approach. She defended the administration’s strategy, arguing that critics fail to understand its long-term objectives.
Earlier rounds of talks have highlighted key differences between the two sides. During discussions on April 11, US negotiators reportedly proposed a 20-year halt on Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iran countered with an offer for a five-year suspension, which was rejected by the United States. Despite growing domestic criticism of the conflict and concerns over rising fuel prices, Trump said he was
