Negotiations in Pakistan could restart within the next two days, Donald Trump said in an interview with ABC. The war is "almost over," he also told Fox News. Vice President JD Vance expressed similar optimism.
Earlier, representatives from Pakistan and Iran had stated that negotiations could continue this week in Pakistan. However, Iranian government circles indicated that no date had been set yet. Arguing against a quick new round of talks is the fact that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is embarking on a multi-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
The first round of talks was not without success over the weekend. According to Vance, however, progress was also made during the negotiations. An agreement has not yet been reached because "the president really wants a deal in which Iran does not possess nuclear weapons," the American vice president said.
Vance could also lead the American delegation in a possible second round of negotiations with Iran. This is reported by the American television network CNN. In addition, the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as well as Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, could also participate in the talks.
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire expires next week. According to American Vice President Vance, it has been respected so far. However, Trump seems unwilling to extend it. "I would prefer an agreement," Trump said in an interview with ABC.
Currently, according to their statements, American armed forces are fully enforcing the blockade of Iranian ports. American Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said that American forces have completely halted economic trade conducted by sea to and from Iran. According to him, this trade constitutes 90 percent of Iran's economy. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. military has stopped eight oil tankers and forced them to turn back.