Pakistan urges U.S., Iran to extend ceasefire as peace talks lag

Talks are still ongoing, but there have been few public indications that Iran or the U.S. have moved from their negotiating positions.

By Ben Whedon

Published: April 21, 2026 11:54am

Updated: April 21, 2026 11:55am

Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammd Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to extend an ongoing ceasefire that is set to expire on Wednesday evening.

Dar met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker and urged the extension to her. A statement from the Foreign Ministry said that "[h]e stressed the need for engagement between the United States and Iran, urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire, and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance."

Pakistan is hosting peace talks between the U.S. and Iran and was a key player in brokering the initial ceasefire agreement. That ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday evening and President Donald Trump has said it is "highly unlikely" he will extend it.

It remains unclear whether he plans to resume hostilities upon the deal's expiration, however. Talks are still ongoing, but there have been few public indications that Iran or the U.S. have moved from their negotiating positions.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.