Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. STRINGER / REUTERS
The United States is discussing a possible second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan and is optimistic about reaching a deal, US officials said, as Tehran threatened to shut down Red Sea trade unless Washington lifted a naval blockade of its ports.
A Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran bearing a new message from Washington after US President Donald Trump indicated negotiations could resume this week, after last weekend's failed talks in Islamabad.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks "would very likely" be in the Pakistani capital. "Those discussions are being had," Leavitt said, and "we feel good about the prospects of a deal."
The optimism came on the back of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's four-day diplomatic blitz, with the leader meeting on Wednesday, April 15, with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
