Qatar Signals Progress in US-Iran War Talks
Qatar's foreign ministry said mediators including Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman have reached "very progressive stages" in efforts to end the US-Iran war, pushing Brent crude down more than four percent.
Global Affairs
Trump Eyes Islamabad Visit If Iran Deal Closes
Key Takeaways
- 1.Iran ceasefire could expire April 21 without a deal
- 2.US military may resume strikes if negotiations fail
- 3.Sanctions relief for Iran contingent on full nuclear dismantlement
April 17, 2026 · 2 min read · By Rishabh Bhardwaj
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AI-assisted, human-reviewed · Our editorial standards
President Donald Trump said Thursday he may travel to Islamabad if a final US-Iran agreement is signed there, adding that Tehran has accepted 'almost everything' under negotiation. The statement, made on the White House lawn before a domestic trip, elevates Pakistan's mediating role into a potential venue for a historic signing and signals Washington's preference for a negotiated close before the current ceasefire expires April 21. Iran's nuclear programme remains the core obstacle. Trump is pressing for complete dismantlement of Tehran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief and de-escalation, and reiterated an unverified claim that Iran agreed to surrender enriched uranium relocated after last year's US-Israeli strikes. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a parallel warning that the US military is 'maximally postured' to resume combat if talks collapse. Field Marshal Asim Munir's visit to Tehran, where he met Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, drew international attention as the first visit by a regional leader to Iran since US-Israeli strikes began. Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed a second negotiating round in Islamabad is expected but declined to set a date. Authorities are preparing to deploy over 11,000 security personnel across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A separate Israel-Lebanon 10-day ceasefire, announced by Trump following talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, is viewed as a prerequisite for Iran's continued engagement.
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