US Media: US and Iran Signal Resumption of Peace Talks in Pakistan, Negotiators to Arrive on 22nd

(Central News Agency, Washington, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Report) As the fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is about to expire, the Associated Press today cited two regional officials indicating that the United States and Iran are sending signals that they are preparing for a new round of ceasefire talks in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

The Associated Press reported that these officials stated that Pakistan-led mediation has been confirmed, and the chief negotiators for the U.S. and Iran are expected to arrive in Islamabad early tomorrow morning. The aforementioned officials requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

According to the report, Pakistan is preparing for a new round of U.S.-Iran talks, even as U.S. President Donald Trump seems to have poured cold water on hopes for a final peace deal.

The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is set to expire tomorrow. Trump told Bloomberg News yesterday that it is "highly unlikely" he would extend the ceasefire.

Neither the U.S. nor Iran has publicly confirmed the timing of the talks. Iranian state television has denied that any officials have arrived in Islamabad. (Translation: Chen Cheng-chien) 1150421