WASHINGTON: The next round of face-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran is likely to take place in Pakistan, the White House said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that while a second round of talks has not yet been formally scheduled, preparations for further negotiations were ongoing.
She indicated that the meeting would most likely be held at the same location as the previous round, pointing to Pakistan as the expected venue.
Leavitt praised Islamabad’s role in the negotiations, saying Pakistan had been instrumental in facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran.
“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process,” she said, adding that Pakistan was currently the only mediator involved in the negotiations.
She noted that although other countries had expressed interest in hosting or supporting the talks, the administration of Donald Trump preferred to keep communication channels streamlined through Islamabad.
Ceasefire extension reports denied
The White House also rejected reports suggesting that Washington had formally requested an extension of the current two-week ceasefire with Iran, which is set to expire on April 21.
Leavitt clarified that no such request had been made, though discussions between the two sides had continued after the United States left the first in-person meeting earlier this week.
She described the ongoing contacts with Iranian officials as constructive.
China arms reports addressed
Responding to separate reports alleging that China had supplied weapons to Iran, Leavitt said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured Trump that the claims were not true.
She added that the United States was taking Beijing’s assurances at face value, as it has done in similar situations in the past.
The latest developments come as diplomatic efforts intensify to maintain dialogue and prevent further escalation in the region, with Pakistan increasingly emerging as a key intermediary in the sensitive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.