IRAN and the United States have made limited progress in negotiations facilitated through Pakistani mediation, but significant differences remain unresolved, particularly over Tehran’s nuclear programme, according to a senior Iranian official.
Reuters reported on Thursday that the talks come as a two-week truce reaches its midpoint, with both sides still far apart on key issues despite efforts to prevent a renewed escalation of conflict.
“The trip of the Pakistani army chief to Tehran was effective in reducing differences in some areas, but fundamental disagreements still remain in the nuclear field.... More hopes have been created for extending the ceasefire and holding a second round of talks,” the senior official said.
However, the official stressed that core issues remain unresolved.
“The fate of Iran’s highly enriched uranium and the duration of Iran’s nuclear restrictions are among the highly disputed issues for which no solution has yet been found.”
Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, visited Tehran on Wednesday in an effort to help prevent a renewed outbreak of hostilities. Pakistan had also hosted the first round of peace talks over the weekend.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that no dates have yet been agreed for a second round of talks between United States and Iran.
The diplomatic efforts follow the failure last weekend to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the war, which escalated after a surprise strike on Feb 28 involving the United States and Israel, prompting Iranian retaliation against Gulf states and contributing to wider regional instability, including spillover tensions in Lebanon.
Despite ongoing mediation, analysts say the talks remain fragile, with both sides continuing to hold firm positions on nuclear enrichment limits, verification mechanisms and the duration of restrictions under any potential ceasefire framework. - April 16, 2026
