According to a Pakistani source and an Axios report, the US and Iran are nearing a peace deal. However, major media report that talks in Islamabad between the US, Iran and mediators in Pakistan failed to bring about a deal over the weekend. Diplomacy between the US and Iran is set to resume today after a ceasefire agreement collapsed, major media report.
Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi is set to depart for the Pakistani capital this evening, according to a Pakistani government source. The White House says discussions around a possible second round of peace talks are 'ongoing' and 'productive'. No time or place for a second round of talks has been confirmed, major media report.
A two-week ceasefire is due to end on 22 April, according to major media. These conflicting accounts highlight the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations. Both sides have declared victory, though their underlying goals remain unmet.
The US considers military hostilities with Iran as 'concluded', and there has been no direct exchange of fire between US and Iranian forces since 7 April. By declaring hostilities concluded, the administration avoids a legal deadline requiring congressional approval for military operations after 60 days, which expires 1 May. Iran describes the ceasefire as 'the devil's great defeat', while Trump calls it 'a total and complete victory'.
Analysts note that such contradictory victory claims are typical in mediation to make each side feel like a winner. Trump can point to military objectives achieved and the Strait of Hormuz becoming navigable again as successes. However, the overarching goal of overthrowing the regime for a popular government was not achieved.
Iran can claim to have dictated the terms for talks and the end of the war. The US goal of regime change can be distorted to claim success because the regime was hit hard. Trump realized the ambition of the people taking over was too abstract and not grounded in reality.
The war has come at a steep cost. It is estimated to have cost several hundred billion dollars. The US has caused enormous damage to the world economy and created chaos and suffering in the region.
The war caused Iran to effectively block the Strait of Hormuz. The US has also lost a great deal of international standing, especially by threatening to wipe out an entire civilization. 2% shortly after opening.
The nuclear program remains a key sticking point in negotiations. The parties give different pictures of the agreement's details, especially on Iran's nuclear program. Iran insists on continuing to enrich uranium, while the US demands total dismantlement and handover of existing enriched uranium.
The nuclear issue is not resolved on all technicalities and is very complicated. A potential deal would require both sides to lift restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran would commit to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment.
The US would lift sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds. Trump announced a pause in 'Project Freedom' to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing 'great progress' towards a deal. However, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain.
Behind the scenes, legal and diplomatic maneuvering continues. The White House believes the sides will be able to establish a shorter framework to end the fighting and provisions for more detailed negotiations on the nuclear issue later. The US side is waiting for a response from Iran within 48 hours.
This is the closest the sides have been to an agreement since the war began. Shortly before Trump's announcement of the ceasefire, he made two phone calls. The ceasefire agreement was the result of hard work from several countries and a late appeal from a superpower.
Reporting restrictions add to the information gaps. The BBC's Lyse Doucet is reporting from Tehran under conditions that restrict material from being used on the BBC's Persian Service.