Pakistan Pushes for Round 2 of 'Islamabad Process' After Iran War Talks Fail

Islamabad intensifies diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations between Washington and Tehran before ceasefire expires

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:42pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary diplomatic briefcase on a wooden table, with warm sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around high-stakes geopolitical negotiations.Pakistan's diplomatic push to resume Iran-U.S. negotiations reflects the nation's ambition to play a greater global role.Washington Today

A senior Pakistani government official confirmed to CBS News that Islamabad has intensified diplomatic efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table over the Iran war. Despite the lack of a breakthrough in the historic face-to-face round of talks over the weekend, Pakistani authorities said they remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects for continued engagement between both sides.

Why it matters

Successfully mediating such peace talks would be a diplomatic coup for Pakistan and help the nation's desire to be seen as a global player. However, with the current ceasefire set to expire around April 22, officials are working against the clock to prevent a return to all-out war between the U.S. and Iran.

The details

Pakistani authorities are now referring to the 'Islamabad Talks' as the 'Islamabad Process,' a shift that suggests an effort to frame the engagement as an ongoing diplomatic track rather than a one-off meeting. Efforts are underway to facilitate a second round of talks within the narrow window before the current ceasefire ends. These diplomatic initiatives are being pursued under the direct instructions of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, who played a key role in bringing the two sides together for the initial inconclusive talks.

  • The current ceasefire is set to expire around April 22, 2026.
  • The initial round of 'Islamabad Talks' took place over the weekend.

The players

Shehbaz Sharif

The Prime Minister of Pakistan who is overseeing the diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

Asim Munir

The Army Chief of Pakistan who was present during the initial round of 'Islamabad Talks' and is working to move the process forward.

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What they’re saying

“Pakistan is now waiting for responses from both the U.S. and Iran.”

— Senior Pakistani government official

What’s next

If the current ceasefire holds, Pakistan may have some wiggle room as it tries to bring the Americans and Iranians back around the table. However, with U.S. threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian promises to retaliate, officials might be counting the time they have at their disposal in hours, rather than days.

The takeaway

Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to mediate the Iran-U.S. conflict through the 'Islamabad Process' could be a significant geopolitical opportunity for the country, but the narrow timeline before the ceasefire expires poses a major challenge.