Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye are working to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran before the current ceasefire expires on April 21, as it appears both Washington and Tehran signal that a deal to end the conflict remains within reach, local media reported on Monday quoting U.S. officials and regional sources.
"We are not in a complete deadlock. The door is not closed yet. Both sides are bargaining. It's a bazaar," a regional source told U.S. online media outlet Axios.
The Turkish and Egyptian foreign ministers held separate phone calls with their counterpart in Pakistan. Both then spoke to White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, sources said.
The latest push followed a 21-hour round of talks on Saturday in Pakistan, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation and met Iranian officials.
A U.S. official said that an agreement could still be reached if Iran shows greater flexibility and accepts the framework discussed in Islamabad, said the report, adding that the current focuses are on narrowing remaining differences in time for another round of talks in the coming days.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains intact, adding that Pakistan will continue efforts to facilitate dialogue and promote lasting peace in the region.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also expressed optimism about the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the United States, saying a new round of dialogue is expected soon after recent talks held in Islamabad.
Talking to local media, the minister said there were still chances for the dialogue process to continue, describing the overall atmosphere following the discussions as positive and reassuring.
The minister noted that no negative signals had emerged from the negotiations so far.
U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration received a call from Iran on Monday morning, claiming that Tehran "would like to make a deal very badly" but also signaling Washington's eagerness to reach a deal to end the conflict.
"We've been called by the other side," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They'd like to make a deal very badly."
Local analysts say Washington has pressed Tehran to freeze uranium enrichment and relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while Iran is seeking the release of frozen funds and broader sanctions relief.
Trump threatened on Monday that the U.S. military will "eliminate" any Iranian ship if it comes close to the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, U.S. officials indicated that military pressure, partly aimed to prevent Iran from using the crucial global energy waterway as leverage in the talks, remains part of the negotiating strategy, said the report.
US, Iran leave room for deal as mediators step up efforts for further talks: media
