Pakistan prepares for next round of US-Iran peace talks

Pakistan has begun preparations for the next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran, implementing heightened security measures in the country's capital Islamabad and surrounding areas.

The United States and Iran are currently discussing the specific time and location for the upcoming negotiations. Although these details have not yet been officially announced, sources indicate that the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have fully upgraded their security alert levels.

The first round of talks took place in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 in an attempt to ease tensions in the Middle East. However, the discussions, which followed a ceasefire announced on April 8 after 40 days of fighting between Iran, the United States and Israel, ultimately failed to produce an agreement.

Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The United States also imposed a naval blockade on the strait following the failed negotiations in Islamabad.

Earlier on Friday, both U.S. and Iran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the waterway again if the U.S. blockade continues.

Pakistan prepares for next round of US-Iran peace talks

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for all commercial vessels during the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, said his spokesman.

"The secretary-general considers this a step in the right direction. The United Nations’ position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz to be respected by all parties," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN secretary-general, in a statement.

"The secretary-general remains fully supportive of the diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East. He also hopes that, together with the ceasefire, this measure will contribute to creating confidence between the parties and strengthen the ongoing dialogue facilitated by Pakistan," said the statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday declared that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the Strait of Hormuz is now declared completely open to commercial vessels during the remainder of the ceasefire.

UN chief welcomes Iran's re-opening of Hormuz Strait for commercial ships