Trump says fresh peace talks with Iran ‘possible as soon as Friday’

President Donald Trump said fresh peace talks with Iran could be possible as soon as Friday, while Pakistani sources said mediation efforts with Tehran had renewed hopes for another round of negotiations within the next 36 to 72 hours.

Asked by The New York Post about a possible breakthrough, Trump said in a text message: “It’s possible! President DJT.”

Pakistani sources in Islamabad said diplomatic outreach continued after Trump announced he would extend the current ceasefire with Iran while awaiting what he called a unified proposal from Tehran.

“The ceasefire is holding despite heightened rhetoric, indicating positive intent on both sides,” a Pakistani source said.

“No military escalation from either side.”

The source added that Pakistan remained a key mediator.

Ceasefire extended

On Tuesday, Trump said he had directed the U.S. military to continue a blockade and remain ready while extending the ceasefire until Iran submits a proposal and talks are concluded.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the pause followed requests from Pakistan’s Field Marshal army chief Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured ... and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran,” Trump wrote.

He said U.S. forces would maintain the blockade of Iranian ports while waiting for further diplomatic developments.

Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the move.

Strait of Hormuz tensions continue

Despite the diplomatic push, tensions remained high in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday their naval forces seized two container ships attempting to cross the blockaded waterway.

The Guards identified the vessels as the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminodas.

UK-based maritime security monitors said three commercial vessels had reported incidents involving gunboats in the strait.

Britain’s defense ministry said it would host two days of UK-France led talks involving more than 30 countries starting Wednesday on the security of the waterway.

A White House official said Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for a new round of talks that had been previously planned, pending an Iranian proposal.

Iran had not publicly confirmed whether it would send a delegation.

Lebanon ceasefire under strain

Elsewhere in the region, Lebanese state media said one person was killed and two wounded in an Israeli strike on Wednesday.

A separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had been agreed Friday and included Hezbollah.

Hezbollah said Tuesday it launched rockets and attack drones at northern Israel in response to what it called blatant ceasefire violations.

The Israeli military said Hezbollah fired several rockets toward soldiers in south Lebanon and that it struck the launcher in response.

A U.S. State Department official said Israel and Lebanon would hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday.

Lebanese authorities said Israeli attacks since the start of the conflict have killed at least 2,454 people.